Moonlight Series: Why the Baboon has Red Rumps

Moonlight Series: Why the Baboon has Red Rumps

By Bassey B. Eshiett

In the middle of the forest there lived a baboon who married a very pretty wife. This baboon was really lazy. When harvest time came, he stole his food from people's farms. Sometimes he would steal cocoyam, yams and pumpkin. At other times he would steal garden eggs, maize or anything he found around.
      One day Baboon went to Gorilla 's farm to steal. Unfortunately for him, he was caught red-handed by Gorilla. Gorilla was very angry and scolded Baboon for stealing. He said:
      'Baboon, I warned you that your laziness will one day turn you into a thief. Why don't you cultivate a small piece of land for yourself? Our people say that one doesn't use a knife to cut one's own thighs. If you were not my kinsman I would have disgraced you at the village square'.
In anger he drove Baboon out of his farm.
             Another day, Baboon was very hungry. He decided to go to Pig's farm to steal some yams. When everywhere was quiet at night, he walked stealthily into Pig's farm and harvested some yams. He hurriedly ran home and prepared the meal. His wife was suspicious and asked him where he got such big yams. He replied casually:
You know that at this season all baboons have red rumps?
                  Baboon's wife was not satisfied. She told Baboon that she was going to Baboon's brother to see for herself if he had red rumps. With this one she set off on a journey to her brother-in-law's house. Baboon knew she would find out the truth so he acted fast. He ran into the bush a little ahead of her and waited. Soon Baboon's wife came into view.
Baboon pretending to be a different baboon said:
             'Baboon's wife where are you going?'
              She replied, 'I am going to my brother-in-law's to see if his rump is red like my husband's'.
                Baboon said, 'Oh, you should know that at this season all baboons have a red rumps'.
                He turned his buttocks to his wife and said, 'see mine '.
                     Baboon's wife was almost convinced but decided to continue her journey. Baboon jumped into the bush past his wife, came out again ahead of her and waited for her. Soon she came to pass by him.
Baboon said:
            'Baboon's wife where are you going?'
             He asked this question in a shrill voice that his wife did not recognize him.
                    She replied, 'I am going to my brother-in-law's to see if his rump is red like my husband's'.
           Baboon said, 'Oh! Why do you take such trouble. At this season all baboons have red rumps'.
            Again Baboon ran into the bush and again he repeated this trick. Baboon's wife was so convinced that she decided to go back home.
             Any time you see a baboon, look at its rump. If it is red, then know that it is the baboon who stole Pig's maize and had his rump set on fire.