Ijapa the Farmer

Ijapa the Tortoise decided to become a farmer. He cleared a large piece of land with great difficulty. When it was time to plant, he was too tired and lazy to do the work himself. He went to the other animals and announced, "I am hosting a great festival of work! There will be music and a prize for the one who can plant the most yams on my farm!" All the animals came, and turned the planting into a joyous competition, working much faster than they would have for simple pay. In a single day, Ijapa's entire field was planted. When the yams were ready to be harvested, he used the same trick, announcing a "Harvesting Festival." Again, the animals came and harvested all his yams for him. But when it was time for the prize, Ijapa gave them a single, tiny yam. The animals were furious, realizing they had been tricked into doing all his work for nothing. They chased him out of the village, but Ijapa had already hidden the entire harvest. The story is a classic example of Ijapa's cunning, showing how he manipulates social customs and turns work into a game to serve his own lazy ends.