The Clever Hunter’s Trick

In the bustling region of Calabar, where dense forests met thriving communities, lived a hunter named Effiong. His skill with bow and spear was legendary, and he earned great wealth from his hunting prowess.

Yet Effiong possessed a fatal flaw that would lead to his spectacular downfall: he was as careless with money as he was skillful with weapons. Every coin he earned from his successful hunts disappeared as quickly as morning dew under the hot African sun. He spent lavishly on palm wine that flowed like rivers, on elaborate feasts that could feed entire villages, and on generous gifts for friends who flocked around his wealth like moths to a flickering flame. Night after night, his compound buzzed with celebration and laughter, filled with musicians, dancers, and merrymakers who praised his generosity while emptying his purse.

The inevitable day arrived when Effiong awakened from his latest celebration to discover that his fortune had vanished entirely. His storage pots sat empty, his fine clothes were few, and his once-full granaries echoed hollowly when the wind blew through them. Panic gripped his heart as reality struck him like a thunderbolt.
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Desperate to restore his wealth and reputation, Effiong returned to the forest with renewed determination, carrying his trusted hunting tools with confidence. But fortune, it seemed, had abandoned him completely like a fair-weather friend. Days turned into weeks of fruitless wandering through familiar hunting grounds. His once-sure arrows sailed harmlessly past their targets, his carefully set traps remained mockingly empty, and even the smallest forest creatures seemed to vanish at his approach. Not a single catch rewarded his efforts, and his famous confidence crumbled like sun-dried clay.

Hunger gnawed at his belly like a persistent beast, and pride warred with desperation in his heart. Finally, swallowing what remained of his dignity, Effiong approached his old friend Okun with a request that burned his throat like bitter medicine: “My dear friend, lend me two hundred rods, and I promise on my honor to repay you on the appointed day. But please, bring your gun when you come to collect the debt, for you may need it.” Okun, remembering their long friendship and the many times Effiong had shared his bounty, agreed readily, though he puzzled over the strange instruction about bringing a weapon.

Even with this borrowed money providing temporary relief, Effiong saw no clear path to repayment. His hunting luck remained cursed, and time was running short like sand through an hourglass. Desperation breeds cunning, however, and he remembered his unusual friendships with creatures he had encountered during his many expeditions into the wild places.

In the deepest parts of the forest, where ancient trees formed cathedral-like spaces filled with filtered sunlight, lived a magnificent leopard whose spotted coat gleamed like polished gold. Despite being natural enemies, this leopard had become Effiong’s unlikely friend through a series of mutual favors and shared respect. Nearby dwelt a clever bush cat, small but cunning, with eyes that missed nothing and reflexes quick as lightning. From a prosperous farm at the forest’s edge, Effiong had befriended a proud goat whose bleating voice could be heard across valleys, and a boastful cock whose colorful feathers caught the morning light like scattered jewels.

A devious plan began forming in Effiong’s mind like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. One by one, he visited each animal friend with the same carefully rehearsed request and the same seemingly generous promise: “My dear friend, I find myself in temporary need. Please lend me two hundred rods, and I will repay you faithfully on the appointed day. However, should you arrive for collection and find me absent from my home, you are welcome to eat anything you discover in my compound as payment for your kindness.”

Each animal, trusting in their friendship with the famous hunter and believing in his honor, agreed to these terms without suspicion. After all, Effiong had always been fair in his dealings, and the offer seemed more than generous.

On the crucial morning of repayment, Effiong rose before dawn and carefully scattered handfuls of golden corn across his compound, creating an irresistible display that gleamed in the early sunlight like scattered treasure. The grains lay thick upon the ground, calling to any hungry creature with promises of a satisfying meal. Then, like a shadow melting into the forest, he disappeared to a carefully chosen hiding spot where he could observe the unfolding drama without being seen.

The cock arrived first, his proud head held high and his colorful tail feathers catching the morning light. His keen eyes immediately spotted the corn gleaming like gold across the compound. Finding no sign of Effiong anywhere, and remembering the promise about eating anything in the compound, he recalled the generous terms of their agreement. With satisfied clucks and delighted sounds, he began pecking eagerly at the scattered grains, his hunger making the corn taste sweeter than the finest delicacies.

Soon the bush cat approached with silent, padding steps, expecting to collect his debt from the hunter who had never failed to keep a promise. Instead of finding Effiong counting out rods, he discovered the cock, plump and distracted by his feast, completely unaware of the approaching danger. The bush cat’s predatory instincts awakened like fire in dry grass. Hunger overcame any thought of money as he crouched low, muscles coiled like springs. With the fluid grace of a natural hunter, he stalked his prey with deadly precision before launching a perfect pounce that ended the cock’s feast permanently.

The goat’s arrival interrupted the bush cat’s dining with all the subtlety of rolling thunder. The goat had traveled far, expecting to meet his friend and collect the promised payment, only to find his compound empty of human presence. Fury blazed in the goat’s eyes like red coals as he surveyed the scene. With powerful horns lowered and muscles tensed for battle, he charged the smaller bush cat with the force of a battering ram, sending the startled predator tumbling across the compound like a fallen fruit.

The bush cat, grasping desperately at what remained of his meal, realized he was no match for the goat’s superior size and strength. With the quick thinking of a survivor, he snatched up the cock’s remains and fled into the safety of the thick forest, abandoning any hope of recovering his two hundred rods. His opportunity for payment had literally run away with him into the undergrowth.

The goat remained behind, bleating loudly with indignation that echoed across the compound and into the surrounding forest. His angry complaints carried far on the morning air, a sound that would prove to be his own death sentence.

