Long ago, in the deep green forests of Gabon, where the tall trees whispered with the wind and the rivers sang their endless songs, there lived a hunter known among the villages. He was strong, quick with his bow, and clever with his traps. Yet one thing ruled his heart more than skill or courage. He was greedy.
Each morning, when the first light touched the treetops, the hunter set out with baskets, ropes, and nets. Other hunters in the village would set two or three traps and return home satisfied with whatever they caught. But this hunter wanted more. He thought, “Why should I be content with a small catch when the forest is filled with animals? If I set a hundred traps, I will bring back a hundred meals.”
So he laid traps along every path, near every watering hole, and even at the edge of the river where animals came to drink. His hands worked quickly, and by the time the sun stood high, the forest floor bristled with snares waiting for victims. He returned home with pride swelling in his chest. He told the villagers, “No one can hunt as I do. Tomorrow, I will feed my family and the whole village.”
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The next day, he hurried back into the forest with baskets on his shoulders. Indeed, his traps had worked. A gazelle lay caught in one, a rabbit in another, and birds hung tangled in nets. His eyes gleamed as he filled his baskets, but the traps were too many for him to handle. While he bent over one, he heard another snap shut in the distance. He ran there and found a wild pig caught. While dragging it free, he heard yet another trap spring.
All day he rushed from place to place, trying to gather his prizes, sweating under the heavy load of meat. Still, he wanted more. As the sun began to set, the hunter heard a sound unlike the others. The snapping of branches, the deep growl of a powerful beast. He ran to the spot, thinking he had caught a great treasure.
There, struggling furiously in one of his snares, was Leopard, the lord of the forest. His eyes blazed like fire, and his teeth shone sharp in the fading light. The hunter’s heart shook within him, for he knew Leopard was not like rabbit or gazelle. Leopard was swift, strong, and vengeful.
At first, the hunter thought of running away. But then his greed whispered, “If I kill Leopard, I will become the greatest hunter in all Gabon. No man has ever done such a thing.” He raised his spear and crept forward.
But Leopard was no ordinary prey. With a mighty heave, he tore the rope apart, breaking free from the trap. He leapt at the hunter with claws outstretched. The hunter barely threw himself aside as Leopard’s roar thundered through the forest. His spear clattered uselessly to the ground.
The chase began. Through the trees, over roots, across streams, Leopard pursued the hunter. His breath came fast, his legs grew heavy, and he stumbled in fear. At last, he scrambled up a tall tree, shaking as he clung to the branches. Leopard circled below, eyes glowing, waiting for him to descend. The night stretched long, filled with growls and silence.
Only when dawn came did Leopard finally stalk away, leaving the hunter trembling and weak. When he crept down from the tree, his traps lay broken, his baskets overturned, and his prizes scattered. The forest had taken back what was stolen.
The hunter limped home empty-handed. From that day, he set only a few traps, no more than he could carry. His greed had nearly cost him his life, and the villagers reminded him often, “The forest gives to those who take with respect, but it destroys those who take with greed.”
Moral Lesson
The story of the greedy hunter teaches that greed blinds people to wisdom and safety. By wanting more than he could handle, the hunter nearly lost everything, including his life. True strength lies not in taking all but in knowing what is enough. The tale reminds us that moderation brings peace, while unchecked desire leads to ruin.
Knowledge Check
What was the main weakness of the greedy hunter in the story?
The hunter’s main weakness was his greed, which made him set more traps than he could manage.Why did the hunter set so many traps in the forest?
He believed that the more traps he set, the more animals he would catch and the greater his fame would become.What dangerous animal did the hunter accidentally trap?
He trapped a powerful leopard, which broke free and chased him.How did the hunter escape from Leopard’s attack?
He fled through the forest and climbed a tall tree, staying there until Leopard left at dawn.What lesson did the hunter learn after his frightening encounter with Leopard?
He learned that greed leads to danger and that it is wiser to take only what one can handle.What message does this Gabonese folktale give about greed and moderation?
The tale shows that greed can destroy a person, while moderation and respect bring safety and balance.
Cultural Origin: Gabonese folktale (Mpongwe Tribe), recorded by Robert H. Nassau in Where Animals Talk: West African Folklore Tales (1914).
