Ijapa and the Empty Bride Box

Ijapa the Tortoise was to be married, but he was very poor and had no fine gifts for his bride's family. He went into the forest and built a large, beautiful, and ornate box. He carved it and polished it until it looked like a royal treasure chest. He then filled it with rocks and sand, with only a thin layer of beans on top. He arrived at his bride's village, carrying the magnificent, heavy box with great ceremony. Her family was incredibly impressed. "This man must be very wealthy to bring such a heavy and beautiful box!" they said. They immediately agreed to the marriage and held a great feast in his honour. During the feast, Ijapa quietly slipped away, leaving the empty box behind. By the time his new in-laws discovered the trick, Ijapa and his new wife were long gone. While he was shamed, he had won his bride through a grand illusion.