"None of the birds had heard of this custom but they knew that Tortoise, in spite
of his failings in other directions, was a widely-travelled man who knew the customs of
different peoples. And so they each took a new name. When they had all taken, Tortoise
also took one. He was to be called All oj you.
"At last the party arrived in the sky and their hosts were very happy to see them.
Tortoise stood up in his many-coloured plumage and thanked them for their invitation.
His speech was so eloquent that all the birds were glad they had brought him, and
nodded their heads in approval of all he said. Their hosts took him as the king of the
birds, especially as he looked somewhat different from the others.
"After kola nuts had been presented and eaten, the people of the sky set before
their guests the most delectable dishes Tortoise had even seen or dreamed of. The soup
was brought out hot from the fire and in the very pot in which it had been cooked. It was
full of meat and fish. Tortoise began to sniff aloud. There was pounded yam and also
yam pottage cooked with palm-oil and fresh fish. There were also pots of palm-wine.
When everything had been set before the guests, one of the people of the sky came
forward and tasted a little from each pot. He then invited the birds to eat. But Tortoise
jumped to his feet and asked: Tor whom have you prepared this feast?'
"'For all of you,' replied the man.
"Tortoise turned to the birds and said: 'You remember that my name is All of
you. The custom here is to serve the spokesman first and the others later. They will
serve you when I have eaten.'
"He began to eat and the birds grumbled angrily. The people of the sky thought
it must be their custom to leave all the food for their king. And so Tortoise ate the best
part of the food and then drank two pots of palm-wine, so that he was full of food and
drink and his body filled out in his shell.
"The birds gathered round to eat what was left and to peck at the bones he had
thrown all about the floor. Some of them were too angry to eat. They chose to fly home
on an empty stomach. But before they left each took back the feather he had lent to