Why the Giraffe is Silent

In the beginning of the world, all the animals could speak. The Giraffe, who could see farther than any other creature, was the designated watchman for the animals of the plains. One day, from his great height, he saw a group of human hunters approaching from a direction the other animals could not see. He was about to give a great cry of warning, but a malicious spirit, who was an enemy of the animals, became angry. The spirit did not want the animals to escape. Just as the Giraffe opened his mouth to shout, the spirit reached out and snatched his voice away. The Giraffe could make no sound. He could only stamp his feet in frustration. The hunters surprised the other animals, and many were killed that day. The Giraffe, his heart broken by his inability to warn his friends, has been silent ever since. His silence is a mark of his great sorrow, and when you see a giraffe running, it is said he is not just fleeing from danger, but is still trying to silently warn all the other creatures of the plains.