A young zebra stallion grows up with the support of his herd and leads them to water amidst harassment from baboons. When confronted by a baboon, the stallion’s strength and anger prevail after a dispute over food, leaving the baboon with a bald spot. The tale explains the baboon’s bald back and highlights the zebra’s resilience.
Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910
► Themes of the story
Origin of Things: The tale explains the baboon’s bald back, providing a mythical origin for this physical trait.
Cunning and Deception: The baboon deceives the stallion by licking milk from his tongue, an act that leads to conflict.
Revenge and Justice: The stallion’s retaliation against the baboon for the deceit results in the baboon’s bald spot, serving as a form of justice.
► From the same Region or People
The Baboons, it is said, used to disturb the Zebra Mares in drinking. But one of the Mares became the mother of a foal. The others then helped her to suckle (the young stallion), that he might soon grow up.
When he was grown up and they were in want of water, he brought them to the water. The Baboons, seeing this, came, as they formerly were used to do, into their way, and kept them from the water.
► Continue reading…
While the Mares stood thus, the Stallion stepped forward, and spoke to one of the Baboons, “Thou gum-eater’s child!”
The Baboon said to the Stallion, “Please open thy mouth, that I may see what thou livest on.” The Stallion opened his mouth, and it was milky.
Then the Stallion said to the Baboon, “Please open thy mouth also, that I may see.” The Baboon did so, and there was some gum in it. But the Baboon quickly licked some milk off the Stallion’s tongue. The Stallion on this became angry, took the Baboon by his shoulders, and pressed him upon a hot, flat rock. Since that day the Baboon has a bald place on his back.
The Baboon said, lamenting, “I, my mother’s child, I, the gum-eater, am outdone by this milk-eater!”
Running and expanding this site requires resources: from maintaining our digital platform to sourcing and curating new content. With your help, we can grow our collection, improve accessibility, and bring these incredible narratives to an even wider audience. Your sponsorship enables us to keep the world’s stories alive and thriving. ♦ Visit our Support page
Dreamtime Whispers 