Folktale: Wanjiru and the Wise Leopard
Story time: this is our retelling of a Kenyan-inspired folktale, told in many versions across generations. Read it aloud with the children in your life.
Near the Great Rift Valley lived Wanjiru, whose family had passed down a necklace of red and blue beads for generations. One day her neighbour Muthoni saw it and declared, “That necklace is mine. You stole it.” The village could not decide who was telling the truth.
So the two women travelled to the cave of the Wise Leopard, known across the land for fair judgement. The leopard listened to both. Then he said, “I will keep the necklace tonight. Tomorrow, each of you will tell me its story.”
Muthoni came first. “It is red and blue,” she said. “Very beautiful. That is all I need to say.” Wanjiru came next. “My great-grandmother made it when she married,” she said. “The seventh bead is chipped because my mother dropped it on a stone when she was a girl. And there is one white bead hidden under the clasp, added for me when I was born.”
The leopard turned the necklace over. The seventh bead was chipped. Under the clasp was a single white bead.
He returned the necklace to Wanjiru and turned to Muthoni. “Wanting something does not make it yours. Tell me why you wanted it.” Muthoni wept. She had no family heirlooms and felt she had nothing to pass on. Wanjiru listened, then said, “Then let us make one together, for your daughter.” And they did.
The lesson
The truth lives in the details, and those who truly own something know its story. And kindness can turn an enemy into a friend.
Talk about it
- How did the leopard find the truth?
- Why do you think Muthoni lied?
- Does your family have an heirloom with a story?
Over to you: Did you hear a different version of this story growing up? Tell us in the comments or share your story.
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