In the heart of the vast African Savannah, as the sun blazed down from the zenith, lived two very distinct characters: a generous giraffe renowned for its huge stature and many friends, and a zebra notorious for its cleverness and cunning nature. One could be found stretching its long neck to tender branches, nibbling blissfully and wooing other animals nearby with delightful orange fruits. The other, a little more grounded, stored up its goodies in a secret place beneath its splendid stripes, feasting when alone and never once asking any animal to share.
“Dear me,” thought the giraffe one sparkling noon, as it looked around, “I feel so happy today! I feel as if I could share my food with someone.” And right at that moment—just as things happened to occur in fables—just at that moment its eyes fell upon a zebra nearby eating greedily as was his custom.
“My friend—Mr. Zebra,” said the Giraffe, “would you like some of my food?”
Then the zebra came over.
“Well,” replied the zebra sulkily. “Well, if I must.” Zzzz was his continual sound of pleasure. He began eating: naturally he never need thank anyone!
“You don’t seem to care much for my food,” said the Giraffe when he had finished.
“Not it is not that,” replied the zebra. “It is a little too sweet perhaps; I have not quite broached my secret store. Thanks, however, old friend,” and away he went.
Not long after, however, a terrible time of drought came, and every single food and drink perished. The zebra could hardly find even a fern, while the giraffe had saved for such a sad time large stores of the most delightful edible treasures, and was exceedingly joyous in consequence.
“Hello, old friend, Giraffe!” yawned the zebra, when he met him one day as he was lounging comfortably under a favourite tree. “How do you do?”
“I am quite well, thank you,” answered the giraffe gently, his head only down to the zebra’s fifth rib.
“Do you like, prefer, or like it this dry season, before or after a meal?” asked the zebra.
“Well, after a meal, of course,” said the giraffe; “Why, only think! there is nothing like finding the palette cleared out, the mouth free, and the throat clear. What do you want now?”
The zebra thought for a moment, hesitated, and then replied, “Could I, for instance, taste of your last batch?”
“Why, bless my foot! Do you actually mean to say that you have no food left?”
“Not a mouthful,” and he gave a significant glance.
“Well, come along and share mine—gladly do I offer it.”
So saying he led his fond companion, who was almost fainting with hunger, to the boon where his last stores were, put down his neck carelessly, and said, “There, do what you like! I give you all. I had no idea you were so badly off.”
Thus shared the zebra’s supper. This you see is a fable.