Why Rhino Scatters His Dung

Long ago when animals could talk, Elephant used to tease Rhino about his poor eyesight (very unfair, since Elephant also cannot see well and has been known to lose his temper).

One day Elephant was teasing Rhino. After a while, Rhino could take no more. In his anger he challenged Elephant to a contest. Rhino was sure he could win, so to prove he was better than Elephant in at least one way. The contest was to see who could produce the largest dung heap.

Now because both animals are large, they eat vast amounts of food daily, so of course, they both make a lot of dung. But Rhino made by far the largest heap.

Rhino's pride at winning did not last. Elephant, being a poor loser, won the prize for the worst temper. In a jealous rage he attacked Rhino, beating him furiously with his trunk and goring him with his tusks until poor Rhino begged for mercy.

"Oh, Elephant! Stop, I was wrong! You are the greatest of all! Please stop!" Rhino lay in the dust, frightened and exhausted. When Elephant's fury began to wear off, he made Rhino promise never again to challenge the might of the Lord of the Beasts - himself - Elephant. At last he was satisfied and let poor Rhino escape.

Rhino never forgot the terrible beating. To make sure he does not receive another one, he always kicks and scatters his dung to make his heap look smaller than that of Elephant.