This African tale tells the story of how the zebra got its stripes. In the early days, the zebra had pure white fur. The baboon guarded a small watering hole and claimed the water was only for him. When the zebra arrived to drink, the baboon chased him away. They fought fiercely by the pond. The zebra kicked the baboon hard and lost his balance, stepping into the baboon's fire and getting covered in black marks. Frightened, the zebra fled to the plains where the stripes have remained ever since as his distinctive apparel. The baboon was also injured and has stayed angry in the treetops ever since.

1. AN AFRICAN TALE

2. THE ZEBRA'S APPAREL
A story from Northern Namibia.,

3. These were the early days when the Earth was
young and the land was very hot and dry.
In this shimmering new world, water could be
found only in a few small ponds scattered around the
desert.
At one such pond the Baboon stood guard,
claiming that he was the owner. "No one may drink
here, for this water is mine alone!" he declared, chasing
away all who came to drink.
Shimmering Reluciente
Pond Charca
Scattered Dispersos
Baboon Babuino
Claim Afirmar
Chase away Espantar

4. He had built a fire close to the pool so that he
could protect his water during the cold desert nights.
One day the Zebra came to quench his thirst after
a very long and tiring journey. In these early days the
Zebra had no stripes. He wore a wonderful coat of
pure white fur.
The Baboon jumped up angrily. "Who are you? Go
away!" he screamed, "I am Lord of this water. It is mine!"
The Zebra was in no mood to listen to this selfish
Baboon. "This is not your water, you ugly monkey! It
belongs to everyone!" shouted the Zebra.
Quench his thirst Apagar la sed
Stripes Rayas
Mood Ánimo
Belong Pertenecer

5. The Baboon was furious and said that if he wanted
the water he must fight for it.
Both were soon engaged in a fierce struggle. They
rolled back and forth around the pond. Finally the
Zebra gave one mighty kick and the Baboon was sent
flying high up into the rocks behind the pool.
The Zebra had kicked so hard that he lost the
balance. He stepped back into the Baboon's fire and
sent the burning sticks flying up in the air. These left
black marks all over his fine white coat.
Engaged Enganchados
Fierce Feroz
Struggle Pelea
Mighty kick Fuerte patada
Balance Equilibrio
Sticks Palos

6. Hurt and frightened he galloped to the plains
where he has remained ever since.
Eventually he came to like his new apparel which
made him stand out, distinguished amongst the other
animals
However, the Baboon had landed on his bottom on
the hard rocks. He has remained on the top of the
trees ever since, nursing his bald red bottom and still
as angry as ever.
THE END
Plains Llanuras
Apparel Indumentaria
Eventually Finalmente
Amongst Entre
Ever since Desde entonces

7. GLOSSARY 1
Shimmering Reluciente
Pond Charca
Scattered Dispersos
Baboon Babuino
Claim Afirmar
Chase away Espantar
Quench his thirst Apagar la sed
Stripes Rayas
Mood Ánimo
Belong Pertenecer
Engaged Enganchados
Fierce Feroz
Struggle Pelea

8. GLOSSARY 2
Mighty kick Fuerte patada
Balance Equilibrio
Sticks Palos
Plains Llanuras
Apparel Indumentaria
Eventually Finalmente
Amongst Entre
Ever since Desde entonces

9. From http://www.wildlifeafrica.co.za
Ana Almarza 2012