Deep in the forests of Gabon, where the tall trees swayed and the rivers whispered through the undergrowth, Leopard ruled as the most feared hunter. His sharp claws and swift leaps brought down antelope and bush pig alike. The animals spoke his name in whispers, for no creature wished to cross his path. Yet among them was Monkey, quick and mischievous, who loved to mock others even when wisdom urged silence.
One morning Leopard went out to hunt. He stalked silently through the forest, but his prey slipped away again and again. By the end of the day his paws were empty, and his stomach rumbled with hunger. Tired and frustrated, he lay down beneath a tree to rest.
From the branches above, Monkey had been watching. With a laugh that echoed through the leaves, he cried, “Ha, mighty Leopard! Where are the trophies of your hunt? The king of the forest comes home with nothing but dust on his whiskers!”
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Leopard’s eyes flashed with anger. His tail lashed the ground as he growled, “Careful, Monkey. My claws are sharper than your tongue.”
But Monkey only laughed louder. “What use are claws when they catch no meat? Perhaps you should borrow my nimble fingers. Even a child of the forest would laugh to see you hunt today.”
Leopard’s pride burned hotter than the midday sun. He glared at Monkey and thought to himself, “I will teach this trickster that words can cost dearly. He will regret his mockery.”
The next day Leopard set his plan. He dragged the carcass of an old animal to a clearing and lay beside it, pretending to be dead. He thought, “When Monkey comes down to gloat, I will spring upon him, and his laughter will be silenced.”
Soon Monkey came skipping through the trees. From above he saw Leopard stretched out on the ground. He stopped and peered down. “So, the mighty hunter has fallen,” he said to himself. “Perhaps hunger has finished what his failed hunt began.”
Yet Monkey was clever despite his pride. He did not trust Leopard’s stillness. He whispered, “If Leopard is truly dead, he will not move.” To test this, Monkey dropped a twig onto Leopard’s ear. Leopard did not stir. Then Monkey plucked a fruit and tossed it onto Leopard’s nose. Still, Leopard remained still, though his anger grew as he forced himself not to twitch.
Monkey was nearly convinced, but he wanted one more test. He leapt onto a branch just above Leopard and called down, “If the great Leopard is truly gone, then I shall dance above his body without fear.” He swayed and leapt, shaking the branches so that leaves rained down upon Leopard.
Leopard’s patience snapped. With a furious roar he leapt to his feet, claws slashing at the air. But Monkey was ready. In an instant he bounded from branch to branch, vanishing into the forest canopy. His laughter echoed through the trees.
Leopard stood below, humiliated and empty-pawed once more. His trick had failed, and Monkey’s quickness had saved him. But the forest animals whispered the tale as a warning. For Monkey, they said, his pride nearly cost him dearly. And for Leopard, his anger and arrogance left him the greater fool.
Moral Lesson :
This Gabonese folktale teaches that pride and arrogance can bring trouble to both the strong and the clever. Monkey’s mocking words nearly led him to his death, while Leopard’s anger blinded him to wisdom. The story reminds us that caution and humility are greater than mockery or pride, and those who provoke others out of arrogance may find themselves in danger.
Knowledge Check
What is the main lesson of The Monkey and the Leopard?
The story warns against pride, mockery, and arrogance, teaching the value of caution and humility.Why did Monkey mock Leopard in the story?
Because Leopard failed in his hunt, and Monkey enjoyed laughing at his weakness.How did Leopard plan to catch Monkey?
He pretended to be dead beside a carcass, hoping Monkey would come close.What clever tests did Monkey use to check if Leopard was truly dead?
He dropped a twig, threw a fruit, and finally danced above Leopard’s body.Why did Leopard’s plan fail?
Because Monkey suspected a trick and escaped quickly when Leopard leapt up.What cultural value does this Gabonese folktale highlight?
It reflects the Mpongwe tribe’s teaching that both strength and wit must be guided by humility and caution.Cultural Origin: Gabonese folktale (Mpongwe Tribe), recorded by Robert H. Nassau in Where Animals Talk: West African Folklore Tales (1914).
