The Tortoises Feast-A Tale of Wit and Strategy

Once upon a time, deep in the heart of the jungle, a grand announcement sent waves of excitement through the animal kingdom. The mighty Tiger, known for his feasts of grandeur, declared he would host a lavish banquet. Only the first 20 animals to arrive at his lair at dawn would be admitted. The fast and fierce creatures—the cheetah, leopard, lion, hare, and antelope—laughed confidently. They knew they could outpace any competitor.

Near a quiet pond lived a proud tortoise named Timo. Though Timo was famously slow, his wit and confidence were unmatched. When he heard the Tiger's proclamation, he resolved to attend and be among the first to savor the feast. "Speed is not everything," he mused. "I’ll get there before anyone else—just wait and see."

Determined, Timo spent sleepless nights devising a plan. One morning, he tested how long it would take him to reach the Tiger’s den. After an entire day of crawling, he realized he would never make it in time. "This won’t do," he muttered, staring at the trail behind him. That’s when an idea struck him—a way to use his ingenuity to overcome his disadvantage.

Timo sought out his friend, Silo the snail, who lived nearby. Silo was kind-hearted and eager to help. Timo concocted a story. "Dear Silo," he began, "I am searching for a bride in a distant village. Would you accompany me? Along the way, could you leave your slime trail? It will help me find my way back when I visit again."

Silo, touched by his friend's request, agreed without hesitation. Together, they set off on a journey. As they moved, Silo left a sticky, slippery trail behind them. By nightfall, they reached a spot close to the Tiger's lair, and Timo feigned exhaustion. "It’s too late to visit now," he said. "Let’s return and come back another day."

The following morning, Timo suggested they take a second path home, repeating the same tactic. Silo obliged, leaving his slime trail on this road as well. By the time they returned, both routes leading to the Tiger's den were covered in slick, treacherous slime.

When dawn broke on the day of the feast, the fastest animals gathered under a towering mango tree, boasting about their speed. Timo waddled into the circle and announced he would join the race. The animals erupted in laughter. "You, the slowest creature in the jungle?" sneered the antelope. "Even your shadow outruns you!"

"Let’s make it interesting," Timo proposed. "If anyone beats me, I’ll serve their needs for a year. But if I win, you’ll tend to mine for two years." The cheetah, certain of his victory, accepted the bet.

As the race began, the fast animals darted down the main path, only to skid and tumble on the slippery slime. "Take the second path!" the leopard growled, but the second route proved equally treacherous. They slipped and stumbled, unable to gain ground.

Meanwhile, Timo calmly stepped onto the slime trail he had anticipated. Using his weight and shell for balance, he slid effortlessly down the path, gliding all the way to the Tiger's lair. By the time the cheetah arrived, panting and frustrated, he found Timo lounging at the feast, savoring a hearty meal.

"How did you—?" the cheetah stammered, staring at the tortoise in disbelief. Timo chuckled. "Speed is not the only path to success, my friend. Sometimes, it’s the mind that gets you to the finish line."

One by one, the other animals arrived, stunned to see the slow-moving Timo already enjoying the feast. None could figure out how he had beaten them. The tortoise never revealed his secret, carrying his victory like a badge of honor. For years to come, the jungle echoed with tales of the clever tortoise who outsmarted the fastest beasts.

And so, Timo’s story became a reminder that wit and strategy often triumph over brute strength and speed.