Long ago, in the sun-baked savannahs and bustling villages of Senegal, the hyena and the hare wandered together, an odd pair of friends and rivals. The hyena, large and gluttonous, believed her strength guaranteed success, while the hare, small and cunning, relied on his cleverness to outwit her. Their adventures were marked by tricks, laughter, and lessons that villagers would tell for generations.
The Hyena and the Hare and the Drums
One morning, the hare and the hyena decided to craft drums. The hare, meticulous and patient, selected the finest animal skin, stretched it tightly, and polished it to perfection. The result was a drum that sang with a clear, vibrant tone.
The hyena, impatient and greedy, grabbed a rotten hide and slapped it onto her drum frame. The sound it made was dull, harsh, and grating.
When the villagers gathered for the music, they applauded the hare’s melodious beats, while laughter erupted at the hyena’s awkward attempts. Enraged, the hyena smashed her drum and slunk away, her pride bruised and her tail drooping.
The Hyena and the Hare in the Well
On a quiet evening, the hare and the hyena came across a deep well. Gazing into its dark water, they saw the moon’s reflection shimmering on the surface. The hyena, naïve and greedy, mistook it for a round, delicious wheel of cheese.
Determined to seize it, she tied herself to the hare so they could descend together. Halfway down, the hare’s quick mind devised a plan. With a swift cut of the rope, the hyena plunged into the cool water below. She struggled, splashing and growling, while the hare hopped home, chuckling at her soaked and furious figure.
The Hyena and the Hare at the Dance
One evening, the villagers held a grand dance. The hare dressed neatly, with polished fur and lively eyes, and was welcomed warmly, invited to play music and join the festivities.
The hyena arrived in tattered skins, her greed and jealousy plain for all to see. She attempted to join the dance, but the children jeered at her ragged appearance and chased her away. The hare, meanwhile, twirled and clapped, his laughter mingling with the joyous rhythms of the celebration.
The Hyena and the Hare on the Roof
On another day, the hare climbed onto a roof to repair loose thatch. Curious, the hyena followed, her heavy body unfit for the precarious height. She slipped, sliding dangerously across the tiles.
The hare warned from above, “Be careful! The roof is not for everyone.”
Ignoring the caution, the hyena tumbled to the ground with a crash. The hare hopped down moments later, his eyes bright with amusement. “See,” he said, “climbing is not for heavy bellies!”
The Hyena and the Hare at the Feast
Invited to a village feast, the hare arrived early, his steps light and joyful. He ate well, savoring each morsel, and left quietly before the hyena could arrive.
The hyena arrived late, stomach rumbling, and found only scraps remaining. Furious, she swore vengeance, but the hare had already disappeared into the trees, full and satisfied.
The Hyena and the Hare with the Calabash
One day, the hare filled a calabash with rich, golden honey. Greedy as ever, the hyena tried to imitate him, but in her haste and carelessness, she scooped mud instead.
When they presented their calabashes to the villagers, the hare’s overflowed with sweet honey, while the hyena’s spilled dirty sludge across the ground. The villagers laughed and mocked her, and she fled in shame, while the hare’s cleverness was once again celebrated.
The Hyena and the Hare with the Ox
On a rare day of hunting, the hare and the hyena killed a strong ox. To divide the spoils, the hare suggested, “I shall take the meat, and you the hide.” The hyena, thinking herself clever, agreed eagerly, believing she had the better share.
But when she tried to eat, she found only skin and bones. The hare, meanwhile, feasted on the rich, succulent meat, smiling at her frustration and envy. Once again, cunning had triumphed over brute strength.
Moral of the Tales
These seven stories teach timeless lessons: greed blinds the foolish, while wit and patience reward the clever. The hare’s success reminds us that intelligence and foresight outweigh strength and gluttony, and that arrogance often leads to failure.
Knowledge Check
1. Who are the main characters in these Senegalese folktales?
The main characters are the clever hare and the greedy hyena.
2. How does the hyena fail at making a drum?
She uses rotten hide, creating a dull sound mocked by the villagers.
3. What mistake does the hyena make at the well?
She mistakes the moon’s reflection for cheese and falls into the water.
4. What lesson does the calabash story teach?
Greed and carelessness result in failure, while cleverness brings success.
5. How does the hare outsmart the hyena with the ox?
He takes the meat while the hyena gets only skin and bones.
6. What cultural origin do these stories come from?
These are traditional Senegalese folktales, rooted in West African oral storytelling.
Source: Senegalese Folktales (René Guillot, Contes d’Afrique, 1933)
