"Kalulu's Crop" is an African tale.

Long ago a great chief called all the creatures of the land together. He had created a plan, a way to care for every one.

"Each of you select one crop to plant and tend," the chief announced. "When your crop is ready, you will share it with all."

When it was Kalulu the hare's turn, he said, "Give me a bag of coins, and I will grow money for everyone."

The chief laughed. "No one can grow money," he said, but Kalulu insisted, and so reluctantly the chief agreed and handed Kalulu a bag of coins.

The other animals went to work, sowing and tending fields, but Kalulu lazed around and spent the coins on gifts. When harvest time came, the chief called a gathering.

All the animals carried bags and bushels of fruits, vegetables and grains, but Kalulu arrived at the gathering empty-handed.

"Where is our money?" the chief asked angrily.

"Oh, money grows very, very slowly," Kalulu said.

"You have another year," the chief said.

Another year passed, but Kalulu only lazed in the sun and played tricks. When harvest time came, Kalulu again was empty-handed.

"Where is our money?" the chief thundered.

Kalulu bowed. "I have a field of ears, but the money is still inside, not yet ripe."

"Next year, then," the chief said. "You will bring our money."

Kalulu continued his lazy ways, and as harvest time approached, he began to fret.

That year at the gathering, he said, "I'm afraid the ears have not ripened just yet."

This time the chief was suspicious. When Kalulu departed, the chief sent the wild pig after him.

"Find our money," the chief instructed the pig, and so the pig trotted to Kalulu's home.

"Ah, I see you've come to check on my crop," Kalulu said. "I planted it far away. It would never do to plant money close to where others might steal it. I'll have to lead you there."

"Lead away," said the pig.

Now as they walked Kalulu wished he had never lied, but since he had, he would have to continue. But what should he say? What should he do?

Then he had an idea. "Wait," he said. "I've forgotten my blankets, and tonight we must sleep in the open, for my field is too far to reach in one day. I'll be back." And Kalulu sped away.

When he had gone a little way, he stopped and blew into a reed as if it were a horn. Then he cried, "I see the wild pig! Let's kill him!"

Certain that hunters were upon him, the pig ran for its life, and Kalulu went to the chief. "Sir, I was walking the pig to my fields, but he ran away."

The chief was annoyed with the pig, but he turned to the buffalo and said, "Follow this hare to his field of money and then report to me."

The buffalo and Kalulu began to walk. Oh, how Kalulu wished he had never told the first lie! What would he do?

Then he had an idea. "Wait right here a moment," he told the buffalo. "I've forgotten my knife to cut through the creepers that guard my crop."

Kalulu ran away, but when he was out of sight, he once again plucked a reed and blew it as if it were a horn, and disguising his voice, he cried, "Follow me! I see the buffalo!"

The buffalo, certain that hunters were after him, ran.

Once again Kalulu went to the chief. This time the chief sent the tortoise.

Now the tortoise always planned ahead. He took a blanket, a knife, an ax and a dozen other things, so each time Kalulu stopped, the tortoise said, "Never fear. I've an ax to cut the crop, and a knife, and a blanket, and food, a water pot, a hoe and a rake — anything any gardener would ever need."

Kalulu had no idea what to do and trembled at the thought of the terrible punishment awaiting him.

Suddenly he turned and dashed toward home, leaving the tortoise behind.

When he reached his house, he said to his wife, "Quick, we must fool the chief," and whispered his plan.

When the soldiers arrived at Kalulu's, they stormed inside.

"Bring us Kalulu! He will be punished."

But his wife said, "I'm here alone with my baby, and your shouting has frightened my poor baby to death!" Then she burst into tears.

The soldiers peered into the house and gasped. Kalulu and his wife had plucked his hair and rubbed his skin with clay, and sure enough, he looked dead as he lay on a little bed.

When the chief heard this news, he sent for Kalulu's wife.

When she arrived at his compound, he handed her a bag of coins. "There is not money enough in the world to repay you for your loss," he said, "but this is a little gift, with my deepest sorrow and condolences."

Kalulu's wife hurried home.

Kalulu waited a few days for his hair to grow back, and one day he picked up the coins from the chief and went to see him.

"I've brought you my crop, just as I promised. The tortoise was far too slow, so I ran on ahead to harvest my crop," Kalulu said, offering the coins.

The chief frowned, for he felt uncomfortable about Kalulu's baby. "Thank you," he said. "Now, please, take this year off."

"Thank you, great chief, I will," Kalulu said, and he hopped on home, safe at last, and certain he would never tell another lie.

To learn about the new "Tell Me a Story" CD, go to: www.myths andtales.com.