
8 The fishing of the hyena, the dog and the goat
In the old days, the dog and the goat were good friends. They did many things together: hunting, excursions, walks, etc. This was such that some animals were jealous. In vain some tried to disturb the friendship of the dog and the goat by telling the dog about the bad things the goat said to him and vice versa. The two friends defied slander and criticism. They remained solidly confident in each other. Then one evening while they were talking together, they talked about the rains, the weather, the water. And as sometimes who talks about water talks about fishing, so they talked about fishing.
- Friend," said the dog, "at this time when the rains begin, it is certainly the time when the fish go down to the rivers. So how about an afternoon of fishing?
- Friend," said the dog, "at this time when the rains begin, it is certainly the time when the fish go down to the rivers. So how about an afternoon of fishing?
- Excellent idea, friend," replied the goat.
The fishing was decided for the day after tomorrow. Before the appointed day, everything was put in order: line, hook, net, bait, etc... Then came the day and time of departure. The goat dressed like a real fisherman. He went to the dog's house, which he knew was waiting for him as planned. The goat knocked on the door and entered. As soon as he set foot in the house, the goat froze, stunned, not believing his eyes. He wanted to speak, but the words did not come. No! It was not possible! He could not believe it! His goat's eyes, red with anger and fear, could not leave the scene. An unexpected, unacceptable, impossible, terrible scene, but nevertheless true. It was not a dream. It was as real as the goat could see. His friend the dog was there, ready to fish, and, oh mystery, next to him the hyena! Ready to fish too, for she was holding a calabash in her hand. Now you know very well that since the world began, billy goats and hyenas have not been friends. So you understand the goat's astonishment.
- Say, friend," intervened the dog, "what is it?
Then the use of speech returned to the goat. He said:
- Really, friend, I think today is a great day. How could you accept that the hyena is among us? If he comes with us to fish, I think it will be our last fishing together. It will be sad, dog friend, but the hyena has always been what it is and will always be. I know the hyena to be a hunter and a thief, but never a fisherman. It is a bad day today.
- No! Friend goat, do not fear, do not fear. Nothing bad will happen. The hyena has decided to help us. I have accepted her and I believe that if she keeps her word, everything will be fine.
The two friends talked for a long time, while our hyena, who was in charge of the debate, sat calm, confident and patient. Sometimes she even smiled gently. All this, as you well know, is contrary to the hyena's normal character.
Finally, tired of not being able to convince the dog, the goat gave in. The three went fishing.
The dog was puzzled. Was it really dangerous for the hyena to be there? The billy goat was at his most suspicious. As for the hyena, she congratulated herself on the success of her plan and in so doing swallowed her saliva, but not for the fish, for that was not really her objective.
They arrived at the river, dammed the water on both sides and began to empty it with their calabashes. They also put hooks up to increase their chances. The gourds filled and emptied, filled and emptied to the rhythm of the fishermen's movements, they bent and rose together in such a rhythmic way that the hyena invented the following little song. She sang:
"Whether the fishing is good
Or whether it is bad,
What is certain is that I, the hyena,
I'll have something to eat.
The song really fit in with their movement! To speak musically, it was a two-beat rhythm: when they bent down to fill their calabash, they went: hum! and when they stood up to empty it on the grass they went: hatch! The whole thing went: hum! hatch! hum! hatch!
The hyena sang his song for the second time, but this time louder. Then the goat said to the dog: Can you hear the hyena's song? The dog answered: Yes, but do not be afraid. Some time later, as the river was more than half empty, the dog in turn sang a song:
May the fishing be good,
Or may it be bad,
What is certain is that something serious is going to happen.
On hearing this, the goat cleared his throat,
and then he too sang the following song in his goat voice:
"May the fishing be good,
Or be bad,
What is certain is that
I have an idea in my head.
The three fishermen finished emptying the river towards evening. They found three fish, one large and two small. The billy goat set about dividing the fish. He took the big fish, gave one to the hyena and the other to the dog. The hyena became angry. His eyes turned red. She shouted to the dog:
- Dog, tell the goat to take the fish back, and you yourself share them e-qui-ta-ble-ment!
The dog took the three fish. He gave one of the young to the hyena, the other to the goat and took the big one. The hyena yelled:
- Repeat the sharing, and for the last time!
Then, in a lightning-quick move, the dog took the three fish and ran off with them. Furious, the hyena ran after him leaving the goat alone.
The dog ran, repeating his refrain. The hyena could have caught up with him, but she was also thinking of the goat that was left behind, and on which she was counting for her evening meal. As she ran, not knowing what to do, the dog got away from her. So the hyena went back to the goat to accomplish her real mission. But needless to say, the goat was no longer there; he had long since disappeared into the bush. Sitting in the shade of a tree, the goat reproached himself for having accepted this fishing trip. The goat barely escaped the hyena.
Did you understand my tale correctly? It was far too risky for a goat to befriend a hyena, wasn't it? But do you know what the greatest risk in life is for all men? It is to make friends with Satan. Many men today accept the friendship of the devil. Satan is the enemy of God, the enemy of our soul. Those who follow him will have an end like his: the punishment of God. So God invites you to change sides.
Teaming up with Satan is not for your good. Jesus said, "Come to me. Don't run the great risk of losing your soul for eternity.
What is a friend?
Someone you can tell everything to.
Someone you can tell everything to.
Someone who knows everything about us and who loves us in spite of everything.
Then our best friend can only be God.
"In this God proves his love for us: Christ died for us while we were still sinners" (Romans 5:8).
What a faithful and loving friend we have in Jesus Christ.