Mbe and the Squirrel's Granary

Mbe the Tortoise was a lazy farmer, and his yam barn was empty. His neighbor, the Squirrel, was hardworking and had a barn full of nuts. Mbe went to the Squirrel and said, "Friend, let us have a contest. We will see who can shout the loudest." The Squirrel agreed. Mbe told him to go inside his own granary to get the best echo. When the foolish Squirrel went inside and began to shout, Mbe quickly barred the door, trapping him inside. Mbe then began to leisurely eat the Squirrel's nuts. After a few days, the Squirrel's wife came looking for her husband. Mbe, disguising his voice, shouted from inside the granary, "Go away! I am meditating!" Finally, the wife grew suspicious and got help from the other animals. They freed the skinny, weak Squirrel and saw that Mbe had stolen all his food. Mbe was forced to repay the Squirrel twice over and was shamed for his wicked trickery.