Long ago, when animals lived closely alongside humans, the guinea fowl did not have the speckled feathers it is known for today. Its feathers were smooth, plain, and evenly colored, just as beautiful as any other bird. The guinea fowl lived near the village, familiar with cooking fires and often present in everyday human life.
One day, a large cooking fire burned in the village, and after the meal was finished, the hot ashes were piled together. Adults warned children and animals to stay away because the ashes were still burning underneath. But the guinea fowl was curious and careless, paying no attention to the warning.
When no one was watching, the guinea fowl wandered over to the ash pile. It scratched through the ashes searching for food, unaware that glowing embers were still hidden below the surface. In an instant, hot ash and sparks burst upward and scattered across its body. The guinea fowl panicked, running and crying out in pain.
Tiny pieces of ash and charcoal stuck to its feathers, leaving countless dark marks behind. Even after the bird shook itself clean, the spots would not disappear. From that day forward, the guinea fowl’s feathers were permanently covered in small black speckles, a lasting mark of the accident.
After this painful experience, the guinea fowl became nervous and easily frightened. At the slightest sudden noise, it would jump and fly away in fear, as if still remembering the burning pain of the hot ashes. The speckled feathers were not just a physical change, but a reminder of a hard lesson learned.
Villagers later told this story to their children to teach that carelessness and ignoring warnings can lead to lasting consequences. The guinea fowl’s speckled feathers remain a living reminder of the importance of caution, listening to advice, and thinking carefully before acting.