MAMA KOKO AND THE TORTOISE
In the quiet village of Udele, where the early morning sun always painted the rooftops gold, lived an old woman named Mama Koko. She was tiny like a broomstick, but her wisdom filled the whole village like the scent of ripe mangoes. Children ran to her hut every evening because Mama Koko’s stories could stop even the wind to listen.One dry season, a strange thing happened.The village well suddenly dried up. The yam leaves curled like frightened lizards, and the river shrank until only smooth stones were left shining in the sun. Everyone panicked—except Mama Koko.She simply stood up from her mat one morning and announced:
“I must go and speak with the Keeper of Waters.”
The villagers gasped. The Keeper of Waters lived deep in the forest—a powerful spirit no one visited without being invited. But Mama Koko tied her wrapper firm, picked her walking stick, and began her journey.
As she stepped into the forest, a small voice called out:
“Old mother, wait for me!”
It was Tortoise, slow-footed and cunning-eyed, dragging his patterned shell behind him.
Mama Koko sighed. “What do you want, Mbe?”
“I want to follow you,” Tortoise said. “I hear the Keeper of Waters respects only those who are clever—and I, as you know, am the cleverest in this village.”
Mama Koko chuckled. “Follow if you wish. But your cleverness often brings trouble-
THE FOREST OF ECHOES
They walked and walked until they reached a giant iroko tree, its roots twisting like sleeping serpents. Suddenly, the ground trembled and a deep voice boomed:
“WHO ENTERS MY FOREST?”
Tortoise puffed out his chest. “It is I, the great—”
Mama Koko cut him off gently.“Spirit of the Forest, it is Mama Koko of Udele, and I come with a humble companion.”The trees parted, and the path opened.Tortoise hissed, annoyed. “Why didn’t you let me speak? I had a powerful speech ready.”Mama Koko smiled. “Sometimes respect opens doors faster than bragging.”
—
BEFORE THE KEEPER OF WATER
They reached a sparkling cave where water danced in mid-air like floating beads. In the middle sat the Keeper of Waters, tall as a palm tree, his body shimmering like a river at dawn.“You come to ask for rain,” the Keeper said without being told.“Yes,” Mama Koko replied. “Our people suffer.”The Keeper frowned. “But your village has forgotten gratitude. You take from the river, from the rain, from the earth—yet when last did you honor the water spirits?”Mama Koko bowed her head. “You speak truth.”But Tortoise suddenly stepped forward.“Keeper of Waters,” he said boldly, “if you are so mighty, pour rain on us now! Let me see your power.”Mama Koko gasped. “Mbe!”The Keeper’s eyes flashed like lightning. A rumble shook the cave.
“You dare test me?”In a blink, the Keeper clapped his hands, and water shot like a wave—
straight at Tortoise!But Tortoise did what he always did when trouble came—he pulled his whole body into his shell.
The water slammed into his shell with a loud KPA!
When it ended, Tortoise stuck out his head, sputtering.
“Ah! I was only joking!”But Mama Koko knelt.“Great Keeper, forgive him. He is foolish, but harmless. Punish me instead, for I brought him here.”The Keeper paused. Her humility cooled his anger like rain on dry soil.Finally, he nodded.“You have shown wisdom, Mama Koko. Because of your humility, the rains will return.”He waved his hand, and a small calabash filled with glowing water floated into Mama Koko’s hands.“Pour this into your village well. By nightfall, the clouds will answer.”Mama Koko thanked him.
Tortoise, dripping and shivering, muttered, “Thank you… I suppose.Back in UdeleWhen Mama Koko poured the glowing water into the village well, a soft wind rose. By evening, dark clouds gathered, and for the first time in many moons, rain fell—soft, steady, life-giving.As children danced and farmers lifted their hands to the sky, Tortoise walked around proudly telling everyone:“If not for me, the Keeper would not have tested his powers!”Mama Koko only laughed and shook her head.“Let him talk,” she said. “Every creature must boast according to its nature.”And that is why, to this day, the people of Udele say:“Wisdom brings rain, but foolishness brings a splash.”
