Long ago, when animals still gathered in great councils and spoke to one another with wisdom and fear, they faced a problem that weighed heavily on their minds. The grass-eating creatures of the wilderness, zebra, antelope, buffalo, and many more, were constantly hunted by lions, leopards, and other flesh-eaters. Tired of falling prey to their predators, they decided to meet in one place and devise a plan for their protection.
When the animals were assembled, the sable was the first to speak. “We should have long, curved nails on our toes. With such weapons, lions and leopards would not dare to pounce upon us.”
The oribi, nodding in agreement, quickly seconded the sable’s idea.
But the buffalo rose, his voice strong and commanding. “Would it not be wiser,” he argued, “to have some defensive organ placed just above our hind legs? Then, if a hunter or predator chases us from behind, we would strike back with ease.”
The kudu, lechwe, and gnu murmured in support of the buffalo’s suggestion, stamping the ground to show approval.
Next, the puku, warthog, and buck offered their view. “We should make our bodies as thick and solid as that of a tortoise. Then no lion’s teeth or leopard’s claws could harm us.”
The eland and antelope disagreed. They lifted their heads proudly and said, “What we need are tails like those of crocodiles. With such strong weapons behind us, we could defend ourselves even while grazing.”
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The assembly buzzed with debate. Each animal defended its idea, yet no one found a proposal that satisfied them all.
At last, the elephant, towering above the rest, stepped forward to share his wisdom. “Friends, I have listened to your suggestions,” he began gravely. “But each has its weakness. Nails on the toes may not help against an attack from the side. Defensive organs above the hind legs cannot save us from a strike to the head. Thick skin does not protect me or the rhinoceros from spears or claws. And as for crocodile tails, are they truly useful for us who graze on land?”
The animals fell silent, waiting for him to continue.
“In my opinion,” the elephant declared, “the best protection would be organs placed on or around our heads. With them, we could fight back against attacks from any direction.”
The animals shouted with one voice, “Yes! Yes! You are right. You must go to Leza, the great God, and present our case to him.”
The Gift of Leza
The elephant journeyed to Leza and spoke on behalf of all. “O Lord, we your creatures are hunted day and night. We ask for protection, that we may live in safety.”
Leza listened carefully, then nodded. “Your request is wise,” he said. “Tomorrow, at noon, you shall receive gifts of many shapes and sizes. Take what suits you best and place it upon your heads. These gifts will defend you and add to your beauty.”
The elephant returned with this good news, and the animals rejoiced. The next day, long before noon, they began their journey to the appointed place. They ran, trotted, and bounded eagerly, determined to claim their new weapons.
On the way, they passed the zebra, who was quietly grazing on fresh green grass.
“Zebra!” called the duiker. “Come quickly! Leza has promised us defensive organs. Do you not wish to protect yourself?”
The zebra looked up lazily and answered, “Go on without me. I am content here.” Then he lowered his head and went back to grazing.
The others shook their heads and hurried on.
The Distribution of Horns
At the sacred place, the animals found an astonishing sight. Spread across the ground were hard, pointed objects of every shape and size. They were horns, shining, strong, and beautiful.
Excitedly, the animals began to choose. The sable fitted a pair of long, curved horns upon his head. The buffalo took massive horns that curved outward with power. The kudu selected spiralled horns, elegant and tall. The warthog, puku, and buck found smaller, sharp horns that suited them well.
One by one, every animal found a pair to match its body. The elephant stood by, offering advice and helping them fix their new adornments. At last, when all were done, only two tusk-like horns remained. With a smile, the elephant set them in his own temples.
When the animals looked at one another, they saw that they had been transformed. They stood taller, braver, and more splendid than ever before. They returned home rejoicing, filled with pride at their new strength.
The Zebra’s Loss
At last, the zebra, hearing their laughter and seeing their beauty from afar, realized his mistake. He raced to the place where the gifts had been left. But when he arrived, he found the ground bare. All the horns had been taken.
Only two things remained: a drooping lip and a striped skin. Desperate not to be left with nothing, the zebra hurriedly put them on.
Leza, who watched all from above, saw his greed and carelessness. “Zebra,” he thundered, “you ignored wisdom and chose to feed your stomach instead of preparing for danger. Now you grasp at what is left. You are a glutton and deserve to remain hornless.”
From that day, the zebra bore stripes and a heavy lip, but no horns.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches the value of readiness and attention. The zebra lost the chance to gain horns because he ignored the call of his companions and chose comfort over action. In life, opportunities do not wait for the careless or the lazy. The story reminds us that preparation, discipline, and alertness are necessary for survival, while negligence brings regret.
Knowledge Check
Q1: What problem led the animals to gather?
A: They sought protection from predators like lions and leopards.
Q2: Which animal first suggested curved nails as weapons?
A: The sable.
Q3: Who went to Leza on behalf of the animals?
A: The elephant.
Q4: What gifts did Leza provide to protect the animals?
A: Horns of various shapes and sizes.
Q5: Why did the zebra remain without horns?
A: He ignored the warning, arrived late, and only stripes and a drooping lip were left.
Q6: What cultural origin preserves this folktale?
A: The Bemba people of Zambia.
Source: Bemba folktales, Folktales of Zambia by Chiman L. Vyas (1969), Zambia
