Rooster and Leopard
Yikii Kubbi Emmanuel
Mango Tree

Once upon a time, all the animals lived together in the bush.

The rooster was their chief.

1

Rooster told the animals that the comb on his head was made of fire.

For this reason all the animals feared Rooster.

2

In those days, fire was made using a bow drill.

One rainy day, Leopard's bow drill got wet. She could not make a fire to warm her family.

3

So Leopard sent her cubs to ask Rooster for fire from his comb.

4

Rooster was in a bad mood. He sent the cubs away without any fire.

Leopard was upset when the cubs came back with nothing.

5

Late that night when Rooster was asleep, Leopard and her cubs went to steal the fire from Rooster's comb.

Leopard picked some dry grass outside Rooster's house.

6

She put the dry grass next to the comb on the sleeping Rooster's head.

But the grass did not catch fire. She carefully touched the comb. It was cold!

7

The cubs also touched the comb. There was no fire!

The leopard family all started laughing.

8

The leopards' laughter woke Rooster and the chickens.

Rooster turned his comb towards them, shouting, "You should run away. Aren't you afraid?"

9

Leopard replied, "We touched your comb and we know about your trick! We'll go back and tell the other animals. They will be angry with you."

10

The chickens were afraid. They ran away and Rooster ran with them.

The chickens left the bush and went to live with people.

11

Since that time, chickens have feared leopards and lived with people for protection.

12
You are free to download, copy, translate or adapt this story and use the illustrations as long as you attribute in the following way:
Rooster and Leopard
Author - Yikii Kubbi Emmanuel
Illustration - Mango Tree
Language - English
Level - First paragraphs