On a moonlit night, a lone wolf wandered restlessly across the open plains, driven by unrelenting hunger. His stomach growled, and his sharp eyes searched the darkness for the faintest sign of prey. Night after night, he prowled the land, yet food eluded him. Fate, however, played a cruel trick: in his hurried search, the wolf failed to notice a deep pit concealed by grass and shadows. With a sudden misstep, he tumbled headlong into it.
The fall was harsh, and when he landed at the bottom, the wolf realized with horror that the walls of the hole were too steep and smooth to climb. He clawed desperately, leaping again and again, but each attempt was in vain. His body ached, and his voice grew hoarse from howling into the night. As the darkness lifted and daylight spread across the land, his cries of despair carried far, echoing through the plains.
Before long, an ox grazing nearby heard the pitiful sound. Drawn by compassion, he walked slowly toward the source of the cries. When he reached the edge of the hole, he saw the trapped wolf below, weary and trembling. The ox’s heart softened at the sight. He pitied the creature’s suffering but felt fear gnaw at him, for he knew the wolf’s reputation as a predator.
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“Brother Ox,” the wolf called, his voice thick with desperation, “in the name of God, have mercy on me. Please, lend me the end of your tail so that I may grasp it and pull myself out of this pit. Do not let me perish here.”
The ox hesitated. His large eyes blinked with worry as he replied, “I regret that I cannot help you, for the moment you are freed, you will surely turn on me to devour me. I would be saving you only to endanger myself.”
The wolf shook his head fiercely and swore by all that was sacred. “Never, never would I betray you! You have my solemn word. Help me, and I will remain forever grateful.” His tone was earnest, and his pleading eyes seemed filled with sincerity.
At last, moved by pity and convinced by the wolf’s oaths, the ox slowly lowered his tail into the pit. The wolf seized it eagerly, and with great effort, the ox pulled him out. The wolf’s paws touched the ground once more, and for a fleeting moment, relief filled the air.
But the wolf’s hunger and true nature could not be suppressed. No sooner had he shaken the dirt from his fur than he lunged at the ox, baring his sharp teeth. His promise of gratitude was forgotten in an instant. The ox, startled and terrified, struggled to defend himself. The two beasts clashed, their quarrel loud and fierce, filling the plain with noise.
As fortune would have it, an elephant was passing nearby. The ground trembled beneath his massive feet as he approached, curious about the commotion. When he came upon the wolf and the ox locked in their heated struggle, he raised his trunk and bellowed, commanding silence.
“What is this quarrel?” the elephant asked, his deep voice resonating like distant thunder.
The ox, panting heavily, recounted the entire story how he had shown mercy, how the wolf had sworn not to harm him, and how, once free, the wolf had immediately attacked. The wolf, unashamed, argued his side, claiming hunger had driven him and that promises made in desperation should not bind him.
The elephant listened patiently to both sides. His wise eyes glimmered as he considered their words. At last, he spoke with solemn authority: “This matter is not easy to judge. To settle it fairly, we must see the truth for ourselves. Let each of you return to the position you were in when this quarrel began. Only then can I decide who is right.”
The wolf, eager to prove himself, leapt back into the pit without hesitation, certain the elephant would soon declare him justified. But once the wolf landed at the bottom, the elephant turned calmly to the ox.
“You are now free to continue your way. This wolf betrayed your mercy. Let him remain where he chose to deceive. Justice is done.”
The ox bowed his head gratefully and walked away, spared from the wolf’s treachery. The wolf, however, realized too late the cost of his broken oath. He clawed at the walls, howled in despair, and raged at his fate, but no one came to his aid again. In the end, he perished in the very pit from which he had been delivered.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that betrayal destroys trust and brings ruin upon the deceiver. The wolf’s fate reveals how greed and dishonesty lead only to downfall. Had he honoured his promise, he would have lived, but his hunger and treachery sealed his doom. The story also shows the value of wisdom and fairness, as the elephant’s judgment protected the innocent and punished deceit.
Knowledge Check
Q1: How did the wolf become trapped in the pit?
A1: He fell into it while searching for food at night.
Q2: Why did the ox hesitate to help the wolf?
A2: He feared the wolf would devour him once freed.
Q3: What promise did the wolf make to the ox?
A3: He swore never to harm the ox if he was rescued.
Q4: What role did the elephant play in the story?
A4: The elephant acted as a wise judge to resolve the quarrel.
Q5: How did the elephant settle the dispute?
A5: He ordered the wolf back into the pit, proving his deceit and leaving him to perish.
Q6: What is the main lesson of this folktale?
A6: Betrayal and greed lead to destruction, while justice protects the innocent.
Folktale Origin
Source: Wolof folktale, The Gambia.
