The Cunning Hare and the Crocodile
Reading time: 6 min
About this story: The Cunning Hare and the Crocodile is a Folktale from Ghana set in the Ancient. This Humorous tale explores themes of Wisdom and is suitable for All Ages. It offers Moral insights. A cunning hare outwits a mighty crocodile in a battle of wits and wisdom.
A long time ago, deep in the heart of Ghana, where the great rivers flowed and the forests stretched wide, lived a small but clever hare named Kwaku. He was not the strongest, nor was he the fastest, but he was, without question, the smartest animal in the land. His mind was as sharp as a hunter's spear, and his tongue could weave words like a skilled storyteller.
The river, however, was ruled by a different kind of creature—Nyamekye, the great crocodile. His body was armored with thick scales, his jaws were powerful enough to snap bones, and his presence struck fear into all the animals who dared to approach the water’s edge. No one questioned his rule over the river, for who would dare challenge such a beast?
Well… except for Kwaku.
One day, Kwaku overheard a group of frightened antelopes whispering under a great baobab tree.
“The crocodile is hunting too close to the shore,” one said.
“It’s becoming dangerous to even drink water,” another added.
Kwaku's ears twitched as he listened. He grinned to himself. "It seems," he thought, "that it is time for me to teach old Nyamekye a lesson."
With that, Kwaku hopped toward the riverbank, ready to do what he did best—outwit.
The Challenge Begins
Kwaku stood at the muddy riverbank, his sharp eyes scanning the still water. He knew Nyamekye was lurking beneath the surface, waiting, watching. So, he called out in a loud and confident voice,
“Nyamekye, great king of the river, I summon you!”
For a moment, there was silence. Then, the water rippled, and slowly, the crocodile’s massive head rose above the surface. His yellow eyes gleamed as he fixed his gaze on the small hare.
“You summon *me*?” Nyamekye growled, his deep voice rolling like distant thunder.
“Indeed, I do,” Kwaku replied smoothly. “I have heard of your great strength, but tell me, are you as powerful as they say?”
Nyamekye’s pride swelled. “I am the strongest in this river, little one. No creature can match me!”
Kwaku smirked. “Ah, but strength alone is not enough, my friend. Intelligence is the true mark of a leader. Tell me, would you be willing to prove your strength in a challenge against me?”
Nyamekye scoffed. “You? A tiny hare? You could never defeat me.”
“Then you have nothing to lose by accepting,” Kwaku said, his eyes gleaming.
Nyamekye hesitated for a moment, then finally growled, “Fine. I accept your challenge. But be warned, hare—I do not lose.”
Kwaku grinned. “We shall see.”
The First Trick
The next morning, as the sun rose over the land, Kwaku arrived at the riverbank carrying a bundle of strong vines. He found Nyamekye waiting, his giant tail resting in the shallow water.
“Our first challenge is simple,” Kwaku announced. “I will tie you up, and if you can break free, you win.”
Nyamekye laughed, a deep, rumbling sound. “That is too easy!”
Kwaku only smiled and set to work. He wrapped the vines around Nyamekye’s thick limbs, coiling them tightly. He looped the vines over the crocodile’s broad back, secured his massive tail, and tied careful knots around his scaly snout. With each loop, he pulled the vines tighter until Nyamekye could barely move.
“Now,” Kwaku said, stepping back, “break free.”
Nyamekye flexed his muscles and thrashed his tail, but the vines held firm. He twisted and jerked, but the knots only tightened. The more he struggled, the more entangled he became.
The animals gathered around, watching in amusement as the mighty crocodile failed to escape.
At last, Nyamekye slumped in defeat. “Fine, you win this round,” he grumbled.
Kwaku grinned. “A lesson for you, my friend—sometimes, the smallest things can be the strongest.”
The River Race
The next day, Nyamekye was determined to win. He met Kwaku at the river, his golden eyes filled with challenge.
“This time,” he declared, “*I* will choose the test! We shall race across the river. Let us see if your tricks can help you now.”
Kwaku nodded. “Very well. On the count of three, we go.”
Nyamekye slid into the water, his massive tail swishing. Kwaku, however, remained on the shore.
“One… two… three!”
Nyamekye surged forward, cutting through the water with powerful strokes. He was halfway across when Kwaku suddenly called out,
“Wait, wait! I was not ready!”
Nyamekye stopped and turned. “What now?”
“It is not fair,” Kwaku said. “You are made for the water, and I am not. Let me ride on your back so we can make it a true test of speed.”
Nyamekye, eager to prove his speed, agreed. “Climb on, then.”
Kwaku leapt onto the crocodile’s back, settled comfortably, and said, “Now go!”
Nyamekye swam furiously, reaching the other side quickly. As soon as they arrived, Kwaku hopped off and stretched.
“I win!” he declared.
Nyamekye blinked in confusion. “But I did all the work!”
“Ah,” Kwaku said, “but I crossed the river without moving a muscle. That, my friend, is the true victory.”
The animals on the shore burst into laughter.
The Final Trick
Nyamekye was growing angrier with each defeat. He was a mighty crocodile! How could he lose to a mere hare?
“This time,” he growled, “there will be no tricks. You must place your paw inside my mouth and pull it out before I can bite down.”
The animals gasped.
Kwaku, however, remained calm. “Very well. Open wide.”
Nyamekye parted his massive jaws, revealing sharp teeth gleaming in the sun. Slowly, Kwaku placed his small paw inside, feeling the heat of the crocodile’s breath.
Before Nyamekye could snap his jaws shut, Kwaku spoke.
“Tell me, Nyamekye—who is stronger, the mighty crocodile or the clever hare?”
Nyamekye hesitated. If he said himself, Kwaku would call him a liar. If he admitted the hare was smarter, he would lose again.
As he thought, Kwaku swiftly withdrew his paw. *Snap!* Nyamekye’s jaws clamped shut—but too late.
“The hare is the cleverest!” the animals cheered.
Nyamekye sighed. He had been outwitted again. But then, he did something unexpected—he laughed.
“Very well, Kwaku,” he said, shaking his head. “You have won. Intelligence is, indeed, greater than strength.”
And from that day forward, Nyamekye ruled the river with wisdom, no longer terrorizing the other animals.
Conclusion
The tale of *The Cunning Hare and the Crocodile* teaches us that wit and intelligence can triumph over brute strength. Kwaku, though small, proved that cleverness can overcome even the mightiest of challenges.
And so, in the forests and rivers of Ghana, the animals lived in harmony, always remembering that it is not the size of a creature, but the sharpness of the mind, that truly matters.
