They say that one day a boar and a chameleon went out to hunt and met on the bank of a ditch along which water flowed into a rice field. The boar began to ask the chameleon where he was coming from and where he was going.
“I’m going looking for something to eat,” answered the chameleon.
- And how do you manage to find food? Your body is so frail and you can barely move your legs. You shouldn't sit still. Aren't you afraid that some big animal - even me, for example - will crush you under its hoof?
“Of course,” the chameleon agreed, “you are telling the real truth.” But think about it, a small animal like me eats little; that's why I have no trouble getting what I need.
The surprised boar did not know what to answer. And the chameleon continued:
“If you want, big brother, let’s compete with you.” Just don’t think that I’m bullying someone who is stronger than me. I'm just inviting you to play.
- Okay, since such small fry have become brave, should I, a strong man and a giant, retreat? Well, tell me, how will we compete?
- As you wish.
They decided to run a race to a large tree that could be seen in the distance.
“I’m ready,” said the boar.
“Wait a little, I haven’t taken a good look at where to run yet,” the chameleon asked, while he looked for a suitable place to jump on the boar’s back. Having made himself more comfortable, he shouted:
- Now let's run, big brother! - And at that very moment he jumped onto the back of the boar, which rushed forward as fast as he could. When the boar reached the tree, the chameleon slid into the grass. The boar, confident that the chameleon was left far behind, looked back, and the chameleon shouted:
“Big brother, you shouldn’t look behind you, I’m here in front!”
The boar became furious and said that he wanted to run again. Chameleon agreed. Again he cheated and again came out on top. The boar flew into a terrible rage:
“Not a single beast has yet managed to defeat me!” I will take revenge on you. I'll eat you!
- What deceit, elder brother! Didn't you and I agree in advance?
- I don’t know anything. I want to eat you!
- Let me at least warn my parents then. After all, what you started is no longer a game, but a serious matter.
“Okay, go,” said the boar. “I will wait for you here.” The chameleon set off. First he met Qingqina.
“I’m going to fight the boar,” he said. “I beg you, help me!” After all, you don’t leave anyone in trouble.
“Okay,” answered Qingqina, “you can rely on me.” I will sit on the grass so that I can see you.
Then the chameleon saw the kibubah and also asked him for help. Kibubu promised; he said that he would sit in the ditch to see the battle. Then the chameleon met a suruhitra, a quail and a frog. He asked them to help him, and they also readily agreed.
Meanwhile, the boar grew impatient; he did not wait for his enemy and went in search. Qingqina saw him coming and shouted:
- Inti! Inti!
It seemed to the boar that it was the voice of a man, and he turned to the side. In the next valley he was met by the cry of a quail:
- Safaleu! Safaleu!
He rushed forward. A kibubou noticed him on the mountainside:
- Bubu! Bubu! - he shouted.
In the valley, Suruhitra, seeing a running boar, sang:
- Suruhi! Suruhi!
And as he rushed through the rice field, the frog croaked:
- Rekhet! Rekhet!
The exhausted boar did not know where to go. At that time, a man with a dog walked by, and the two of them killed him.
This is how a small, smart chameleon defeated a big, strong boar.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru