Why the Zebra Has Stripes
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Zebra Finch
Zebra Swallowtail
Zebra Angelfish
Little Debbie Zebra Cake
Pourquoi means “why” in French, and pourquoi stories are common in many cultures to explain why something exists. Perhaps you or your children have heard tales of why the leopard got its spots or why mosquitoes buzz in people’s ears.
Did you know that zebras were not always striped? For much of their history, they were either all black or all white. Alphabet puzzles and stories included Z for Zebra, but the animal was not very memorable. School children everywhere just ran the last 3 letters together XYZ – and some remembered X-ray and some remembered Yo-Yo. No one remembered the zebra.
While it was easy to distinguish Ebony, the king zebra of the night, from Ivory, the queen zebra of the day, all was not good in Africa.
All zebras are relatives of the horse, but there was no dissention among horses about the various colorings. The palomino didn’t think he was better that the roan, sorrel, or even paint. And visa versa. The zebras were a different story, however. The black zebras thought they were supreme and even called their white counterparts Pommie and Pom (Afrikaan derogatory slurs towards English/white men). And, the white zebras assumed they were the chosen breed and called the black zebras Kaffer (equally prejudiced slang). The African wild ass tried to mediate the arguments, but they were unsuccessful. The black zebras just could not tolerate the white zebras, and the white zebras simply could not accept the black zebras.
Eventually a white zebress fell in love with a black stud. The parents from both families were horrified. Zebras are very social animals. While they groomed each other and moved as a herd in search of tall grazing grasses, they plotted to keep the youngsters apart. They were almost successful . . . until Mother Nature intervened. As you know, Mother Nature strives for harmony in her kingdom.
She was tempted to throw both the yin and the yang herds to the lions and hyenas, but she had a soft spot in her heart for a true love story. Instead she decided to teach them all a lesson in tolerance and acceptance. She gave the black zebras white stripes, and she gave the white zebras black stripes. Now, each zebra has a distinct pattern stripe just like our own fingerprint, but they very look much alike at a quick glance. The new complexion had several positive side effects. The stripes were an effective camouflage against predators especially at dawn or dusk. Insects were also thrown off course, as they look for large patches of same-color surfaces.
You would have thought birds, fish, and insects would have learned a lesson from the zebra, but Mother Nature had to repeat her fashion sentence to the zebra finch, zebra angelfish, zebra swallowtail and more.
Thanks to the zebra and Mother Nature, we are reminded that we are all more alike than we are different. We can observe our differences, but we must also celebrate our similarities.
For more "why" stories, see: Elephant/trunk, Turtle/shell, Sheep/bleat, Chicken/teeth, Kangaroo/pouch, Giraffe/neck, Deer/antler, Octopus/8 arms, and Seahorse/pregnant.
Truckstop Sally
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I didn't realize there were racial divides among horse folk. Now I do. Thank you for sharing.
I wish someday Mother Nature will also intervene in our human world. Our stripes would be mental obviously, and might not affect our looks, but would be welcome nonetheless. :)
A very nice hub.
Hey Truckstop Sally, Very nice hubpage! :)
Great story Sally! This one is my favorite I think, of all the porquoi stories.
Plus you said a couple of bad words - in Afrikaan! Even better! (you know how kids are - we love the bad word usage:)
The more I look at the zebra, the stranger the animal looks. But very unique; sort of like an optical illusion. Some really amazing creatures out there. Fun love story about smashing racial boundaries. Enjoyed.
You've heard the phrase a leopard never changes spots to describe someone who will never change so I wonder what the phrase would mean when the spots are replaced by a zebra's stripes? A cleverly written hub with a very relevant message. Thank you.
Mentalist acer - Thought you would like the romantic twist. Ha! Thanks!
AA Zavala - Thanks! I wonder if animals even see colors! Just being silly!
anusha - Mental stripes. I like that! Thanks for your note.
I always LOVED Zebra's... something so Wonderful about them...I'm glad the "Black" and "white" were able to mix, thanks for another fine "Pourquoi Story" Sally...and can I have one of your "Little Debbie Zebra Cakes? Ha, Ha.
samiaali - Thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed!
RealHouseWife - Your favorite? Thanks! Funny about the bad words! I know a few in Spanish! Ha!
Doug Turner Jr - They are mesmerizing! And the 3 different types (Burchell, Grey, and Equs/mountain) each have a distinct look. Have you seen the Sienfeld about the black and white cookie? Very funny!
Spirit Whisperer - Interesting thought! Maybe I should do a Why story about leopards! Thanks for your note.
bMailin - Funny about the Little Debbie cakes. I couldn't resist! Zebras are very social animals. They groom each other by nibbling their hair. And they adjust their pace when they travel for the weak and old.
Is it a question of the black and white determining the grey areas after all? Anyway great hub, Truckstop Sally, much enjoyed.
chspublish - You are right - very little is black or white. Lots of grey areas! Sometimes interpreting those areas is where we get into trouble. Thanks!
