Once, in the rolling plains of Eritrea, there lived a hyaena who owned a herd of cattle, though he spent his days sleeping in their pen, barely tending to them. The cattle roamed under his nominal care, and a human herdsman was assigned to watch over them, guiding them through pastures and protecting them at night. The hyaena, unlike most creatures, had a peculiar fear of sudden movements and loud noises, and it was this trait that would soon determine the fate of his herd.
Each evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the air grew cool, the herdsman would return from gathering firewood. Carrying a hefty tree trunk on his shoulder, he would fling it into the cattle yard without warning. Each time, the hyaena would leap from his slumber in panic and flee, yelping and stumbling among the cattle. Despite this, he always returned to his pen, trembling and wary, unable to reconcile his authority over the herd with his overwhelming fear.
“Thou art safe, daughter of Moses!” the herdsman would call lightly, teasing the fainthearted hyaena. The hyaena, though startled, muttered to himself: “I thought it was an array,” and slowly made his way back to his post. This nightly routine continued, day after day, until the herdsman noticed a truth: the hyaena, though master of the cattle in name, lacked the courage to guard them properly.
One evening, as the herdsman reflected on the futility of his labor, he resolved: “I have spent too long tending the cattle of this timid creature. It is time to claim what should rightfully be under my protection and care.” With a plan forming in his mind, he returned home at sunset as usual, hefted his firewood, and marched into the pen where the hyaena lay sleeping.
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With a swift motion, he flung the trunk near the hyaena. Terrified, the hyaena leapt to his feet, stumbling and yelping as he dashed from the yard. The herdsman, seizing the moment, hurled his staff after the fleeing beast, ensuring the hyaena would remember the encounter. Though frightened, the hyaena soon realized the figure chasing him was none other than his own shepherd.
“Why dost thou drive me away from my cattle?” the hyaena cried out, his voice trembling with indignation and fear.
“I have done it!” the herdsman replied boldly, chasing him out of the pen. The hyaena’s courage faltered entirely, and he slunk away, conceding control of the herd. Yet even as he fled, he warned, “I shall eat from thee the udders and the haunches of the cows!”
The herdsman, undeterred, answered calmly: “What concern is that to me? The remainder is sufficient, and I shall guard it myself.” From that day forward, the cattle came entirely under human care, and the hyaena, once the nominal owner, became a creature of constant caution and fear. To this day, they say, the hyaena avoids direct confrontation with humans and has a habit of rending the udders and haunches of cows—taking only what he dares not protect fully.
Thus, the plains learned a vital lesson: courage and cleverness, when combined, can transform situations where fear and inaction once ruled. The herdsman’s quick thinking not only secured the herd but ensured that the hyaena remained wary and humble in his dealings with both humans and livestock.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that courage, resourcefulness, and decisive action allow one to overcome the timid and those who rely on fear rather than responsibility. In life, simply possessing power or authority is insufficient if one lacks the courage to act; cleverness and bravery will always prevail over hesitation and fear.
Knowledge Check
Who was the true caretaker of the cattle in the story?
The human herdsman, who guided and protected the herd, not the hyaena.
Why did the hyaena flee from the herdsman each night?
Because he was startled by the sudden throwing of the firewood, showing his timid nature.
What lesson does the herdsman’s clever action teach?
Courage and cleverness can overcome fear and authority that is unearned.
What is the hyaena’s behavior with cattle after losing control?
The hyaena only takes udders and haunches, avoiding direct confrontation with humans.
Which cultural origin does this folktale come from?
It is a Tigréan folktale from Eritrea.
What universal truth does this story illustrate?
Power without courage or action is meaningless, and resourcefulness can secure rightful ownership.
Source: Tigréan folktale, Eritrea
