In the days when the earth was still young and the animals spoke the language of men, there was no fire in the world. The nights were long and bitterly cold, and all creatures huddled together in burrows, caves, and the thick undergrowth to escape the freezing winds. Only in the far-off mountains did a strange red light glow. The elders whispered that the light was the home of Fire, guarded by the spirits of the high rocks.
Among all the animals, none suffered more than Hyena. His fur was thin, and his skin felt every touch of the night air. He shivered until his teeth rattled like calabashes in a gourd dance. One morning, he heard the elders telling a tale: if one could bring Fire from the mountain, the cold would trouble them no more. Hyena’s ears pricked up, and a plan began to grow in his mind.
The Journey to the Mountain of Fire
Hyena set out at dawn, his paws crunching the frost on the ground. Along the way, he met Tortoise, who asked, “Hyena, where do your hurried paws take you?”
“I go to bring Fire,” Hyena replied with pride.
Tortoise shook his head slowly. “Fire is dangerous, my friend. Treat it with respect, or it will turn against you.”
Hyena laughed, showing his sharp teeth. “I am clever enough to handle anything.”
For three days and nights, Hyena climbed the mountain. The air grew thin, and the red glow became brighter. At last, he reached the summit, where Fire danced in a pit surrounded by stones. The flames leapt and crackled like warriors in celebration. Hyena crouched low, staring in awe.
The Bargain with Fire
From the heart of the flames came a voice deep and warm. “Who dares approach me?”
“I am Hyena,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “I have come to take you to my people so that we may all be warm.”
Fire’s voice rumbled. “I do not follow just anyone. If you wish to carry me, you must promise to feed me every day, for I grow weak without food.”
“What do you eat?” Hyena asked.
“Dry wood and dry grass,” Fire replied. “And you must keep me in a safe place, or I will burn everything you love.”
Hyena nodded eagerly. “I agree.”
Fire gave him a small flame wrapped in the husk of a dry gourd. Hyena tucked it under his arm and began the journey home.
The Temptation of Greed
As he walked, the gourd grew warm, and the warmth spread through his body. It was more comfort than Hyena had ever known. Then a thought came to him: Why share this with the others? If I keep Fire for myself, I will always be the warmest animal, and they will come begging to me.
By the time Hyena reached the edge of the forest, his mind was set. Instead of going to the village of animals, he found a hollow in the ground and hid the gourd inside. Night fell, and the other animals shivered in their shelters. Hyena sat alone, basking in his stolen warmth, chuckling to himself.
The Consequences of Carelessness
Days passed. Hyena fed Fire with bits of dry grass and sticks, but one morning he grew lazy. “Surely Fire can last until tomorrow without food,” he muttered. That night, the wind blew strong. The flame in the gourd flickered weakly. Hyena panicked and ran to find wood, but the forest was wet with rain, and nothing would catch. Fire coughed and sputtered.
“You promised to care for me,” Fire said, its voice fading. “But you were selfish and careless. I will not stay with you.” With that, the flame leapt from the gourd, burned Hyena’s paws, and vanished into the wind.
The Return of Fire to the People
The wind carried the spark to the camp of humans nearby. There, it landed in a pile of dry wood. The flames roared to life, and the people rejoiced. They built a hearth and kept Fire safe, feeding it daily. From that day forward, humans owned Fire, and the animals had to live without it.
Hyena returned to the cold, his paws scorched and his pride shattered. Even now, on cold nights, his mournful howls echo across the land, a reminder of the warmth he lost through greed.
Moral Lesson
The tale of The Hyena and the Fire teaches that greed and neglect can destroy the blessings we are given. Hyena’s desire to keep Fire to himself not only robbed the other animals of warmth but also cost him his own comfort. True gifts must be shared and cared for with respect, or they will slip away. In life, selfishness often leads to loss, while generosity ensures lasting blessings for all.
Knowledge Check
1. What is the main lesson in The Hyena and the Fire?
The main lesson is that greed and carelessness can cause one to lose valuable gifts, and that generosity and responsibility preserve blessings.
2. Why did Hyena want to find Fire?
Hyena wanted to find Fire because he suffered from the cold and believed it would bring him warmth and comfort.
3. What agreement did Hyena make with Fire?
Hyena promised to feed Fire every day with dry wood and grass and to keep it safe from harm.
4. How did Hyena lose the Fire?
Hyena lost the Fire because he became selfish, kept it from others, and neglected to feed it properly, causing it to die out.
5. Where did Fire go after leaving Hyena?
After leaving Hyena, Fire traveled on the wind and landed in the camp of humans, where it was kept and cared for.
6. What cultural value does this story reflect?
The story reflects the value of community sharing, responsibility, and respect for powerful gifts in African oral traditions.
Cultural Origin: Venda Folktales from South Africa
