The Elephant, the Hare and the Leopard

Told by Elizabeth Mudiywa

Elders & WisdomMorals & LessonsNature & AnimalsTrickery & Wit

22 Jul 2026 06:45 Central Africa

About this story

The Elephant, the Hare and the Leopard is an African animal tale about honesty, consequences and the dangers of acting only for oneself. In a kingdom ruled by Elephant, flesh-eating is strictly forbidden. When Leopard enters the kingdom and attacks Kalulu the hare, he tries to escape punishment by claiming that he too lives only on fruit, leaves, grass and honey. Elephant decides to test his honesty - with consequences that explain how Leopard came to have black spots.

00:00

If you alone take medicine for long life, you are going to remain alone in the wasteland. If you alone continue to take medicine for long life, you are going to remain in the wasteland.

00:20

Many, many years ago, in the tropical jungles of Central Africa, there was a kingdom ruled by Elephant as king. His subjects liked him because they thought he was fair and just.

00:40

But he had one law that he was so serious about: “No flesh-eating in my kingdom,” he would tell his subjects.

00:55

“Do as I do. Eat fruits, leaves from the trees, grass from the plain lands around us, and honey from the honeycombs in the forest. That way we will have less enemies and the food is good for us all.”

01:20

“Yes, yes, yes,” the subjects agreed with him. “He is telling the truth.” But they forgot one thing. There were many kingdoms surrounding them, and they did not have to follow the Elephant King’s law.

Download full transcript (PDF)

Five Aside Theatre

The Elephant, the Hare and the Leopard

About this story

More stories in the archive

Trust and Innocence

The More You Give, the More You Get

An Ant Never Borrow, An Ant Never Lend

Greedy Man Never Prosper

Marigold and Regal