The Madness

Ijapa, the wise tortoise, is a beloved figure in Yoruba folklore, known for his quick wit and ability to outsmart even the most cunning opponents. He is often shown as a small, unassuming creature that can easily be underestimated by others, but when the time comes, he is always able to surprise them with his intelligence and resilience.

In one of the most famous Ijapa stories, the tortoise is invited to a party by the other animals. He is not very popular among the other animals, but they decide to invite him anyway to see if he will prove to be a worthy guest.

When Ijapa arrives at the party, he is greeted with laughter and mockery. The other animals make jokes about his appearance and his slow, shuffling gait. However, Ijapa does not let their insults bother him. He simply smiles and says, "I may be slow, but I am always ahead."

The party goes on for several hours, and the animals eat, drink, and dance. Ijapa does not eat much, but he does drink a lot of palm wine. As the party winds down, the animals decide to play a game. They challenge Ijapa to a race, and they are sure that he will lose.

The race begins, and the animals start off at a fast pace. Ijapa, however, takes his time. He walks slowly and steadily, never breaking into a run. The other animals soon pass him by, and they start to laugh at him.

But Ijapa does not give up. He keeps walking, and slowly but surely, he starts to gain on the other animals. One by one, the animals begin to tire, and they start to fall behind. Ijapa passes them one by one, and soon he is in the lead.

The animals are shocked and amazed. They cannot believe that the slow and steady tortoise has beaten them in a race. Ijapa crosses the finish line first, and the other animals congratulate him on his victory.

The story of Ijapa and the race is a reminder that even the smallest and most unassuming creatures can achieve great things if they are determined and persistent. It is also a reminder that it is important to never give up on your dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem.