African Food and Art

This blog explores the wisdom of African proverbs, the depth of folklore, the beauty of art, the stories of history, and the flavors of timeless African food recipes.

Why Cat and Rat Hate Each Other African Folklore

Why Cat and Rat Hate Each Other African Folklore

African folklore is traditional art and literature passed on through oral communication.  Why the cat and the rat hate each other African Folklore explains why the cat and rat are enemies. 




Why Cat and Rat Hate each other African Folklore
Why Cat and Rat Hate each other African Folklore

Why Cat and Rat Hate Each Other African Folklore



 As the elders say, one day the Cat, the Rat, the Hawk, and the Eagle arranged to take a journey together, but before starting, they agreed not to argue with each other in any matter.
They had not gone very far when the Eagle saw a bunch of unripe palm-nuts, and said, "When these palm-nuts are ripe, and I have eaten them, then we will proceed on our way."


They waited many days until the palm-nuts ripened and eaten by the Eagle, then they started again, and by and by, the Hawk saw a large savannah, and said, "When the bush in this savannah is burnt, and I have eaten the locusts, then we will go."
Therefore, they waited while the bush dried, and was burnt, and the Hawk ate his locusts. They were ready to start again; but when the Rat saw the bush was burnt, he said, "We remain here until the grass and canes have grown again so that I may eat the young canes, for remember we agreed not to argue or oppose each other on this journey."
They waited there some months until the canes grew again, and the Rat had eaten them. Once more, they started on their travels, and on reaching a large forest the Cat said: "Now I will dry my paws."
His companions answered: "All right, we will go for firewood."
The Rat and the Hawk fetched the wood, and the Eagle went for the fire. The Cat put his paws near the fire, but every time it dried he made it wet again by licking it. They remained a long time in the forest, but the Cat's paws never became properly dry: it was an endless job. His companions became annoyed, and the Hawk and the Eagle flew away, leaving the Rat and the Cat alone. The Cat could not catch the Hawk and Eagle and went back to the fire to dry his paws.


At last, the patience of the Rat was exhausted, and he, too, ran away; but the Cat chased him to kill him, and this is the reason why the Cat and the Rat hate each other, he would not wait until the Cat's paws were dry.

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