Long ago, deep within the lands of Congo where vast forests stretched endlessly and the cries of birds filled the air, two companions, the Crow and the Dove, agreed to hunt together. Each prepared carefully for the expedition, carrying guns, charms, and accompanied by hunting dogs and their trusted chief huntsman. The air was alive with anticipation as the dogs rushed eagerly into the bush, their sharp noses catching the scent of game.
Before long, the dogs startled an animal from its hiding place. With quick reflexes and steady aim, the Dove raised his gun, fired, and brought the creature down. The forest echoed with the crack of the shot. Almost instantly, the Crow flapped forward, his voice loud and insistent as he cried, “It is mine! It is mine!”
The Dove looked at him with quiet firmness and replied, “No, friend. I fired the shot. I killed it.”
But the Crow, unwilling to listen, repeated more loudly, “It is mine! It is mine!” His cries drowned out reason, leaving no room for fairness or truth.
At last, tired of endless quarrels, the Dove gave way. From that day forward, every time the two hunted together, the same injustice played out. The Dove would kill the game, but the Crow, through bluster and noise, claimed it as his own. Each time, his shrill voice rang out: “It is mine, it is mine!” until the weary Dove relented.
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Time passed, and their hunting trips continued in this way, one bird honest, the other selfish. But fate has a way of teaching lessons when least expected.
On one particular day, as the hunting party ventured deep into the forest, the Dove raised his gun to fire at what he thought was game. In a tragic mistake, the shot struck their chief huntsman. The sound of the gunshot startled the forest creatures, and almost immediately, the Crow rushed forward. As was his custom, he shouted in his usual cry: “It is mine! It is mine! I shot it!”
But as he drew closer and realized the terrible truth, that it was not an animal but their huntsman lying motionless on the ground, his tone shifted. His wings trembled, and he stammered: “This is yours.”
The Dove, however, stood firm. His voice was calm but resolute: “No, Crow. You have claimed every creature I have killed, loudly insisting, ‘It is mine.’ Now, you must also take this one as yours.”
The Crow’s eyes widened. He shook his head, pleading to escape the burden, but the Dove refused. The quarrel grew loud and bitter, echoing through the forest until neither could convince the other. At last, they agreed to take their dispute before the elders of the town, the wise men whose duty it was to settle such matters.
When they reached the council, the Dove and the Crow laid their case before the elders. The Dove spoke with quiet honesty, recounting how the Crow had always seized his rightful kills by shouting, “It is mine.” Then he explained how, on this fateful day, the Crow had rushed to claim the huntsman in the same way.
The elders listened carefully, their faces stern. At last, the oldest among them rose and addressed the Crow:
“You have claimed every kill as your own, taking credit where none was due. Now, this burden too is yours. You declared, ‘It is mine,’ and so it shall be. You must bury the body of the huntsman and pay all the expenses of the funeral. What you take in pride and greed, you must also accept in responsibility.”
The Crow bowed his head in shame. His boastful voice was silenced, and for the first time, he felt the true weight of his words.
From that day forward, the story of the Crow and the Dove was told across villages as a warning: those who greedily seize glory for themselves must also be ready to carry blame.
Moral Lesson
The story of the Crow and the Dove warn against selfishness and dishonesty. The Crow sought praise without effort, loudly taking credit for the Dove’s skill. Yet when faced with a tragedy, his own habit of claiming what was not his turned against him. This tale teaches that arrogance and greed bring not honour but shame, for responsibility always follows words and actions.
True fairness lies in honesty, humility, and sharing credit where it is due. Those who cheat others for gain will eventually be caught in their own trap.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who are the main characters in this Congolese folktale?
A: The Crow and the Dove.
Q2: What role did the chief huntsman play in the story?
A: He accompanied them on hunts but was tragically shot by accident.
Q3: How did the Crow usually claim the Dove’s game?
A: By rushing forward and shouting, “It is mine! It is mine!”
Q4: What was different about the hunt that changed everything?
A: The Dove accidentally shot the chief huntsman, not an animal.
Q5: What decision did the elders make regarding the dispute?
A: They declared the kill belonged to the Crow, as he always claimed everything, and made him pay funeral expenses.
Q6: What is the main moral lesson of this folktale?
A: Greed and dishonesty bring consequences, and one must accept responsibility for one’s claims.
Folktale Origin
Source: Congolese folktale, Central Africa.
