Chipmunk went down to the river to catch some fish for dinner. First he piled the fish on the shore, then began to eat it. I've eaten my fill - but there's still a lot of fish. Then the chipmunk shouted:
“Whoever wants fish, let him come here!” The hyena has arrived.
“Today I had a successful hunt, and I’m giving you a treat,” said the chipmunk to the hyena. The hyena was happy and ate everything that the chipmunk caught. He got very angry. And the hyena ate and lay down on the sand.
At this time, a guinea fowl flew in, sat on a branch and began to preen itself.
- Oh, if only I had such a beautiful outfit! - exclaimed the hyena, watching the guinea fowl straighten its feathers.
“I can help you,” said the chipmunk. “If you bring some white clay and a knife, I will make you an outfit no worse than that of a guinea fowl.”
The hyena was stupid. It never occurred to her that the chipmunk was angry with her for eating all his fish. She went and brought a sharp knife and a lump of white clay. Chipmunk told the hyena to lie down. She lay down. Then the chipmunk began to paint her back with a knife. He slashed it lengthwise and crosswise, and then covered the scratches with white clay. The hyena howled in pain, but the chipmunk said:
- Be patient a little, and you will have a dress as colorful and beautiful as a guinea fowl’s! Finally he released the hyena, and she ran into the forest to heal her wounds. And the chipmunk laughed after her:
- Now I have taken revenge on you! Why did you eat all my fish?
Since then, the hyena's skin has remained striped.
That's how it was.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru