Long ago, in the sunlit forests of Angola, Leopard lived as king among the beasts. One day, hunger gripped him fiercely, and his stomach growled with emptiness. Restless and scheming, he said to himself, “What shall I do? I will call all the animals together and tell them: ‘Come, let us hold a consultation about medicine and health.’ When they arrive, I will catch them and eat.”
Without delay, Leopard sent out his messengers. His summons reached Deer, Antelope, Soko the monkey, Hare, and Philantomba, the little forest antelope. One by one, the animals gathered under the shade of tall trees, puzzled and wary.
“Leopard,” they asked, “why have you called for us?”
Putting on a solemn face, Leopard replied, “My friends, I am unwell. Let us meet to consult medicine so that we may gain health.”
The animals, unsure but unwilling to deny his words, agreed to join the gathering.
Leopard’s Deceptive Plan
As the hot sun dipped low, the animals prepared for what they believed was a ritual of healing. Outside, they set drums in place and began to sing songs of fellowship. Leopard himself, hiding his hunger beneath a mask of sickness, took up the largest drum. With steady beats, he lifted his voice in a plaintive song:
“O Antelope! O Deer!
Your friend is sick;
Do not shun him!
O Antelope! O Deer!
Your friend is sick;
Do not shun him!”
Over and over, he sang, the rhythm echoing through the forest. His claws struck the skin of the drum while his eyes gleamed with the thought of his trap.
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Deer Speaks Truth
At last, Deer stepped forward, his ears twitching and eyes narrowing. Something in Leopard’s song unsettled him. “Chief Leopard,” Deer said boldly, “the drum, you are not playing it rightly. Bring it here, and let me play.”
Leopard, though suspicious, handed him the drum. Deer tightened its cords, then struck it with firm hands. His voice rang clear and strong as he sang:
“Not sickness;
Wiliness holds thee!
Not sickness;
Wiliness holds thee!
Not sickness;
Wiliness holds thee!”
Each line pierced through the pretense like arrows. The other animals stopped and stared. The beat of Deer’s song revealed Leopard’s trick for all to hear.
The Escape
Leopard leapt to his feet, his plan exposed. “You, Deer, know nothing of how to play the drum!” he roared, his tail lashing with anger. But the truth was out, and the animals needed no further warning.
Together they cried, “Leopard has made a scheme to catch us!” Panic surged, and in a flurry of hooves, paws, and leaps, the creatures scattered into the forest. Antelope darted between trees, Hare bounded over roots, Soko swung into branches, and Philantomba vanished into the tall grass.
Leopard was left alone, his belly still empty, his trick laid bare. His hunger remained, but his cunning had been defeated by the sharp ears and clear voice of Deer.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that cunning may build traps, but wisdom will always find the truth. Leopard’s hunger drove him to deceit, yet it was Deer’s honesty and courage that saved the others. In every community, it is the brave voice that unmasks lies and protects the innocent.
True leadership and strength are not found in deception but in integrity, for schemes may succeed for a moment, but truth endures and sets others free.
Knowledge Check
1. Why did Leopard call the animals together?
Leopard pretended he wanted a consultation about medicine and health, but his true plan was to trap and eat them.
2. Which animals gathered at Leopard’s summons?
Deer, Antelope, Soko (monkey), Hare, and Philantomba responded to Leopard’s call.
3. What was Leopard doing during the gathering?
He was beating the drum and singing a song about being sick to deceive the other animals.
4. How did Deer expose Leopard’s trick?
Deer took the drum and sang a new song, declaring, “Not sickness; wiliness holds thee!” which revealed the truth.
5. What did the animals do after hearing Deer’s song?
They realized Leopard’s scheme and ran away quickly to save themselves.
6. What lesson does this folktale teach?
The story shows that deceit cannot hide for long, and that courage and truth can overcome cunning and danger.
Source: Kimbundu folktale, Angola.
