In a quiet village along the banks of a wide river, there lived a woman who needed to make her way across the waters. The river was deep and swift, with currents that could pull even the strongest swimmer beneath its surface. Crossing it was no simple task, and the woman sought help.
One day, as she stood at the water’s edge, a small bird flew down and perched beside her. Its feathers shimmered in the sunlight, and its keen eyes seemed to see straight into her thoughts. The bird spoke to her in a clear voice:
“I will go with you, but know this, if you tell anyone how you crossed, I will make it known to all when you return.”
The woman agreed, for she had little choice. Soon after, the mighty hippopotamus rose from the depths of the river. His massive body broke the surface, and his great jaws opened wide, not in threat, but in offering. He allowed the woman to climb upon his broad back. Slowly, carefully, he carried her across the churning waters to the far bank.
Grateful and relieved, the woman thanked the hippopotamus, then went on her way.
READ THIS: Lip Tattooing: An Ethiopian Folktale of Silence and Beauty
When she reached her home, her family and neighbors were curious. “How did you cross such a dangerous river?” they asked. Each time, she gave the same reply: “Through God.” Her mother asked; she said, “Through God.” Her father asked; again she said, “Through God.” Others questioned her, but her answer never changed. She guarded the truth closely, remembering the warning of the bird.
Yet, temptation often finds its way into the quiet corners of the heart. One night, while resting with her lover, she let her guard down. Trusting him with what she had kept from all others, she whispered: “It was a hippopotamus who carried me across.”
Unbeknownst to her, the bird had been listening all along. Perched high in the rafters of her house, it had heard every word. At once, the bird began to sing, its voice loud and mocking, repeating the tale to anyone who would hear:
“Her mother asked, and she said, ‘Through God.’
Her father asked, and she said, ‘Through God.’
Her neighbors asked, and she said, ‘Through God.’
But her lover asked, and she told him: ‘A hippopotamus carried me.’”
The next day, the bird’s song spread like wildfire, carried on the air and in the whispers of the people. Soon the woman, the bird, and many others found themselves back at the river’s edge.
The hippopotamus surfaced once again, his ears twitching and his massive body glistening in the sun. But this time, he was not pleased. The bird was singing loudly, mocking both him and the woman, and the great beast frowned.
“I cannot hear clearly,” said the hippopotamus. His voice was deep, rolling like distant thunder. “Come closer, little bird, so that I may hear your words.”
The bird, proud of its discovery and foolish in its arrogance, hopped closer. First, it perched on the hippo’s broad back.
“Closer still,” said the hippopotamus.
The bird fluttered forward and landed upon the hippo’s great nose.
“Closer still,” the beast urged again.
At last, the bird settled upon the hippo’s lips, singing its mocking tune. But in that moment, the hippopotamus opened his mighty jaws and snapped them shut. He swallowed the bird whole, then chewed and crushed until the bird’s bones were scattered into the waters of the river.
The great beast spoke once more, his words echoing across the banks:
“What is told in secrecy should not be spoken openly.”
Having delivered his lesson, the hippopotamus lowered his back again, allowing the woman to climb upon him. Without another word, he carried her safely back across the river. She went home, humbled by the wisdom she had witnessed, and resolved never again to betray a secret that was not meant for all to hear.
Moral of the Story
This Ethiopian folktale reminds us that trust is fragile, and secrets, once revealed, can bring shame and consequences. Guarding one’s word is a form of wisdom, for careless speech may lead to downfall.
Knowledge Check
1. Who helped the woman cross the river in the folktale?
The hippopotamus carried her across the dangerous waters.
2. What warning did the bird give the woman before crossing?
The bird warned that if she revealed the truth, it would expose her upon her return.
3. Why did the bird sing out the woman’s secret?
Because she told her lover how she truly crossed, breaking her promise of silence.
4. How did the hippopotamus punish the bird for exposing the secret?
He tricked the bird closer and then ate it, scattering its bones in the river.
5. What is the main lesson of this Ethiopian folktale?
Secrets entrusted in silence should not be spoken carelessly, as betrayal can lead to consequences.
6. What cultural context does this story reflect?
It reflects Ethiopian oral tradition, where animals carry wisdom and stories teach moral lessons.
Source: Ethiopian folktale
