One day the grass-eating animals gathered to solve a serious problem. Lions and leopards hunted them too easily. Sable wanted long claws. Buffalo wanted a weapon near the hind legs. Others suggested shells, tails, or thick skin. Elephant listened and then gave his judgment.
The best protection, Elephant said, would be organs around the head. From there an animal could defend itself from many directions. The others agreed, and Elephant went to Leza to ask for help.
Leza considered the request and granted it. At noon the next day, he said, gifts would be placed for the animals. Each creature could choose the shape and size that suited it and place the gift where it added both beauty and defense.
At the appointed hour the animals rushed to the place. On the way they saw Zebra grazing peacefully. They called out that Leza's gifts had arrived and asked why Zebra was not hurrying with them. Zebra paid little attention. Grass seemed more important than haste.
At the gift place the animals found many horns: long, curved, straight, short, heavy, and graceful. Each selected what suited its head. Elephant helped the others choose, and when two large tusks remained, he fixed them to himself.
Only then did Zebra notice the joy of the returning animals. He ran to the place, but the horns were gone. All that remained was a drooping lip and a striped skin. Zebra hurried to put them on. Leza saw him and judged his lateness. Because he had chosen grazing over readiness, Zebra would remain hornless.
That is why Zebra wears stripes and carries a heavy lip, but has no horns like the other animals.