The Parable Of The Hartebeest

“That is a Hartebeest,” Emmanuel, our guide through Murchison Falls National Park, pointed out the van window at a deer-like animal with a long face and twisted horns. “They are very dumb.”

Lions love to hunt the Hartebeest, he explained.  They chase the Hartebeest for a while to tire it out and then stop suddenly and hide.

The Hartebeest looks around, sees nothing, Emmanuel said, and thinks, “Why am I running? I think I will eat instead.”

The Hartebeest easily forgets it’s being hunted.

“But the lion,” said Emmanuel, ”never forgets.”

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Emmanuel with his elephant scarer.

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A couple of dumb Hartebeests.

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An unforgetful lion.

 

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