In the old days, when animals walked and spoke like men, the hyena and the hare were uneasy companions. The hyena, strong but foolish, always believed her size would bring her success. The hare, small but quick-witted, relied on his cleverness to outsmart his greedy partner. Time after time, their adventures together ended the same way: the hare full and smiling, while the hyena went home hungry and humiliated.
These six tales from Senegal show how their rivalry played out across forests, rivers, and villages.
The Hyena and the Hare Hunt Together
One day, the hyena and the hare decided to hunt together. They set traps across the bush. Soon, the hyena’s trap caught a powerful ox. She trembled before it, unsure how to kill such a beast. The hare, watching slyly, offered help.
“First,” whispered the hare, “tie up your tail, so it won’t get in the way.”
The hyena, too trusting, knotted her tail as told. The hare pounced, killed the ox, and devoured the best parts, leaving only scraps.
By the time the hyena freed her tail, nothing remained but bones. She roared with anger and chased the hare, but her heavy legs could not match his nimble feet. The hare darted away, laughing at her foolishness.
The Cow Story
Another day, the hare saw a cow trapped in thick mud. Rubbing his paws with glee, he called out to the hyena.
“Friend, come! Help me pull this cow out, and we shall feast together!”
The hyena rushed forward eagerly. But just as they strained, the cow burst free and bolted into the distance.
The hare clapped his hands and laughed. “See? You only helped the cow escape!”
Once again, the hyena was left hungry, staring after both cow and hare.
The Hyena and the Hare Share Honey
Not long after, the two came upon a hollow tree brimming with golden honey. They agreed to share.
The hare licked carefully, taking only his portion. The hyena, overcome by greed, stuffed herself until her belly swelled. When she tried to squeeze out of the hollow, her fat stomach stuck fast.
The hare leapt free and skipped away, chuckling. The villagers soon came, discovered the trapped thief, and beat the hyena for stealing. Her howls echoed through the trees, but the hare was already gone, his mouth sweet with honey.
The Hyena and the Hare in the Tree
On another day, the two friends found a tree heavy with ripe fruit. The hare climbed easily and filled his belly.
The hyena, too heavy to climb, begged for some fruit. The hare tossed down only rotten ones, laughing as the hyena gagged at their sourness.
Determined, the hyena tried to climb but slipped and tumbled painfully to the ground. Meanwhile, the hare sat high in the branches, nibbling the sweetest fruit and watching her suffer below.
The Hyena and the Hare in the River
Their quarrels continued when they went fishing together. The hare splashed cleverly, driving fish into his net. The hyena, clumsy and impatient, scared the fish away.
Jealous, the hyena accused the hare of stealing. But when villagers came to check, they found the hare’s net heavy with fish, while the hyena’s net was empty.
Ashamed, she fled the riverbank, mocked once more by her crafty companion.
The Hyena and the Hare Eat Together
At last, the hare decided to invite the hyena to a meal. But even here, he planned a trick.
He placed his own portion on a shallow dish and gave the hyena’s in a deep jar. The hare licked his plate clean in moments, while the hyena struggled to reach the food at the bottom of the jar.
Frustrated and starving, she could eat almost nothing. The hare smirked and declared, “We are even.”
Once again, the hyena went home with an empty belly, her pride wounded but her lesson still unlearned.
Moral of the Tales
These six stories remind us that greed and foolishness bring only loss, while wit and patience lead to survival. The hare, though small, triumphs through cleverness, while the hyena’s hunger and envy ensure her constant defeat. The tales teach that wisdom outweighs strength, and self-control is greater than greed.
Knowledge Check
1. Who are the main characters in these Senegalese folktales?
The main characters are the hyena and the hare, representing greed and cleverness.
2. What happens when the hyena and the hare catch an ox?
The hare tricks the hyena into tying her tail, eats most of the ox, and leaves only bones.
3. How does the hyena’s greed for honey end?
She overeats, gets stuck in the hollow tree, and is beaten by villagers.
4. What lesson do these tales teach about greed?
Greed leads to downfall, while cleverness and moderation ensure survival.
5. Where do these stories originate?
They are traditional folktales from Senegal, West Africa.
6. Why is the hare always successful against the hyena?
Because he relies on wit, quick thinking, and trickery, while the hyena depends only on strength.
Source: Senegalese Folktales (René Guillot, Contes d’Afrique, 1933)
