How the Porcupine Got Its Quills

In the beginning, the Porcupine was a soft, fleshy animal with no defenses. He was constantly hunted by the Lion. One day, the Porcupine was hiding in a thorny bush when the Lion attacked. The Lion, in his haste, was badly pricked by the thorns and had to retreat. This gave the Porcupine an idea. He went to ǀKaggen, the creator-god, and asked for help. "I am tired of being hunted," he said. ǀKaggen listened. He took the sharpest thorns from the bush and embedded them all over the Porcupine's back. "Now," said ǀKaggen, "you carry your thorn bush with you. You will no longer have to hide behind your defense; you will be your defense." The next time the Lion attacked the Porcupine, he received a mouthful of sharp quills for his trouble. He never hunted the Porcupine again. The story teaches that even the most vulnerable creature can be given the power to defend itself, and that a good defense is something you carry with you always.