Once upon a time, there lived a wise and generous king in a place named Calabar. He possessed a magical drum, which he would strike whenever trouble arose. Instead of inciting war, the drum would magically produce food and drinks before his people. Delicious meals like fish, soups, roasted yams, and even palm wine would instantly appear, transforming any argument into a joyful feast. However, if the king ever stepped over a stick or a fallen tree, the food would spoil, and men bearing sticks and whips would appear to administer a good thrashing!
The king was wealthy, owning many farms, employing numerous workers, and blessed with a large family. Every few months, he'd invite everyone - humans and wild animals alike - to a grand feast. All coveted the king's magical drum, but he never shared it with anyone.
One day, the king's wife, while bathing her little girl at a spring, unintentionally gave a palm nut that belonged to a clever tortoise to her daughter. The tortoise saw this as an opportunity to acquire the magical drum. He took the matter to the king, and after refusing money, cloth, or palm oil, the tortoise finally pointed to the king's drum and said, "That's all I want." Tired of the fuss, the king agreed but forgot to mention the tricky rule about sticks and fallen trees.
Back home, the tortoise was excited. He beat the drum and savored feasts with his family for days. In a generous mood, he invited the entire city to a banquet, surprising everyone with the abundant feast produced by the magical drum.
However, after a while, the tortoise became complacent and arrogant, often indulging in excessive drinking. One day, returning home in a tipsy state, he inadvertently stepped over a stick. Unaware of his blunder, he beat the drum the next morning for food. But instead of a feast, men with sticks and whips appeared, meting out a painful beating to him and his family.
Frustrated and wishing to share his misfortune, the tortoise invited everyone for a grand feast. When all the guests had arrived, he beat the drum and quickly hid. Rather than a feast, the men with sticks and whips appeared, delivering a harsh beating to everyone. After the guests departed, the tortoise, regretting his decision, resolved to return the drum to the king.
The king, feeling sorry for the tortoise, presented him with a magic foo-foo tree instead. The tree would drop food once a day, but only if nobody collected food more than once. However, one of the tortoise's sons was greedy. He followed his father, discovered the tree, and couldn't resist taking extra food. This disobedience broke the magic, and the tree vanished.
The tortoise was disheartened and told his family that they had ruined the magic. From that point onwards, they had to live under a prickly palm tree, and that's where tortoises can be found today.
Once upon a time in the super-duper kingdom of Calabar, there was a king. But not just any king. This guy had a drum. You hit it, and whoosh! Out comes a whole feast of yummies! We're talking fish sticks, chicken nuggets, and gallons of apple juice! Just remember, don't trip over any sticks. Do that, and it's like going from your birthday party to time-out. Nobody wants that.
So, the king was super rich, with lots of land and helpers. He even threw huge parties with cakes and games for everyone—people and animals. Everybody wanted to be a part of his drum jammin' parties.
Then one day, the queen messed up. While giving their little one a bath, she gave her a snack—a nut from a tree. Oops! Because that nut actually belonged to a very clever tortoise.
Seeing his chance, the tortoise wiggled up to the king and said, "Hey, about that nut? How 'bout we make a trade for something way cooler?" The king tried to offer all sorts of stuff: money, shiny fabric, even some cooking oil. But the tortoise pointed at the drum and said, "Yep, that'll do!"
The king handed it over but forgot to tell him the important rule about not stepping over sticks.
Back at his tortoise pad, things were happening! He'd hit the drum and throw the best parties ever. He was so excited that he even invited the whole town. But after a while, he got a little too goofy and didn't watch his step. He tripped over a stick.
The next morning, instead of pancakes and syrup, it was more like a group of guys with sticks giving everyone a time-out. Still not learning his lesson, the tortoise thought it'd be a funny joke to invite everyone over for another "epic" feast. When they arrived, he hit the drum and hid. And you guessed it, no feast—just another round of the stick time-out for everyone.
Feeling really bad, the tortoise decided to give the drum back to the king. The king just shook his head but felt a little bad for him. So, he gave the tortoise a magical snack tree instead. Just one rule: take one snack a day. Take more, and the tree goes "poof!"
Of course, the tortoise's kid didn't listen. He sneaked an extra snack, and the tree vanished!
Feeling super sad, the tortoise told his family they messed up. So now, they all live under a really pointy tree, munching on leaves. And that's where you'll find tortoises today. Always wondering, "What's the stick got to do with it?"
In the land of Calabar, so bright and so far,
Lived a kind-hearted king with a magical star.
It wasn't a star, but a drum that could sing,
When trouble was near, such joy it would bring.
With a tap and a beat, and a rhythm so neat,
Out poured yummy treats, for everyone to eat.
Fish, soup, and yams, and sweet palm wine too,
Turned anger to laughter, and sadness to woo.
But there was one rule, that the king knew so well,
Over sticks or logs, if he happened to fell,
Instead of a feast, men with sticks would arrive,
To give a good thump, oh, what a surprise!
Now the king had a drum, the whole town did adore,
But he kept it close, never sharing its lore.
Then a tortoise saw chance, with a nut and a plan,
To own that great drum, as quick as one can.
The king, tired and vexed, gave the drum to the beast,
Forgetting to mention the rule in the least.
At first, it was joy, as the tortoise did play,
With feasts every day, in a grand display.
But over some time, with drink and with cheer,
The tortoise grew bold, losing all of his fear.
One day, with a stumble, he tripped on a twig,
The next drumming brought, a lesson quite big.
Instead of a feast, a surprise was in store,
Men with sticks and with whips, oh, it was quite the bore!
They gave him a thump, and his family too,
The tortoise felt bad, didn't know what to do.
Wanting to share, the poor tortoise's plight,
He invited the town for a grand feast that night.
But instead of joy, more beatings came down,
Leaving the guests frowning, without a crown.
The tortoise felt bad, gave the drum back with care,
But the king was so kind, gave a tree rare and fair.
The foo-foo tree dropped food, a rule it had tight,
Take once, not twice, or it'll vanish from sight.
But greed knows no bounds, one son couldn't wait,
Took more than his share, sealing everyone's fate.
The tree disappeared, the tortoise felt low,
And that's why, dear child, they live below.
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