Across the open fields and villages of Senegal, the clever hare and the greedy hyena were well-known figures. The hare, small, quick, and intelligent, approached every task with care and patience. The hyena, large and impatient, rushed through life hoping to take shortcuts to success. Time and again, the hare’s diligence outshone the hyena’s clumsiness. These seven tales show how skill, patience, and foresight triumph over haste, greed, and laziness.
The Hyena and the Hare with the Calabash Garden
In a sunlit field, the hare planted calabashes in neat, orderly rows. Each seed was spaced carefully, the soil rich and tilled with precision. The hyena, lazy and careless, scattered her seeds randomly across the ground.
When harvest time came, the difference was striking. The hare’s calabashes were large, round, and plentiful, basking in the golden sunlight. The hyena’s few calabashes were small, misshapen, and sparse. Desperate, she begged the hare to share, but he shook his head and reminded her wisely, “You reap what you sow.”
The Hyena and the Hare with the Drum (Second Variant)
Once more, the pair crafted drums for a village feast. The hare selected fine, supple hide and strong, resonant wood, producing a drum that sang with clear, joyful rhythm. The hyena, impatient and envious, stitched scraps together haphazardly.
At the celebration, the hare’s drum filled the air with music that made villagers dance and laugh. The hyena’s drum thudded dull and heavy, eliciting laughter at her expense. Red with embarrassment and anger, she smashed her drum in frustration, while the hare’s music continued to charm everyone.
The Hyena and the Hare with the Fence
The hare built a strong fence around his field, posts straight and barriers sturdy. The hyena, taking the easy path, made hers crooked and weak.
When animals came searching for food, they could not breach the hare’s fence. They easily tore apart the hyena’s crops, leaving her empty-handed. The hare chuckled at the sight, proud of his careful work, while the hyena went hungry once again.
The Hyena and the Hare with the Basket
The hare wove a basket with care: strong, beautiful, and perfectly shaped. The hyena, impatient, created a fragile basket full of holes.
When filled with grain, the hare’s basket held firm, while the hyena’s spilled everything onto the ground. Villagers laughed at her clumsiness as she scrambled to gather the scattered grain, while the hare carried his basket with pride, a model of diligence.
The Hyena and the Hare with the Well
The hare dug a well, deep and lined with smooth stones, ensuring a clean, cool water source. The hyena, careless and hurried, dug a shallow, uneven pit.
During the dry season, the hare’s well provided refreshing water for him and the villagers. The hyena’s well was dry, forcing her to beg. The hare gave her just a sip, saying, “Work well if you wish to drink.”
The Hyena and the Hare with the Path
The hare cleared a straight, smooth path to his home, free from stones, thorns, or obstacles. The hyena left her path cluttered with debris and uneven ground.
When visitors came, they chose the hare’s path, bringing him gifts and praise. No one dared use the hyena’s road, and she was left alone, frustrated and overlooked.
The Hyena and the Hare with the Fire
Finally, the hare gathered dry wood to build a bright, warm fire. The hyena piled wet branches, producing only smoke and sizzle.
Villagers gathered around the hare’s fire to share warmth and stories, while none approached the hyena’s smoky mess. Ashamed and humiliated, she slunk away, yet again outwitted by the hare’s careful work and foresight.
Moral of the Tales
These seven stories teach that patience, diligence, and thoughtful work yield lasting success, while haste, laziness, and envy lead to failure and embarrassment. The hare’s cleverness shows that intelligence and careful planning always triumph over recklessness.
Knowledge Check
Who are the main characters of these Senegalese trickster tales?
The clever trickster hare and the greedy, lazy hyena.
What lesson does the calabash garden teach?
Patience and care in planting bring a rich harvest, while carelessness and haste lead to failure.
How do the drum stories illustrate trickster cleverness versus foolish haste?
The hare’s careful work creates joyful music, while the hyena’s rushed effort results in ridicule.
What happens to the hyena’s fence and crops?
Her weak fence collapses, leaving her crops destroyed, unlike the hare’s sturdy, well-planned fence.
How does the well story highlight foresight in a trickster tale?
The hare’s deep, clean well provides water during drought, while the hyena’s shallow pit leaves her thirsty.
What is the cultural origin of these trickster tales?
They are traditional Senegalese folktales from West Africa.
Source: Senegalese Folktales (René Guillot, Contes d’Afrique, 1933)
