Wolof folktales from Senegal carry wisdom, humor, and warnings about human behavior. They often use animals and magical objects to teach lessons about cleverness, trust, and consequences. Two such stories The Hare and the Sparrows and The Old Woman and the Horn illustrate these timeless truths in vivid, engaging ways.
The Hare and the Sparrows
In a peaceful Wolof village, a hare once approached God with a request:
“Lord, make me cleverer,” he said.
God considered the hare’s plea and replied, “Very well, but first, fill this gourd with sparrows.”
The hare, eager to gain wisdom, hurried to a spring where sparrows gathered every evening. He began to speak aloud, pretending to argue with himself:
“No, no, yes, yes… forgive me, never… it cannot be or can it?”
Curious, the sparrows fluttered closer. “What is the matter?” they chirped.
The hare responded slyly, “I am wondering whether this gourd could hold you all.”
Flattered by the hare’s words, the sparrows agreed. “We are so small, we could fit easily,” they said. One by one, they hopped into the gourd until it was completely full. Quick as a flash, the hare sealed the gourd and carried it to God.
But God saw through the hare’s clever trick. “Enough!” He exclaimed. “If I granted you more intelligence, you might harm the world.” With that, God struck the hare on the head.
From that day onward, the hare has borne a white mark on his forehead a reminder of his ambition and the limits of cleverness.
The Old Woman and the Horn
In another Wolof tale, during a time of famine, an old woman lived alone with a magical horn. This horn granted her every desire. She had no children or relatives, yet her storerooms were always full of meat, enough to keep her fed for months.
One day, a hyena approached her, speaking with feigned sweetness:
“Mother, lend me the horn.”
The woman, cautious and wise, replied, “No. I know you too well. If I give it to you, you will never return it.”
But the hyena’s pleadings were persistent, and at last, she trusted him. She handed over the horn.
Years passed. The hyena never returned. Hungry, frustrated, and betrayed, the woman wandered the bush in search of the horn. After twenty-five grueling days of travel, she finally found the hyena dead at the foot of a mountain. She retrieved the horn and swore never to lend it to anyone again.
From that day, the Wolof people have said: one betrayal is enough to destroy trust forever.
Moral Lessons
These two stories convey essential Wolof wisdom. The first warns that cleverness, when unchecked, can lead to consequences beyond one’s control. The hare’s ambition brought him a permanent mark, reminding us that intelligence must be tempered with humility. The second story emphasizes the value of trust and the pain of betrayal. Even a generous heart, like the old woman’s, can be cautious after deception. Together, these tales highlight the balance between cunning, responsibility, and prudence.
Knowledge Check
1. Why did God ask the hare to fill the gourd with sparrows?
To test the hare’s cleverness and ensure he did not misuse his intelligence.
2. What is the significance of the white mark on the hare’s forehead?
It symbolizes the limits of cleverness and the consequences of overambition.
3. Why did the old woman hesitate to lend the horn to the hyena?
She feared the hyena’s deceit and knew he would never return it.
4. What lesson does the story of the horn teach?
It teaches the importance of caution and that trust, once broken, may never be restored.
5. How do animals function in Wolof folktales?
Animals act as symbolic figures to teach moral lessons about human behavior.
6. What cultural values are reflected in these stories?
They reflect prudence, honesty, cleverness tempered by responsibility, and the consequences of betrayal.
Cultural Origin: Wolof people, Senegal
