Paivepo Tsuro na Gudo(Once Upon a Time, There Was a Rabbit and a Baboon) – A Timeless Tale of Wisdom, Wit & Reciprocity

Lloyd M
Apr 14
2 min read

At L2M Coaching & Mentoring, we believe in the power of stories to spark conversations, connect generations, and carry timeless truths. One of the most delightful ways to explore leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal growth—especially with young people and families—is through traditional African folktales.

That’s why we’re excited to share a fresh, trilingual retelling of the Shona folktale:

"Paivepo Tsuro na Gudo"

(Once Upon a Time, There Was a Rabbit and a Baboon)

This age-old story explores friendship, betrayal, cleverness, and the importance of treating others as we wish to be treated.

🐾 A Tale with Layers

In the story, Gudo (Baboon) invites his friend Tsuro (Rabbit) to a feast, but tricks him by placing all the food high in a tree—knowing Tsuro can’t climb. Hungry and hurt, Tsuro walks home. Later, Tsuro returns the favor by inviting Gudo to a festival with one condition: only those with clean hands can eat. Knowing Gudo must walk through burnt ground to arrive, Tsuro uses the same trick to teach a lesson in fairness.

It's humorous, heartfelt—and rich in meaning.

🌍 Bilingual and Trilingual Learning Tools

To honour the story’s cultural roots and expand access, we’ve created:

✅ A beautifully illustrated PowerPoint presentation (available in English, Shona, and Ndebele)✅ A digital storybook cover for printing or publishing✅ Custom artwork and scene illustrations perfect for classroom, coaching, or storytelling✅ A printable version for family reading or school settings

These tools are ideal for:

Emotional intelligence workshops
Coaching sessions with children and parents
Storytime with a moral message
Cultural enrichment in classrooms
Teen leadership and values lessons

💬 Why Folktales Matter in Coaching & Mentorship

Folktales are more than entertainment—they’re vessels of cultural intelligence, character development, and emotional awareness. At L2M, we use them to explore themes like: