In the golden grasslands and dense forests of Burkina Faso, long before the cities and towns we know today, animals lived together in a world that echoed with stories, laughter, and sometimes, hardship. Among all creatures, two stood out for their contrasting natures — the Hyena, fierce and strong, feared by many, and the Hare, small but quick-witted, known for his cleverness and playful spirit.
One year, the rains failed to come. The sky remained stubbornly clear, the rivers ran low, and the fields cracked like ancient pottery. The animals grew worried. Food was scarce, and hunger gnawed at every belly.
In the heart of the forest, a great meeting was called. The animals gathered beneath the sprawling branches of the Baobab tree, the oldest and wisest tree in the land.
Hyena, with his deep, gruff voice, spoke first. “Brothers and sisters, we face a harsh time. The rains have abandoned us, and the earth offers little. We must find a way to survive this drought.”
The animals murmured in agreement, but the mood was heavy. Fear crept into their hearts. Who would provide? Who would share? Who would suffer?
The Hare, sitting quietly on a rock nearby, raised his voice. “I have an idea,” he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief and hope. “If we all pool what little we have now, and protect it carefully, we might survive this hardship together.”
Hyena growled softly. “And what is this plan of yours, small one?”
Hare hopped down and began explaining. “Each animal will give one thing — a handful of millet, a piece of dried meat, or some fruits — whatever they can spare. We will gather it in a secret place, safe from thieves and dangers. When the drought bites hardest, we will share equally from this store.”
The animals looked at one another, uncertain but willing. After all, the Hare was known for his cleverness, and desperate times called for desperate measures.
The next morning, the animals brought their offerings. The monkeys gave bananas, the birds brought seeds, even the elephants dropped some of their stored roots. The bags were filled, tied tightly, and hidden inside a hollow Baobab tree.
Hare smiled. “Tomorrow, I will bring more millet from a secret field I know. Trust me.”
True to his word, the next day, Hare returned with a sack of millet. But in truth, Hare had played a trick — he had filled the sack with small stones, painted to look like grains.
Hyena eyed the sack suspiciously. “Are you certain this is millet?”
Hare nodded confidently. “Yes, and it will keep us alive.”
The animals planted the millet, but as days passed, no green shoots appeared. The earth remained dry and barren.
Hyena’s patience snapped. “Hare, you have deceived us! You have brought stones, not food!”
Hare laughed gently, his voice like the rustling grass. “Not yet, friends. Wisdom requires patience.”
Later that week, Hare crept to the secret millet field, hidden deep in a shady valley where the sun kissed the earth just right. He gathered the real millet carefully and returned to the Baobab tree.
But Hare was not done with his lessons.
Hyena’s mother had come to visit, wandering near the store. Hare saw an opportunity. When he tied the bags for safekeeping, he tied his own mother’s bag with a strong knot but left the hyena’s mother’s knot loose.
The next morning, the trader arrived to buy millet for the nearby village. Seeing the bags tied loosely, he took Hyena’s mother and sold her to a faraway town. Hare’s mother slipped free and returned safely to the forest.
When Hyena found out, he roared with anger. “You tricked me! You allowed my mother to be sold!”
Hare raised his paws in peace. “I wanted to test your trust. You see, even the strongest can fall to carelessness.”
Time passed, and hunger gnawed again. Hare invited Hyena to share the millet. But this time, Hare filled the bags with sand.
“Eat this,” Hare said with a sly grin.
Hyena, trusting Hare, ate the grain but felt no strength. Instead, he grew weak and frustrated.
Realizing the lesson was severe, Hare finally revealed the truth and brought out the real millet, sharing it generously with all the animals.
Hyena bowed his head. “I have learned that strength alone is not enough. Trust and wisdom must guide us.”
From that day on, the animals cared for each other, knowing that cooperation and honesty were their greatest tools against hardship.
✧ Commentary
This story reflects the rich oral tradition of Burkina Faso, where animals often embody human traits to teach lessons about life, community, and survival. The Hyena represents brute strength and pride, while the Hare symbolizes intelligence and cunning. The tale balances humor and drama, emphasizing the value of trust and cooperation in difficult times.
✧ Moral
True strength lies not in power alone, but in wisdom, trust, and working together honestly.
✧ Questions & Answers
1. Q: Why did Hare first give the animals stones instead of millet? A: Hare wanted to teach patience and to test whether the animals would trust his plan even when results were not immediate.
2. Q: What was the lesson in the trick with the tied bags and Hyena’s mother? A: It showed that carelessness can lead to loss, and trust must be earned and protected.
3. Q: How does the story illustrate the importance of cooperation? A: It shows that only by sharing resources and working together can the animals survive hardship.
4. Q: What cultural values does this tale from Burkina Faso highlight? A: It highlights respect for elders, the importance of community sharing, and cleverness balanced with honesty.
