Long ago, during a time of terrible drought, the earth grew dry and lifeless. Rivers shrank into empty beds, springs ceased to bubble, and the parched land cracked under the relentless sun. The animals of the land, Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Jackal, Elephant, and many others, wandered in despair, their throats burning with thirst. No matter where they searched, not a drop of water could be found.
Finally, the desperate animals gathered together to find a solution. Each beast offered an idea, but none seemed useful. Then one of them declared:
“Let us all go down to the dry riverbed and dance. By stamping and treading together, we may bring the hidden water to the surface!”
The animals roared their agreement. Everyone was eager to try, everyone except Rabbit.
“You are all mad,” he sneered. “No one can stomp water out of the ground by dancing. I will not waste my time.”
Ignoring him, the animals joined in the great dance. They stomped, leapt, and spun in unison upon the dry riverbed. Dust rose into the air, the earth trembled beneath them, and at last, their rhythm stirred hidden water from below. To their joy, cool streams bubbled up until the riverbed filled once more.
The thirsty creatures drank deeply, quenching their suffering. But they declared that Rabbit, who had mocked them and refused to help, should have no share of the water. Rabbit only laughed.
“Think what you will,” he said slyly. “But I shall still drink.”
That very evening, when the others had gone, Rabbit crept down to the riverbed. He lapped up the fresh, sweet water until he was satisfied. The next morning, the animals discovered Rabbit’s footprints near the river. Rabbit himself called out proudly, “Aha! I drank your water, and it was delicious!”
The animals were enraged and sought a way to punish him. Clever Tortoise devised a plan. He coated himself in sticky pitch and placed his body at the river’s edge, disguised as an obstacle.
When Rabbit returned for more water, he encountered Tortoise.
“Move aside, or I’ll strike you,” Rabbit demanded.
He kicked with his forefoot, but it stuck fast to the pitch.
“I still have another!” he cried, striking with his other forefoot, only to find it stuck as well.
Undeterred, he stamped with his hind foot, then the other. One by one, each limb was trapped in the sticky tar. Furious, Rabbit struck with his head and lashed with his tail, but soon his entire body was fastened to Tortoise.
Slowly and steadily, Tortoise dragged Rabbit before the assembly of animals. The others jeered, “Well now, Rabbit, how does it feel? Insolence does not pay after all!”
The animals agreed Rabbit must be punished with death, but they debated how. Some called for beheading, others for a harsher penalty. Finally, they asked Rabbit, “How shall you die?”
Feigning fear, Rabbit pleaded, “Kill me as you will, but not a shameful death, I beg you! Do not take me by the tail and dash my head against a stone.”
At once the animals cried, “That is the way! He shall die by the stone!”
They chose mighty Lion, strongest of all, to carry out the sentence. Rabbit was dragged before him. Trembling in false terror, Rabbit begged again, but Lion seized him firmly by the tail and swung him toward the ground.
But as Lion struck, the white skin slipped from Rabbit’s body, leaving only a tuft of fur in Lion’s paw. In that instant, Rabbit leapt free and escaped, vanishing into the wilderness. Once again, his cunning had saved him.
Moral of the Story
This folktale reminds us that cleverness can outwit even the strongest of foes. Yet it also warns against arrogance and deceit, for while Rabbit escaped punishment, his tricks earned him the distrust and anger of all the other animals. Wisdom must walk hand in hand with humility.
Knowledge Check
Q1: What caused the animals to hold a great gathering?
A1: A severe drought had dried up rivers and springs, leaving the animals without water.
Q2: What solution did the animals find to bring water?
A2: They danced together on the dry riverbed, stomping until water bubbled to the surface.
Q3: Why was Rabbit denied water by the other animals?
A3: Because he refused to help with the dance and mocked their efforts.
Q4: How did Tortoise manage to capture Rabbit?
A4: Tortoise covered himself in sticky pitch and trapped Rabbit when he tried to strike him.
Q5: What trick did Rabbit use to escape his execution?
A5: He tricked the animals into choosing a punishment that allowed him to slip free when Lion held only his shed skin.
Q6: What lesson does this Southern African folktale teach?
A6: It teaches that wit can be powerful, but arrogance and selfishness lead to conflict and mistrust.
Source: South African folktale
