Once upon a time in the heart of the African savannah, there lived a wise old tortoise named Temba. Temba was known throughout the land for his wisdom and careful planning. He had a beautiful shell that shimmered in the sunlight, which he took great care of because it was his most precious asset.

In the same savannah, there lived various animals who loved to have fun but often didn't think ahead. Among them were Kofi the Clever Monkey, Zuri the Zebra, and Lwazi the Lion. Each of them had their own unique talents, but they often found themselves in trouble because they didn't manage their resources well.

One day, as the sun was setting and the cool breeze began to blow, the animals gathered around Temba to hear one of his famous stories. Kofi, always curious, asked, "Temba, can you tell us how you manage to stay so peaceful and content while we struggle with our problems?"

Temba smiled and began his story.

"Once, many years ago, I learned a valuable lesson from my grandfather. He told me, 'Temba, always have assets to pay for your liabilities.' At first, I didn't understand, but then he explained with a simple story."

"There was a young tortoise, much like me, who loved to gather shiny stones and colorful leaves. He spent all his time collecting them but soon realized he had no place to keep them safe. His friend, the wise old owl, told him, 'You must build a safe home first; that is your asset. Only then can you protect your treasures and ensure they serve you well.'

"The young tortoise listened and started building a strong shell, his asset. It took time and effort, but once it was done, he could safely store his shiny stones and colorful leaves. Whenever he needed something, he could rely on his strong shell to protect and support him."

Temba paused and looked at his friends. "You see, my friends, an asset is something valuable that can help you cover your needs and wants, which are your liabilities. For example, Kofi, your clever tricks and ability to find food in the toughest places are your assets. If you save some of that food, you'll never go hungry, even when times are tough."

Kofi nodded, understanding the lesson. "So, I should always make sure I have something valuable to support my needs?"

"Exactly," Temba replied. "Zuri, your beautiful stripes and swift legs are your assets. Use them wisely to find safe places to graze. Lwazi, your strength and bravery are your assets. Protect your pride and make sure they have what they need."

The animals all looked thoughtful, realizing the wisdom in Temba's words.

"So, Temba, what is your asset?" asked Zuri.

Temba chuckled softly. "My asset is my shell, my wisdom, and the knowledge I share with you. By helping you all, I ensure we all have a better life. We all have different assets, but the key is to use them wisely to cover our liabilities."

From that day on, Kofi, Zuri, and Lwazi started to think more carefully about their assets. They saved food, found safe places to graze, and protected their families. They learned that by having assets to pay for their liabilities, they could live happier and more secure lives.

And so, the lesson of Temba the Tortoise spread throughout the savannah, teaching all the animals the importance of managing their resources wisely. They all lived peacefully, knowing that with their assets, they could always cover their liabilities.

The end.