THE TORTOISE, THE ELEPHANT, AND THE HIPOPTAMUS:
One day the tortoise met the elephant, who trumpeted, “out of my way, weakling I might step on you!” The tortoise was not afraid and stayed where he was, so the elephant stepped on him, but could not crush him. Do not boast, Mr. Elephant, I am as strong as you are! Said the tortoise, but the elephant just laughed.
So the tortoise asked him to come to his hill the next day morning. The next day, before sunrise, the tortoise ran down the hill to the hippopotamus, who was just on his way back into the water after his nocturnal feeding. Mr. Hippo! Shall we have a tug-of-war? I bet I’m as strong as you are said the tortoise. The hippopotamus laughed at this ridiculous idea, but agreed. The tortoise produced a long rope and told the hippo to hold it in his mouth until the tortoise shouted “Hey” then the tortoise ran back up the hill where he found the elephant, who was getting impatient. He gave the elephant the other end of the rope and said when I say “Hey” pull, and you will see which of us is the strongest. Then he ran halfway back down the hill to a place where he couldn’t be seen and shouted “Hey” the elephant and hippopotamus pulled and pulled, but neither could budge the other. They were of equal strength. They both agreed that the tortoise was strong as they were. Never do what others can do for you. The tortoise let others do the work for him while he got the credit.
ALI BABA NEWS PAPER would like you to read between the lines and figure it out for yourself. The world of power has the dynamic of the jungle, there are those who live by hunting and killing, and there are also vast numbers of creatures {hyenas, vultures} who live off the hunting of others. These latter, less imaginative types are often incapable of doing the work that is essential for the creation of power.
Peter A. Amon
The Author and the founder can be reached @
Newer articles:
- MR.KIIR IS THE FATHER OF MANY NATIONS: - 14/11/2011 00:00
- How, Who and Why of My Arbitrary Arrest in Juba... - 06/11/2011 21:24
- UNIMISS Must Deter SPLM from Turning South Sudan into Another Pariah African State. - 06/11/2011 14:11
- Public Lecture / Dr Lam Akol in Juba at Nyakuren - 06/11/2011 00:00
- Qualities of Good Leadership - 01/11/2011 12:08
Older news items
- The fallacy of New Sudan not in South Sudan interest - 28/10/2011 11:24
- King of kings’ demise: any lessons for other emerging kings on the continent? - 27/10/2011 01:00
- South Sudan opposition protests “targeted” arrest of its members - 25/10/2011 01:00
- The one who first knows the measures of far and near wins - 19/10/2011 01:00
- Dekuek: Shooting Down His SPLM/A Clients. - 18/10/2011 01:00
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudanese whistleblower reported abducted in Kenya - 12/06/2026 12:38
- Two men convicted in UK of trying to send weapons to conflict zones, including South Sudan - 12/06/2026 12:36
- Vietnamese Field Hospital in South Sudan proactively enhances Ebola response capacity - 12/06/2026 12:31
- SCO at 25: Expanding beyond security into sustainable development - 10/06/2026 19:32
- Shelter Afrique Development Bank Unveils New Brand Identity as it Marks 45th Anniversary - 10/06/2026 19:23
Random articles (all categories):
- Conflict Stifles South Sudan’s Oil Industry - 13/07/2015 09:29
- South Sudan army raped, killed children - UN - 17/10/2018 07:04
- South Sudan's vice-president in Cairo to participate in Egyptian-Sudanese higher committee meetings - 26/07/2021 13:35
- Pigi Belongs to Shilluk in Upper Nile not Dinka of Jonglei - 14/11/2009 17:51
- South Sudan MPs Receive $5,000 Medical Allowance as Civil Servants Go Months Without Salaries - 29/05/2026 19:57
Popular articles:
- The Final Communique of SPLM-DC Third Session of the National Council - 29/03/2011 01:00 - Read 82834 times
- Roles and Definition of Political Parties - 29/04/2011 01:00 - Read 64484 times
- Agriculture in Southern Sudan: Challenges and Investment Opportunities - 06/10/2010 01:45 - Read 55415 times
- Fashoda Youth Forum Rehabilitation of Drainage Culverts in Malakal town Report - 07/08/2008 16:22 - Read 35557 times
- Creation and establishment of the Local Government Councils ( Counties ) (2) - 28/09/2011 01:00 - Read 33278 times