The Hare and the Hyena

If you ever see a hyena, you will surely notice the black stripes on its back that look as if someone has burnt them into the fur. And this is a story about how those stripes came to be

A long time ago, the hyena and the hare got on really well. Then one thing happened that ended their friendship once and for all.

The truth is that the hyena was in fact a cunning creature. She only pretended to be the hare’s friend, using him for her own gain. They often went fishing together, and the hyena always fed on the hare’s catch. One day, the hare pulled out an enormous fish. He said: “I’m going to eat it later. Tonight’s dinner is going to be really rich!”

While the hyena's mouth was watering, she knew she would do better not to think about the delicious fish for the time being. However, after a hard few minutes trying to forget about it, she was still dying to try the catch, and so she came up with a plan.

“Isn’t the fish too big for you, my dearest friend? You’ll be sick if you eat the whole thing,” the hyena warned the hare, yearning to be given a bite of the divine fish as well.

“Oh, don’t worry, I have a plan. I’m going to roast the leftovers and save them for a rainy day,” replied the hare readily.

But the hyena wanted to get her paws on the fish no matter what.

Late that night, she crept up to the hare’s fire. The hare was already fast asleep and content, snoring with his stomach full. The crackling fire was full of hot coals, and there were pieces of crunchy roasted fish all over.…