Long ago, in a village by the warm shores of Samoa, the sun shone on gardens heavy with taro and bananas, and the breeze carried the scent of roasted breadfruit from the cooking pits. The village belonged to Chief Manu, a man proud of his wide plantation and his enormous rooster, Fala. Fala was a handsome bird, with feathers like fire and a crow so loud it could wake the whole island. But he was also greedy. He strutted into every yard, eating the best crumbs, and the villagers dared not chase him for fear of offending the chief.
In a small hut at the edge of the village lived Lipe, a gecko no bigger than a man’s thumb. He liked to cling to the rafters and listen to the stories told at night. Lipe was quick of tongue and quicker of wit, and though small, he had no patience for bullies. Each morning, he watched Fala peck at the fruits and insects that rightly belonged to others. Lipe decided that if the villagers were too afraid to act, then it was up to him.
One bright morning, as the chief’s rooster strutted into the breadfruit grove, Lipe scurried down the trunk of a tree and called out, “Fala, I know where you can find food so rich and sweet you will never want to eat plain seeds again.”
Cunning Gecko
Fala’s eyes gleamed. “Tell me, little one, or I will snap you up in my beak.”
Lipe only laughed, a quick clicking sound. “Oh no, you could not catch me. But follow me and you will see.”
He led the rooster across the village, through the garden, and down to the rocky shore where the tide was pulling back to the reef. There, in a shallow pool, a great clam lay half-open, its soft body glistening in the sun.
“This,” Lipe whispered, “is a treasure of the sea. The meat inside is sweeter than any banana and richer than any taro.”
Fala, unable to resist, thrust his head between the clam’s shells. At that very moment, Lipe cried out in his small, sharp voice, “Close, old friend!” The clam obeyed, snapping its shells shut around the rooster’s head.
Fala squawked and flapped, but he could not pull free. Lipe sat on a nearby rock, clicking his laugh so loudly that the fisherfolk mending nets turned to see the proud rooster trapped and helpless. The villagers laughed until tears ran down their cheeks, for Fala had been their nuisance for many seasons.
When the chief came running, he saw his great rooster in such a foolish state that even he could not hide a smile. “Let him go,” he told the clam, and the shell opened slowly. But from that day on, Fala no longer strutted into other people’s gardens. Whether from shame or from fear of more tricks, he kept close to the chief’s yard, pecking only at the food given to him.
As for Lipe the gecko, he returned to his hut in the rafters, clicking his laughter whenever he remembered the look on Fala’s face. The villagers began to leave him offerings of tiny crumbs in gratitude for standing up to the greedy bird.
Moral / Life Lesson:
This tale reminds us that wisdom and cunning can overcome size and strength. The gecko did not use force to humble the rooster but instead used wit and timing to protect the community. In the Samoan tradition, the smallest creatures may hold the cleverest minds, and laughter is often the sharpest tool against pride.
Knowledge Check
1. What is the moral of the folktale “The Trick of the Laughing Gecko”?
The story teaches that cleverness and wit can triumph over strength and arrogance, and that even the smallest voice can defend the community.
2. What cultural group does the tale “The Trick of the Laughing Gecko” come from?
This folktale originates from the Samoan tradition in Oceania.
3. Why did Lipe the gecko trick the rooster Fala?
In the tale, Lipe tricked Fala out of frustration with the rooster’s greed and to stop him from stealing food from the villagers.
4. How does the folktale “The Trick of the Laughing Gecko” explain animal behavior?
The story offers a playful explanation for why geckos are often seen clicking or “laughing” in Samoan villages, as if remembering a clever trick.
5. Is “The Trick of the Laughing Gecko” considered a trickster tale, ghost story, or moral fable?
“The Trick of the Laughing Gecko” is a trickster tale that blends humor with lessons about justice and resourcefulness.
6. How is this folktale relevant to modern readers?
The message remains relevant as it encourages the use of creativity, humor, and strategy to solve problems and challenge injustice.
Cultural Origin: This folktale comes from the oral tradition of the Samoan people of Oceania.
