A Terrible Friend
A Terrible Friend, a traditional African folk story
Leopard and Fire were once good friends and although they had known one another for many years, Fire never visited Leopard despite the regular visits Leopard paid to Fire's house
As time passed, Leopard felt increasingly unhappy about this situation: in fact, she began to feel cheated and less-important. Then, on one fine evening at Fire's house, Leopard vented her feelings
She told Fire just how sad she was so Fire might understand why she should be visited as well... or their longstanding relationship would come to an end
Fire smiled and looked thoughtful - he was eager to please his good friend. Fire then told Leopard that travel was difficult, and that before he could visit some special arrangements must be made...
Firstly, Fire explained, firewood must be piled alongside the path to Leopard's hut. Next, a big bundle of firewood must be set outside Leopard's hut so the flames could sustain him during his visit
It was a Herculean task but Leopard obeyed all of the instructions, just to ensure that Fire would be safe... and would have no excuse to refuse her hospitality
On the evening of the visit, Fire found his way to Leopard's hut by burning through the firewood Leopard had arranged along the path. They then enjoyed a friendly get-together, as they always had...
Until they realized the big pile of firewood had been consumed! In a panic, Leopard ran about helter-skelter in search of anything that might sustain Fire. She gave him a few bundles of dried grass...
...but Fire immediately burnt them to ashes and requested more!
When there was nothing left for Fire to burn, he jumped onto Leopard's hut and began consuming the reeds. Leopard begged her friend not to burn down her hut but Fire wouldn't listen
Leopard kept on trying, though - she wanted so badly to save her friend AND her home. Finally, half-burnt to a crisp herself, wounded Leopard ran off since Fire was completely beyond control
And that, my friends, is why Fire has no friends and Leopard is covered in black spots: They are scars of the burns she suffered while pleading for Fire to spare her hut
(adapted, via Elias Ozikpu at Arts on the Move)
(images via Conservation Namibia, The Knot, and Raxon Rex)