The Hyena That Became Too Refined
The Kikuyu have a proverb that has amused me for years. "Hiti ĩrĩ kĩnyĩria ndĩnoraga." Roughly translated, it says, "A hyena that is nauseous never gets fat." It is one of those proverbs that makes you laugh before it makes you think. After all, why a hyena? Why not a lion? Or an elephant? Or one of those graceful gazelles that seem permanently ready for a wildlife documentary? But then you remember what hyenas eat. They are not exactly known for their refined tastes. A hyena has never been heard asking whether the meat is organic, grass-fed, or free-range. Its menu is refreshingly uncomplicated. If it is edible, the hyena is interested. If it is slightly unpleasant, the hyena is still interested. If every other animal has turned up its nose and walked away... the hyena considers that an invitation. Which makes the proverb wonderfully ironic. Imagine a hyena developing sophisticated culinary standards. Picture it approaching a week-old carcass, taking one cautious s...