Long ago, in the fertile valleys of Madagascar, a mighty wild ox roamed freely. He had no hump upon his back, yet he stood tall and broad, his hide sleek under the sun, his horns long, curving upward in an elegant sweep. The villagers often glimpsed him grazing near the clear springs, his massive body casting a commanding shadow across the grass. This ox was known for his strength, but in his heart he wrestled with vanity and discontent.
One day, after wandering in the heat, he came to drink from a shimmering spring. As he bent his great head toward the water, his eyes caught sight of his reflection. The surface of the pool rippled slightly, but he saw enough to marvel at himself.
“Ah!” he said aloud, his voice rumbling with delight. “What a handsome head I have! Look at these horns, how gracefully they cross, how splendidly they curve. What beauty! What strength! Surely no beast in the forest can match me. Yet,” he paused, gazing lower, “my cheeks, my teeth, and my feet bring me no pride. When men speak of me, they call me strong-footed, but I see only blemish. If only my whole body shone with the same perfection as these horns, I would never need to look back for danger.”
Thus, the ox praised what pleased him and despised what he thought unworthy, never realizing how his pride clouded his wisdom.
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Suddenly, a noise broke through his self-admiration, the sound of snapping branches, the bark of hounds, and the shouts of hunters. Fear surged in the ox’s chest. With one glance over his shoulder, he saw them: men armed with spears, accompanied by dogs eager for the chase.
The ox leapt into motion. His hooves pounded the earth, his muscles rippling as he fled across the open land. Dust rose behind him as he thundered toward the forest edge. His despised feet carried him swiftly, giving him precious distance from his pursuers. For a moment, hope stirred within him: perhaps he would escape after all.
But fate had other plans. Entering a dense thicket of trees, the ox lowered his head to push through. In that instant, his long, elegant horns, those very horns he had praised with such pride, caught in the low branches. They twisted and snagged, holding him fast.
He thrashed and pulled, his great body straining, but the branches gripped tighter. The hounds drew near, circling him, their teeth bared. The hunters raised their spears, ready to strike.
The ox bellowed in despair. “Alas!” he cried, “the feet I despised could have saved me. Yet it is these horns, the crown of my pride, that have betrayed me. That which I thought my glory has become my ruin.”
And so the proud ox perished, slain by the very vanity he cherished. His story was told and retold among the people of Madagascar as a warning: never despise the humble parts of ourselves, for what we scorn may one day prove our salvation.
Moral Lesson
This tale reminds us that pride can blind us to true value. The ox admired only his horns, despising his feet, yet it was his feet that carried him toward safety and his horns that trapped him. In life, the qualities we dismiss may be the very ones that preserve us, while what we exalt may lead to downfall.
True wisdom lies in balance, valuing strength and beauty, but also honoring usefulness, humility, and the less glamorous gifts that sustain us. Pride without perspective leads to ruin; humility brings survival.
Knowledge Check
1. Who is the main character of this folktale?
The main character is a proud wild ox from Madagascar.
2. What physical feature did the ox admire most?
He admired his long, curving horns, believing them to be his greatest glory.
3. Which feature did the ox despise, and why was this foolish?
He despised his feet, though they allowed him to flee from hunters and could have saved him.
4. How did the ox meet his downfall?
His horns became entangled in tree branches, trapping him until hunters and their dogs killed him.
5. What is the key lesson taught by this folktale?
The story warns against pride and teaches that what we dismiss may be our true source of safety.
6. What is the cultural origin of this tale?
It is a traditional folktale from the Antambahoaka people of Madagascar.
Source: Antambahoaka folktale, Madagascar.
