Long ago, when animals still spoke to one another and lived close to humans, there was a hyena whose greed knew no limits. Unlike other creatures who were content with their share of food, the hyena was always scheming, always seeking more than what was given. The gazelles grazed peacefully, the lions hunted only when hungry, and the birds took only the grains they needed. But the hyena? He wanted everything for himself.
One day, a great feast was held under the acacia trees. The elders of the land had gathered meat, honey, and milk to celebrate the blessing of the rains. All animals were invited. The lion, strong but noble, waited his turn. The hare, clever but polite, took only what his paws could carry. Even the little squirrel nibbled at a few kernels before bowing away. But when the hyena arrived, his eyes glowed like burning coals. His belly rumbled so loudly that everyone heard it. Without waiting for an invitation, he leapt forward and began devouring the food. He tore at the meat, gulped the milk, and licked the honey pots clean.
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The animals gasped in shock. The hyena ate and ate until the ground shook beneath him. Still, he was not satisfied. He licked his lips and looked around for more. The feast was ruined, and anger filled the hearts of the other creatures. The elders rose and declared, “This greed cannot be allowed. No creature may take more than his share, or the balance of the world will break.” But the hyena only laughed, his mouth sticky with honey.
That night, as the moon rose full and bright, the animals gathered to speak with the spirits. They called upon Nhialic, the great sky god, to punish the hyena’s greed. Nhialic listened. A silence fell across the plains, and then a voice like thunder spoke: “Because the hyena’s hunger has no end, let him wander the earth forever empty. Let his belly never be full, no matter how much he eats.”
The hyena, who had been eavesdropping nearby, trembled. He thought it was just words, but soon the curse took hold. No matter how much he swallowed, his stomach groaned with hunger. He devoured bones, roots, and rotten hides, but his belly remained hollow. He chewed until his teeth ached, yet he never felt satisfied.
Shame drove him from the company of the other animals. By day, he slunk through the bush, hiding from the eyes of those who remembered his greed. But by night, under the silver light of the moon, his torment grew unbearable. His empty belly twisted like fire, and his voice rose into the darkness in long, mournful cries. From that time on, the hyena began to howl at the night sky, calling to the moon, to the spirits, and to anyone who might release him from the curse.
The people of the land say that the howl of the hyena is not just a cry of hunger but also of regret. He remembers the feast he ruined, the friends he lost, and the balance he broke. Yet it is too late. The curse cannot be undone. That is why, even today, when the night grows quiet, the hyena’s sorrowful voice can be heard rising through the darkness, a reminder of the dangers of greed.
Moral Lesson
The tale of the hyena teaches that greed leads to endless emptiness. Those who take more than their share will never find true satisfaction. Balance, moderation, and respect for the community bring harmony, but selfishness brings only loneliness and sorrow. The hyena’s nightly howls remind us that greed carries its own punishment.
Knowledge Check
What caused the hyena to be cursed in Why the Hyena Howls at Night?
The hyena was cursed because of his insatiable greed, taking more food than his share during a communal feast.How did Nhialic, the sky god, punish the hyena in the story?
Nhialic cursed the hyena so that no matter how much he ate, his belly would never be full, leaving him eternally hungry.Why does the hyena howl at night according to this Nilotic folktale?
The hyena howls at night because his hunger and sorrow are unbearable, and he cries out in regret for his greed.What lesson does the story of the hyena aim to teach?
The story teaches that greed and selfishness destroy community harmony and lead to endless suffering and regret.How did other animals react to the hyena’s behavior during the feast?
The other animals were shocked and angered, and they called upon Nhialic to punish the hyena for his greed.Why is the hyena’s cry seen as more than just hunger in the story?
It is seen as a cry of regret and sorrow, reminding listeners of the consequences of greed and the importance of moderation.
Source: Nilotic folktale, South Sudan. Collected in Harold Scheub’s African Tales (2005).
