Why the Hyena Has a Sloping Back

The Hyena was a clumsy and greedy hunter. He saw the Lion bring down a buffalo and was filled with envy. He went to Unkulunkulu, the creator, and complained. "Great Father, you gave the Lion strength and the Leopard speed, but I am clumsy. It is not fair." Unkulunkulu, wanting to help, said, "I will give you a gift. I will give you powerful front legs and shoulders, stronger than any other animal, so you may pull down any prey." Unkulunkulu touched the Hyena, and its front half became immensely powerful. The Hyena was overjoyed and went to hunt. He was now so strong that he could easily kill a wildebeest. But he was also lazy. He found it was much easier to use his new strength to steal kills from other predators. He would wait for a leopard to make a kill, then rush in and use his powerful shoulders to drive it away. Because he spent all his time leaning over, guarding stolen carcasses, his powerful front legs grew long and strong, while his unused back legs remained short and weak. This is why the hyena has its strange, sloping back—it is the mark of a creature who was given a great gift of strength but chose to become a thief instead of a mighty hunter.