“Please, I have a rotten husband who doesn’t provide for me, and it has been many days since I have eaten,” said the stranger. “And you have more meat than you could possibly eat. Be kind and give me a little taste.” So the Hare took his knife and gave the mother a generous helping of the meat.
No sooner had she left, however, than there came another knock on the gate. It was the Hyena’s father. “Please, I have a wicked wife who will not cook for me,” said the stranger. “And you have more meat than you could possible eat. Be kind and give me a little taste.” So the Hare took his knife and gave the father a generous helping of the meat. After the father came the brother, then the two sisters, and finally the aunts and uncles. But the Hare was generous and turned no one away. When at last they were at peace, the Hare looked down on the sad carcass, which was nothing more than a pile of organs and an empty skin, and said to the Hyena: “Well, now I shall eat.” Then he reached into the pile of organs, pulled out the heart, and took a big bite. But then, O! the Hare was violently ill—he clutched at his stomach and started to shake violently, then fell on his back and commenced rolling around on the ground. Then he gave one last cry and went limp. |
The Hyena rushed to his side and tried to rouse him with a shake, but the Hare appeared to be dead.
“O no!” said the Hyena, looking around. “It must have been the meat!” The Hyena ran from the body of his friend and went to his family’s compound. “Don’t eat the meat,” he screamed, “it’s poisoned!” So the Hyena and his family collected all the meat and tossed it into the bush. Meanwhile, the Hare waited till the Hyena had gone, then jumped up and hurried to his father’s compound. There, the two watched as the Hyena clan carried the meat and dumped it in the bush. Once they had all gone, the rabbits retrieved the meat and cooked a great feast, which they dedicated to their friends, the Hyenas. |