What a great story. Very interesting perspective black/white. Thank you.
Thanks always exploring! These are really fun to write. I'm already looking for my next wacky animal and moral combination!
I love enlightening stories like this! We tend to take so much about the world around us for granted...
Feline Prophet - Thanks for your note! Maybe I could write one explaining why Garfield likes pizza! Or why he is so crabby! Ha!
An interesting story. Mother nature gives us lessons to live in harmony and if we observe carefully what happens in our life we'll find out that marriages of different races mostly result excellent offspring.
Thanks agusfanani! I appreciate your thoughtful comment. The offspring (birth/life) is/are miraculous!
Haha, TS, be sure to inform me when you do! :)
I do love to read the daily newspaper, but sometimes it takes me a day or two to catch up. BUT, I always read the comics. And Garfield is one of my favorites. He, Jon, and Odie have lots of fun. The new girlfreind adds some humor too!
I always wondered about the relationship of zebras to horses.
Now that's one of life's mysteries solved for me. Thank you for sharing. Always wondered why Zebra was in the form that it is. Now I know.
Excellent hub, Sally.
I almost always read your hubs with my 6 year-old grandson.
You had to include that zebra cake! :)
up/useful and awesome
dahoglund - Thanks for your note. The encyclopedia calls zebras - striped horses.
Zubair Ahmed - These stories are just a fun way to "make sense" of unusual animals. Thanks for your note.
Fay Paxton - Thanks for your note. I guess I better keep my hubs clean! I just had to include the cake! Sorry!
Wonderful writing. i really wish i could write like that!
Thanks for your note Peniksen! You know, I just thought of an unusual animal . . . and then considrered what could possibly be an explanation for the "uniqueness" . . . did a little research . . . and the story was born. Just go for it! And you can write too!
I love the story. The human world could learn from it. Rated up and awesome.
KoffeeKlatch Gals - Thanks for your note and votes. I'm thinking about a fish for my next "why" story. Maybe a flounder - with 2 eyes on the same side. Or a shell fish. Thanks again!
Great hub Sally. Love the cake! Very interesting, very. I enjoy learning history and I have had my fullfillment as your article. Didn't know the other species either. Got my moneys worth and more!
Thanks Richard83! Nice to meet you! I didn't know about the other "zebra" animals until I started looking for pictures. The info about the bugs is true!
How cute. I love a great story. May I print this and read it to my son as a bedtime story?
Hyphenbird - Thanks for your note! Absolutely. I would be honored for you to share the story with your son. I have written a few other "why" animal stories too that he might enjoy. Maybe he could give us some ideas for other animals and explanations.
I will check out other Hubs. Thank you. This boy has an imagination that knows no boundaries o he might have ideas. He writes also, pirates and dragons and space warriors....
Wow Hyphenbird! How cool that he writes too. Not surprising - like mother, like son. You should publish one of his stories in a hub. We would love to read it.
Great idea. I will do that. Thanks
I'll look for them. sueroy333 and the realhousewife have both posted hubs written by their kiddos. Lots of fun for everyone!
cute and informative. plus one of my favorite animals and patterns haha
Thanks danyadd! Glad you enjoyed the hub. These "why" stories are fun to write. One of my current favorite skirts is actually zebra-print. Ha!
I love Just So stories and so enjoyed this one. Zebras are so beautiful. Amazing creatures with such a crazy pattern!
Dolores Monet, Thanks for your visit and note! I agree that zebras are beautiful. I never knew that the patterns are different for the 3 kinds of zebras.
This is quite interesting.
Thanks suejanet! These are fun to create!!
I came across an internet site that claim Mister Ed on the old T.V. show was a Zebra. Supposedly in black and white t.v. the stripes wouldn't show up. The main problem with that idea is a horse's mane and a Zebra's mane are noticable different.
ruffridyer, Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. I know what you mean about the mane. I always enjoyed Mr. Ed. Now, Wilbur!!
Nice writing style.
Thanks leroy64. I've written several of these if you are not too tired of silly. They are fun. Might do the next one with spiders or armadillos. The crazier the animal, the better.
I love your pics and the topic of zebras and stripes. Very creative! I am also an animal lover and care for a menagerie - dog, cats, rats, gecko, newt and 85 gallons of fish. Would LOVE to care for zebra finches but gets tricky with the cats. Someday... Thank you sharing.
Lisa Mae DeMasi - Thanks for your note. Animals are fun, and many have very unique (even bizzare) characteristics. You might like to read therealhouswife's hub on pets. She has quite a zoo too!
I love it - true love everywhere you look! Fate again shows her sense of humor and we have these marvelous black and white (or should I say, white and black?) animal that look like a strange horse but sound some what like a dog!
voted up and beautiful.
Thanks for the story.
q
quester.ltd, Thanks! Little love in the animal kingdom! I just wrote another one about a parent's love (sorta). Why the Octopus Has 8 Arms.
