The Tortoise and the Leopard's Singing Contest

The Leopard, who had a loud and terrible roar, declared he had the best voice in the forest and challenged anyone to a singing contest. The winner would be king for a day. All the other animals were too afraid to compete. But the small Tortoise accepted the challenge. Everyone laughed. On the day of the contest, the Leopard let out a mighty roar that shook the trees. Then it was the Tortoise's turn. The Tortoise did not make a sound. Instead, he had secretly hidden his entire family inside a large, hollow log. On his signal, they all began to beat on the inside of the log, creating a deep, resonant, and complex rhythm that sounded like a whole troupe of master drummers. The sound was so beautiful and powerful that all the animals began to dance. The Leopard, who could only produce one loud, angry note, was defeated by the harmony and complexity of the Tortoise's "song." The Tortoise was declared the winner, proving that music and community are more powerful than a single, loud voice of tyranny.