Why Zebras Have Stripy Coats

Why Zebras Have Stripy Coats, a South African folktale

Long, long ago when the world was young, The Creator made the animals... but they looked all the same even though they were quite different in their habits and temperament.

After a while, the animals became bored with all looking alike so they asked The Creator if he could do something to help them.

The Creator agreed to help, and spent many days and weeks making many coats, hooves and horns of varying styles, shapes and sizes so that the animals could look different from one another.

At long last when The Creator had finished his work, he invited the animals to come to his house and choose what they liked. The animals were very excited, of course, and they eagerly rushed off.

All except Zebra, who was too busy eating her dinner. Now Zebra was well-known for her love of food; it was said that nothing could come between her and her mealtimes.

As Zebra finished her dessert, she remembered The Creator's invitation. Stuffed from a multi-course meal, she was extremely full as she wandered slowly along the road to The Creator's house.

Along the way, she passed many of the other animals who were now on their way back home, and she was surprised at how different they all looked now!

Elephant had chosen a plain grey coat but had a magnificent pair of tusks to complement his outfit. Lion had chosen a sleek golden coat with a dark burnished mane around his neck.

Rhino, being a bit short-sighted, had chosen a coat that was a bit too big for her so it looked baggy, and the 2 horns she picked out were of different sizes.

Zebra quickened her pace... inspired by her newly elegant and stylish friends, her mind worked feverishly over what sort of coat, horns and accessories she would like to have.

When she eventually arrived at the home of The Creator, however, she was dismayed to find that almost everything had been taken! All that was left was a single coat, and no horns at all.

As for the coat, it was a rather garish one, gaudily striped in black and white. Zebra had to take it, though, as there was nothing else left to choose from.

So it is that to this very day, Zebras still wear their flashy black and white coats, and you will very rarely see a thin Zebra because they are still always hungry and eating.

(adapted, via Travel Butlers)

(images via Nik Borrow and Penguin/Random House)