The Lion, king of the forest, had once again become uncontrollable. His aggression struck fear into the hearts of both animals and humans. Day after day, he hunted without restraint, killing not only the grazing animals for food but also attacking people in nearby villages. Mothers wept for children lost, and families dared not wander near the forest’s edge. Even other carnivores began to worry, for the Lion’s greed left little prey for them.
When his subjects timidly advised him to eat less and preserve the balance of the forest, the Lion roared in scorn. “I am king! I will do as I please!” He silenced all who dared to criticize, ruling by terror alone.
One night, however, while raiding a village, a hunter’s spear struck his paw. For a few days he limped back to his cave, unable to prowl. During this brief pause, the frightened animals held a meeting. They whispered plans and schemes to curb the Lion’s tyranny. Some ideas were fantastic, others impossible, and in the end no decision was reached. Just as fear began to ease, the Lion’s wound healed, and he resumed his rampage, more vicious than before.
Kalulu’s Plan
One hot afternoon, the Lion lay beneath a shady tree after devouring a zebra. He slept soundly, his belly full. From a distance, Kalulu the Hare observed him. The clever trickster remembered the idea he had once suggested during the animals’ meeting. Determined to act, Kalulu dashed home and fetched a large gunny sack.
With the sack tucked under his arm, he crept toward the Lion. Crunching leaves betrayed his presence, waking the king.
“What noise is that?” the Lion growled, his eyes narrowing.
“I am only collecting firewood for you, Sir,” Kalulu replied politely.
“I need no fire,” snapped the Lion. “What foolishness is this?”
“Soon you may feel hungry again, Sir,” Kalulu explained humbly, “and you will need fire to cook your meal.”
READ: Kalulu, the Hare, and the Snake: A Bemba Folktale from Zambia
The Lion laughed. “When I am hungry, I need meat, not fire!”
Kalulu bowed slightly. “Indeed, Sir. But have you never thought of cooking your food? Humans say it tastes far better that way. Allow me to prepare fire so that your next meal may be delicious.”
The Lion, intrigued by such bold talk, raised an eyebrow. “And where will you find me food?”
“You are looking at it, Sir,” Kalulu answered sweetly. “I offer myself as your next meal.”
The Lion burst into laughter. Amused by the Hare’s apparent foolishness, he said, “Why do you not run? Surely you fear death?”
“There is no point, Sir,” Kalulu replied calmly. “You would catch me easily. Let us spare ourselves the chase. Kill me here, cook me well, and enjoy.”
The Lion marvelled. None of his subjects had ever spoken so freely to him. Curious, he asked, “And what is that sack under your arm?”
“This? Ah, it is a magic sack given to me by a great witch-doctor,” Kalulu explained, stroking it. “If I set it down carelessly, its power fades. It can make heavy things light and light things heavy. That is how I carry so much wood with ease.”
The Lion’s curiosity grew. “Show me.”
Kalulu pretended reluctance, then tied a rope to the sack’s mouth and threw it over a branch so the sack dangled. He climbed in and instructed the Lion to pull. The Lion tugged with all his strength, yet the sack barely moved. Secretly, Kalulu clung to a lower branch, making himself seem impossibly heavy.
Stepping out, Kalulu bowed. “Would you like to test the other side of the magic, Sir? To see a heavy thing made light?”
“Indeed!” said the Lion eagerly.
With exaggerated respect, Kalulu helped the Lion squeeze into the sack. Once the king was inside, Kalulu pulled the rope hard. The sack swung high into the air, dangling from the branch.
“How marvellous!” the Lion cried, laughing at the trick. “A tiny creature has lifted me so high!”
Kalulu tied the rope firmly to the tree’s root. Time passed, and the Lion began to grow uneasy. “Now let me down,” he ordered.
Kalulu shook his head gravely. “Alas, Sir, the magic has made you lighter than air. Were it not for the rope, you would float away! I must fetch the witch-doctor himself to undo this spell.”
Before the Lion could protest, Kalulu darted away, not to a witch-doctor, but to the other animals. Breathless with excitement, he told them everything. They hurried back with him, eager to see the mighty king trapped like a goat in a net.
The Forest Teaches the King
Among them, the Wild Buffalo disguised his voice, calling out: “Lion, king of the forest, you have misused my magic sack. To restore your proper weight, you must make a promise.”
“I will promise anything!” the Lion roared in panic. “Only bring me down!”
“You must return to normal eating habits. Only one meal a day, and sparingly, so all may live in peace.”
“Yes, yes! I promise!” the Lion cried desperately.
At once, the Buffalo declared, “Your weight is restored.”
When the animals dispersed, Kalulu untied the rope and lowered the sack. The Lion, shaken and humiliated, stumbled out. “Where is the witch-doctor?” he asked nervously.
“He has vanished into the air, Sir,” Kalulu replied with mock seriousness. “Such vanishing is one of his many powers.”
The Lion, weary of magic and deeply chastened, slunk away. True to his promise, he reduced his hunting, and peace slowly returned to the forest.
Moral Lesson
This Bemba folktale reminds us that raw power cannot rule forever. Arrogance and greed invite downfall, while wit and unity can restore balance. Kalulu, though small, succeeded because he combined cleverness with courage and acted for the good of all.
The story also teaches that even the strongest must learn restraint. True leadership is not about domination but about balance, fairness, and responsibility.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who was the king of the forest in this folktale?
A1: The Lion, who ruled with arrogance and violence.
Q2: Why were the other animals unhappy with the Lion?
A2: He killed excessively, leaving little food for others and spreading fear.
Q3: What did Kalulu use to trick the Lion?
A3: A gunny sack he claimed was magical, which could make heavy things light and light things heavy.
Q4: How did Kalulu make himself appear too heavy in the sack?
A4: By secretly holding onto a branch while the Lion pulled.
Q5: What promise did the Lion make to escape the sack?
A5: To eat only one meal a day and live more sparingly.
Q6: What is the cultural origin of this folktale?
A6: It is a Bemba folktale from Zambia.
Folktale Origin Source: Kalulu the Hare and Other Zambian Folk-Tales, Bemba folktale, Zambia.
