Cheetah boasts that, because he can run faster than any other animal, he is the real king of the beasts. Winning a race against the other animals only reinforces his posturing and he boasts that he can run even faster than the wind. The wind takes up the challenge, leading to an outcome that keeps Cheetah’s tears running down his cheeks as a permanent reminder of his place in the natural world.
How Cheetah Got His Tears is a story that warns of the perils of boasting, yet shows that the capacity to accept defeat with grace and humility can lead to reconciliation and acceptance.