Why the Hyena Limps
Reading time: 6 min
About this story: Why the Hyena Limps is a set in the . This tale explores themes of and is suitable for . It offers insights. A cunning Hyena's greed leads him to a lifelong lesson—and a limp that never fades.
Long ago, before men walked the earth, before the rivers carved their paths through the land, and before the great baobab trees stood tall, the animals lived in a world of balance. The lion ruled the plains with his strength, the elephant with his wisdom, and the hare with his cleverness. Each animal had its place, its role, and its duty.
But there was one creature who refused to play by the rules—Hyena.
Hyena was neither the strongest nor the wisest. He was not the fastest nor the most skilled. But what he lacked in ability, he made up for with trickery. He was a scavenger, a thief, and a deceiver. He had an insatiable hunger, a belly that never seemed full, and a mind that never stopped scheming.
This is the story of how Hyena, through his own greed and folly, came to walk with a limp. A lesson passed down from generation to generation, reminding all who hear it that those who take without giving, who trick instead of toil, will always find themselves at the mercy of their own misdeeds.
A Belly That Knows No Rest
Hyena was always hungry. It didn’t matter if he had just eaten, if his belly was round and full—his eyes would still search for his next meal. While the other animals worked hard for their food, Hyena preferred to let others do the work for him.
One hot afternoon, as he lay beneath the shade of an acacia tree, his ears perked up. He heard the soft rustling of leaves and the faint sound of chewing. It was Hare, sitting on a rock, nibbling on sweet roots he had dug up from the ground.
Hyena’s mouth watered. He licked his lips and slowly approached.
“Hare, my dear friend,” he said smoothly, his voice as sweet as honey. “What a wonderful meal you have there! Surely, a kind soul like you would not mind sharing with an old friend?”
Hare, who had lived long enough to know Hyena’s tricks, narrowed his eyes. “I worked hard for these roots, Hyena. If you want some, you should dig for your own.”
Hyena sighed dramatically. “Ah, but my poor paws ache, my friend. I have been walking all day in search of food, and alas, I have found nothing.”
Hare smirked. “Perhaps that is because you spend your time scheming instead of searching.”
Hyena gritted his teeth, his tail flicking with irritation. But he did not argue. Instead, he forced a smile and slinked away, already thinking of another way to fill his belly.
The King’s Leftovers
Not far from where Hare sat, the great Lion had just made a kill. The golden-maned king of the savanna feasted on a large buffalo, tearing through flesh and bone with ease. The scent of fresh meat filled the air, making Hyena’s stomach groan.
He licked his lips. Lion always left something behind. And Hyena was always there to claim it.
As Lion finished his meal, he stretched, yawned, and flicked his tail before padding away into the shade for a nap. The moment he disappeared, Hyena crept forward, his paws silent on the dry earth. But just as he reached the carcass, a sharp growl stopped him in his tracks.
Jackal.
Jackal was smaller, but he was clever, and he had arrived first. His sharp yellow eyes glowed as he bared his teeth.
“I was here first, Hyena,” Jackal said, his voice smooth but firm.
Hyena’s ears flattened. “And what do you suggest we do about it?”
Jackal grinned. “A contest. We both take a piece of meat. Whoever eats theirs the fastest gets to claim the rest.”
Hyena’s eyes gleamed. He was sure he could eat faster than Jackal.
So they both tore off a chunk of meat. Hyena swallowed his in seconds, licking his chops in triumph. But when he looked up, Jackal had not eaten his. Instead, he turned and darted away—with the entire carcass.
Hyena’s laughter turned into a howl of rage.
“Tricked again!” he snarled.
The Bitter Taste of Honey
Determined to find something to eat, Hyena wandered to the edge of the forest, where he saw Baboon sitting in a tree, dipping his fingers into golden honeycomb.
Hyena’s stomach growled. He loved honey—its sweetness, its richness.
“Baboon, my dear, wise friend!” Hyena called up. “What a feast you have! Surely, a kind creature like yourself would not let a poor, starving soul suffer?”
Baboon smirked. “If you want honey, climb up and get it yourself.”
Hyena hesitated. He was not built for climbing, but his hunger was too strong. He scrambled up the tree, paws slipping on the bark, until finally, he reached the branch.
The moment he reached for the honey, the bees swarmed him.
Pain exploded across his face as tiny stingers pierced his skin. He howled in agony, lost his grip, and tumbled to the ground with a THUD.
Baboon howled with laughter. “Perhaps now you will learn that greed does not pay!”
Hyena whimpered, licking his wounds, but still, he had learned nothing.
The Magic Rock
Days passed, and Hyena’s belly remained empty. Then, one evening, he stumbled upon Tortoise, sitting beside a large, glowing rock.
“What is this?” Hyena asked.
Tortoise, slow and wise, replied, “This is no ordinary rock. It is a gift from the spirits. Knock three times, and it will provide a feast. But beware, Hyena—do not be greedy.”
Hyena’s eyes gleamed. “Let me try!”
He knocked three times and whispered, “Oh, great rock, grant me a feast!”
A large meal of roasted meat and sweet fruit appeared before him. Hyena devoured it, but as soon as he was done, he wanted more.
He knocked again. And again. And again. Each time, the rock obeyed.
Then, suddenly, the rock cracked. The ground trembled. The earth beneath him split open.
Hyena let out a terrible scream as he fell into a deep hole.
The Limping Shadow
For days, Hyena lay at the bottom of the hole, crying out for help. But the animals did not come. They had all learned their lesson—Hyena never gave, only took.
At last, the rains came. The water softened the earth, and Hyena managed to claw his way out. But his back leg, crushed from the fall, was never the same again.
He limped from that day forward, a broken shadow of the cunning trickster he once was.
And so, even today, when you see a hyena limp across the savanna, remember this story. Remember that greed and trickery may fill your belly for a time—but in the end, they will always leave you empty.
