Where Animals Talk; West African Folk Lore Tales/Part 3/Tale 2
TALE 2
Which is the Better Hunter, an Eagle or a Leopard?
Persons
| Mbela (Eagle) | Njĕ (Leopard) |
Eagle and Leopard had a discussion about obtaining prey.
Eagle said, "I am the one who can surpass you in preying." Leopard said, "Not so! Is it not I?"
Then Eagle said, "Wait; see whether you are the one to surpass me in preying." Thereupon he descended from above, seized a child of Leopard, and flew up with it to his nest.
Leopard exclaimed, "Alas! what shall I do?" And he went, and went, walking about, coming to one place, and going to another, wishing to fly in order to go to the rescue of his child. He could not fly, for want of wings; therefore it was the other one who flew up and away.
So it was that the eagle proved that he surpassed the leopard in seeking prey.