Long ago, when the earth was still new, there lived Hyena, the King of all beasts, on the great grassy plain. Sophisticated Hyena would sit high upon his rocky throne and watch over the affairs of the other animals. He loved his great position and took it all very seriously. Animals would come to him and ask him concerning his great wisdom in all of the affairs of life. He was quite proud of his lofty position. He took everything so seriously and no one had ever seen him laugh at anything. One day, as he looked about captivated by the abundance of peace that flowed like a river through his beautiful land; Gazelle came bounding up to his high cliff-top abode. Startled by his sudden approach Hyena turned quickly so that he was snarling straight into the face of Gazelle.

            “Why oh Gazelle have you interrupted me in my time of meditation,” Hyena inquired crossly.

            “Oh King,” replied Gazelle, “All of the animals myself included know how you love the theatre. So we have prepared an especially entertaining drama for you this very night.”

            The face of Hyena immediately lit up with delight. “Well, thank you for your kindness Gazelle, and I shall certainly see you tonight. I certainly hope that it will be worthy of my position and status. You know how I despise foolishness and frivolity.”

            “Certainly!” Gazelle replied reassuringly. “We have asked Lion to help in it’s production so as not to offend you in any way, Your Highness.”

            Hyena loved the theater and was especially fond of serious minded dramas, ones with many twists and turns to challenge his great wisdom. So when he arrived at the amphitheatre that evening he was ready for the greatest story that he seen in a long while. After all, Gazelle had said that Lion had helped with the production and Hyena was very impressed by Lion’s serious attitude compared to the other animals. The curtains opened and as they did three little gazelles stood stoutly upon a large rock. Lion proudly made his entrance onto the stage. As he did, however, he tripped over his long tail and slid across the stage and into the large rock sending the three little gazelles flying off of the stage.

            As Hyena saw all of this he began to laugh. All of the animals were shocked to hear Hyena laugh! He laughed and he laughed until all of the animals were thoroughly offended, especially Lion! Then all of the animals, except for Lion began laughing too, not at the show, but at Hyena himself. His laugh was so contagious they couldn’t stop. Hyena couldn’t stop either. Lion being thoroughly offended began to roar. No one had ever heard the humble Lion roar, no one had ever heard anyone but Hyena exercise such power and seriousness. Lion sent Hyena away telling him to never come near him again, but to scavenge and roam the plains forever. To this day he still roams the plains laughing over the day that Lion tripped over his tail coming onto the stage. And Lion from that day until now has always been the undisputed King of the Beasts.