In a quiet Wolof village nestled along the sparkling riverbanks of Senegal, the morning sun bathed the tall grasses and palm trees in warm gold. The village stirred to life as people carried baskets of grain to the communal clearing. Birds sang in the trees, and the soft ripple of the river filled the air with calm sounds. Among the animals living nearby were Hareand Hyena, known for their very different ways. Hare was clever, careful, and thoughtful, while Hyena was impatient and careless, always wanting to achieve results quickly without proper effort.
That morning, both animals decided to craft pestles for pounding grain. Hare selected a strong, smooth piece of wood. He carved carefully, taking his time to shape it into a sturdy and balanced pestle. Every cut was deliberate, and every stroke polished the wood to perfection. He tested its weight and strength, ensuring it would last for many uses. Hare smiled as he held the finished pestle in his paws, satisfied with his careful work.
Hyena, however, was hasty and impatient. She grabbed a crooked, weak branch and began carving quickly, caring little about precision or durability. “I will finish before Hare and everyone will admire my speed,” she bragged, laughing loudly. She ignored the crooked shape and cracks forming in the wood, confident that appearances mattered more than effort.
When the time came to pound the grain, Hare began his work. With steady, rhythmic motions, he ground the grain into fine, golden flour. The pestle was strong and smooth, and every strike reinforced Hare’s pride in his careful craftsmanship. Around him, the villagers and animals watched quietly, impressed by his skill.
Hyena struck her pestle against the grain with force, expecting instant results. Almost immediately, the weak, crooked pestle snapped in two. Grain scattered across the clearing, mixing with dirt and rocks. Hyena’s mouth opened in frustration, and she glared at Hare, but the villagers and animals could not hide their amusement. Laughter rippled through the clearing, not cruelly but as a gentle reminder of the importance of effort and care.
Hare approached and spoke kindly, “Hyena, speed and carelessness cannot replace skill and diligence. A tool made with thought and patience will always serve better than one rushed and ignored.”
Hyena lowered her head, embarrassed and hungry, realizing the truth of Hare’s words. She had wanted to look impressive without doing the proper work, and now she faced the consequences. Hare continued to pound his grain, storing it neatly in sacks for future use. The lesson was clear to all who watched: cleverness and patience yield lasting rewards, while impatience and carelessness bring failure.
As the sun sank, casting long shadows over the clearing and turning the river to molten gold, Hare packed his flour and walked home with pride. Hyena sat quietly, reflecting on her mistake, and promised herself she would learn to value careful work before showing off again. The village returned to its peaceful rhythm, carrying with it the story of the clever hare and the snapped pestle.
Moral Lesson:
The tale of The Clever Hare and the Snapped Pestle teaches that skill, patience, and careful effort always triumph over haste, carelessness, and the desire to impress others. Success comes to those who plan and work thoughtfully rather than seeking quick results.
Knowledge Check
What kind of pestle did Hare carve?
Hare carved a strong, smooth, and sturdy pestle, taking his time to ensure it would last.Why did Hyena’s pestle break?
Hyena carved hers hastily without care, making it weak and crooked, so it snapped during use.What lesson did Hare teach Hyena?
Hare taught that patience, skill, and careful work are more valuable than speed and carelessness.How did the other animals and villagers react?
They watched quietly and laughed at Hyena’s mistake, learning that diligence brings better results.What did Hare do with his flour after pounding?
Hare stored his finely ground flour in sacks, showing foresight and planning.What is the main moral of the story?
The main moral is that careful effort and patience lead to success, while haste and carelessness lead to failure.Cultural Origin: Wolof, Senegal
Source: Wolof folktale, recorded by René Guillot, Contes d’Afrique, 1933, p. 91
