Long ago, in a time when animals and people lived together, there was a kind and generous King who had only one daughter. The Princess was very beautiful and kind like her father and as soon as she was old enough to be married, suitors came from all over the kingdom to ask for her hand in marriage. Human and animal, rich and poor, small and mighty they all wanted a chance to marry the princess.
The King, keen to pick the right suitor for his daughter, said to her “Omoba, which of these suitors would you like to marry?” The princess thought about it for a few minutes, “I don’t know Kabiyesi. I would love to marry someone clever and brave like you” she replied. “Very well. I will invite all the suitors to the Palace and test them to see who is the bravest.”
The next day the king sent out the royal town crier to make the announcement. “Kereo, kereo!” he cried “The King has invited every man and animal that wishes to marry the princess to the palace for a test of bravery at noon tomorrow”. Unsurprisingly, everyone was excited. The men were excited at the chance to marry a princess, the women were happy for the princess that she was getting married and the children were happy because they knew there was going to be a big party soon.
The next day, a huge crowd gathered in the palace courtyard. Waiting for them were the king, the Princess and a large clay pot full of steaming hot spicy pepper soup. You see, the King had commanded the royal cook to make the spiciest Pepper Soup ever for the challenge. The smell of the soup filled the air. It was both sweet and incredibly spicy. Everyone stared at the pot and wondered why it was there. Once all the suitors had arrived, the King welcomed them “Welcome all and thank you for taking part in this test of bravery. As you can see the royal cook has prepared a delicious yet very spicy pot of Pepper Soup as part of the test. My challenge to you today is to finish one bowl of this soup without pulling faces, drinking milk or water, or making noises like “suu ahh””. “Whoever finishes a bowl of the soup, will be allowed to marry the Princess”. The crowd cheered at this and the suitors got themselves ready for the challenge.
The first to step forward was Aare, General of the King’s army. “Kabiyesi o! He greeted the king. I promise to drink every drop of the soup faster than anyone else. After all, who else here is braver than the King’s own General”? The crowd cheered in excitement for Aare. Even the King smiled, because he secretly hoped his General would win. The royal cook filled a bowl and gave it to the General. As he lifted the bowl to his lips, the heat from all the peppers used, stung his nose making him want to sneeze. Aare fought through it and took a big sip – “Sssip”! The soup flowed down his throat like liquid fire. Without realising it, Aare pulled a funny face, tears streamed down his face and he cried “Sssuu ah!” and dropped the bowl as he tried to cool his burning tongue. The crowd was stunned. If Aare cannot do it, who can? They thought.
Just then, Ekun, the leopard stepped forward, “I will go next” he declared. Excitement quickly returned as Ekun was also fearless and strong. But as soon as the soup’s smell reached his sensitive nose, Ekun’s whiskers twisted and his nose twitched. He took a small sip and yelled “ah ah ah”! and started coughing violently. He immediately reached for the gourd of water on the table next to the pot in search of relief. Next were the chiefs, the farmer and even mighty Erin, the elephant, and the remaining suitors brave enough to try. But none of them was able to take more than two sips of the pepper soup without pulling a funny face or saying “suu ahh!” and giving up.
Eventually, it was the turn of Ijapa the tortoise. Ijapa had been quietly watching the other suitors, and when he stepped forward, the crowd laughed, “what is he thinking? Does he actually think he can do what Aare and even the mighty elephant couldn’t?” they teased. But Ijapa had a plan. “Kabiyesi o!” He greeted the king. “Not only will I eat all of the soup, I will do so while singing and I want everyone to sing with me!” he said confidently. The crowd erupted in laughter. They were now sure that Ijapa was foolish. As the cook served Ijapa a bowl of the spicy pepper soup, he started to sing…
“Oba ni ka j’obe alata – suu ah,
la yi pariwo suu ah – suu ah,
(The King asked us to eat the pepper soup – suu ah.)
(Without saying suu ah – suu ah)
Aare j’obe alata – suu ah,
O pariwo suu ah – suu ah,
(The general ate the pepper soup – suu ah.)
(He cried suu ah – suu ah)
Ekun j’obe alata – suu ah
O pariwo su ya – suu ah
(The leopard ate the pepper soup – suu ah.)
(He cried suu ah – suu ah)
Erin j’obe alata – suu ah
O pariwo su ya – suu ah”
(The elephant ate the pepper soup – suu ah.)
(He cried suu ah – suu ah)
Ijoye j’obe alata – suu ah
Won pariwo su ya – suu ah
(The chief ate the pepper soup – suu ah.)
(They cried suu ah – suu ah)
Suu ah, suu ah – suu ah,
Suu ah, suu ah – suu ah”
The crowd watched Ijapa with amusement as he took his first sip and continued to sing as if the soup had no effect on him. Although they were suspicious of the tortoise, because they knew how cunning he was, they slowly started singing along. Soon they were singing so loudly, no one noticed Ijapa pulling funny faces and saying “Suu ahh” as the soup burned his tongue and beads of sweat rolled down his face. Well, no one but the Princess. She could see exactly what Ijapa was doing but she chose to stay quiet because she admired his cleverness and determination.
Soon, the soup was gone and Ijapa raised the empty bowl proudly for everyone to see. The crowd cheered loudly “He actually did it!” they cried as they carried him over their heads in excitement and presented him to the king. The King, like everyone else, was stunned that Ijapa was the only suitor able to complete the task. He looked at the mighty Elephant, the fierce Leopard, and his own brave General, who had all failed. Then he looked at the small, cunning Tortoise.
Although he was reluctant to have his daughter marry Ijapa, he was impressed by the small animal and he had a promise to keep.”Ijapa,” the King announced, his voice ringing across the courtyard. “Today you have succeeded where others, bigger and stronger than you, have failed. You used your cleverness to pass a test designed to reward bravery and strength. Truly, “Ogbon ju agbara lo” (Wisdom is greater than strength.)”
Then he turned to the joyous crowd. “As promised, the Princess will marry Ijapa!” And so, the celebration began. They sang and danced amazed that the creature everyone had laughed at, had won the challenge to marry the beautiful princess.
The End.
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