How the Hare Tricked the Baboon

Tsuro the Hare and a Baboon were friends. During a drought, they found a tree laden with delicious fruit, but it was guarded by a fierce farmer. Tsuro told the Baboon, "I have a plan. You have a beautiful, bushy tail. We will tell the farmer it is a special whisk (chiremba) for brushing away flies. While I distract him by showing him how it works, you must quickly eat as much fruit as you can." The Baboon agreed. They went to the farmer, and the Hare began to demonstrate how the "whisk" worked, brushing the farmer's face and shoulders. While the farmer was distracted and pleased, the Baboon was supposed to be eating. But the Baboon was so captivated by the attention his tail was getting that he just stood there, beaming with pride, and ate nothing. When the farmer finally left, the Hare had eaten his fill from the other side of the tree, but the proud Baboon was still hungry. The story teaches that vanity will make you forget your own needs.