The Rat and the Crocodile: 5 African Fables of Trouble and Treachery

The Rat, erstwhile possessed of considerable wealth, found himself in contrast to the impoverished state of the Crocodile.

The Crocodile, with a lamentable tone, conveyed, “I find myself beset by sundry tribulations.”

The Rat, in a state of bewildered ignorance, enquired, “Pray, what constitutes a ‘tribulation’? Such a concept remains entirely foreign to my understanding.”

With an air of demonstrative intent, the Crocodile declared, “I am capable of furnishing thee with a tangible illustration.”

The Rat, with enthusiastic acquiescence, responded, “Indeed! Pray, grace my abode with thy presence at dinner, and enlighten me with this purported demonstration.”

The Crocodile duly arrived, bearing a sack of substantial proportions. He announced, “I have conveyed ‘tribulation’ hither; however, let us first partake of the repast.”

Subsequent to the conclusion of the dinner, the Crocodile proposed, “Shouldst thou desire a comprehensive acquaintance with ‘tribulation,’ prithee, unfasten the confines of yon sack.”

The Rat, yielding to curiosity, proceeded to liberate the contents of the sack. Forthwith, four felines of formidable aspect emerged. The Rat sought refuge in concealment, yet the rapacious cats did devour his brother, his son, his wife, and her brother, leaving naught but desolation in their wake.

Consequently, the Rat finds himself reduced to a state of impoverishment.

He is now intimately acquainted with the nature of ‘tribulation.’

The denizens of the farmstead were all bound for a divertissement in a neighbouring hamlet.

Each creature adorned themselves in their finest apparel, and the Ewe had fashioned for herself a comely new frock of wool.

'Do I not present a vision of pulchritude?' she enquired, as she footed it merrily all the way to the village.

Upon their arrival, the beasts all betook themselves to the ablutions, as is the customary practice, yet the Ewe forebore, and continued her terpsichorean pursuits.

By the hour of the commencement of the festivities, the Ewe was so utterly spent that she succumbed to slumber, and thus missed the entirety of the divertissement!

Thus, it is the origin of the adage: Refrain from idle sport until the appointed hour.

A most prodigious Python was observed to possess two heads—one situated forward, the other aft—yet was he, regrettably, quite ignorant of the existence of his second cranium.

Upon his utterance of song, he perceived, to his consternation, another voice engaged in synchronous vocalisation.

'Cease this infernal din!' he vociferated with considerable umbrage.

Whenever he was afflicted by a fit of coughing, he was subjected to the self-same auditory experience.

This circumstance engendered within the Python a state of profound vexation.

'Ascertain the identity of this impudent mocker,' quoth Python to his retinue, 'and dispatch him forthwith!'

The servants of Python traversed a considerable distance, eventually arriving at the location of the aforementioned cephalic extremity.

They did then make their return unto Python, declaring, 'His corporeal form is, in verity, thine own!'

'I issued a directive for his extermination!' Python bellowed, his countenance contorted with fury.

With unwavering obedience, the servants hastened to sever the offending head from its corporeal attachment.

Upon their return, they discovered Python bereft of life.

The Serpent and the Rodent were, in days of yore, upon amicable terms.

The Serpent, possessed of considerable means, whilst the Rodent, lamentably, was not.

Quoth the Rodent, 'Let us venture forth, and test our fortunes in a foreign clime.'

To which the Serpent assented, declaring, 'Agreed! We shall employ my accumulated wealth to embark upon a new undertaking together.'

Ere their departure, the Rodent partook of a hearty breakfast, a repast which the Serpent did forgo.

As their peregrinations progressed, the Serpent found himself assailed by the pangs of hunger.

Indeed, he grew exceedingly ravenous.

Whereupon the Rodent, with a measure of equanimity, declared, 'Fret not, for we shall, ere long, arrive at a settlement.'

But the Serpent, in a state of agitation, hissed, 'Ere long is not sufficiently prompt!'

The Rodent, displaying stoicism, counselled, 'Exercise patience, I implore thee.'

The Serpent, however, proved incapable of such restraint. He launched an assault upon the unsuspecting Rodent, and summarily devoured him.

From that lamentable juncture forward, an enmity arose betwixt the Serpent and the Rodent; the Serpent relentlessly pursues the Rodent, and the Rodent, with equal determination, makes his escape.

The Partridge, perceiving the odour of smoke, soon espied the flames, for the herbage was ablaze! Comprehending the peril, she deemed it expedient to take wing and flee.

Yet, even as she prepared for flight, the Puff-Adder did vociferate unto her, saying, “Dear Partridge, abandon me not to this fiery doom! I shall assuredly perish. I implore thee, convey me hence!”

The Partridge, moved by compassion for the seemingly helpless serpent, seized him within her beak and did transport him away from the conflagration.

But the Puff-Adder evinced no gratitude towards his rescuer; nay, quite the contrary.

For upon their descent to terra firma, secure from the peril, the serpent did slay the bird and devour her forthwith.

Thus doth this serve as a cautionary proverb: Mercy hath slain the Partridge.