Chief Mukulu’s chiefdom was in turmoil. Fear hung thick in the air, keeping men, women, and children locked inside their huts. No one dared work in the fertile fields or draw water from the river. Parents clutched their children close, frightened by even the faintest rustle of leaves. The reason for this fear was a monstrous Snake, so large, so cruel, that it had already swallowed many villagers whole.
The beast had made its home in a towering tree near the heart of the valley. Whenever hunters attempted to bring it down, the villagers later saw only the bulge in the Snake’s belly, marking another life lost. Even the bravest men could not stand against it.
Chief Mukulu, though wise and strong, felt powerless. He considered abandoning the beautiful valley with its fertile soil, fruit trees, and clear river, but the thought pained him. Why should his people lose their home because of a single Snake? Instead, he proclaimed a desperate offer: whoever killed the creature would win the hand of his daughter, Threshya.
Many bold men tried and failed. Each met the same terrible fate.
Kalulu Arrives
Far away, Kalulu the Hare, the clever “Wonder-maker”, heard tales of the Snake’s terror. He decided to test his cunning against the beast. One bright morning, Kalulu arrived at Chief Mukulu’s marketplace, accompanied by his two pets: a Dog and a Goat.
“I am Kalulu, the Wonder-maker!” he announced loudly. “Gather round and watch the marvel I will perform!”
The villagers, desperate for distraction, crowded around, momentarily forgetting their fear. Even the Snake lifted its head from the fork of its tree to watch.
READ: How Kalulu Outsmarted the Lion: A Zambian Bemba Folktale
Kalulu requested meat and fresh grass, which the eager people quickly supplied. He tied the Dog to one tree and the Goat to another. Clearing his throat, he declared:
“Here before you are two extraordinary animals. I have trained this Dog to eat grass, and this Goat to eat meat. Watch and see the wonder!”
Laughter rippled through the crowd, but Kalulu scolded them. He placed grass before the Dog and meat before the Goat, then gave the command: “Go!”
Nothing happened.
He coaxed them gently. Still nothing. He grew stern, then angry, shouting and even striking them in frustration. Hours passed, yet neither animal touched the food.
The people mocked Kalulu, but he insisted they wait. “Sooner or later, they will eat, for they are accustomed to each other’s food,” he said.
By evening, the crowd was restless. Kalulu, pretending to lose patience, demanded an axe. “If my pets will not obey, I will punish them!”
The Snake’s Mistake
The Snake, still watching from its tree, grew disturbed. Though merciless to humans, it could not stand to see the innocent Dog and Goat suffer further. Slithering down, it crept toward the animals, intent on exchanging their food to spare them.
The moment the Snake touched the ground, Kalulu acted. With one swift blow of the axe, he struck off the Snake’s head. The monster writhed, then fell still.
The villagers erupted in cries of joy. They had come to see one wonder and instead witnessed another: Kalulu freeing them from their terror.
“Hurrah for Kalulu the Wonder-maker!” they shouted, lifting him high and carrying him to Chief Mukulu.
A Marriage Proposal
The Chief listened in amazement as his people told the tale. True to his word, he offered Threshya’s hand in marriage.
Kalulu laughed. “How can I marry a girl? It would be as strange as a Dog eating grass or a Goat eating meat. Give her to a man!”
The crowd burst into laughter, understanding the point. Kalulu then spotted a strong young hunter among them.
“Give her to this man,” Kalulu suggested.
The Chief agreed gladly. Threshya was overjoyed, and the hunter could scarcely believe his good fortune. Grateful beyond words, he promised never to harm a hare again.
With that, Kalulu departed with his loyal Dog and Goat, leaving behind a free and happy chiefdom.
Moral Lesson
This Bemba folktale shows that courage alone cannot always defeat great dangers, sometimes wit and patience achieve what strength cannot. Kalulu triumphed not with force, but with clever planning, turning the Snake’s compassion into its downfall.
The story also reminds us that true heroes may not seek reward for themselves. Kalulu refused personal gain and instead secured happiness for others, proving that wisdom and selflessness bring lasting peace.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who was Chief Mukulu, and what problem did his people face?
A1: Chief Mukulu ruled a fertile valley where a giant Snake terrorized the people, killing many and trapping them in fear.
Q2: Why did Kalulu tie the Dog and Goat before the villagers?
A2: Kalulu staged a trick, pretending he had trained the Dog to eat grass and the Goat to eat meat, to lure the Snake down.
Q3: What was the Snake’s fatal mistake?
A3: The Snake left its tree to help the animals, giving Kalulu the chance to kill it with an axe.
Q4: How did Kalulu respond to the Chief’s offer of marriage to Threshya?
A4: Kalulu refused, saying it would be as absurd as a Dog eating grass, and suggested she marry a man instead.
Q5: What lesson does this folktale teach about courage and wisdom?
A5: It teaches that intelligence and strategy can succeed where strength fails, and that selflessness leads to greater good.
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.
