Long ago, in the lush forests and grasslands of Central Africa, four unusual companions, the Dog, the Palm-rat, the Hawk, and the Eagle set out together on a journey. Before beginning, they made a solemn vow: none of them would oppose or obstruct the wishes of another. Whatever one desired, the others would respect. With this pact uniting them, they set forth on their path, not realizing how severely their patience would be tested.
They had not travelled far when the Eagle, sharp-eyed and regal, spied a heavy cluster of palm-nuts dangling high from a tree. Though still green and unripe, the Eagle stopped and declared:
“When these palm-nuts ripen, and I have eaten them to my fill, then we may continue our journey.”
The Dog, the Palm-rat, and the Hawk, though restless, honoured their promise. Days stretched into weeks as the fruit ripened beneath the sun. At last, the Eagle feasted richly on the oily nuts until his hunger was satisfied. Only then did they set out once more.
Soon, the Hawk halted. His wings twitched, and his keen eyes swept over a vast bushland, thick with tall grasses, canes, and scattered trees. He cried:
“When this bush is burned, and I have eaten the locusts and inhaled the rising smoke, then we will proceed.”
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So once again, the companions waited. The bush dried under the heat. Fire roared, smoke curled upward, and locusts scattered in confusion. The Hawk darted swiftly, filling himself with the insects and the warmth of the smoke. Sated, he gave his nod, and they prepared to continue.
But the Palm-rat, watching the charred land, spoke up. His small eyes glimmered with determination:
“Now that the bush is burned, we must wait until new grass and canes grow. When the shoots are tender and sweet, I will eat them. Remember, we promised never to thwart one another.”
Though weary of delay, the companions could not break their vow. Weeks turned into months as fresh green blades pushed through the ashes. At last, the Palm-rat nibbled happily until he was satisfied. Only then did they press forward.
At last, they reached a dense forest. Shadows stretched across the ground, and unseen creatures rustled in the undergrowth. Here, the Dog stopped and declared:
“Now it is my turn. I will dry my nose.”
His companions agreed, for the pact bound them. The Palm-rat and the Hawk fetched sticks, and the Eagle brought fire. Soon, flames danced in the clearing.
The Dog bent close to the blaze, placing his nose near the fire. Yet every time it dried, he licked it and made it wet again. He repeated this endlessly, drying, then licking, over and over. Time slipped away, but his nose never remained dry.
Frustration grew. At last, the Hawk and the Eagle, unable to wait any longer, spread their wings and flew away, abandoning the task. The Palm-rat, though patient at first, could no longer endure the endless waiting. He, too, turned and fled.
The Dog, furious at being left behind, bounded after the Palm-rat. His paws thundered against the ground, chasing him through the forest with unrelenting determination. From that moment on, the Dog and the Palm-rat became bitter enemies. Their enmity, born of impatience and broken promises, endures to this very day.
Moral Lesson
This Congolese folktale teaches us about the balance between patience and selfishness. Each companion delayed the journey for personal reasons, but it was the Dog’s endless, unreasonable demand that finally shattered their bond. The Palm-rat’s refusal to wait any longer sparked lasting enmity.
The story reminds us that harmony depends on fairness and compromise. If one person insists on testing the patience of others without consideration, resentment grows, and trust breaks apart. True companionship requires balance, not selfish persistence.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who were the companions in this Congolese folktale?
A1: The Dog, the Palm-rat, the Hawk, and the Eagle.
Q2: Why did the Eagle delay the group?
A2: He wanted to wait until the palm-nuts ripened so he could eat them.
Q3: What was the Hawk’s condition before moving on?
A3: He wanted the bush to be burned so he could eat the locusts and enjoy the smoke.
Q4: Why did the Palm-rat insist on delaying the journey?
A4: He wanted the fresh grass and canes to grow back so he could eat them.
Q5: What endless task kept the Dog from moving forward?
A5: He kept drying his nose by the fire but licked it wet again each time.
Q6: What is the core lesson of this tale?
A6: It warns against selfishness and highlights the need for fairness and compromise to preserve harmony.
Folktale Origin
Source: Congolese folktale, Central Africa.