Sally! What a fantastic metaphor! Ohhhh! Much to be learned here..for adults, too. Beautiful way to share a life lesson while having fun, too. Love it! And, it rings very very true, doesn't it. Why have I not made the time to visit m ore of your wonderful work? I lost my way around #4 of the Refugee series...must catch up. This is amazing!
Thanks Lucky Cats! The black/white story was important to write. We all get so busy. Glad to see you. I just returned from taking my son to college. We'll catch up soon!
What a fun, lovely story this is! I'll have to check out your other "why" stories!
Very interesting story! I never questioned the zebra's stripes until this hub. They are beautiful creatures AND I do love black & white. Voted UP/Awesome:)
Simone - Thanks so much for your note! Zebras are beautiful animals. I hope you enjoy the other "why" stories too.
Sunshine625 - It actually makes me dizzy to look at the zebra's stripes - like the old-fashioned "test" on TVs after midnight. Oops, I'm showing my age! Thanks for your votes!
This is a great "love" story, just like Romeo and Juliet, but better -- everyone gets to live! I love animals and I can tell that you do also. Thanks for the smiles.
Thanks for your visit, homesteadbound! It is nice to meet you! I am hoping you saw/heard this hub on the daily broadcast. Simone did a lovely job narrating it!
when i was a child some one told me zebra have stripes because he have come from "BIG HOUSE".....lol
but thank you!! You make me clear about his strips
Career Guide, Love the explanation! I enjoy looking at unusuak animals and trying to attach a moral.
beautiful and amazing hub.keep it up voted up!
Thanks for your note asmaiftikhar! I used this as an example with students yesterday. They created their own: Why the elephant has big ears, Why the dolphin is gray . . .
Fun!
Truly intersting. I look forward to reading more of your work.
thelyricwriter - Thanks for your note. Glad you enjoyed this hub. I try to publish a hub per week . . . so it will be fun to visit from time to time. I love your hub picture.
Why Zebra has stripes. These stripes show the beauty of our great Creator or say in another word the nature. Such a similar stripes , we can see in different animals, birds , butterflies, fishes and flowers etc. You can not ask, Why ?
These are the reflection of the beauty of the Creator. We have to engage ourselves and to enter into the depth of each and every existing things on the earth. We can find out the master work of our Creator. He is invisible but you can see him in his each and every phenomenal creation. So, to see the Stripes of zebra , please do not ask ,Why ? It is the enhance of the Creator. Beauty of Creator has been reflecting from this strips of Zebra.
Mohammad Wasim - Thanks for your comment. You are correct, our Creator is responisble for all of our amazing creatures.
Fascinating! So much beauty in the world- it's fascinating to hear about the origins of some of them. Thank you : )
cre8ivOne - Nice to meet you AND thanks for your comment! You are right -- our world has much beauty to behold.
Very great story and I believe it was one of the oldest story. Thanks so much.
Thanks Ayaba! These "Why" stories are fun to imagaine. I too agree that our Creators had some very important lessons for us all.
With all due "HUB" respect, you forgort to mention the brown stripe zebra.
oezekeo - Thanks for your note. I did not know about the brown-striped zebra. I wonder if it is a mutation of the traditional black and white varieties that we commonly think about. I will do some more research. Thanks!
the brown stripes are as much a mutation as the black stripes and white stripes. and the animal itself is a crossbreed between an ass(donkey) and a stallion(horse). some people get paticular about the female ass or male ass interbreeding with the male horse or female horse but not i said the cat. another thing to remember is that the animal when crossbred did not always appear as it does today, albeit mankind has been crossbreeding as long as history has been written. i know of a religion that speaks against crossbreeding, this religion is christianity and america is seen as a christ-like nation, howbeit we do the most detestable things even in the name of christianity. you are always welcome, always know that. 1last thing 4now; had you known of the brown-striped zebra how would that have influenced your creative writting.
I hadn't seen anything from you for a long while so came hunting... :)
This is such a romantic twist to the story of zebras and how they got their stripes. I loved it.
Wondering when Mother nature is going to teach us humans some lessons.
Great hub Sally
Rosemay50 - Thanks for hunting me down! My day-job is keeping me too busy. But summer vacation is right around the corner, and I hope to catch up with you and my other hub friends. Do you remember that margarine/butter commercial from years ago -- It's not nice to fool mother nature. Thinking she must have a real sense of humor when you consider some of our crazy-looking animals.
Thanks again for your note!
Ah yes I remember those ads, mother nature definitely has a wonderful sense of humour. :)
I have to admit -- I often enjoy the commercials more than the TV. I actually do a big unit with my kiddos before Christmas about consumerism and TV commercials. Their instructions are to watch 30 minutes of TV and "log" what they see . . . and to whom it is directed. The first reflection is always -- I can't believe there are so many commercials in 30 minutes . . .
I remember a time when you could dash out and put the kettle on during the ads... not you could cook a whole meal while they are on. Lol
This is nice information ..I thought once and Now I got the answer
Mentalist acer Level 6 Commenter 12 months ago
A nice Romebra and Zebriette story Sally.;)