In the book Things Fall Apart, there are some folk tales that are extended throughout the book. These folk tales contribute to and comment on the central narrative of the story. Animals and folktales were important to the Igbo people. They used animals in fables and stories to demonstrate their beliefs and rituals. In all rituals, animals and symbols play a crucial role in Igbo society. The fable of the turtle and the birds bears strange similarities to Okonkwo, his rise and fall. The turtle's strength and cunning eventually become too much, ultimately crushing him. And Okonkwo's inability to adapt to change leads to his demise. Both the Turtle and Okonkwo seek to be strong in society and both want to be known as important. This is why I believe that the fable The Turtle and the Birds is the fable closest to the central narrative of the story. The story begins by telling how all the birds of the sky were invited to a party that would take place in the sky. sky. The birds painted themselves and prepared for the event. The turtle notices what happens to the birds because he was very wise and deceitful, or as the book says, "he was full of cunning." (Achebe 96) The turtle was hungry and hadn't eaten in a long time, so the turtle, in his deceptive 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 misdeeds. (97) The birds obviously had an altercation with the turtle in the past and they couldn't trust him. The turtle basically told the birds that she had changed and was no longer like she used to be. The... middle of paper ... would also do everything he could to not show any signs of weakness. Okonkwo feared weakness and he would do whatever it took to maintain his power. He wanted to appear strong in the eyes of society and the turtle was just as strong. In the end, the turtle fell and his strength and wisdom could not prevent him from breaking his shell. Just like Okonkwo, he could not use his strength to stop the white man. The fable, The Turtle and the Birds, is very similar to the central narrative of the book Things Fall Apart. Okonkwo and the turtle end up because their strength cannot keep them alive. They both seek great importance in society and both want to feel accomplished. The change in society is simply too much for Okonkwo and the Turtle wasn't "cunning" enough. They both have a very similar character, and that's why I chose this fable.