Once upon a time, the buffalo obediently followed the man and helped him in many agricultural works. The man led the buffalo to the fields by pulling it by a rope attached simply to its horns.
One day, after a morning’s work, a farmer let his buffalo graze quietly at the edge of the forest.
A tiger came along.
At that time, the animal had no black stripes on its beautiful yellow coat. The ferocious animal was astonished at the obedience of the powerful buffalo, which he himself feared, towards such a small man. He asked him:
– Buffalo, why do you obey this frail human, you whose strength equals mine?
The buffalo answered him:
– Physically, the little man is weak, but his intelligence is more powerful than our horns and claws!
Amazed, the tiger then addressed the peasant:
– Tell me, little man, where is this “intelligence” that frightens the powerful buffalo so much?
He answered him without losing his composure:
– Mister tiger, I did not bring my intelligence with me today. I left it at home.
– So, go and get it so that I can make up my own mind about it, suggested the tiger.
– But you’re going to take advantage of my absence to devour my buffalo! If you agree to let me tie you up, I’ll go get my intelligence to show it to you.
The tiger hesitated but, driven by curiosity, he accepted the proposal. The peasant asked the tiger to lie down against a solid tree trunk, then he took a long rope and tied it tightly around the ferocious animal and the tree.
When he had finished, he took a large club and began to beat the tiger, exclaiming:
– Here is my intelligence, observe it closely !
Under the blows, the tiger struggled with pain and rage. He struggled so violently that his skin was burned, by dint of rubbing against the ropes.
Since that day, tigers have black stripes on their yellow coats.
The tiger finally managed to break free and ran into the forest without asking for help. The buffalo, who witnessed the scene, was taken by a mad laugh. He laughed and shook his heavy head so hard that his jaw hit the ground and his teeth broke.
Since that day, buffaloes have no teeth in their upper jaw!
