the tortoise (Tale 21)

Role: singer · First appears: Tale 21 · The Hunter and the Tortoise

In Tale 21, the hunter persuaded the tortoise to come to his hut and sing for him alone. He later revealed her secret to others, breaking their agreement; when he brought her and her harp to the Assembly Place, she remained silent. After the hunter was beheaded, the tortoise spoke.

Relationship record

Life events

• The hunter persuaded the tortoise to let him carry her to his hut to sing for him alone.(Tale 21 · The Hunter and the Tortoise · 📍 the forest)
  • With: the hunter (Tale 21)
  • “At last he persuaded her to let him carry her back to his hut, that he might enjoy her singing daily in comfort. This she permitted, only on the understanding that she sang to him alone.”
• The hunter revealed the tortoise's secret to others, breaking their agreement that she sing to him alone.(Tale 21 · The Hunter and the Tortoise)
  • With: the hunter (Tale 21)
  • “Soon he began to wish that he could show off this wonderful tortoise to all the world, and thereby thought he would gain great honour. He told the secret, first to one, then to another, until finally it reached the ears of the chief himself.”
• The hunter brought the tortoise to the Assembly Place, but she remained mute instead of singing.(Tale 21 · The Hunter and the Tortoise · 📍 the Assembly Place)
  • With: the hunter (Tale 21)
  • “As soon as the morrow dawned, he carried tortoise and harp down to the Assembly Place—where a table had been placed ready for her. Every one gathered round to listen. But no song came.”
• The tortoise spoke after the hunter was beheaded.(Tale 21 · The Hunter and the Tortoise)
  • “The instant this had happened the tortoise spoke.”

Tale 21 · The Hunter and the Tortoise

• benefactor: the hunter (Tale 21) “At last he persuaded her to let him carry her back to his hut, that he might enjoy her singing daily in comfort. This she permitted, only on the understanding that she sang to him alone.”

Also listed in Other Figures — Minor Figures

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Extracted from the original text of West African Folk-Tales. Made with Rho MD.