Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the need for Self-Mentoring and displaying other good character traits of Self Control, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Honesty, Tolerance, Allowing, Caring, Giving, Justice, Fairness, Leadership, and Valuing and Respecting Self.The story is called “Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path.”
This very short story about Hyena comes from the oral traditions of the Kikuyu Tribe of Kenya, Africa.In 1990, this is one of the stories related to Debbie Dunn, by a young woman named Ann Njeri Mwangi from that same tribe. The original tale was a brief paragraph of less than 50 words. Debbie took this tale and fleshed it out to the one you will now hear. As you listen to this story, see if it reminds you of any time in your own life when you have had to make important decisions and choices about your actions and reactions and activities. The story is called “Hyena’s Dilemma at a Fork in the Path.”
- Click this link to read Sections 1-3 of Middle School lesson plan: Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path
Section 4: Read Self-Mentoring story: Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path
A. Teacher reads story to the class called “Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path.”
B. Story Description: This very short story about Hyena comes from the oral traditions of the Kikuyu Tribe of Kenya, Africa.In 1990, this is one of the stories related to Debbie Dunn, by a young woman named Ann Njeri Mwangi from that same tribe. The original tale was a brief paragraph of less than 50 words. Debbie took this tale and fleshed it out to the one you will now hear. As you listen to this story, see if it reminds you of any time in your own life when you have had to make important decisions and choices about your actions and reactions and activities. The story is called “Hyena’s Dilemma At A Fork In The Path.”
Hyena's Dilemma At A Fork In The Path
© 1990 re-told by Debbie Dunn
Used with permission of Ann Njeri Mwangi who shared with the author one of the stories told her by her grandmother from the Kikuyu Tribe of Kenya, Africa
Hyena was a scavenger. He loved to eat dead meat. One day, Hyena came to a fork in the path. "Mmmm-mmmm. I smell dead meat! Yum! I want to eat that dead meat. Now which path will lead me there?"
Hyena sniffed in the direction of the right-hand path. Then he sniffed in the direction of the left-hand path. Finally, deciding it must be down the right-hand path, he started in that direction. After a bit, the smell seemed to fade. Deciding he must have been wrong, he retraced his steps. Sniffing again in both directions, Hyena said, "Oh! Silly me! It must be down this path instead.” This time, he started down the left-hand path.
Once again, the smell seemed to fade. Again, he retraced his steps to the fork in the road. Sniffing in both directions, he realized he must have been right in the first place. "Let me at that dead meat!” He started down the right-hand path again. "No, this isn't it. It must be the other path.” Then he re-traced his steps and went down the left-hand path.
Each time he started down one path, Hyena became convinced that the other path was the correct path. So he would re-trace his steps and start down the other. Over and over this happened until Hyena was totally confused.
Once again, Hyena stood at the fork in the path. He just could not decide on which path was the correct path to take. Finally, Hyena said, "I know! I'll walk down both paths at the very same moment. That way, I'll reach the dead meat for sure."
Hyena started walking down both paths at the same time. His left legs trod on the left-hand path. His right legs trod on the right-hand path. His legs got further and further apart as he valiantly tried to accomplish this task. Finally, Hyena SPLIT IN HALF!!!
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