These loud protests attracted the attention of the leopard, who had been approaching through the forest paths to collect his own debt from the hunter. The powerful cat’s sensitive nose immediately detected the rich scent of fresh goat meat carried on the breeze, and his predatory nature responded with overwhelming hunger. The promise of money seemed insignificant compared to the prospect of such a satisfying meal waiting in the compound.

Moving with the silent grace that made leopards the most feared hunters in the forest, he stalked his prey with professional patience. Every muscle moved with purpose, every step calculated for maximum stealth. When the moment was perfect, he launched a powerful attack that ended the goat’s protests with swift and deadly efficiency. Alone in the hunter’s compound, the leopard began his feast with obvious satisfaction, the taste of fresh meat far sweeter than any monetary payment could have been.

The final act of this elaborate deception began when Okun arrived, faithfully carrying his gun as mysteriously instructed by his friend. The sounds of feeding and the crunch of bones led him to peer cautiously over the compound fence, where he discovered the leopard enjoying his meal in the morning sunlight. Fear and confusion gripped Okun’s heart like icy fingers. Why was this dangerous predator in his friend’s home? Where was Effiong, and was he safe from this fearsome beast?

Believing he was protecting his friend from mortal danger, Okun carefully aimed his weapon with hands steady from years of experience. The gun’s report echoed through the compound as the shot found its mark, and the leopard fell dead beside the remains of his meal.

At that precise moment, as if summoned by the gunshot itself, Effiong emerged from his hiding place with a performance worthy of the finest actors in the kingdom. Tears streamed down his face as he wailed with apparent grief, pointing at the dead leopard with trembling fingers.

“My dearest friend!” he cried, his voice breaking with manufactured sorrow. “You have murdered my beloved companion! This leopard was closer to me than a brother, more faithful than family! We shared the forest paths together, trusted each other with our lives. I should report this terrible crime to the king immediately! The penalty for killing such a noble creature will be severe indeed!”

Poor Okun, terrified of royal punishment and the legal consequences that could destroy his life, begged frantically for forgiveness. His hands shook as he imagined himself dragged before the king’s court, facing judgment for what he believed was a protective act. “Please, dear Effiong, do not tell the authorities about this tragedy! I will do anything to make amends for this terrible mistake. I had no idea this leopard was your friend!”

“Very well,” Effiong said with apparent reluctance, wiping away his crocodile tears with dramatic flair, “I will forgive this terrible deed, but my heart is broken beyond repair. The only way I can find peace is if you cancel my debt to you completely. Consider it payment for the grief you have caused me.”

Okun agreed instantly, relief flooding through him like cool water on a burning day. He hurried away from the scene, grateful to escape what he believed was a brush with royal justice and legal disaster.

The moment his friend disappeared down the forest path, Effiong’s sorrowful expression transformed into one of pure triumph. He dragged the leopard’s valuable carcass inside his compound, whistling cheerfully as he worked. With the skill of an experienced hunter, he carefully removed the beautiful spotted pelt, preparing it with techniques learned over years of practice.

At the busy market, the magnificent leopard skin commanded an impressive price from traders who recognized its exceptional quality. Wealthy customers competed for such a rare prize, and Effiong’s purse grew heavy once again with the profits. His wealth restored through this elaborate web of deception, he celebrated his cleverness while never giving a thought to repaying any of his animal creditors who had trusted him with their friendship.

Moral Lesson

While this tale showcases remarkable cunning and strategic thinking, it ultimately serves as a cautionary warning about the consequences of using intelligence for dishonest purposes. Effiong’s cleverness brought him temporary success and restored wealth, but his deliberate betrayal of trust and friendship created lasting consequences that echo through nature itself. The story teaches us that true wisdom lies in honest work, keeping one’s promises, and maintaining the trust of friends, rather than in elaborate schemes that exploit others’ goodwill for personal gain.

Knowledge Check

Q1: What does Effiong the hunter represent in Nigerian folklore and storytelling traditions? A: Effiong represents the classic trickster figure common in West African folktales, embodying both admirable cleverness and problematic moral choices. His character teaches listeners about the dual nature of intelligence: it can solve problems and create wealth, but when used dishonestly, it damages relationships and creates negative consequences that extend beyond the individual.

Q2: Why does this folktale specifically mention Calabar as the setting? A: Calabar, located in Cross River State, Nigeria, was historically a major trading center and cultural hub for the Efik people. Setting the story there gives it authentic cultural grounding and connects it to the rich oral traditions of the region, where such tales were traditionally told to teach moral lessons about community values and personal behavior.

Q3: What is the significance of the animals choosing to eat rather than collect money? A: The animals’ choice to consume food instead of collecting monetary debt reflects natural instincts overriding civilized agreements. This represents how basic needs and natural behaviors can override social contracts, and how Effiong exploits these predictable instincts to manipulate the situation to his advantage.

Q4: How does the ending about bush cats and cocks reflect African storytelling traditions? A: The ending serves as an etiological explanation, a common feature in African folktales that explains why certain natural behaviors exist today. It suggests that the ongoing predator-prey relationship between bush cats and cocks stems from this ancient unpaid debt, connecting moral lessons to observable natural phenomena.

Q5: What cultural values does this Nigerian folktale warn against? A: The story warns against dishonesty in business dealings, exploitation of friendship for personal gain, and the misuse of intelligence for selfish purposes. It emphasizes traditional African values of community trust, fair dealing, and the importance of honoring one’s word, especially in relationships with friends and neighbors.

Q6: How does Effiong’s treatment of Okun differ from his treatment of the animals? A: Effiong manipulates Okun through deception and emotional manipulation, using false grief to cancel a legitimate debt. This shows how his dishonesty extends beyond animal relationships to human friendships, demonstrating that unethical behavior tends to corrupt all relationships and reveals the true character of the person involved.