Long ago, in the forests of southern Togo, there lived a hyena who was always watching humans from the shadows. He admired the way they moved gracefully, how their feet kept perfect rhythm, and how their dances brought joy and admiration from everyone around. The hyena envied them deeply. He thought to himself, If only I could dance like a man, I would be respected and feared at the same time. He dreamed of joining the human dances and showing that he, too, could perform with skill and elegance.
One evening, as the village gathered for a celebration under the full moon, the hyena crept closer to watch. The drums beat steadily, echoing through the forest, and the humans moved with joyous energy, their feet stamping the earth and their bodies twisting in harmony. The hyena tried to copy their movements from afar, hopping awkwardly on his hind legs and waving his front paws in clumsy imitation. He tripped over roots, stumbled on stones, and let out loud, embarrassing laughs at his own attempts. Yet he refused to give up. He was determined to dance like a man, no matter what.
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The villagers noticed a strange figure in the shadows but did not pay it much attention, thinking it was one of the animals that often wandered near the clearing. The hyena, however, could no longer contain his impatience. He stepped into the open and attempted to join the humans. His body was stiff, his feet stumbled, and every movement looked exaggerated and foolish. The drums thundered, but the hyena could not find the rhythm. The humans stopped dancing and stared in surprise, and the animals watching from the forest began to laugh. Birds chirped loudly, and monkeys clapped their hands as if mocking him. The hyena’s face grew red with embarrassment, but his pride would not allow him to retreat.
He tried again, spinning and hopping, attempting the intricate steps he had seen humans perform. But the more he tried, the more he made a fool of himself. He tripped over his own legs, collided with a tree, and howled in frustration. The humans laughed kindly at first, thinking he was an amusing visitor, but soon they realized he had no understanding of their dance. The elders shook their heads, and the drums quieted. The hyena, exhausted and humiliated, finally fell to the ground, panting and ashamed.
From that moment, he understood the lesson the forest had been teaching him. Envy had blinded him to his own strengths. The hyena was clever, strong, and cunning in ways the humans could never match, but he had ignored these gifts in his desperate desire to imitate another. He realized that trying to be something he was not had only brought shame and embarrassment. Humility settled into his heart as he slowly retreated to the shadows, promising himself that he would no longer let envy drive his actions.
The humans returned to their celebration, unaware of the deeper lesson that had taken place on the edge of their gathering. The hyena, however, shared the story with the other animals, teaching them that pride and envy could lead to humiliation if one did not appreciate the strengths they already possessed. The forest resounded with laughter and understanding, and the animals remembered that being content with oneself was far more honorable than imitating another and risking disgrace.
From that day onward, the hyena no longer attempted to dance like humans. Instead, he focused on what he could do best, using his wit, his cleverness, and his natural abilities to navigate the forest. He learned that every creature has unique strengths, and that envy only leads to shame, while humility and self-acceptance bring respect and peace. The story of the hyena spread throughout southern Togo, reminding generations that admiration should not turn into envy, and that contentment with one’s own gifts is the true path to honor.
Moral Lesson: The story of the hyena who wanted to dance like a man teaches that envy and pride lead to embarrassment, while humility and contentment with oneself bring respect and fulfillment. True strength lies in recognizing and using one’s own unique abilities rather than imitating others.
Knowledge Check
Why did the hyena want to dance like a man?
Answer: He envied humans and believed that dancing like them would earn him respect and admiration.What mistakes did the hyena make when trying to join the human dances?
Answer: He stumbled, tripped over roots and stones, moved clumsily, and could not keep the rhythm, making himself look foolish.How did the humans and animals react to the hyena’s attempts?
Answer: The humans were initially amused but soon realized he could not dance properly, while the animals in the forest laughed at his clumsy efforts.What lesson did the hyena learn from his embarrassment?
Answer: He learned that envy and imitation lead to shame, and that it is important to appreciate one’s own strengths and abilities.How did the hyena use his talents after learning the lesson?
Answer: He focused on his natural abilities, wit, and cleverness, rather than trying to imitate humans.What is the main theme of The Hyena Who Wanted to Dance Like a Man?
Answer: The main theme is that envy and pride bring shame, while humility, self-acceptance, and recognizing one’s own gifts lead to respect and fulfillment.
Source: Ewe folktale, southern Togo. Collected by Zinta Konrad in Ewe Comic Heroes: Trickster Tales in Togo (2015).
