Once, in a quiet African town surrounded by dense forests and wide grasslands, a Leopard and a Gazelle lived side by side with their wives and children. Their homes stood not far apart, and though they were very different in nature, Leopard being fierce and cunning, Gazelle gentle and thoughtful, they shared the same community. One day, Leopard approached Gazelle with a scheme. “Friend Gazelle,” he said, “let us go together to the Zombo country and buy some drums.”
Gazelle, eager to please, replied, “That is a fine idea. But where is the money?”
Leopard answered proudly, “I have the money with me.”
The two companions began their journey, walking along winding paths shaded by tall trees. But before long, Leopard growled, “Wait here, friend. I must return to the town, for I have forgotten something important.”
Leaving Gazelle behind, Leopard hurried back to the village. He went straight to Gazelle’s home and told Mrs. Gazelle, “My friend has sent me for his children.” Trusting his words, she handed the children to him. Leopard put them in a large sack and returned to the waiting Gazelle, carrying the bag tightly over his shoulder.
They walked on together until, deep in the forest, Leopard spotted a hollow tree glistening with golden honey. His eyes gleamed. “Friend,” he said, “wait here while I eat some honey. But remember, do not open the sack.”
When Leopard had gone, Gazelle, curious and uneasy, untied the bag. To his shock, he saw his own children staring up at him! His heart pounded. “These are mine!” he cried softly. Without hesitation, he lifted the sack onto his back and rushed home. He returned his children safely to their mother, then hurried to Leopard’s house.
READ: How the Mouse Won His Wife: A Congolese Folktale
There he told Mrs. Leopard, “My friend has sent me for his children.” Believing him, she handed the Leopard’s children over. Gazelle placed them in the sack and ran back to where he had been left. Soon Leopard returned, his mouth sticky with honey. He picked up the bag, unaware of what had happened, and the two continued their journey.
At last, they reached Zombo. They bought drums with Leopard’s money, and as the transaction ended, Leopard whispered to Gazelle, “Do not untie the sack now, inside are some gazelles.” He still believed Gazelle’s children were trapped inside.
As they travelled homeward, they tested their new drums. Leopard struck his and sang mockingly:
“The foolish people go on foolish journeys!”
He laughed, thinking Gazelle had been tricked into selling his own children for drums.
But Gazelle struck his drum and sang wisely:
“At the place where honey was eaten, they left behind their bag of wisdom.”
Leopard did not understand, for he did not yet know that the bag contained his own children.
They passed through many towns, entertaining crowds with their drumming and songs. The people rewarded them with goats and pigs, which they collected as gifts. By the time they reached their village, they had gained much.
The moment they arrived, Gazelle hurried home. He told his wife to take their children and hide in safety. Then he waited, knowing Leopard’s discovery would soon bring trouble.
Sure enough, Leopard returned to his house and looked around. “Where are my children?” he demanded.
His wife, puzzled, replied, “Why, you sent the Gazelle for them. He took them, and now you ask me where they are?”
Leopard’s rage burst like thunder. His eyes blazed as he stormed to Gazelle’s house. But when he arrived, Gazelle was already fleeing into the forest. From the distance, Gazelle called out boldly:
“I am the wise Gazelle, who has outwitted your craftiness!”
And with that, he vanished into the wilderness, leaving Leopard defeated by his own deceit.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that cunning built on lies often destroys the deceiver. Leopard’s trick was turned against him because of Gazelle’s wisdom and quick thinking. The story reminds us that honesty and vigilance protect us, while deceit and greed bring downfall. True wisdom is not in brute strength but in clarity of mind and fairness of action.
Knowledge Check
Q1: What did Leopard suggest to Gazelle at the beginning of the story?
A1: He suggested they travel to Zombo to buy drums.
Q2: How did Leopard deceive Mrs. Gazelle?
A2: He told her that Gazelle had sent him to collect his children.
Q3: What did Gazelle discover when he opened the sack?
A3: He found his own children inside.
Q4: How did Gazelle trick Leopard in return?
A4: He returned his children home and replaced them with Leopard’s children.
Q5: What symbolic meaning does the drum song carry in the story?
A5: Leopard’s song symbolized arrogance and false victory, while Gazelle’s song revealed hidden wisdom.
Q6: What is the key lesson from the folktale?
A6: Deceit and greed lead to ruin, while wisdom and vigilance ensure safety and triumph.
Source: Congolese Folktale, Central Africa
