Tiger and the Big Wind: An African American Fable

Long ago, there came to the Savannah a great drought. The animals had to share what food they had, but soon they began to go hungry, as there was no food or water to be found.

One day, Rabbit was out looking for food and he saw a great tree in the middle of lush, green grass. On this tree, there hung many ripe, yellow pears. Rabbit shouted for joy and rushed to gather the pears.

But when he came to the tree he saw Tiger guarding it. "Go away!" shouted Tiger. "If you come any closer, I will eat you!"

"Tiger," called Rabbit, "The animals are hungry. You must share with them the pears from this tree. Without them we will all starve!"

Tiger only growled at Rabbit and said again, "Go away! These are my pears, and I will eat anyone who comes near them!"

So Rabbit went back to the savannah. All of the animals of the ground were waiting for him. Ox was there. Elephant, Turtle, and Hippo were there as well. Monkey and all the birds of the land watched from the tree branches. "What shall we do, Rabbit?" they cried. "We are hungry and Tiger keeps all of the juicy pears for himself!" "Do not fear my friends, for I have a plan!" Rabbit whispered into his friends’ ears.

Rabbit went back to where Tiger lay beneath the pear tree. He stood with a great rope in his hands. "Oh dear, oh dear," Rabbit cried out. "What will we do? A big wind is coming and it will surely blow us off the earth!"

Tiger looked up at Rabbit and said, "What is this, Rabbit? What did you say?"

Rabbit called over to Tiger and pretended he was surprised to see him there. "Tiger!" he said loudly. "A big wind is coming and it will blow us all off the earth!" As he said this, the animals began making a thunderous noise. Elephant pounded on the ground until the savannah shook, Monkey and all the birds jumped and flapped their wings in the trees until they shivered and swayed. Together the animals shrieked, squawked, and howled until it seemed the sky itself would fall to the earth.

"Rabbit, what should I do!" Tiger cried.

"Run, run for your life. I must go and tie the animals down so they will not be blown off the earth. Goodbye!" And Rabbit began to leave.

"Rabbit, tie me down so I will not be blown off the earth!" Tiger called, "Please, Rabbit!" So Rabbit ran to Tiger and tied him to the tree, and all the while Tiger cried out, "Tighter, tighter!," and "Faster, faster, Rabbit!" When Rabbit was certain that Tiger was tied fast, he called to the animals to come and gather the pears.

"Tiger," Rabbit said as the animals happily ate the juicy pears, "One may not keep for themselves what is meant for all to share."