Long ago, deep in the forests of Gabon, the animals lived side by side under the tall trees and wide skies. Among them were Leopard and Antelope, two creatures whose paths often crossed. Leopard was strong, fierce, and admired for his speed and hunting skill. Antelope was graceful and alert, known for his kindness and quick thinking. Though they were not natural companions, their lives often touched in the wilderness.
One day, while prowling through the shadows, Leopard fell into a hunter’s trap. A thick rope tightened around his body, pinning him to the ground. He thrashed, growled, and clawed, but the harder he fought, the tighter the rope pulled. Leopard’s pride turned to fear. If the hunter returned, Leopard’s end would be certain.
As he struggled, Antelope happened to pass by. He saw Leopard lying helplessly in the trap, his golden coat stained with dust and his eyes full of rage. Leopard roared, “Brother Antelope, help me! Free me from this rope before the hunter comes. I beg you, do not leave me to die.”
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Antelope paused. He knew Leopard was dangerous. He had seen how Leopard hunted the weak, and he had often escaped his claws only by running faster than the wind. Yet Antelope’s heart was gentle, and he could not watch another creature suffer. After a long breath, he stepped forward. Using his horns and steady hooves, he loosened the rope and set Leopard free.
Leopard stretched his limbs, shook off the dust, and stood tall again. “You have saved my life,” he said smoothly. “You are truly a friend.” Antelope bowed his head modestly. “I only did what was right,” he replied.
But as the days passed, Leopard’s gratitude turned sour. Instead of honoring Antelope, he grew hungry with thoughts of how sweet Antelope’s flesh would taste. “Why should I spare him,” Leopard thought, “when he is the finest meat in the forest? If I can trick him, I will fill my belly.”
Not long after, Leopard invited Antelope to share a meal under a large tree. “Come, my friend,” he said warmly. “Let us sit together. I have meat and stories to share.”
Antelope hesitated. He noticed the gleam in Leopard’s eyes and the tension in his stance. Something felt wrong. Still, Antelope was polite and cautious, and so he agreed to join.
Hidden nearby, wise Tortoise observed the scene. He had seen too many times how Leopard’s hunger overcame his promises. He crept closer and listened as Leopard licked his lips and shifted closer to Antelope.
At last, Leopard sprang, trying to catch Antelope in his powerful claws. But before he could strike, Tortoise shouted, “Stop, Leopard! Is this how you repay the one who saved your life? Antelope freed you from death, and now you repay him with betrayal?”
Antelope leaped back, startled but unharmed. Leopard froze, caught in his shame. Yet he did not confess. Instead, he growled at Tortoise, “Who are you to speak against me?”
Tortoise stood firm, his shell glistening in the sunlight. “I am the voice of wisdom,” he said. “And wisdom says gratitude must be repaid with kindness, not with harm. If you betray a friend who saved your life, the forest itself will turn against you. No one will trust you again.”
The animals of the forest, who had been watching from the trees, murmured in agreement. Monkey, Parrot, and even Hyena all spoke as one. “Leopard cannot be trusted! He is ungrateful and false.”
Leopard’s pride burned hotter than the sun. He bared his teeth but knew he was defeated. Surrounded by eyes that judged him, he slunk away into the shadows, his reputation broken.
From that day forward, the animals never trusted Leopard again. He roamed the forest alone, feared for his strength but never respected for his heart. Antelope, however, continued to live freely, admired for his wisdom in both kindness and caution. And Tortoise, small but clever, reminded everyone that even the slowest creature can stand against the strong when truth is on his side.
Moral Lesson
The story of The Ungrateful Friend teaches us that gratitude must be honored with kindness. When someone helps us in our time of need, we must remember their goodness and never repay it with harm. Betrayal destroys trust, and once trust is lost, it can never be restored. True strength lies not in claws or speed but in loyalty, honesty, and respect for those who stand by us.
Knowledge Check
What is the main lesson of The Ungrateful Friend folktale from Gabon?
The lesson is that gratitude should always be repaid with kindness, and betrayal destroys trust.Why did Antelope choose to free Leopard from the hunter’s trap?
Antelope freed Leopard because of his kind and gentle heart, even though he knew Leopard was dangerous.How did Leopard plan to betray Antelope after being rescued?
Leopard invited Antelope to share a meal but secretly planned to attack and eat him.What role did Tortoise play in The Ungrateful Friend?
Tortoise exposed Leopard’s treachery and reminded the animals that true wisdom values gratitude and loyalty.How did the other animals react to Leopard’s behavior in the story?
They condemned Leopard for his ingratitude and refused to trust him again.What cultural origin does The Ungrateful Friend belong to?
The story is a Gabonese folktale from the Mpongwe Tribe, recorded by Robert H. Nassau.
Cultural Origin
Source: Gabonese folktale (Mpongwe Tribe, Central Africa), recorded by Robert H. Nassau in Where Animals Talk: West African Folklore Tales (1914).
