In the book, Things Fall Apart, there are a couple of folktales that are spread throughout the book. These folk tales contribute to and comment on the central narrative of the story. Animals and folk tales were important to the Igbo people. They used animals in fables and stories to demonstrate their beliefs and rituals. With all the rituals, animals and symbols play a crucial role in Igbo society. The fable of the tortoise and the birds has striking similarities to Okonkwo and his rise and fall. The turtle's strength and cunning eventually become too much, which ends up crushing it. And Okonkwo's inability to adapt to change leads to his death. Both the turtle and Okonkwo try to be strong in society and both want to be known as important. This is why I believe that the fable, The Tortoise and the Birds, is the fable closest to the central narrative of the story. The story begins by saying that all the birds of the sky were invited to a feast that would be held in the sky. The birds painted themselves and prepared for the event. The turtle notices what was happening to the birds because he was very wise and deceitful or, as the book says, "he was full of cunning." (Achebe 96) The tortoise was hungry and had not eaten for a long time, so the tortoise in his deceitful ways went to ask the birds if he could join them in the sky. The birds replied: “We know you too well… you are full of cunning and you are ungrateful. If we allow you to come with us, you will soon begin your troubles. (97)The birds obviously had an encounter with the turtle in the past and there was no way they would trust him. Basically the turtle told the birds that she has changed and that she is no longer the same as before. Even the......middle of paper......would do everything possible not to show any sign of weakness. Okonkwo feared weakness and would do whatever was necessary to maintain his power. He wanted to appear strong in the eyes of society and the turtle was equally strong. Eventually the turtle fell, and its strength and wisdom could not prevent it from breaking its shell. Just like Okonkwo, he could not use his strength to stop the white man. The fable, The Tortoise and the Birds, is very similar to the central narrative of the book, Things Fall Apart. Both Okonkwo and the turtle die because their strength cannot keep them alive. Both seek great importance in society and both want to feel fulfilled. The change in society is simply too great for Okonkwo and the Turtle was not “cunning” enough. Both have a very similar character, and that's why I chose that tale.