Mba-Soamba, the hare, and Mba-Baga, the dog, were once the closest of friends. Their bond was deep, their laughter constant, and their companionship steady. Yet beneath this friendship, Hare carried a restless heart. He was cunning and could never be content with one ally alone. Soon, Hare began dividing his loyalty between Dog and Hyena. One evening, he would sit in Dog’s yard, sharing stories until the moon sank low. The next evening, he would slip away to spend his time in Hyena’s compound, chatting and laughing as if they too were lifelong companions.
This alternating pattern continued for many days, until Dog began to notice. A shadow of worry crept into his heart. One night, as Hare prepared to leave for yet another visit, Dog confronted him.
“Mba-Soamba, will everything truly remain well between us?” he asked carefully. “One evening you are with me, the next you are with Hyena. Do you not see the danger? What if one day, you repeat to him what you hear from me, or repeat to me what you hear from him?”
But Hare, ever smooth with words, brushed aside Dog’s suspicions.
“My friend, do not trouble your heart. There is no conflict between us. I keep your trust as I do my own.”
His reassurances soothed Dog, though unease still lingered.
Time passed, until one day Hare approached Dog with a request. A member of Hare’s wife’s family had died, and he wished for Dog to accompany him to the funeral. Dog, bound by friendship and respect, wanted to agree, but a serious problem arose. The only road to Hare’s in-laws’ village passed directly through Hyena’s fields.
Dog shook his head. “I wish to honor your family, but how can I walk across the land of Hyena? You know well that he and I are not friends. If he finds me passing through his field, he will attack me without mercy. I cannot put myself in such danger.”
But Hare, clever as always, already had a plan. “Do not worry. On the day of the journey, I will bring a deep, sturdy basket. You shall climb inside it, and I will carry you across Hyena’s field. He will never know you are there.”
Reluctantly, Dog agreed.
READ THIS: The Hare and the Hyena: A Mossi Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Gluttony and Self-Control
When the day of the funeral arrived, Dog dressed himself in a long, flowing robe with wide sleeves, and he placed a bonnet upon his head. Concealed in this outfit, he climbed into the basket as planned. Hare hoisted the heavy load onto his back and set off toward Hyena’s fields.
It was sowing season. As fate would have it, Hyena and his wife were working their land, scattering seeds carefully across the soil. When Hare came near, instead of keeping to the road, he veered deliberately into the freshly sown seedbed. Hyena straightened at once, his eyes flashing.
“Get back onto the road!” Hyena barked.
Feigning obedience, Hare shifted course and moved aside, but soon after, he once again trampled across the rows of seed. Hyena, now furious, shouted louder. “I told you, stay off my field!”
At this, Hare sighed loudly, shaking the basket on his back as if it were unbearably heavy. “Hyena, you see how I struggle,” he said slyly. “How can anyone carry such a load without weaving from side to side? If you do not believe me, I will set it down here, and you may see for yourself what I am carrying.”
Before Hyena could answer, Hare lowered the basket to the ground. In an instant, Dog leapt out, tearing across the fields as fast as his legs could carry him. Hyena and his wife shouted in outrage and gave chase. Dust rose behind them as they pursued the fleeing Dog.
But Dog, though terrified, was swift. In his desperate flight, he lost his robe, his bonnet, and all the garments he had worn. Naked and breathless, he barely managed to reach home alive. His heart pounded with shame, but at least he had survived Hyena’s wrath.
From that day forward, Dog never again trusted Hare. The friendship they once shared dissolved, leaving only the bitter memory of betrayal.
Moral Lesson
This Mossi folktale warns against false companions and divided loyalties. Hare, by befriending both Dog and Hyena, placed his friend in danger. Dog’s trust was abused, and though he survived, he paid with humiliation and fear. The tale reminds us to beware of friends who walk comfortably among our enemies. True loyalty cannot exist where duplicity rules.
At the same time, it teaches that cunning without care for others can ruin even the strongest bonds. Friendship is built not on trickery, but on trust and faithfulness.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who were the two main friends in this folktale?
A1: Hare (Mba-Soamba) and Dog (Mba-Baga).
Q2: Why did Dog grow suspicious of Hare’s behavior?
A2: Because Hare alternated between visiting him and Hyena, creating distrust.
Q3: What event required Dog to travel with Hare?
A3: The funeral of a member of Hare’s wife’s family.
Q4: Why was Dog afraid to cross the field?
A4: Because the road passed through Hyena’s land, and Hyena was his enemy.
Q5: How did Hare trick Hyena during the journey?
A5: He pretended his basket was too heavy to carry straight, then released Dog from inside it.
Q6: What is the main lesson of this tale?
A6: Beware of friends who divide loyalty between you and your enemies; true friendship requires trust.
Source: Mossi folktale, Burkina Faso.
