The Tortoise and the Leopard's Wrestling Match

The Leopard, a fearsome wrestler, challenged any animal to a match, with the loser becoming the winner's slave. All were too afraid to fight him. But the slow Tortoise, Kulu, accepted the challenge. Everyone laughed. Before the match, Kulu the Tortoise went to the forest and collected sharp, pointed thorns and embedded them all over his shell, hidden under a thin layer of mud. When the match began, the Leopard grabbed the Tortoise, but the harder he squeezed, the more the hidden thorns pricked him. He roared in pain but his pride would not let him stop. He tried to throw the Tortoise, but Kulu just withdrew into his shell. The Leopard, bleeding and exhausted, finally collapsed. Kulu was declared the winner. He did not take the Leopard as a slave, but he had won his freedom and respect. The story teaches that a small person with a clever defense and a sharp wit can defeat a powerful enemy who relies only on brute strength.