One summer, the forest became unbearably hot. The rains had ceased, and every water-hole had dried up, leaving the earth cracked and parched. Dust rose with every step, and the once lively streams turned into dry, empty beds. The animals grew weak with thirst, their tongues dry and heavy in their mouths, and their eyes longed for even a drop of water.
When matters grew worse, the Lion, king of the forest, called a great meeting. His deep voice echoed through the clearing as he gave his decree: a large water-hole must be dug deeper, so that hidden springs beneath might be reached. Every animal, big or small, strong or weak, was commanded to take part in the work, for all shared the need for water.
The animals obeyed. They dug day and night, working in shifts. Even the Lion, despite his majesty, took up the task and showed his willingness to labour alongside his subjects. Yet among them was the Hyena, known for his sly tricks and laziness. He avoided work by pretending to belong to whichever shift was not present. To the day workers, he claimed he had laboured at night. To the night workers, he said he had already toiled under the sun. For some days, his trick succeeded.
But the animals soon grew wise to his deceit. They carried their complaint before the Lion, who thundered in anger. As punishment, he declared that the Hyena would be forbidden from drinking at the water-hole once it was completed.
At last, their hard work bore fruit. The hole reached deep, and to everyone’s joy, a spring burst forth, cool and abundant. They lined the hole with care and fashioned it into a proper well so the water would not go to waste. To protect it, the Lion ordered guards to keep watch day and night, ensuring that the crafty Hyena could not steal even a sip.
READ: Kalulu and the Tortoise: A Zambian Folktale
Yet the Hyena, sly as ever, managed to deceive each guard in turn. With tricks and cunning words, he drank his fill and fled before punishment could catch him. The animals grew more vexed with every passing day.
This was when Kalulu the Hare stepped forward. Known for his wit and confidence, Kalulu had worked hard at the digging and thus felt entitled to speak. Puffing out his chest, he declared, “Our guards are too careless! Were I to keep watch, that lazy Hyena would already be chained like a prisoner. To catch cunning, one must use sharper cunning, and that is what most of you lack!”
The Lion listened thoughtfully. At last, he decreed, “Then tonight, Kalulu, you shall guard the well. Let us see if your words are as sharp as your boasts.”
That night, Kalulu concealed himself behind a tree near the well. He reasoned that if he stayed in the open, the Hyena would spot him and flee. The moon rose high, and silence covered the forest. At midnight, the Hyena crept into the clearing. Seeing no guard in sight, he grew suspicious but decided to test his luck.
To calm his own fears, the Hyena pulled out a small gourd and muttered loudly to himself: “Who needs water? With this potion from the witch-doctor, I can live without it for days.”
Kalulu’s ears twitched at the sound. His curiosity burned like fire. He stepped from his hiding place and called out, “Brother Hyena! What brings you here tonight?”
Feigning surprise, the Hyena greeted him warmly and sat beside him. With sly words, he explained, “This gourd holds a secret potion. Just one drop, and my throat stays moist for days. No need for wells, no need for guards. The other animals waste their strength, but I am free.”
Kalulu leaned closer, eager to know more. “Is it truly so effective?” he asked.
The Hyena chuckled. “Indeed. Would you like to try? Tilt your head back, open wide, and I shall drop it deep into your throat.”
Kalulu, blinded by curiosity and pride, obeyed. He leaned back, mouth open, waiting for the miracle potion. But the moment he tipped over, the Hyena sprang into action. From his bag, he drew a rope, binding Kalulu from head to foot. Helpless, Kalulu lay trapped.
“My foolish friend,” laughed the Hyena, “no potion quenches thirst like real water!” He then drank greedily from the well until his belly was full, laughing as he vanished into the darkness.
At dawn, the other animals discovered Kalulu still tied and humiliated. They laughed heartily, for his boastfulness had brought him low. His cleverness, for once, had failed.
In the end, it was the old Tortoise who caught the Hyena. Unlike Kalulu, he ignored the Hyena’s chatter. Instead, he disguised himself by lying still like a stone. When the Hyena approached the well, the Tortoise suddenly snapped his jaws upon the Hyena’s foot and held fast. The Hyena howled and struggled, but he could not break free until the other animals arrived. At last, justice was served, and the deceitful Hyena was imprisoned, never again to steal what he had not earned.
Moral Lesson
This tale reminds us that pride often blinds even the cleverest of minds. Kalulu’s boast led him to fall for Hyena’s trick, proving that wisdom without humility can quickly turn into folly. On the other hand, the patient and humble Tortoise succeeded where Kalulu failed, showing that steady vigilance and silence can be more powerful than clever words.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who ordered the digging of the water-hole?
A1: The Lion, king of the forest, commanded all animals to dig.
Q2: How did the Hyena avoid digging the well?
A2: He pretended to belong to whichever shift was not present, tricking both day and night workers.
Q3: What mistake did Kalulu make while guarding the well?
A3: He trusted the Hyena’s story about the potion and allowed himself to be tricked and tied up.
Q4: Why did the Lion forbid the Hyena from using the well?
A4: Because the Hyena had refused to help in the digging.
Q5: How did the Tortoise finally catch the Hyena?
A5: He disguised himself as a stone near the well and bit the Hyena’s foot when he approached.
Q6: What is the main lesson of this folktale?
A6: Humility and patience triumph over pride and boastfulness
Folktale Origin Source: Kalulu the Hare and Other Zambian Folk-Tales, Bemba folktale, Zambia.
