Lango Folk Story - Mr Hare and the Giant Elephant

Jul 17, 2026

Uploaded by Aurora

A collection-style Lango folk narrative centered on Mr. Hare and an exceptionally proud giant elephant. The story opens with Hare buying shiny iron shoes at the market and confidently wearing them through village paths, drawing admiration from many animals. When Hare notices the elephant among the admirers, he plans a trick to benefit from the elephant’s slowness and pride, then seeks a way to “advise” him to obtain the same shoes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time31 min

AccessFree to download

Note from the Author

Oral tradition and early literacy

Story in English

Market purchase and public admiration

Hare’s trick and meeting the elephant

Story in Lango

Lango Folk Story: Mr Hare and the Giant Elephant By Rob C. Ojok Otim English, Lango Note from the Author: For centuries, the Lango people (Langi) have cherished their customs, traditions, and their heritage through oral literature passed from one generation to another. Every evening, the fire place "wang oor" was the climax of every-day classroom. As children, parents, uncles, aunties, and grand parents sat round the fire place every evening, wang oor did not only provide an opportunity for bonding and social cohesion but significant moments to emphasise values, norms, and practices that were considered acceptable for every man and woman. Oral literature was central in communication, education, and societal preservation. This folk story about the Elephant and Mr. Hare, originally in Lango is oneof such stories told in captivating ways that drew the attention of listeners between the ages four-to six to convey moral lessons and provoke their thoughts and curiosity. As emergent literacy explores the opportunities of children's exposure to literature at their early years, the story of Mr. Hare and the Elephant presents greater learning potential for children than ealier realised. This book takes you through a journey that demonstrates the potency of simple stories in developing and nuturing childhood literacies. Ojok Rob Cyborg Otim Lango Folk Story: Mr Hare and the Giant Elephant English, Lango Lira, Uganda Copyright © 2025, Rob C. Ojok Otim [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) You are free to make commercial use of this work. You may adapt and add to this work. You must keep the copyright and credits for authors, illustrators, etc. English: One Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Hare went to the market in Kamdini. While in the market, he approached the shoe stall after spotting a beautiful shiny pair of iron shoes. He face brightened up and walked straight to the seller. In admiration, he held the pair of shoes as he looked at every side before buying it. Leb Lango (Uganda) I nino moro acel, ityeno me ceng adek, Apwoo owoto i cuk Kamdini. Ame tye i cuk, obino otunu I duka cato waro, kan ame oneno iye waro nyonyo aryeny aryenya. Wii Apwoo te baleatek, kun woto noko acat waro. Obin owilo waro iyonge gomo kun neno but waro ryo ryo. Without hessitation, Mr. Hare bought the pair of iron shoes from the market. He immediately wore the pair of shoes on his way back to the village. He walked confidently through the village paths. His neighbours were amazed at his new look! The tortoise, the monkeys, the zebras, and the Elephant all recognised his arrival. Leb Lango (Uganda) Abongo balo cawa, Apwoo obin owilo wara nyonyo mere i cuk. Cutu cutu, Apwoo ti ruku waro mere oko kun dok paco kedeawaka. Obin otunu paco ame awakere awaka kun lubu yooikin paci. Dano ikin paci obedo neno Apwoo kede wur pii kit ame orukerekede. I'ya kina gi nwo tye opuk, ayom, agwar, kede lyec. English: Mr. Hare noticed that among those who admired his shoes was the elephant. Mr. Hare began to think of a trick on how he can take advantage of the slow and proud elephant. He then sought to meet the elephant to "advise" him of how he can also acquire the same shoes for himself. Leb Lango (Uganda) Apwoo obin oniang ni i kom dano ame ogomo waro mere, onwotye iye Liec. Apwoo tye cako tamo kit ame eromo bwolo kede Liec ame obedo awaka kun kome wac. Apwoo obin ocikere gin kede Liec me miye “tam” i yore menwongo wara nyonyo mere.

FAQs

What begins the story of Mr. Hare and the giant elephant?

Mr. Hare goes to the market and buys a beautiful pair of shiny iron shoes, admiring them before purchase.

How do other animals respond to Mr. Hare’s new shoes?

His neighbours are amazed, and the tortoise, monkeys, zebras, and the elephant recognize his arrival.

What does Mr. Hare decide after he notices the elephant?

He begins thinking of a trick to take advantage of the slow and proud elephant and tries to meet it to “advise” it about getting the same shoes.

Jul 17, 2026

Uploaded by Aurora