Once upon a time, in the rugged highlands of Eritrea where rocky caves provided shelter and algen trees spread their shade across the dry earth, there lived three very different creatures: a guenon, a baboon, and a lion. The guenon was small, quick, and sly, known for his restless eyes and restless mind. The baboon was strong and fierce, his thick arms always ready for combat. The lion, as king of the wilderness, commanded respect with his roar and his cave that served as a throne.
It began with a quarrel between the guenon and the baboon. The two monkeys were natural rivals, but this time their fight grew bitter. The baboon’s strength overwhelmed the guenon, who soon realized he could not defeat his rival with force. Anger burned in his heart, and so he plotted in silence, whispering to himself: “If my hands cannot crush him, my cunning shall destroy him.”
The Guenon’s Ruse
The guenon waited for his moment, and one day he wandered near the cave of the lion. The cave was large but had a crack running across its side, where rainwater sometimes trickled in during the storms. The guenon bowed before the lion and said slyly, “Great King, why do you not sew together the crack in your cave? If you leave it open, the rain will surely trouble you.”
The lion tilted his head, puzzled. “How can one sew stone?” he asked.
The guenon replied with confidence, “It can be done. Bring me sewing-thread, and I will close it for you.”
The lion, curious and trusting, said, “Very well. But with what shall it be sewn?”
The guenon’s eyes gleamed. He answered coldly, “Kill the baboon and bring me the sinew from his back. That will be strong enough to sew the crack.”
The Fall of the Baboon
Without hesitation, the lion obeyed. He leapt upon the baboon, struck him down, and tore the sinew from his back. Soon he returned, holding the grisly thread, and laid it before the guenon. “Here it is,” the lion said. “Now do as you promised, sew my cave.”
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But the guenon was trapped in his own scheme. He stared at the hard stone wall and thought: “I cannot sew rock. If I fail, the lion will surely kill me.” Fear tightened his chest, yet his cunning mind whirred again. He devised another trick, this time to rid himself of the lion as well.
Turning the Trap
The guenon spoke with feigned care. “King of the wilderness, the sinew must dry before it can be used. Wrap it around your neck until it tightens, and wait while I gather the fruit of the algen tree.”
The lion, still unsuspecting, did as he was told. He wound the sinew around his neck and lay waiting while the guenon climbed the branches of the algen tree. After some time, the lion began to struggle. The sinew shrank as it dried, biting into his throat. Gasping, he called out, “Come down now, guenon! The sinew is dry, take it off me so you may sew my cave!”
The guenon looked down and replied calmly, “Let it dry further.”
Time passed, and the lion’s roars grew weaker. At last, choking, he begged, “It is very dry! It chokes me! Take it off, and sew with it as you promised!”
The guenon refused. “I will not,” he said coldly.
And so the lion, mighty king of beasts, died with the sinew strangling his neck.
The Guenon’s Triumph
The guenon’s plan was complete. He had rid himself of his rival, the baboon, through deceit, and he had destroyed the lion, the great king, through cunning. Yet the tale was not told to glorify his triumph, but to remind all who hear it of the dangerous edge of craftiness. The guenon survived, but he carried forever the reputation of one who betrayed friend and foe alike.
Moral Lesson
This Tigrean folktale from Eritrea teaches that cunning may achieve what strength cannot, but deceit carries a heavy price. The guenon triumphed through trickery, but his actions left behind only death and distrust. True wisdom lies not in treachery, but in finding peace without destroying others.
In life, those who rely solely on craft and deception may win battles, but they risk losing respect, loyalty, and harmony. The tale reminds us: intelligence should guide justice, not cruelty.
Knowledge Check
1. Who were the three main characters in the folktale?
The guenon, the baboon, and the lion.
2. Why did the guenon plot against the baboon?
Because he could not defeat the baboon by strength and sought revenge through cunning.
3. What material did the guenon suggest be used to “sew” the lion’s cave?
The sinew from the baboon’s back.
4. How did the lion meet his death?
He wrapped the sinew around his neck, which tightened and choked him as it dried.
5. What lesson does the folktale teach about cunning?
That cunning can defeat strength but leads to destruction and mistrust if used for harm.
6. What is the cultural origin of the tale?
It is a Tigrean folktale from Eritrea.
Source: Tigrean folktale, Eritrea.
