Tortoise outsmarts Elephant by proving he can jump right over the elephant's "tiny and stupid" head.

African culture is closely tied up to its affinity to nature. It is not surprising, therefore, that fables comprise many of African folktales from past to present. Ibiye Omieibi-Davids¿s wonderful storytelling is demonstrated in African Tortoise Tales, a collection of memorable African fables set to capture the hearts and minds of children the world over. ¿The Tortoise and the Sardine¿ tells why stubborness leads to unfortunate situations that may affect someone forever. ¿The Tortoise and the Magic Drums¿ shows that greed brings nothing but misery, and ¿The Tortoise and the Stone Man¿ depicts that evil schemes and bad actions when uncovered will not escape punishment. Nine other interesting stories delve in varied themes like arrogance and humility, trust and betrayal, and loyalty and camaraderie. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, African Tortoise Tales is a book children and adults alike would enjoy reading for years.

An African folklore about the story of the greedy Tortoise/ Turtle. Before now the Tortoise has always had a very beautiful and smooth shell. Discover through this African folklore, how the Tortoise cracked his shell and ever since it's has remained cracked.

Three African Tales: The Tortoise Shell; Why the Frog Has No Tail; The Sun, the Moon, and the Water.

Collection of traditional folk tales introduces a host of interesting people and unusual animals — among them "The Cricket and the Toad," "The Tortoise and His Broken Shell," and "The Boy in the Drum."

Presents eighteen traditional tales from West Africa, including "The Tortoise and the Leopard, " "The Story of Muhammadu, " and "The Magic Crocodile."

The goal of the African Story Time Series is to revive African folklore and to generate and sustain interest in it as children's literature and as a medium of entertainment, education and moral instruction for young people.

Long before people could turn to books for instruction and amusement, they relied upon storytellers for answers to their questions about life. Africa boasts a particularly rich oral tradition, in which the griot — village historian — preserved and passed along cultural beliefs and experiences from one generation to the next. This collection of 30 timeless fables comes from the storytellers of Nigeria, whose memorable narratives tell of promises kept and broken, virtue rewarded, and treachery punished. Ajapa the Tortoise — a trickster, or animal with human qualities — makes frequent appearances among the colorful cast of talking animals. In "Tortoise Goes Wooing," he learns a valuable lesson in friendship and sharing. Ajapa's further adventures describe how, among other things, he became a chief, acquired all of the world's wisdom, saved the king, tricked the lion, and came to be bald. Recounted in simple but evocative language, these ancient tales continue to enchant readers and listeners of all ages.

This collection of folktales from South Africa has been put together the author says, not for scholarship but for a love of the sunny country where he was born. Some stories originate from Dutch sources, and some have several versions. Most are tales told by the bushmen.