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For the Maasai, each day has a
similar rhythm, governed by sun,
wind and the movement of their
cattle. Not surprisingly, many
Maasai tales are about animals.
Some explain why animals look
or act a certain way, while others
are simply humorous tales.
ne day, the hare returned home
to find his front door locked.
The hare, who was well liked by
all the animals, never locked his
door, and had no key. He rattled
the knob, and called "Who is in
my house?" A booming voice replied: "It is I! The one with many jointed
ankles, who crushes elephants and rhinos to the earth
and tramples lions into dust!" The hare was immediately frightened.
Who could be so large and powerful as to crush elephants? The small
hare could not defend himself against such a fierce foe, so he asked
the hyena, the leopard and the elephant for help. Each one came to
the hare’s house, but was too frightened by the occupant’s booming
voice. Despairing, the hare brought the boastful frog to his door to
see if he could help. The frog asked who was there and got the same
answer. So the frog declared loudly; "You'd better come out, because
I am here. I, the one who leaps the longest and has a tongue that
can seize the fastest bird in the sky. I, who rule the waters, and the
lion and the giraffe." From inside, a timid squeak sounded. Hopeful,
all the animals rushed the door. When they found no one inside they
rushed out again, only to find a small caterpillar inching out the door.
Looking at his many feet and strangely jointed legs they knew that
the caterpillar must be the one who had frightened them all, and they
all laughed and were embarrassed by how easily they had been duped.
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