Many years ago in the land of animals, the hippopotamus was the richest animal in the kingdom. He has the biggest house and married 7 beautiful and big wives. Every month, he threw a big feast and invited all animals to dine with him. They would eat and go home with enough food.
He noticed along the line they would come in and leave without mentioning his name even when they greeted him. He told his wives and they noticed too, he was so angry with the animals and told his wives never to tell anyone his name because he had a plan.
The next feast, the animals came in again to dine. Tortoise brought a big bag to pack food home after the feast. Hippopotamus told them to sit down as he stood up to address the animals.
”My good friends from far and near, I greet you today.”
The animals went wild to cheer him up. The hippo was attentive if any of them would mention his name but none did. He mentioned all the other animals’ name and they just nodded. He got really angry.
”Well, I just discovered something today. None of you animals know my real name! The only animal that will be allowed to feast with me today must know my name.”
The animals grumbled, they called out different names but none of them was right. They walked away with their tails behind them. The tortoise was very hungry but spoke:
”What will happen if I tell you your name at the next feast?” He asked.
Hippo looked around and saw the river far away, ”If you get my name, I and my family will move to that river permanently.” He laughed as he replied tortoise.
Tortoise left for his house. He studied the hippo’s movement from that day on – where he went to, who he talked to and many more. He discovered he took his wives to the river to bath every morning and late in the evening. One afternoon, he met one of hippo’s wives in the market and tried to engage her in a discussion but she laughed at him and left. He tried to talk with the other wives too but they did the same. They told their husband and laughed at tortoise for being so desperate.
We all know tortoise always have ideas, he had another one this time. He remembered hippo and his wives took bath in the river in the morning and evening. The hippo always come first followed by his wives. He hid along the path and when he heard footsteps, he dug up sand and covered himself with it. His shell was outside like a big stone. Hippo and his 6 wives passed but the last wife hit her toe hard against the shell and screamed in pain, ”Ouch! Isim, I have hit my leg on a stone.” The tortoise went home happily.
On the next feast, there were lots of food and drink to go around. The tortoise walked in majestically to hippo’s house. Hippo stood up to address the other animals and ask if they knew his name. before he was through, tortoise stood up and screamed his name, ”Your name is Isim!!!” Hippo was defeated.
The animals were happy and ate till they were full. After the feast, the hippo led his wives from his house to live in the river as he has promised. This is why Hippopotamus live in the water till now. Thank you all for reading my story.