A very long time ago during the reign of King Baja, the animals and men lived together peacefully. The King often threw feast to celebrate the animals. The Elephant had a big eyes that time in proportion with his size. During the feast, he would greedily eat more than the animals and they couldn’t stop nor challenge him. The hippopotamus tried to meet up but was too slow to compete with him.
The animals called a meeting behind him to address the issue. Some of them suggested they report to the king, the other animals kicked against the idea.
”If the King knows about our grievances, he can cancel this feast. We can’t afford to lose the friendship between us and men.” The Lion spoke, he stood against the animals that wanted to report to the King.
”I still insist we tell him. I stand for the smaller animals, we hardly have anything to eat because of that greedy bag of lice.” The Squirrel responded, he was so angry.
The Tortoise was at the meeting, he watched in silence as the animals deliberated on the issue. When he was tired, he stood up and left. ”I can get that fat Elephant on my own, I am the most cunning animal in the world.” He thought to himself as he left. When he got home, he ate his favorite yam porridge and napped on his lucky mat – this was where all his ideas were birthed. It was not long before an idea came to him.
The next day, he asked around for the outcome of the meeting and was told no major decision was made. He went to the market to get what he needed for his plan. All he had to do was to wait for the next day to hatch his plan. Immediately the cock crew the next day, he prepared the meal then set out for the Elephant’s house. He was surprised to see Tortoise but offered him a seat.
While he was seated, he opened his bag and brought out a food wrapped in Potato leaves. He ate it to the delight of the Elephant. He started to salivate and wanted the food.
”My dear friend, your food is smelling quite good. Can I have a bite please, I am very hungry?” He asked Tortoise.
Tortoise knew he was greedy and smiled.
”This food is very sweet but hurtful.” He raised his head up for the Elephant to see his closed eye. ”I am eating one of my eyes mixed with potato leaves to help it grow back instantaneously.” He continued.
The Elephant thought about it for a second then said, ”If the food is as delicious as you have said, remove one of my eyes and let me have a taste.”
He lifted him up with his trunk so he could remove his big eyes. Tortoise came prepared as he was with a very sharp knife. Before Elephant could change his mind, he removed his right eye. The Elephant trumpeted in pain, Tortoise quickly brought out shrimp wrapped in Potato leaf and threw it in his mouth. It was so delicious, he forgot about the pain.
The Elephant enjoyed the food, ”This food is so delicious, I want another one. Are you sure my eyes will grow back?”
”Yes, as soon as the leaves kick in.” He replied.
He quickly removed the second eye and put another shrimp in his mouth. He left Elephant’s house immediately with a wicked grin on his face. Few seconds later, Elephant discovered he was no longer there and was still blind. He ran outside angrily calling on the Tortoise and destroying trees. The animals nearby were scared but couldn’t come out.
The next morning, he heard footsteps and traced his way to the front of his house. He screamed hello and the Deer looked back to see him. ”Hello Mr. Elephant.”
”Please, where are you off to?” He asked.
”Well, today is market day. I am going to get yam and bitterleaf, see you later.” The Dear replied and ran off.
The Elephant knew it was the perfect time to seek revenge, he knew Tortoise would be at the market. All he needed was just a pair of eyes. He asked different animals that passed if they could lend him their eyes but they didn’t oblige, they despised him for his greed. The worm was passing by and saw the Elephant in a sad mood so he greeted him and he replied. He was so fascinated that a big animal could reply a small animal like him.
”What is wrong? You don’t look happy this morning.” The Worm asked.
The Elephant narrated what happened between him and Tortoise to him. He knew this was an opportunity so he asked him if he could borrow his eyes till the next market day so he could deal with Tortoise. The Worm happily gave out his small eyes to him. When the Elephant put the eyes in the socket, the flesh closed tightly around them.
The Elephant knew the worm would want his eyes back so he ran away. This is why the Elephant’s eyes are small and the worm is blind today.