A long time ago when all the animals could sing, talk, and dance like man, there lived a Man and his family, and their neighbours were Dog and his family.
Alas, Man and Dog were sworn enemies. They fought running battles every day, much to the dismay of other animals. Their wives argued whenever they met. And their children teased and threw stones and sticks at each other. Their daily noise disturbed other animals who wished they could get along.
One day, Dog went outside his cave and noticed that the rain had not come early that season, it was hot and dry. His children and wife were hungry. Dog decided to go and hunt. He walked around for days, but could not find any food for his family. He was tired and had lost all his strength, but he kept walking until he came across a river. He bends to drink water, but as he drank his fill, he suddenly fell into the river, and it carried Dog away.
When Dog was finally able to find dry land, he was cold and weak. He wished for a warm place to lay his head. He spotted a fire and walked towards it. He noticed the fire was tended by Man, who sat with his spear in his hand and his head facing the ground sadly. When Man saw Dog, he quickly stood up and drew his spear.
“Please, man.” Dog said his voice faint with weakness, “I only need warmth please help me.”
Man looked at Dog with suspicion and said, “You may lay down at the fire if you promise not to eat me.”
“I promise not to eat you,” Dog said and laid down at the fire as Man tended to it.
“I have fire, but I have no food.” Man said sadly, “My family is hungry, I have searched for food, but I have not been fortunate.”
“You have been kind to me man, I will help you look for food. I am warm now. I can use my nose and my ears to search for food.” Dog said and smiled at Man.
Dog helped Man find food for his family and found food for his own family as well. Man was grateful for the help of Dog and Dog was grateful that Man had helped him. From that moment on, Dog became loyal to Man for saving him and Man became Dog’s best friend.
Their families vowed to always help each other and since then Man and Dog have remained good friends.
Read – The Hungry Lion – A Children’s Story by Moses Tololo, Zambia
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