In the vast forests of Guinea, where the rustling trees whispered secrets of the earth and the rivers carried songs of old, the lion ruled as king. His roar echoed far and wide, striking fear into the hearts of every creature. He was powerful, majestic, and merciless when his authority was challenged. The hyena, ever greedy and eager for scraps of power, clung close to the lion, feeding on his leftovers and praising his every action.
But among the animals lived a small hare. Fragile in body yet sharp in mind, the hare watched the lion and the hyena with caution. He knew that pride and greed often clouded judgment, and he waited for the moment when his cleverness could restore balance to the forest.
One hot afternoon, the lion gathered the animals together. With the hyena at his side, he declared, “I am king, and all food in this forest belongs first to me. Any animal who dares to eat before I have chosen shall face my wrath.” The animals bowed their heads in fear, but the hare twitched his ears thoughtfully. He knew this rule would not last without challenge.
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Not long after, the lion made a great kill. The forest echoed with the cries of a fallen antelope, and the scent of fresh meat drifted through the trees. The hyena licked his lips, but he dared not touch the meat before the lion. The smaller animals went hungry, watching the feast from a distance. The hare, however, devised a plan.
He hopped over to the lion and bowed. “Great king,” he said with a voice as smooth as river water, “I bring you grave news. A rival lion has entered your territory. He claims to be stronger and more fearsome than you, and he waits by the deep well near the edge of the forest.”
The lion’s mane bristled. His pride could not allow another to challenge his throne. With the hyena trotting at his heels, he rushed to the well. The hare followed quietly, his eyes gleaming with cunning.
When they reached the well, the lion peered inside. The water was clear and still, reflecting his image. Mistaking his reflection for another lion, he roared with fury. The roar echoed back at him, deep and threatening. Convinced his rival was mocking him, the lion leapt into the well to attack.
The water closed over him, and the mighty king of the forest drowned in his own pride. The hyena, startled and confused, leaned over the well and wailed. But the hare stood calmly and said, “The lion’s reign is ended. Power without wisdom leads only to ruin.”
The other animals soon gathered, and when they learned what had happened, they no longer feared the lion’s tyranny or the hyena’s greed. The hare became a symbol of cleverness, showing that even the smallest creature can bring justice when arrogance blinds the strong. As for the hyena, without the lion to protect him, he was shunned by the others. His greed had brought him nothing but shame.
From that day on, the animals of the forest remembered the lesson: pride and greed can be defeated not with force but with intelligence and patience. The hare, though small, had restored balance and freedom to the creatures of the forest.
Moral Lesson
The Lion, the Hare, and the Hyena teaches that pride and greed blind even the strongest, while wisdom and cleverness can overcome great obstacles. True leadership requires humility and fairness, not domination. The tale reminds us that no one should underestimate the weak, for strength of mind often triumphs over strength of body.
Knowledge Check
What rule did the lion impose on the animals of the forest?
He declared that all food belonged first to him, and no animal could eat before he had chosen.
How did the hare trick the lion?
He told the lion that a rival waited at the well, knowing the lion would mistake his reflection for an enemy.
Why did the lion leap into the well?
His pride made him believe his reflection was a rival lion mocking him, and he tried to attack it.
What role did the hyena play in the story?
The hyena supported the lion out of greed and followed him, but gained nothing after the lion’s downfall.
What lesson did the other animals learn from the hare’s actions?
They learned that arrogance and greed can be defeated by intelligence and patience.
What is the main moral of The Lion, the Hare, and the Hyena?
Cleverness and wisdom are stronger than brute force and selfish pride.
Source: Guinean folktale from Contes de Guinée, collected by Djibril Tamsir Niane.
