One evening, as twilight dimmed the Malagasy countryside, a weary rat scurried along the edge of a thick hedge, seeking safety before night fully claimed the land. The air was heavy with the scent of earth and grass, while the faint cries of nocturnal birds echoed through the fading light. Suddenly, a sleek figure appeared in the rat’s path: a cat, prowling with sharp eyes and a body bent low, every muscle tense with predatory grace.
The rat froze, heart pounding. Though he knew the cat to be a dangerous creature, the rat forced himself to speak, hoping that words might shield him from claws.
“Where are you hurrying off to at this late hour, O Rat?” the cat asked, his voice smooth and almost friendly. His tail twitched, but his eyes gleamed with hunger.
The rat straightened himself and replied, “I am hurrying to meet the day that awaits me. I seek tomorrow’s safety, for the night is full of dangers.”
The cat tilted his head, feigning concern. “And where are you going,” asked the rat in turn, summoning courage, “walking bent over as though you were on the hunt?”
The cat’s whiskers twitched. His reply came swiftly, polished with deceit: “I am not hunting, dear friend. I am inspecting the land of the nobles, making sure there are no openings or gaps through which wicked men or thieves may enter. It is a service of protection, one of honor and vigilance.”
Hearing this, the rat’s pulse eased. The cat’s words seemed noble, even comforting. Perhaps this predator was not his enemy after all. Perhaps the cat had chosen a life of service rather than cruelty. Feeling reassured, the rat hurried toward his hole in the hedge, eager to disappear into safety before darkness deepened.
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But the moment he slipped inside, sharp claws and teeth closed around him. The cat lunged, snatching the rat before he could vanish. With no time for a squeak of protest, the rat was devoured.
Thus ended the rat’s brief hope and misplaced trust, and the cat padded away into the shadows, belly full and deception complete.
Moral Lesson
This Merina folktale teaches us that words can be as dangerous as claws, and deception often wears the mask of friendship. The rat trusted too quickly, blinded by the cat’s smooth lies. His downfall reminds us that discernment is as vital as courage; not every smile hides goodwill, and not every explanation is true.
The story warns against placing faith in those whose intentions remain unclear, especially known enemies. Trust is a gift that must be given carefully, tested through action rather than accepted by words alone. The cat’s cunning demonstrates how betrayal often comes cloaked in politeness, making vigilance essential in both personal and communal life.
Knowledge Check
1. Who are the two main characters in this Merina folktale?
The main characters are the cat, symbolizing deception, and the rat, symbolizing misplaced trust.
2. What excuse did the cat give for prowling bent over?
The cat claimed he was inspecting the nobles’ land for openings where wicked men might enter.
3. Why did the rat trust the cat’s explanation?
The rat was reassured by the cat’s seemingly noble and protective purpose, mistaking deceit for honesty.
4. What ultimately happened to the rat after entering his hole?
He was seized and devoured by the cat, proving the predator’s words false.
5. What is the core moral lesson of the tale?
The story warns against trusting enemies too quickly, teaching the importance of vigilance and discernment.
6. What cultural origin does this folktale belong to?
The tale comes from the Merina people of Madagascar.
Source: Merina folktale, Madagascar
