The Tortoise and the Elephant's Drum

The Elephant was the only one who owned a drum, and he would never share it. The Tortoise, who loved to dance, decided he must have the drum. He went to the Elephant and said, "Great Elephant, I have invented a new paste that will make your skin tougher than any spear. But I need to apply it properly. You must lie down in this ditch." The Elephant, proud of his tough hide and wanting to make it even tougher, agreed and lay down in a ditch. The Tortoise then directed all the other animals to help him. "Cover him with heavy logs!" he commanded. "It is part of the treatment to press the medicine in!" The animals, following the Tortoise's instructions, piled logs on top of the Elephant until he was completely trapped. "Now," said the Tortoise, "we will have a great dance!" He took the Elephant's drum and began to play. All the animals danced and celebrated their new freedom to use the drum. The Elephant, trapped and humiliated beneath the logs, could only listen to the sound of his own drum being played by the clever Tortoise. The story teaches that intelligence and cooperation can overcome even the greatest brute strength.