Long ago, when animals still sought wisdom directly from the Creator, Hare, known across the land for his cunning tricks, grew restless. Though already clever, he desired to be the cleverest creature alive, outwitting all others with ease. Dissatisfied with his current wit, he boldly decided to visit God and ask for more intelligence.
With quick steps and determined resolve, Hare journeyed to the dwelling of the Supreme Being. Standing humbly yet with ambition in his heart, he pleaded: “Great Lord, grant me greater cleverness than I already possess. Make me the wisest and most cunning of all creatures.”
God looked upon Hare with patience but also with concern. The Creator, who understood the hearts of all beings, knew that Hare’s cleverness already caused trouble among animals. If given more, he might upset the balance of the world. Still, instead of dismissing him immediately, God devised a test to reveal whether Hare truly needed more wit or whether he was already clever enough.
“Fill this gourd with sparrows,” God said firmly, handing Hare an empty vessel. “Return to me once it is done.”
At first, Hare was puzzled. He stared at the gourd and scratched his head. How could he possibly capture sparrows, creatures that were quick, small, and always darting about in the open skies? For a long while he sat near a fountain, deep in thought. The sun rose high, and the heat pressed down upon the land. Birds and animals alike withdrew into the shade, hiding from the scorching rays. Hare remained there, patient and silent, pondering.
As evening approached, the air grew cooler. One by one, birds reappeared. The sparrows, chattering and lively, fluttered down in cheerful flocks. They dipped their wings at the spring, quenched their thirst, and warbled joyfully in the soft twilight. Hare’s eyes lit up as he watched them, a spark of cunning igniting in his mind. “Here,” he whispered to himself, “is my chance.”
READ: The Hare’s Quest for Greater Wisdom | A Gambian Folktale
But catching sparrows with bare paws would be impossible. Hare knew he needed more than speed. he needed trickery. Sitting upright, he began muttering loudly, as though lost in a heated debate with himself. “No, no!” he exclaimed. “Yes, yes! Forgive me! Never! That cannot happen! Impossible! But why not?”
The sparrows paused in their fluttering and tilted their heads curiously. Birds, like all creatures, were drawn to curiosity and conversation. “Hare,” they chirped, “what troubles you so? What is this strange argument you carry on with yourself?”
Feigning reluctance, Hare sighed dramatically. “Ah, my friends, it is foolish of me to even mention it. I only wondered… if this gourd could possibly hold all of you. But no, of course not! It is far too small.”
The sparrows twittered in amusement. “Too small? Not at all! We are little birds, light and slender. Surely your gourd can hold us without trouble.”
To prove their point, one sparrow hopped forward and squeezed itself into the gourd. Then another followed. Then a third. Soon, the flock, eager to demonstrate their numbers, fluttered inside one after the other, filling the gourd with chirping wings.
Hare’s eyes gleamed with triumph. Quick as lightning, he seized the stopper and sealed the opening tight. The sparrows were trapped inside, their warbles muffled by the gourd’s walls. Hugging his prize close, Hare bounded away with glee. His plan had worked.
When Hare returned, he presented the gourd to God with pride. “Here, Lord, I have done as you commanded. The sparrows are inside.”
God took the gourd, felt the fluttering life within, and looked upon Hare with grave eyes. Then, lifting a hand, the Creator struck Hare lightly on the head and said: “That is enough. If I grant you greater intelligence than you already possess, you will upset the order of the world. Your cunning is more than sufficient as it is.”
Ashamed yet still slyly proud of his trick, Hare lowered his ears. He realized then that his wit, though impressive, came with limits set by the Creator. Too much cleverness could bring harm, not only to others but also to himself. And so, Hare left God’s presence, still cunning but reminded that wisdom without restraint can be dangerous.
Moral Lesson
This story reveals the delicate balance between intelligence and responsibility. Hare’s cleverness allowed him to achieve the impossible, but God reminded him that too much wit can become destructive. The moral is clear: wisdom must be guided by humility, and cunning without compassion can upset harmony. True intelligence is not only about trickery or success but about knowing when enough is enough.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Why did Hare visit God in the beginning of the story?
A1: He wished to be granted greater cleverness than he already possessed.
Q2: What task did God give Hare to test him?
A2: God told him to fill a gourd with sparrows and return.
Q3: How did Hare trick the sparrows into entering the gourd?
A3: He pretended to argue with himself and claimed he doubted the gourd could hold them, prompting them to prove otherwise.
Q4: What did Hare do once all the sparrows entered the gourd?
A4: He quickly sealed the gourd to trap them inside.
Q5: How did God respond when Hare returned with the sparrows?
A5: God struck Hare on the head and refused to give him more cleverness, warning that he already had enough.
Q6: What is the main lesson of this folktale?
A6: Cleverness must be balanced with restraint, for too much cunning can disrupt harmony and bring harm.
Folktale Origin
Source: Gambian folktale.
