Story of The tortoise’s shell: A Somali Folklore
In ancient times the tortoise did not have a shell. One evening a jackal came to the tortoise and said:
‘The beasts of prey have had a meeting and they decided that in the morning you would be eaten by my family.’
‘Was Allah present at this meeting which turned against me?’ asked the tortoise.
‘No!’ said the jackal.
‘Then nothing will come of your decision,’ said the tortoise.
In the morning the jackals came to the tortoise and saw that a large shell had covered the tortoise’s body.