Rooster was the king of his village, but then Lion came, and he challenged Rooster for the kingship.
The village elders tried to make peace between them, but Rooster shouted, "I am king! Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
Lion roared in reply, "No, I am king!"
So they fought.
Lion was strong, but Rooster was fast.
Rooster scratched out Lion's eyes.
Then Rooster ripped open Lion's belly and gave Lion's guts to the village elders.
Lion fled in defeat, barely alive.
Rooster was still the king of his village, and that is why lions live in the wilderness now, far away from the roosters.
Inspired by: "Lion and Cock" in Kamba Folklore. I: Tales of Animals by Gerhard Lindblom, 1928.
Notes: You can read the original story online. The author explains in a note how this story mirrors the process for a dispute with the elders attempting to mediate and then, if that fails, armed combat.
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