Cultural origins: This is a West African folktale from Benin. It originated in oral storytelling by the Fon, a large majority of the people residing in Benin.
Intended audience: Late elementary (8-11)
Why this audience?: While this is clearly for a younger audience there are slightly more mature elements that might appeal more to an older group of elementary school students. This isn't a laugh out loud trickster tale but one of drama, suspense and marriage. There is more food for thought for older grades. They can guess how Hare drank the water. They can figure out the trick, which is definitely a question for discussion after.
Characters: Beautiful Princess
King
Suitors: Princes, noblemen, warriors, hunters
Lion
Other Animal Suitors: Eagle, Elephant, Leopard, Monkey
Tortoise
Hare
King
Suitors: Princes, noblemen, warriors, hunters
Lion
Other Animal Suitors: Eagle, Elephant, Leopard, Monkey
Tortoise
Hare
Scenes/Settings: The realm of the King of Benin in the castle's courtyard.
Synopsis: There lived a beautiful princess. Everyone in the kingdom adored her, and her father had to decide how to choose someone worthy enough to marry her. He finally decided the best way was to challenge any and all brave enough to drink from a pot of boiling water would have the princess's hand.
The clay pot is set over a roaring fire in the courtyard of the king and suitors come from far and wide. They approach the pot, bring the scalding water to their lips and then have to set the pot down it is so overwhelmingly hot. Many try and fail: Princes, noblemen, warriors, hunters, Lion, Turtle (the great diviner), Eagle, Elephant, Leopard, Monkey, but no one was brave enough.
Just when it looked like no one was brave enough to suffer the pain for the princess Hare emerged from the crowd. He saw the bubbling water on the fire, covered his hands with cloth, lifted the pot from the fire and began to TALK:
He turns to Lion and says, "I have come to do what no one has done in living memory so tell my story to your children and your children's children, lest I die in vain. For when we are gone, only our stories remain." Lion agrees and wipes a small tear away with his paw.
But this is not enough for Hare. He then turns to Eagle, Monkey, and Leopard in turn and pleads, "Tell my story to your children and your children's children, lest I die in vain. For when we are gone, only our stories remain." The animal suitors agree, "We will!" They are so moved by Hare's speech they are shouting!
But this is not nearly enough, Hare then turns to the other suitors who have also failed the princess and understand the task, "Tell my story to your children and your children's children, lest I die in vain. For when we are gone, only our stories remain." They all nod with desperate approval, "Absolutely we will!"
The crowd is whipped up into a frenzy. There is nothing they would not do and they are so enamored with Hare's bravery. Slowly, Hare bows to the King and princess. He bows to the crowd and slowly, ever so slowly, he brings the pot to his lips and drinks the whole thing!
The crowd roars with approval. Surely, this is the most brave suitor in all the land. That very day he and the princess were married. And Hare was a just and fair King to the people of Benin. And he and his princess were very happy.
One day she asked him how he managed to drink the boiling water that fateful day. He replied with a smile, "But my love, it wasn't boiling at all, it was warm at best."
The clay pot is set over a roaring fire in the courtyard of the king and suitors come from far and wide. They approach the pot, bring the scalding water to their lips and then have to set the pot down it is so overwhelmingly hot. Many try and fail: Princes, noblemen, warriors, hunters, Lion, Turtle (the great diviner), Eagle, Elephant, Leopard, Monkey, but no one was brave enough.
Just when it looked like no one was brave enough to suffer the pain for the princess Hare emerged from the crowd. He saw the bubbling water on the fire, covered his hands with cloth, lifted the pot from the fire and began to TALK:
He turns to Lion and says, "I have come to do what no one has done in living memory so tell my story to your children and your children's children, lest I die in vain. For when we are gone, only our stories remain." Lion agrees and wipes a small tear away with his paw.
But this is not enough for Hare. He then turns to Eagle, Monkey, and Leopard in turn and pleads, "Tell my story to your children and your children's children, lest I die in vain. For when we are gone, only our stories remain." The animal suitors agree, "We will!" They are so moved by Hare's speech they are shouting!
But this is not nearly enough, Hare then turns to the other suitors who have also failed the princess and understand the task, "Tell my story to your children and your children's children, lest I die in vain. For when we are gone, only our stories remain." They all nod with desperate approval, "Absolutely we will!"
The crowd is whipped up into a frenzy. There is nothing they would not do and they are so enamored with Hare's bravery. Slowly, Hare bows to the King and princess. He bows to the crowd and slowly, ever so slowly, he brings the pot to his lips and drinks the whole thing!
The crowd roars with approval. Surely, this is the most brave suitor in all the land. That very day he and the princess were married. And Hare was a just and fair King to the people of Benin. And he and his princess were very happy.
One day she asked him how he managed to drink the boiling water that fateful day. He replied with a smile, "But my love, it wasn't boiling at all, it was warm at best."
Story Climaxes/High Points: Hare implores all to remember his story. He pleads with them in such a dramatic fashion before he drinks the water.
Special Chants/Phrases: "Tell my story to your children and your children's children, lest I die in vain. For when we are gone, only our stories remain."
Bibliographic Information:
Mama, Raouf. (2000). How Hare Drank Boiling Water and Married the Beautiful Princess. In More Ready-To-Tell Tales from Around the World (pp. 71-75). Little Rock, AK: August House.
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