The bush was quiet that morning, filled only with the rustling of leaves and the distant cry of birds. Then came the sound of heavy footsteps. The lion was walking proudly through the land, his mane glinting under the golden sunlight, his stride slow and deliberate. To him, the bush was no different from a palace hall. He looked to the right. He looked to the left. He lifted his paw, stopped for a moment, and then continued on. Every step declared his authority as king of the animals.
High above, hidden among the branches, a monkey noticed him. The monkey was playful, quick-witted, and mischievous by nature. Watching the lion parade like a royal, the monkey could not resist the urge to mock him. He mimicked every step, every pause, and every turn with exaggerated flair. The branches shook as the monkey strutted and stopped, his tiny chest puffed out like the king of beasts.
The lion’s eyes narrowed. His pride had been wounded.
“Monkey,” he roared, his voice thundering through the trees, “stay still and scratch yourself, but do not make fun of me. If you continue, I will eat you whole!”
But the monkey ignored the warning. He danced, strutted, and repeated the lion’s steps with even more energy.
The lion’s anger boiled over. With a furious leap, he lunged toward the tree. Yet, in his blind rage, he slipped. His paws scrambled against the earth, and for a moment, the great lion looked clumsy rather than powerful.
The monkey, laughing so hard that his belly shook, lost his grip. In one foolish slip, he tumbled from the safety of the branches straight into the lion’s waiting claws.
The lion’s teeth gleamed as he held the trembling monkey. The proud king was ready to tear him apart when another thought entered his mind:
“It is better to eat monkey in the company of a friend.”
Instead of devouring him immediately, the lion dragged the monkey to a pit nearby. He shoved him inside, rolled a heavy stone over the opening, and left to find the wolf, thinking the meal would taste better when shared.
Inside the dark pit, the monkey trembled at first. He could smell the damp earth around him and hear faint echoes of the lion’s departing footsteps. But then, his shrewdness returned. He began to scheme.
Not long after, the wolf arrived with the lion. Together they removed the stone, and the lion prepared to show off his prize. But before he could boast, the monkey called out:
“Ah, my friends! Thank you for closing me inside this place of safety. The sky is about to fall, and you have protected me!”
The wolf’s ears perked up. His eyes widened in fear. “The sky is falling?” he whispered.
“Yes,” said the monkey solemnly. “Soon the heavens will crash upon the earth. But this pit will keep us safe. The lion was wise to place me here. Come in quickly, and you too will be saved!”
The lion scoffed, but the wolf was overcome by fear. He jumped eagerly into the pit, desperate for protection. At once, the monkey scrambled out, rolled the stone back over, and left the wolf trapped.
From the branches, the monkey called out with laughter, “Foolish wolf! Your fear has blinded you. You chose to believe a trickster rather than use your own sense.”
The lion, humiliated and furious, tried to chase the monkey again, but the clever creature was already too far beyond his reach.
And so, the monkey’s shrewdness triumphed over both pride and naivety, leaving the wolf trapped and the lion shamed.
Moral of the Story
This Wolof folktale from Senegal teaches that wit and quick thinking often overcome strength and fear. The monkey escaped because of his cleverness, while the lion and the wolf were undone by pride and gullibility. The lesson is clear: do not let arrogance or fear blind you to reason, for wisdom and awareness are stronger than brute force.
Knowledge Check
1: What is the main lesson of the Wolof folktale The Shrewdness of the Monkey and the Naivety of the Wolf?
The story teaches that cleverness and wit can overcome both pride and fear.
2: Why did the lion lock the monkey in the pit instead of eating him immediately?
He wanted to share the meal with a friend, showing his pride and desire for companionship in victory.
3: How did the monkey trick the wolf in the story?
The monkey convinced the wolf that the sky was about to fall and the pit was the only safe place.
4: What does the lion symbolize in this Wolof folktale?
The lion symbolizes pride and arrogance, which can lead to downfall when unchecked.
5: Why is the wolf considered naïve in this story?
The wolf believed the monkey’s lie without questioning it, letting fear control his judgment.
6: Where does this folktale originate from?
This story comes from the Wolof people of Senegal.
Source: Wolof folktale, Senegal
