SURRENDER THE HYENA
A story is told… (read to the end)
Once upon a time, in a peaceful village called Gia-Kega, lived a closely knit community. The people were united, compassionate, and always looked out for one another. Life was simple, serene, and safe. But one day, that peace was shaken.
A dangerous hyena crept into the village from the nearby forest. Hyenas were known to hunt animals like rabbits and antelopes—but this one was different. It was cunning. It would hide in the thick bushes during the day, and when darkness fell, it would sneak into the homesteads and devour the villagers’ sheep and goats.
The people were alarmed. Something had to be done. The village young men quickly called a meeting. Determined to protect their community, they agreed to dedicate a day to hunt down the beast. Armed with courage and crude weapons, they combed through the thickets, alert and ready.
Suddenly, they saw it! In fact, there were two hyenas. Startled, they charged after them. One hyena was cornered and killed—but the other darted off in terror, weaving through gardens and fields, desperate for escape.
As it fled, the surviving hyena stumbled upon a young woman who was harvesting beans in her garden, her little child lying peacefully beside her. Seeing her, the hyena threw itself at her feet. “Kind lady, please help me!” it begged. “They have already killed my companion. They are after me. Save me—I promise I won’t hurt you.”
The woman looked at the creature, startled and torn. “Swear you won’t harm me,” she said firmly.
“Yes! Yes! I swear! I won’t harm you!” the hyena responded in desperation.
Moved by pity, the woman took the bean leaves she had gathered and covered the hyena, hiding it from sight.
Moments later, the group of young men arrived, panting and armed.
“Have you seen a hyena pass by?” one asked.
The woman calmly replied, “No. I haven’t seen anything.”
Another man scanned the ground. “But look, its footprints lead here,” he said suspiciously. “You must have seen it. Tell us!”
“I swear,” she insisted, “I’ve never seen a hyena in my life. You can continue searching. There’s nothing here.”
The young men, though doubtful, moved on. “If you do see it,” they said as they left, “shout for us. We must destroy this enemy of our community.”
All became quiet. The hyena, still hidden under the bean leaves, listened closely until the footsteps of its hunters faded into the distance. Then, it whispered:
“Woman, can you still see the men who were chasing me?”
“Yes,” she answered. “They’re just over there.”
“If you scream now, will they hear you?”
“Yes, they still can.”
The hyena paused, waited, then asked again.
“What about now?”
The woman looked around. “No. They’ve gone too far now. They can’t hear me.”
Hearing that, the hyena emerged from hiding, stretched its limbs with ease, and let out a long sigh of relief.
“Thank you, kind woman,” it said. “You’ve truly saved me.” But then its tone changed. “I’ve had a rough day running for my life. I’m hungry. And since you’ve helped me so kindly… just allow me to eat your baby for lunch.”
Horrified, the woman leapt to her feet and screamed—but no one could hear. The hyena grinned cruelly. Confident that no help would come, it lunged at the child.
And there, in her own garden, the woman watched helplessly as the hyena devoured her baby—the very hyena she had saved.
Moral of the Story:-
Today, many communities are like Gia-Kega—people are friendly, supportive, and socially connected. But when evil creeps in, they remain silent.
There are many hyenas among us:-
- Thieves,
- Homosexuals leading others astray,
- Adulterers,
- Corrupt leaders,
- Abusive parents and teachers…
Yet we keep hiding them, protecting them in silence—not because we support them, but because we fear losing relationships, respect, or comfort.
But know this: The hyena you hide today may devour your child tomorrow.
Are you hiding a hyena in your family, your church, your workplace, or your community? Do not wait for the day it turns against you.
Let us support the bold men and women who chase down the hyenas in our society. Let us speak truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Because if we keep covering evil with silence, we risk losing everything.
God bless you.
Fr. Francis Kamau Wamaria
