Now, when the Creator was making all the animals he had a fire that he refined them in before sending them out into the bush. When he had nearly finished he came to make the Steenbok - possibly the most beautiful creature of them all. The Creator was so pleased that he decided to take a break and went out to look at what he had created so far.

As the days passed the fire became very low and threatened to extinguish altogether. The hyena who was always wandering around, curious as to what was going on saw this and decided to help. But the hyena was a stupid animal and the only thought he had was to catch the animal that he thought had taken the energy from the fire and place it back in so the fire would get its life back.

So off went the hyena to catch the steenbok and after a day and a night he found the steenbok and killed him and dragged him back to the fire. In the meantime though the kori bustard had also noticed the dwindling fire and had fanned the flames with his enormous wings.

The hyena realised that he had misunderstood the situation and was deeply ashamed of his mistake. When the Creator returned he was very angry with the hyena for destroying the beautiful steenbok and he took a burning log from the fire and shoved it up the hyena's rear. The hyena howled and he rushed off into the bush in his shame and despair.

And the hyena is still so ashamed and sorry for his mistake that he cannot even cry and his tears come out as desperate laughter.

Well that is how it was told to me.

© Afrikeye 1999 - 2007 (certain items under permission of original copyright owner)

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