Long ago, in the wide villages of Angola, where the red earth carried the weight of countless footsteps and the air pulsed with the sound of drums, a great gathering was called. The elders, wise men, and chiefs of the land had chosen to honor a new ruler. Their choice fell upon Dog, a creature both admired and debated, one who had served the people with loyalty and strength. The air buzzed with anticipation: the day of Dog’s kingship had arrived.
From every corner of the village, people gathered. The headmen arrived dressed in fine cloths, carrying the symbols of tradition and authority. They brought with them the sacred regalia of leadership: the beaded cap that shone in the sun, the sceptre carved from ancestral wood, the gleaming rings of brass, and the great skin of the mukaka beast, an emblem of majesty. All was ready.
The drummers arrived next, their hands alive with rhythm, their marimbas filling the air with deep, resonant tones. Women ululated with joy, and children clapped in excitement, for it was not every day a new king was crowned. On the palace grounds, mats were laid carefully, coarse ones first, then fine ones, woven with skill and care. Upon these was placed the ceremonial chair, carved with patterns that spoke of history, heritage, and honor.
The herald lifted his staff and called out: “Let the lord sit!” Dog stepped forward, chest high, tail stiff with pride. He climbed onto the mats and lowered himself into the chair. For a moment, the land seemed to pause. It was as if the trees bowed, the drums hushed, and the people held their breath. Dog had become king.
But kingship was not sealed only by words and symbols. It was a covenant of discipline, restraint, and wisdom. And here, the heart of Dog would be tested.
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As the feasting began, the people brought forth platters of food, steaming pots of grain, roasted meat, and bowls of palm wine. Among the delicacies was the most honored portion of all: the breast of a fowl, glistening and fragrant, a portion reserved for the king as a mark of his dignity.
Dog’s eyes locked on the meat. His chest tightened. His tongue curled in hunger. Though seated on the royal chair, though adorned with the honor of leadership, he felt the old craving stir within him. Greed, sharp and unyielding, rose in his heart.
Before anyone could act, Dog leapt from the chair. His paws struck the mat with haste. He lunged at the platter, seized the breast of the fowl in his jaws, and bolted toward the bush. Dust rose behind him as his tail vanished among the trees.
A gasp spread through the crowd. The drummers stopped mid-beat. The ululations turned to murmurs. The people cried out:
“Behold, the lord we were installing! He has abandoned his throne for the breast of a fowl!”
The assembly broke apart. Elders shook their heads. The sacred regalia lay abandoned. The mats, once prepared with reverence, seemed wasted. And so, in a single moment of greed, Dog lost the crown. The kingship, which had been his to wear, slipped forever from his grasp.
The people scattered, carrying with them the lesson that echoed across generations: a leader without discipline is no leader at all.
Moral Lesson
This Angolan folktale teaches that greed and lack of self-control can destroy even the greatest of opportunities. Dog was given the highest honor, yet his inability to master desire caused him to lose it all. True leadership requires wisdom, patience, and restraint, not hunger for momentary pleasure.
It is not gifts, wealth, or opportunity that sustain greatness, but the discipline to rise above selfish impulses. In every life, whether in leadership, friendship, or family, the crown belongs not to the strongest or loudest, but to the one who knows how to master himself.
Knowledge Check
Who was chosen to be king in this Angolan folktale?
Dog was chosen to be crowned king.
What royal items were prepared for Dog’s coronation?
The cap, sceptre, rings, and the skin of the mukaka beast.
What triggered Dog’s downfall during the ceremony?
His greed for the breast of a fowl.
What lesson does the story emphasize about leadership?
True leadership requires wisdom, restraint, and self-control.
Why did the people reject Dog as king after his actions?
Because he abandoned his dignity and crown for food.
What cultural origin does this folktale belong to?
It is an Angolan folktale.
Source: Kimbundu folktale, Angola.
