Böcker av Ben Wuloo Ikari

Tortoise as the Wisest and Smartest in His Kingdom is an Ogoni (African) folklore creatively told to instruct humans using animal subjects as interventionists. In this story, King Tortoise, as in many Ogoni stories, is considered the wisest and smartest yet one of the creepiest and smaller creatures in the animal kingdom. As a result, in an era that witnessed a devastating hunger crisis never seen in the animal kingdom, Tortoise stepped up and used his smartness and an instance of creepiness to mobilize and help his kingdom survive the hunger/plague. With his wisdom, after mobilizing struggling animals and persuading them to donate a portion of whatever food they might have, no matter how small, the animals were able to collect several million tons of food and shared among themselves. With his leadership, members of his kingdom subsequently planted more seeds that grew and produced lots of food that lasted for a long time. These efforts helped end food scarcity in the animal kingdom even though they still have to seek food to this day. By his efforts and in collaboration with others-among them monkeys, lions, parrots, and horses-animals then and today have been fortified, as they vowed not to allow another hunger crisis destroy them. Nevertheless, they face one serious threat today, and it's global warming and climate change, which also threaten human beings. Although millions of animals, fishes, other aquatics, birds, and plants died by the time Tortoise came up with a solution, a crisis that could have wiped out all animals was averted. King Tortoise pulled the plug while the food was about to be shared. He asked other animals to group themselves by name and called himself All of Us. As sharing began, his name was first on the list. The sharer announced the name All of Us, and King Tortoise stood up and attempted to claim all the food, arguing that his name meant all the food belonged to him alone. This move angered all the animals. Sadly, they were badly beaten and broken by hunger that fighting Tortoise was not an option. At this point, King Tortoise laughed. He beat his chest and said he was kidding yet proved he was the wisest of all in the kingdom. Irrespective of his wisdom, he declared, "e;I am also very humble and committed to servicing my kingdom, hence the intervention."e;

This book is about the importance of honesty and trust. It is about strategic and competent communication, which also comes with suspending judgment before the facts. With this kind of communication, which could be ritualized or relatable, the squirrels were able to be friends with the lions. Although the parent squirrels doubted the honesty and sincerity of the lion when he told the little squirrel and her mother that he will not only protect them for the sake of his daughter who wanted to be friends with the little squirrel so bad when they met at her mother's farm, but he will give them food they can eat for one year. That is, should the squirrels agree to visit the lions' home as the younger lioness requested. The squirrels were scared, given the lions' carnivorous history as designed by nature. With the openness of their young daughter, her ability to listen, and the honesty of the younger lion, they killed their fear, opened up to the lions, and visited their home-a gesture that was returned by the lions. The lions kept their promise and stayed honest. Therefore, if these animals could understand the importance/benefit of honesty, trust, and keeping promises, then human beings can do better. We have done better, but we need to do more to become best and succeed in our friendships and relationships as individuals and with governments and corporations, governments to governments, or between nations, etc. Even as we strive to become better and best in our friendships and relationships, we must not be scared or worried about failing in the process or making mistakes. It is all right to make mistakes, so the fear of perfection or imperfection should not deter us from working hard and failing to become best. Like good and bad or success and failure, mistake is part of life. In short, it is said to be the raw material of success, but only if and when we are determined and committed to succeeding-and not make deliberate mistakes that could be dangerous and destructive.