The Hyena's False Friendship

During a famine, the Hyena had no food, but he knew the Hare had a secret store of peanuts. The Hyena went to the Hare's house and pretended to be a loyal friend, offering to help him with chores. The trusting Hare welcomed him. One day, the Hyena said, "Friend Hare, let us play a game. We will tie each other up to see who is stronger." The Hare agreed. The Hyena tied the Hare with weak grass, which the Hare easily broke. Then it was the Hare's turn. He told the Hyena, "For this game to be fair, I must use the strongest rope, the kind our ancestors used." He then tied the Hyena up with thick, strong vines, binding him completely. With the Hyena trapped, the Hare revealed his knowledge of the Hyena's plan to steal his peanuts. "You pretended to be a friend only because you are greedy," the Hare said. He then took the Hyena's own walking stick and gave him a sound beating before sending him away in disgrace. The story teaches that a false friend with a greedy heart will always be exposed and punished.