One scorching afternoon, a fire swept across the savanna, reaching the den of the lion’s cubs. The lion, furious and determined, promised a buffalo to whoever could identify the creature responsible for setting the fire. Word of this reward quickly spread, reaching the clever ears of the hare, who decided to involve the hyena in a scheme. “Oh, dear hyena,” the hare said, “the lion seeks the one who set the bush ablaze today and offers a buffalo as reward!”
Intrigued and eager for the prize, the hyena hurried to find the lion. Bowing respectfully, she said, “Oh, mighty lion, it seems you are seeking the one who burned the bush today.”
“Yes,” the lion replied, his eyes gleaming with authority.
“I am the one who set it on fire,” the hyena declared confidently, hoping to claim the reward.
“Is that so?” the lion asked, scrutinizing her carefully.
“Yes,” the hyena repeated, nodding. The lion then commanded her to follow him.
As they walked across the scorched plains, the lion asked again, a small farmer standing nearby listening curiously: “Who burned this place here?”
“I am the one who burned all of that,” the hyena responded, her tone a mixture of pride and irritation at having to repeat herself.
They continued moving through the scorched earth. Another small farmer approached, and the lion asked the same question once more: “Who burned this area here?”
“Didn’t I already tell you that I am the one who set all this fire?” said the hyena, her annoyance growing.
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They kept walking, passing charred grass and blackened trees. Soon, they came to a small tree called a bagtɩnɩ, behind which lay the lion’s dead cubs, hidden from view until now. The lion, his voice heavy with grief, asked one final time, “Who burned this area?”
This time, the hyena’s earlier bravado faltered. She realized she could not maintain the lie before the evidence of the dead cubs. “No, it wasn’t me,” she stammered. “The fires got mixed up. I’m not the one who set the fire here.”
The lion’s anger boiled over. Using his immense strength, he seized the hyena and cut off her paws. From that day forward, whenever the lion encounters a hyena, he cuts off her paws as a warning, but he does not kill her. The story serves as a cautionary tale about false claims and the consequences of deceit.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that deception and false claims carry severe consequences. The hyena’s attempt to claim credit for a deed she did not commit led to a permanent punishment, demonstrating that dishonesty is easily discovered and often punished.
It also reminds us that cleverness must be tempered with integrity. While the hare used the hyena’s greed and ambition to protect the truth, the hyena’s lack of honesty brought about her downfall. In life, truth and integrity are far more valuable than quick gains obtained through trickery.
Knowledge Check
Who initially informed the hyena about the lion’s reward?
The hare informed the hyena.
What reward did the lion offer for identifying the one who set the fire?
A buffalo.
Why did the hyena eventually retract her claim?
She realized she could not maintain her lie in front of the dead cubs.
What permanent consequence did the hyena face?
The lion cut off her paws, a punishment repeated whenever he encounters a hyena.
What cultural lesson does the Mossi folktale emphasize?
Honesty and integrity are essential; deceit carries consequences.
What role does the hare play in the story?
The hare acts as a clever instigator, revealing the hyena’s deceit and ensuring justice is served.
Source: Mossi folktale, Burkina Faso.
