These are five short Wolof folktales from Senegal with the recurring trickster duo, the hare (clever, patient) and the hyena (lazy, careless).
1. The Hyena and the Hare with the Cooking Pot
In one Wolof tale, the hare and the hyena decided to make clay cooking pots. The hare worked with care, smoothing the surface, shaping it evenly, and firing it until it was strong and durable. The hyena, impatient and careless, rushed through her work, leaving her pot crooked and thin.
When they tried to cook grain, the hare’s pot boiled perfectly, while the hyena’s collapsed in the fire. The hare sat eating her meal in peace, while the hyena went hungry, regretting her haste.
2. The Hyena and the Hare with the Pestle
On another day, the hare carved a pestle for pounding grain. He worked patiently, smoothing the wood until it was solid and reliable. The hyena, as always, rushed her work, crafting a weak and cracked pestle.
When they began to pound grain, the hare’s pestle struck strongly and cleanly, while the hyena’s broke apart in her hands. The hare chuckled and said: “Haste makes waste.”
3. The Hyena and the Hare with the Ladder
One season, when fruit ripened high on the trees, the hare built himself a sturdy ladder, straight and strong. The hyena, impatient, made hers crooked and fragile.
When it came time to climb, the hare’s ladder held firm, allowing him to reach the fruit safely. The hyena’s ladder broke under her weight, and she fell painfully to the ground. From above, the hare laughed and enjoyed the sweet fruit.
4. The Hyena and the Hare with the Door
The hare decided to carve a strong wooden door for his house. He took his time, shaping the wood so that it fit snugly, with no gaps or cracks. The hyena, as usual, rushed her work, leaving holes and weak joints.
When thieves came at night, the hare’s house remained safe behind his solid door. The hyena’s, however, was robbed easily. The hare mocked her, saying: “A good door guards the house.”
5. The Hyena and the Hare with the Roof
In a final tale, the hare carefully roofed his hut with thick, neat thatch that could withstand the wind. The hyena piled grass carelessly on her hut, leaving gaps and loose edges.
When the storm came, the hare’s roof held steady, while the hyena’s blew away. Left exposed to the rain and the hot sun, she envied the hare’s shelter but never learned to copy his patience.
Moral of the Stories
Across these five Wolof tales, one lesson repeats: patience, care, and effort lead to success, while laziness and haste bring failure. The hare thrives because he takes time to do things properly, while the hyena suffers from carelessness. These stories encourage us to value hard work, discipline, and foresight virtues that remain timeless.
Knowledge Check
1. What animals are the main characters in these Senegalese folktales?
The main characters are the clever hare and the careless hyena.
2. What lesson do the stories teach about work and patience?
They teach that patience and careful effort lead to lasting success, while rushing causes failure.
3. Which object in the first story symbolizes strength through care?
The hare’s well-made cooking pot, which worked perfectly, symbolizes the reward of careful effort.
4. Why did the hyena fail in every story?
Because she was careless, impatient, and unwilling to put in the effort needed for good results.
5. How does the hare consistently outwit the hyena?
The hare uses patience, intelligence, and skill, while the hyena relies on shortcuts.
6. What cultural origin do these folktales come from?
They are Wolof folktales from Senegal.
Source: Wolof folktales, Senegal (René Guillot, Contes d’Afrique, 1933)
