Rabbit tricked Rhino and Hippo into playing tug-of-war. They thought they were competing against Rabbit, but Rabbit tied the rope so they pulled against each another: Hippo down in the water, Rhino up on the bank.
Amazed at Rabbit's strength, Hippo stuck his head out of the water and Rhino came to the river's edge.
"It's you!" shouted Hippo.
"It's you!" shouted Rhino.
Then Hippo exclaimed, "Rabbit tied me!"
"He tied me too!" exclaimed Rhino.
They were both angry at Rabbit, but henceforth Hippo and Rhino became friends: now Rhino drinks from the river, and Hippo grazes on the riverbank.
Inspired by: "Hare Makes Hippopotamus and Rhinoceros Engage in a Tug-of-War" in The Ila-Speaking Peoples Of Northern Rhodesia, Volume 2 by Edwin Smith and Andrew Murray Dale, 1920.
Notes: You can read the original story online. This is a widespread folktale type, and the authors include notes about parallels. What is distinctive about this version is the emphasis on the reconciliation between the hippo and rhino.
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The strong animals might have become best mates following their ordeal but they'll never be able to outwit the rabbit!
ReplyDeleteRabbit who laughed and laughed at how stupid they both were! Who needs muscles when you have superior intelligence?
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