Once upon a time in Southern Nigeria, there lived a tortoise with a beautiful daughter. The tortoise was proud of his daughter's beauty and wanted her to marry the king. He devised a plan to make this happen.
The tortoise approached the king and said, "Your Majesty, I have a daughter so lovely that she would be a perfect match for you. Please consider her as your wife."
The king was intrigued and agreed to meet the tortoise's daughter. When he saw her, he was indeed impressed by her beauty. He decided to marry her, and the tortoise was overjoyed.
However, the tortoise's greed knew no bounds. He wanted more than just a royal connection. He asked the king for riches, lands, and power. The king, annoyed by the tortoise's demands, decided to teach him a lesson.
The king summoned the tortoise and said, "You are too greedy. I will grant your wishes, but there's a condition. You must bring me the magic drum that plays beautiful melodies."
The tortoise accepted the challenge and set off on his quest. He traveled far and wide, facing dangers and overcoming obstacles. Finally, he found the magic drum guarded by spirits deep in the forest.
As he tried to take the drum, the spirits woke up. They warned him, "If you take the drum, you must never play it for yourself. Only play it for others."
The tortoise agreed, but couldn't resist the temptation. He played the drum secretly, and its enchanting melodies made him dance uncontrollably.
The spirits appeared and scolded him, "You broke your promise! Now you'll pay the price."
They took away all the riches he had made from the king. The tortoise was left poor and miserable. He learned that greed leads to downfall and that promises must be kept.
And so, the tortoise became a cautionary tale, reminding everyone that honesty, humility, and contentment are virtues to cherish.
Remember, my friend, every folktale carries a message.
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