On a dusty road in the Merina highlands of Madagascar, two infamous tricksters, Kotofetsy and Mahaka, wandered in search of mischief. Their reputation preceded them, sharp-tongued, quick-witted, and forever scheming, they thrived on the folly of others. One afternoon, their sharp eyes fell upon an old woman tending a flock of sheep. The animals grazed peacefully on the grass by the roadside, while their mistress kept a careful watch. To Kotofetsy and Mahaka, this was no ordinary sight, it was opportunity dressed in wool.
Not far from where she stood, a large stone leaned precariously toward the edge of the path. To most passersby, it seemed fixed, as though rooted in the earth for centuries. Yet in the minds of tricksters, even an immovable stone could become the perfect prop for deceit. Exchanging a knowing glance, the two devised their plan with the swiftness of foxes.
Kotofetsy and Mahaka pressed their shoulders against the great rock, panting loudly as though straining to hold it upright. Their bodies trembled in feigned effort, their arms spread wide as if disaster were moments away.
When the old woman noticed them, she rushed forward with alarm. “What is happening?” she asked, clutching her shawl in concern.
“This stone,” Mahaka groaned, “is about to tumble down the slope! We can barely hold it steady. If it falls, it will crush the road below.”
“Yes, yes,” added Kotofetsy, sweatless yet pretending exhaustion. “Please, mother, take our place for a moment. We have not had a drop of water since morning. Allow us to fetch a drink from the river, or we shall collapse.”
The old woman hesitated. The stone seemed steady enough, yet the urgency in their voices pressed upon her. Fear clouded her judgment, and pity opened the door. “Very well,” she agreed, stepping forward. “Go quickly, and I will hold it until your return.”
Eagerly, Kotofetsy and Mahaka moved aside. The woman pressed her frail arms against the cold stone, straining as if her very life depended on her grip. The tricksters gave one final warning: “Be careful, mother! If you let go, it will drag you with it, and you’ll be crushed beneath its weight.”
Her heart raced. She pressed harder, nails digging into the rough surface, eyes fixed on the slope as if doom lurked below. Meanwhile, the tricksters tiptoed to her flock. With practiced ease, they herded the sheep away, stifling their laughter as they disappeared down the road.
Time passed slowly. The woman’s arms grew numb, her back ached, yet she dared not loosen her grip. Passersby came and went, puzzled by her strange posture. At last, a traveler stopped and asked gently, “Grandmother, what are you doing?”
Still straining, she replied, “I must hold this stone, for if I release it, it will tumble down and crush me.”
The traveler blinked in astonishment. “Why, that stone is as firm as the earth itself. It has not moved for generations, nor will it now. You have been tricked.”
The truth struck her like lightning. She spun around, but her flock was gone, stolen in silence by the deceitful pair. Her heart sank, heavy with loss and shame. She had traded her sheep for a lie.
And so, the tale of Kotofetsy and Mahaka spread among the people of Madagascar, how two rogues fooled an old shepherdess by making her fear the fall of a stone that could never move.
Moral Lesson
This tale is not merely a story of mischief but a warning about gullibility and the dangers of misplaced trust. The old woman’s kindness and fear made her vulnerable to deception. Kotofetsy and Mahaka exploited her good heart, reminding us that generosity must walk hand in hand with discernment.
The lesson endures: appearances can deceive, and not every urgent voice deserves our obedience. Wisdom demands that we pause, question, and observe before we act. Only then can we guard against those who live by trickery.
Knowledge Check
1. Who were Kotofetsy and Mahaka in the folktale?
They were two tricksters from Merina folklore known for deceiving others.
2. What object did the tricksters pretend to hold up?
A large stone by the roadside.
3. How did Kotofetsy and Mahaka trick the old woman?
They convinced her to hold the stone, claiming it would crush her if she let go, while they stole her sheep.
4. What lesson does the story teach about gullibility?
It warns against blindly trusting appearances or persuasive words without verifying the truth.
5. What role does the passerby play in the story?
He reveals the trick, showing the old woman that the stone could not move.
6. Where does this folktale originate?
It originates from the Merina people of Madagascar.
Source: Merina folktale, Madagascar.
