Long ago in a Wolof village in Senegal, two sisters named De N’Galack and Patte N’Galack lived with their aging mother. Life was hard, but the sisters loved their mother dearly, especially as she grew weaker with an open sore on her foot that caused her constant pain. The family had no real medicine, and the girls often worried about how to help her.
One evening, as the sun was setting behind the horizon and shadows stretched across the village, a hyena appeared. The animal was cunning and sly, his eyes glinting with false wisdom. Approaching the daughters, the hyena declared in a deep, convincing voice:
“I am a doctor. I can heal your mother’s sore. Shut me in a hut with her, and if she cries during the night, do not be alarmed. It will only be the pain of my medicine working.”
The sisters, desperate for a cure, hesitated. But the hyena pressed further, demanding:
“Build me a hut with no door, no window, no opening. Only then can my medicine take full effect.”
Trusting his words and hoping to see their mother healed, the sisters obeyed. They placed their mother in the sealed hut with the hyena, believing they had finally found a healer.
But as night fell, cries of terror pierced the silence. Their mother screamed in agony, her voice echoing in despair. The sisters remembered the hyena’s warning and forced themselves to ignore her suffering, convincing themselves it was part of the cure.
By dawn, the cries had stopped. When the sisters opened the hut, they were met with a horrifying sight: nothing remained of their mother but bones. The hyena had devoured her and fled into the wilderness.
Heartbroken and trembling with grief, De N’Galack and Patte N’Galack told their brother what had happened. The young man’s heart filled with anger. Determined to uncover the truth, he set out to find the hyena.
After searching, he reached the nearby village of N’Diarack, where a chilling sound filled the air. The hyena was beating a drum and boasting in song:
“De N’Galack and Patte N’Galack gave me their mother to cure,
But I broke her and beat the drum at N’Diarack!”
The hyena danced proudly, parading his wickedness for all to hear.
The brother, overcome with fury, lifted his gun, aimed steadily, and fired. The bullet struck true, and the hyena fell dead where he stood. Justice was served, though it could never restore their mother.
Moral of the Story
This Wolof folktale teaches a powerful lesson: blind trust in the wrong hands leads to tragedy. The daughters’ desperation made them vulnerable to deception, reminding us that wisdom requires discernment. Not everyone who claims to help has good intentions. The story warns communities to stay vigilant, question deceit, and protect the ones they love.
Knowledge Check
1. Who are the main characters in The Hyena Who Pretended to be a Doctor?
The main characters are the sisters De N’Galack and Patte N’Galack, their mother, their brother, and the cunning hyena.
2. What cultural origin does this story come from?
The folktale originates from the Wolof people of Senegal.
3. What lesson does the story teach about trust?
It teaches that blind trust in deceitful individuals can lead to devastating consequences.
4. What role does the hyena play in the story?
The hyena symbolizes trickery, greed, and the danger of deception.
5. How did the brother restore justice in the story?
He tracked the hyena to N’Diarack, found him boasting, and killed him with his gun.
6. Why is this folktale still relevant today?
The tale remains relevant because it warns against deceit, urging people to question false promises and protect loved ones.
Source: Wolof folktale, Senegal
