Why the Porcupine has Quills

Why the Porcupine has Quills, an African folklore legend

Long ago, Porcupine was a most handsome creature and he possessed a luxuriant coat of fur. As he looked so splendid and many of the other animals often complimented him, Porcupine became quite vain.

One day while Porcupine was talking to Jackal, he boasted that if all the other animals were as beautiful as he, then the world would be an altogether much nicer place.

This vain remark annoyed Jackal, and so he plotted to spoil Porcupine's beauty once and for all. Several days later, Porcupine happened to meet Jackal again.

“Listen Porcupine,” said Jackal, pretending to be kind. “In that thorn thicket beyond the waterhole lives a shaman whose powerful medicines can make you look even more beautiful than you are now.”

“Go on over and seek his help. But before you do, leave your handsome coat of fur with me so that it will not get spoiled.”

The conceited Porcupine fell for Jackal's scheme. He took off his much-admired coat, leaving it in Jackal's care. Thanking Jackal for his thoughtfulness, Porcupine made his way to the thorn patch.

Porcupine had only pushed himself into the thicket a short distance before he was badly pricked all over by the sharp thorns. Try as he might, he could not move any further forward.

Stymied, frustrated and weeping profusely, Porcupine backed his way out of the thorn patch. This was very painful, for most of the thorns broke off in his skin and he could not pull them out.

“Hahaha,” cackled the cunning Jackal. “As you could never get your lovely coat over all those ugly spines, I shall wear it myself!” And off Jackal ran, laughing all the way.

Today we see that Jackal wears a handsome coat of thick fur while Porcupine hides away during the day, only coming out after dark because all the other animals mock him for his former vanity.

(adapted via The Blanketwrap)

(image via Hans De Bisschop)