Once upon a time, in the deep forests of Gabon where the Mpongwe people told stories under the moonlight, the animals gathered in the great clearing to share news. Each creature had its own concerns, but Hyena always thought about himself first. He had sharp teeth, cunning eyes, and a restless hunger that made him look for ways to trick others.
One day, while wandering near the edge of a human village, Hyena discovered a large drum lying under a tree. The drum had been forgotten after a festival. Its surface was stretched tight with animal hide, and when Hyena struck it with his paw, the sound rolled like thunder through the forest. The booming echo traveled across the valleys and startled birds into flight. Hyena’s eyes gleamed. He thought, “This drum will make me powerful. I will tell the other animals that it belongs to me alone. With it, I will command food, wealth, and respect.”
That very evening, Hyena strutted into the clearing where the animals usually met. He dragged the drum behind him and announced, “Look at what I have found! This is no ordinary drum. It is a magical drum, and it has chosen me as its master. When I beat it, riches and food will come. None of you must touch it, for it answers only to me.”
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The animals murmured in surprise. Monkey whispered to Antelope, “Why should Hyena alone have such a treasure?” Antelope replied, “Because Hyena is greedy, as always. We must be careful.” Still, many were curious. They wanted to see if Hyena truly spoke the truth.
Hyena grew more boastful each day. He beat the drum often, but he never shared any food or riches. Instead, he kept sneaking away to eat alone, pretending that the drum had filled his belly. Whenever the animals asked for proof, he said, “The drum obeys me only. If you try, it will curse you.”
Tortoise, who was known for his patience and wisdom, grew tired of Hyena’s arrogance. He said calmly, “Hyena, if the drum is truly magical, then let us all see its wonders. Beat it here before us. Let the riches appear, so that no one doubts you.”
Hyena puffed out his chest. He did not want to lose face, so he agreed. “Very well, watch closely. When I beat the drum, food and treasures will fall from the sky.”
He raised his paw and struck the drum with all his might. BOOM! The sound thundered across the forest. BOOM! Birds scattered, monkeys swung away in alarm, and even the ground seemed to tremble. The animals waited eagerly, but no riches appeared. Instead, the noise traveled far to the human village. Hunters pricked up their ears. “That is our festival drum,” they said. “It must have been stolen. Let us follow the sound and reclaim it.”
Before long, the hunters appeared at the edge of the clearing. They carried nets, spears, and bows. Hyena froze in fear. He struck the drum again, hoping that magic would save him, but the hunters only ran faster. “There is the thief!” they shouted.
Panic seized Hyena. He abandoned the drum and dashed into the forest. The hunters chased him through the thickets, across streams, and over rocks. Hyena’s paws ached, and his breath grew heavy, but he barely escaped with his life. His beautiful prize, the drum he had boasted about, was left behind. The hunters carried it back to their village, laughing at the foolish animal who thought he could claim what was not his.
The animals in the clearing looked at one another. Monkey chuckled, “So much for Hyena’s magical riches!” Antelope added, “Greed always finds its punishment.” Finally, Tortoise spoke with calm authority, “Let this be a lesson to us all. Lies and selfishness may shine for a moment, but truth will always reveal itself. Hyena wanted to use the drum for himself alone, yet in the end he lost everything.”
From that day, whenever Hyena tried to boast, the animals only laughed. They remembered how he had run from the hunters and how his greed had brought him shame. And so the tale of the drum spread through the forests of Gabon, carried by storytellers to teach children and elders alike that no one gains from selfish deception.
Moral Lesson
The Hyena and the Drum shows that greed and dishonesty cannot last. Hyena wanted power and wealth for himself, but his lies collapsed when the truth appeared. The story reminds us that true leadership and possessions must be shared with honesty and fairness. Greed is never a path to lasting success.
Knowledge Check
What object does Hyena find in the story of The Hyena and the Drum?
Answer: He finds a large drum near a village that he claims as his own treasure.How does Hyena try to deceive the other animals in The Hyena and the Drum?
Answer: He tells them the drum is magical and only obeys him, while pretending it brings him food and wealth.What role does Tortoise play in The Hyena and the Drum?
Answer: Tortoise questions Hyena’s claims and encourages him to prove the drum’s power before everyone.What happens when Hyena beats the drum loudly in The Hyena and the Drum?
Answer: Instead of riches, the sound alerts nearby hunters who come to reclaim their lost drum.How does Hyena lose the drum in The Hyena and the Drum?
Answer: He panics when the hunters arrive, abandons the drum, and runs away to save himself.What main lesson does The Hyena and the Drum teach about greed?
Answer: The story shows that greed and dishonesty always bring loss, while truth and fairness bring respect.
Cultural Origin: Gabonese folktale from the Mpongwe Tribe, recorded by Robert H. Nassau in Where Animals Talk: West African Folklore Tales (1914).
