The Horse and the Dog of the Chief

A Herero chief had a swift Horse for raiding and warfare, and a loyal Dog for guarding his homestead (onganda). The Horse was arrogant. "I am the chief's favourite," it boasted to the Dog. "I carry him to victory and am a symbol of his power." The Dog replied, "You are there for the noise of battle, but I am here for the silence of the night." One night, while the Horse was asleep in its enclosure, Nama raiders tried to sneak into the homestead to steal cattle. The Dog, ever watchful, heard the faint sound of footsteps and began to bark furiously, alerting the warriors who were sleeping in the main hut. The raiders were driven off, and the cattle—the true wealth of the chief—were saved. The next day, the chief praised the Dog, saying, "The Horse is the symbol of my power to take from others, but the Dog is the guardian of the wealth I already have. A loyal guard is more valuable than the swiftest steed."