In a small village in Burkina Faso, where the golden sun warmed the earth and the winds whispered through the tall grasses, there stood a great baobab tree. Its trunk was wide and knotted, its branches stretching like welcoming arms to the sky. Villagers spoke of the tree with reverence, for it was sacred, protected by the spirits who lived within its bark and leaves. The tree bore the most luscious fruit in the land, sweet and rich, a treasure meant to nourish the village and remind them of the balance between humans and nature.
Not far from this village lived a hare, clever and quick, who had earned a reputation for his trickery. He loved nothing more than outsmarting others, often to his own gain. One bright morning, when the scent of fresh grass mingled with the aroma of ripe fruits, the hare spotted the glowing baobab fruits dangling temptingly from the branches. His eyes gleamed. “If I could taste even one of those fruits, everyone would know I am the cleverest of all,” he whispered to himself.
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The hare studied the tree carefully. He knew the spirits were always watching, and he needed a plan to avoid their notice. First, he tried climbing the trunk with his nimble paws, but the tree seemed alive, twisting and shaking just enough to make him slip. Undeterred, the hare sat beneath the baobab, thinking. He tapped his paw on the ground, eyes darting from branch to branch, until an idea came to him.
He gathered some vines and tied them to a sturdy branch, fashioning a sort of swinging rope. With a running start, he leaped, catching the branch and swinging toward the fruit. Just as his paws brushed a bright orange fruit, the branch shook violently. The hare yelped and tumbled to the ground, landing in a soft patch of grass, bruised but unharmed. “That was only a warning,” a voice murmured from the leaves. The hare froze. He realized the spirits of the baobab were watching him, their presence calm but unmistakable.
The hare’s pride would not allow him to give up. He thought of another plan. This time, he decided to charm the spirits with his clever words. Sitting beneath the tree, he spoke in a sweet, confident voice, “Oh great spirits of this mighty tree, I only wish to taste a fruit so I may share its glory with all the creatures in the forest. I mean no harm, only respect.” The leaves rustled as if the tree itself was considering his words. A gentle wind circled him, but still the fruit remained out of reach.
Then the spirits spoke in a voice like distant thunder, gentle yet firm. “Clever hare, your words are smooth, but your intentions are not true. You seek the fruit for yourself and not for the forest. You must learn that deceit brings consequences, no matter how clever one may be.” The hare’s ears drooped. Pride and embarrassment mixed within him. For the first time, he understood that being clever was not enough; he must also be honest and respectful.
He hung his head and said, “I am sorry. I wanted the fruit only for myself. I understand now that respect and honesty are more important than clever tricks.” The wind stilled, and the tree seemed to sigh. Slowly, a fruit descended from the branch, landing gently before him. The hare’s eyes widened in surprise and gratitude. He picked up the fruit and did not eat it immediately. Instead, he carried it back to the village and shared it with all the creatures of the forest, from the smallest mouse to the wise old tortoise.
From that day forward, the hare became known not just for his cleverness, but also for his respect for the sacred baobab and the spirits who protected it. The villagers and forest creatures remembered the lesson well. Cleverness alone is not enough. One must temper it with honesty, respect, and consideration for the world around them.
Moral Lesson: The story of the Trickster Hare and the Sacred Baobab Tree teaches that cleverness and skill are valuable, but they must always be balanced with honesty and respect. Deceit may offer temporary success, but true wisdom comes from acting with integrity and consideration for others.
Knowledge Check
Who is the main character in the story and what is he known for? The main character is the hare, known for his cleverness and trickery in the forest.
What makes the baobab tree sacred in the story? The baobab tree is sacred because it is protected by spirits and provides fruit that nourishes the village and forest.
How did the hare first attempt to get the fruit and what happened? He tried climbing the tree and swinging on a vine, but the tree shook and he fell, showing the spirits’ warning.
What lesson did the hare learn from the spirits of the baobab? He learned that deceit and selfishness have consequences, and that respect and honesty are more important than clever tricks.
How did the hare show his change in behavior? He apologized, accepted the spirits’ guidance, and shared the fruit with all the forest creatures.
What is the moral of the story? Cleverness must be accompanied by honesty and respect; deceit may fail, but integrity brings lasting success.
Cultural Origin: Source: Mossi folktale, Burkina Faso. Recorded in Burkinabe Oral Traditions and Folktales, edited by Mamadou Traoré (1999).
