The Hare and the Lion – A story from Burkina Faso

 African Lion & Environmental Research Trust

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One day, the hare set fire to the bush. Unfortunately, the fire reached the lions’ children. The lionpromised to give a buffalo to the one who had set the fire to the bush. The hare wen

t to inform the hyenaabout this.“My dear hyena, the lion wants to see to the one who burned the bush today, so that he can offer him a buffalo!” The hyena went to find the lion: “My dear lion, it appears you are looking for the one who set the bush on fire?”The lion said yes. The hyena said that she was the one. The lion replied: “Oh really? So it was you who set fire to the bush?” The hyena continued to say yes. So, the lion set off and asked her to follow him.

A little farther on the lion asked again: “Who burned this place, here?” “I’m the one who burned all of that” the hyena replied. The lion continued his walk with the hyena.

A little farther on, the lion asked his question again: “Who burned this place here?” “Didn’t I already tell you that I am the one who burned the whole area?” said the hyena with some annoyance. They kept walking. When they came to a small tree called a bagênd, the lion asked her once more: “Who burned this area?” “I already told you that I am the one who burned all that you see” said the hyena.

The lion walked around the small tree behind which were his dead cubs. He asked the hyena: “Who burned this area?” “No it wasn’t me. The fires got mixed up. I’m not the one who set the fire here” said the hyena. The lion seized her and cut off her paws. Even today, when the lion finds the hyena he cuts off her paws; he doesn’t kill her.

Don’t mess with dad! Find out more about lions in Burkino Faso at http://lionalert.org/alert/country/detail/code/BF