Tortoise loved collecting shiny objects—cowrie shells, beads, feathers, anything that caught his eye. While other animals worked hard to gather food or build homes, Tortoise was always running after the next “special” thing.
One night, as he lay on his back staring at the sky, his eyes fell on the big, bright moon.
“Ohhhh!” Tortoise gasped. “That is the shiniest thing I’ve ever seen. I must have it! If I own the moon, everyone will respect me. They’ll come to my house just to admire it.”
The next morning, Tortoise marched into the village square and declared, “Friends, I have decided to buy the moon. It will be mine, and I will hang it above my hut for everyone to see.”
The animals burst out laughing. Monkey nearly fell from his tree. “Buy the moon? Tortoise, are you serious? The moon is for everyone!”
But Tortoise shook his head. “No, no, no. Everything can be bought if you have enough. I will trade my cowries, my feathers, my beads—everything—for the moon.”
The Plan to Buy the Moon
Tortoise began to gather all his treasures. He filled three baskets with shiny shells, beads, and coins he had begged, borrowed, or even tricked others to give him.
At night, he called out to the sky: “Moon! Come down. I have treasures for you. Take them, and come live above my hut.”
The moon, who had watched the animals for centuries, chuckled gently. “Tortoise, little one, I am not for sale. My light is for all—children, mothers, hunters, farmers, birds, and beasts. No one can own me.”
But Tortoise was stubborn. “You just wait! I’ll find a way.”
The Consequences of Wants
In his obsession, Tortoise stopped gathering food. He stopped fixing his roof. He even ignored his garden. While the other animals stored yams and grain for the dry season, Tortoise piled up trinkets, hoping the moon would change its mind.
Days turned into weeks. Soon, the rains came. Water dripped through the holes in his roof. Tortoise’s food stores were empty. Hungry and cold, he looked longingly at the other animals who sat in warm homes, eating from full baskets.
“Why do they look so happy?” he wondered. “I have treasures, but no food. I wanted the moon, but now I don’t even have what I need.”
The Wise Owl Speaks
One evening, Owl, the wisest of the animals, visited Tortoise. She found him shivering, staring sadly at his empty basket.
“Tortoise,” Owl said gently, “do you know the difference between needs and wants?”
Tortoise shook his head.
“A need,” Owl explained, “is something you must have to live well—like food, water, shelter, love, and safety. A want is something extra—like shiny shells or beads. They are nice, but they cannot feed you, keep you warm, or help you grow.”
She pointed her wing toward the glowing moon. “The moon is beautiful, yes, but it is not yours to own. You do not need it. What you need is to take care of yourself and those around you.”
Tortoise lowered his head. For the first time, he understood.
Learning His Lesson
The next day, Tortoise changed his ways. He returned some of the treasures he had borrowed. He began planting yams again and repairing his roof. Instead of chasing after shiny things, he worked alongside the other animals to gather what he needed.
And though he still admired the moon every night, he no longer wished to own it. Instead, he smiled, knowing it shone for everyone.
The Moral of the Story
Children, do you see?
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Needs are things you cannot live without: food, shelter, water, family, love.
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Wants are extra things: toys, sweets, shiny gadgets. Nice to have, but not more important than needs.
Like Tortoise, if we chase only wants, we may forget to take care of what we truly need. But when we meet our needs first, we live well—and we can still enjoy a few wants as blessings.
So next time you ask, “Can I have this?” stop and think: “Is this a need, or just a want?”
The moon in the sky reminds us all: the best things—like light, love, and kindness—are not for sale. 🌙✨
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