The Hare, the Hyena and the Farmer Trickster Oral Narrative
Read the Oral Narrative Below and Answer the Questions That Follow.
Once upon a time, there was a prosperous farmer whose sweet potato farm withstood the dry weather and become the envy of the villagers. The surrounding farms had been hit by crop failure during that season. Many people came to this farmer to seek advice on how to prepare their farms for the next planting season. The farmer felt blessed.
As time went by, however he realized that his blessings was actually a source of trouble. Since there was no food elsewhere in the village, he had to guard his farm day and night. He made a duty roster for the members of his family. Regardless of how keenly they watched over the farm, however, a thief would sneak in at least one every day. This brought a lot of disagreement among the family members.
They began accusing one another of sleeping on duty. Unfortunately, the thief did not have a predictable pattern. Sometimes the thief stole at dawn, sometimes in the morning and other times at night.
After many sleepless nights, the farmer devised a method of catching this clever thief. He made a tar statue that had a woman’s figure and placed it in the middle of the farm. He hung a snuffbox around its neck and then hid nearby to see what would happen.
When the morning dew had fallen off, Hare and his friend Hyena came as usual. They waited for a chance to steal some sweet potatoes.
‘Today, there is a woman,’ Hare said as they got to their hiding place.
‘Yes, Hyena responded. ‘I am sure she will doze off like the others.’
‘Remember, today it is your turn to dig out the sweet potatoes as I keep watch,’ Hare remained Hyena.
‘You don’t have to remind me.’ Hyena retorted. ‘I know my job well.’
Then the waiting began. They waited and waited and waited. When it was past midday they realized that the person on duty that day was not likely to doze or take time off, even to answer a call of nature. They had to work out a different plan.
‘You have a sweet tongue, Hare. Go and engage the woman in some conversation. Then I will dig out at least two sweet potatoes to stop the hunger pangs,’ Hyena suggested.
Hare was flattered. He took up the challenge and confidently walked towards the statue. The farmer, in his hiding place, was about to give up when the sight of Hare walking into the farm jerked him to full attention.
‘Good afternoon, Madam,’ Hare said, after walking up to the statue. There was no response.
‘Hey, I am talking to you. Why don’t you want to answer my greetings?’ Hare persisted, but again there was no response.
‘All right, if you will speak to me, at least shake my hand.’ Hare said, offering his hand in greeting, but there was no acknowledgement.
‘Now you are beginning to upset me. If you will not stretch your hand to me, I can shake it where it is.’
Hare tried to shake the statue’s hand but his hand got stuck.
‘Let go of my hand or I will damage your face!’ said Hare angrily.
When he got no response, he slapped the statue with his free hand. It, too. Got stuck. ‘Let go of my hands unless you are looking for a kick,’ Hare protested as he kicked the statue with his right foot which also got stuck.
Soon Hare had all his limbs, and head too, stuck to the statue. While all this was going on, Hyena was dying of laughter from his hideout. Hyena’s laughter was, however, cut short by the sudden appearance of the farmer from a nearby bush.
‘So you are the one who has been stealing my sweet potatoes? Today I will skin you alive,’ the farmer said to Hare as he unrolled his whip.
‘Oh no! Please, I only came to ask for snuff from the lady here but she won’t let me have any.’ Hare protested.
The farmer was not listening to this. The whip began descending on Hare’s back at a terrific speed. Hyena could not control his laughter at seeing Hare suffer helplessly. He had suffered a lot at the hands of Hare and he found the laughter relieving. He prayed that Hare would not hear him laughing. Hyena was, however, laughing loudly and it hurt Hare more than the whip did.
After the farmer had done some justice on Hare, he decided that the most effective punishment was to leave Hare stuck on the statue overnight. When Hyena was sure the farmer had left, he rushed to free his friend. He tried to sound sympathetic, but he could not completely hide his amusement. It did not take long to get Hare free.
Hare’s back was hurting terribly, but he pretended that he was all right. He suggested that since they knew the farmer would not be coming back that night, they should dig up a lot of sweet potatoes, enough for a week. Hyena did not argue. He knew Hare was hurting and he did not want to displease him further. After they had harvested enough sweet potatoes, Hare suggested that they destroy the statue. Again, Hyena readily accepted.
‘Hyena, there is no doubt you are stronger than me. Please finish the job as I put the sweet potatoes in the sack,’ Hare prompted.
Though Hyena was still suspicious of the statue, he accepted the challenge. Before he knew it, he had all his limbs stuck to the statue.
‘Help me, Hare,’ Hyena said to the Hare in a desperate voice.
‘Of course,’ said Hare in delight as he pushed Hyena’s belly and head on to the statue. ‘Greet the farmer when he comes in the morning.’
With that, Hare left carrying the sack of sweet potatoes.
Questions on the Hare and the Hyena Trickster Narrative
Why did the sweet potato farm become the envy of the villagers? (2mks)
The sweet potato farm became the envy of the village since there was no food elsewhere.
What was it about the tar statue that made Hare so angry? (2mks)
The statue never responded to his greetings and never acknowledged his hand in greeting.
What were the roles of Hyena and Hare during the sweet potato raid? (2mks)
The Hyena was to dig out the sweet potatoes, while Hare was to keep watch.
How did Hyena react when Hare was whipped by the farmer? (2mks)
Hyena could not control his laughter. He was dying of laughter from his hideout.
Why did Hyena agree to demolish the statue? (2mks)
The Hyena agreed because he knew Hare was hurting and did not want to argue as it would have displeased him further.
What do you think the famer did when he found Hyena trapped the following morning(2 marks)
Award any answer that is relatable – He whipped Hyena’s back.
Classify the above narrative and give a reason for your answer. (2mks)
Trickster narrative. Both Hyena and Hare play tricks on each other.
Why are the words ‘Hare’ and ‘Hyena’ capitalized in this story? (1mk)
Hare and Hyena are personified. They have been given human attributes.
Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage. (3mks)
Flattered - felt honoured
Pangs – sharp pains caused by hunger
Retorted – answered back angrily