123. The Hyena and the Muddy Rabbit (2)

Hyena found Rabbit squashed in the mud. Thinking he was dead, she exclaimed, “How good he will be to eat!”
As she picked Rabbit up, she saw how dirty he was and decided to wash him in the pool.
All the time, Rabbit held his breath so Hyena wouldn’t realize he was still alive. If she knew he was alive, she would have to kill him for real.
After washing Rabbit, Hyena left him in the sun to dry while she took a nap. When Rabbit heard her snoring, he jumped and ran, shouting to Hyena, “Thanks for the bath!”

[a Tsonga story from southern Africa] 



Inspired by: "The Hare and the Lion: A. The Mud" in The Life of a South African Tribe: volume 2 by Henri Junod, 1912.
Notes: This is a continuation of: Rabbit and the Cloud-Islands.



1 comment:

  1. Haha Hyena playing right into clever Rabbit's hands there!

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