In a quiet clearing of the savanna, the leopard had left his young son to play while he hunted elsewhere. Unbeknownst to the little one, a massive elephant wandered near, its heavy steps shaking the earth. In a single, crushing step, the elephant’s foot fell upon the leopard’s son, killing him instantly.
When news of the tragedy reached the leopard, a lamenter approached him, tears in his eyes, and said, “Your son is dead!” The leopard’s eyes narrowed, and he demanded, “Who has done this terrible deed?” The lamenter replied, “It is the elephant, mighty and unstoppable, who has killed your son.”
But the leopard shook his head stubbornly. “No! It is not the elephant. No, no! It is the goats who have killed my son. Their mischief and presence have caused this.” The lamenter pleaded, “But I saw it with my own eyes, the elephant’s great foot fell upon him!” Yet the leopard remained unmoved, insisting, “I tell you, it is the goats. They are the culprits. This is their deed!”
Driven by grief and anger, the leopard set off toward the nearest herd of goats. Though he knew the elephant was the true cause of his son’s death, he understood he could not challenge such a mighty beast. The elephant’s size and strength were far beyond his own. So, the leopard found a weaker target, one he could conquer, and took his vengeance on the unsuspecting goats. One by one, he struck down the goats, avenging his son in a way he could manage.
In the days that followed, the tale spread across the savanna. Other animals watched and whispered among themselves, learning a harsh lesson: when someone is wronged by a stronger force and finds no means to retaliate directly, they often take out their anger on someone weaker. And so, it became a saying among the animals and men alike: “The goats do this, said the leopard.”
Even today, the proverb serves as a reminder of human, and animal, nature. Those who cannot confront the source of their suffering may seek out a weaker party to release their anger. The savanna, full of life and danger, carries this story as a cautionary tale about justice, power, and the choices one makes when faced with insurmountable forces.
Moral Lesson
This Tigrean folktale teaches that when individuals are wronged by those stronger than themselves, they may take out their anger on the powerless. True justice requires courage and wisdom; acting out of fear or weakness can lead to further harm and perpetuate cycles of injustice.
Knowledge Check
Who killed the leopard’s son?
The elephant killed the leopard’s son.
Why did the leopard blame the goats instead of the elephant?
He knew he could not overpower the elephant, so he took revenge on a weaker target.
What lesson does the proverb “The goats do this, said the leopard” convey?
It warns that those unable to confront a stronger force often harm someone weaker instead.
How did the leopard act upon his grief?
He killed the goats, seeking revenge indirectly.
What does this story reveal about power dynamics in the natural world?
It shows that strength often dictates action, and weaker beings may bear the consequences of others’ grievances.
What is the cultural origin of this folktale?
Tigrean people of Eritrea.
Source: Tigrean folktale, Eritrea.
