Once upon a time, in a land where animals talked, there was a terrible drought. The plants stopped growing, and the animals started getting very hungry. The leopard, who loved to eat meat, didn't mind too much, though.
Seeing that the other animals were struggling, the leopard called a meeting. He was powerful, and he knew it. He declared that each animal should bring their grandmothers, and then their mothers, for him to eat. He warned them that if they didn't, he would eat the younger ones. Of course, the young animals didn't want to be eaten, so they agreed.
One by one, the animals brought their old grandmothers for the leopard to eat. First, the squirrel, then a bush cat, and then a bush buck. The leopard found their offerings unsatisfactory, but it kept him from being hungry.
Then it was the tortoise's turn, but he was clever. He said his grandmother was already dead, so the leopard let him be. Once all the grandmothers were eaten, it was time for the mothers.
Many young animals loved their mothers and didn't want them to be eaten. Among these were the squirrel and the tortoise. The tortoise, with his smart thinking, told his mother to hide up in a palm tree, and he would send food up to her in a basket every day. And so, she did.
One day, the squirrel noticed the tortoise's actions and became suspicious. The leopard had eaten his mother, but the tortoise had not given up either his grandmother or mother. He followed the tortoise one morning and discovered the secret. He saw the tortoise send food up to his mother in the tree.
The squirrel, feeling jealous, went to the leopard and told him about the tortoise's trick. He said, "The tortoise has hidden his mother in a tree, and it's his turn to give you food."
The leopard, very upset, made the squirrel take him to the tortoise's tree. The next morning, he tried to use the basket to get pulled up the tree, but the old tortoise couldn't lift him. So, the leopard climbed the tree and found the tortoise's mother. However, her shell was so hard that he didn't think she would taste good, so in his anger, he threw her down from the tree and left.
When the tortoise arrived later and found his mother's broken shell, he knew what had happened. He decided that he would stay away from the other animals from then on.
Once upon a time, in a land where animals didn't just talk—they chit-chatted, sang songs, and even argued about which TV show to watch—there was a really bad dry spell. Imagine, so dry, even the plants were thirsty. The animals? Let's just say their bellies were rumbling louder than a drum set.
Here comes Leopard, the big boss of the jungle. "Hey everybody, got an idea! How about you bring me your grandmas for dinner? Or else, I might just have to snack on you kiddos instead!"
The young animals thought, "Not a fun plan, but better Grandma than me!"
So, the Grandma Parade began. First was Squirrel's grandma. Leopard thought she tasted kinda funny. Then came Bush Cat’s grandma, but Leopard said, "Yuck! Too furry!" Bush Buck's grandma was next, and she was as tough as an old shoe. Leopard was getting pretty annoyed, but at least he wasn’t super hungry anymore.
Now here's Tortoise, the smarty-pants of the group. "Um, my grandma's already taking a really long nap, like, forever. So, I can't bring her."
Leopard just said, "Whatever. Next!"
Time for round two: The Mom Showdown. Tortoise had a bright idea: "Hey Mom, climb this palm tree. I'll toss some snacks up to you in a basket."
Every day, his mom got her basket of yummy food and stayed safe in the tree.
But then, Squirrel started to get really curious. "Why is Tortoise sending snacks to a tree? Hmm!"
Squirrel couldn't keep a secret and ran straight to Leopard. "Hey, Spotty! Tortoise is cheating! His mom's in a tree, eating like a queen!"
Leopard got super mad. "Show me that tree, Squirrel!"
The next morning, Leopard tried to get pulled up by the basket, but it was too hard for Tortoise's mom. So, Leopard climbed the tree himself, found the mom, and realized she was too hard to chew.
"Can't eat this!" he said, and tossed her out of the tree.
When Tortoise came later and saw his mom's broken shell, he was really sad. "Okay, I get it. No more dinner parties with Leopards."
And that’s what he did. In a place full of chatty animals, everyone agreed that Tortoise was the smartest, even if he didn't move too fast.
So they all kept on living, some a bit wiser, some a bit fuller, but all thankful that no more dinner invitations were sent out by Leopard.
In a land of chatter and chatterbox paws,
A drought came to be, giving everyone pause.
Plants didn't grow, and tummies were lean,
Except for the leopard, who still looked so mean.
Mr. Leopard declared, "Let's all come to talk.
Bring your grandmas to me; I won't eat a hawk!"
Young ones were scared, not wanting to be lunch,
So they all agreed, even Chipmunk and Bunch.
First came Squirrel, then Bush Cat in line,
Followed by Bush Buck, each not so fine.
Leopard just mumbled, "These snacks aren't the best,"
But they kept him from growling, so he let it rest.
When Tortoise's turn came, he thought in a blink,
"My grandma's not here; she's as old as ink!"
Leopard just shrugged, said, "Alright, you're free!"
Then next were the moms, as sad as could be.
Tortoise said, "Mom, you climb up that tree!
I'll send food in a basket, as easy as three!"
And Mom Tortoise smiled, hiding safe and sound,
While young Tortoise scurried along the ground.
But Squirrel grew jealous, and his eyes went narrow.
"Why does Tortoise walk such a different arrow?"
He watched Tortoise's secret, then rushed to report,
To Leopard, who growled, "Is this some kind of sport?"
Squirrel showed the way, to the Tortoise's tree,
Leopard tried climbing, but oh, what a spree!
He found Mom Tortoise, her shell tough as rock,
He flung her down angrily; it was quite a shock.
Later, Tortoise found his mom, knew what took place,
A broken shell and the sorrow on her face.
He thought for a moment and then chose to roam,
Far from the others, making solitude his home.
So the tale reminds us, in choices, be wise,
And sometimes it's better to wear a disguise.
When life gets too prickly, like a porcupine's coat,
Be smart, like the tortoise, and keep your hopes afloat.
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