Fables and folktales are stories full of wisdom. They often teach a moral lesson. These stories are passed down from generation to generation. They are very important to the traditions and culture of Africa. They help us to understand the African way of life.
There are many different types of fables and folktales. The most common ones are about animals. In the stories animals have human emotions like greed and loneliness. They show how weaker and more helpless creatures manage to outsmart powerful animals. There are even stories of animals who help humans.
There are other folktales which talk about how animals and nature came into the world. They explain why animals act and look like they do. They also explain the natural world, like why the sun is in the sky and why lightning strikes with thunder.
THE EAGLE AND THE BUZZARD
One day a Buzzard flew into a tree. Some time passed and an Eagle flew by. The Eagle said to the Buzzard “What are you doing here, you useless Buzzard?” The Buzzard replied, “I am waiting for the shoulder of God.”
The Eagle noticed a quail sitting on a tree stump nearby. He said to the Buzzard “Watch how I will eat the quail in front of you. You say you are waiting for the shoulder of God, but see how powerful I am!” The Eagle flew towards the quail to eat it. But the quail avoided his attack. The Eagle hit the tree stump and was injured. He fell to the ground. He couldn’t fly.
The Buzzard flew over and landed near him. “What happened, strong Eagle?” said the Buzzard. “What do you want?” replied the Eagle. “I am going to eat you, said the Buzzard. “Did I not tell you that I was waiting on the shoulder of God?” The Buzzard hopped over and ate the Eagle.
This story teaches us not to show off. The Eagle was humbled and killed for his arrogance. If a person shows off, they will be humbled by fate.
HOW THE ZEBRA GOT HIS STRIPES
There once was an arrogant Baboon. He called himself “Lord of the Water”. He looked after one of the only pools of water in the land. He didn’t let any of the other animals drink there.
One day a Zebra and his son arrived at the pool. The weather had been very dry and hot. There was little water to be found anywhere. They went to have a drink when suddenly they heard a voice. “Go Away! I am the Lord of the Water, and this is my pool”! The Zebras were surprised. They saw the angry Baboon sitting by his fire.
“Water belongs to everyone, not just to you”, shouted the young Zebra. “Then you must fight me for it if you want to drink” said the Baboon. He attacked the young Zebra. The two fought for what seemed like ages. Until with a powerful kick, the Zebra sent the Baboon flying through the air. He landed among the rocks. To this day, the Babboon has a patch on his bottom where he landed.
The tired Zebra fell through the Baboon’s fire, burning his white fur and leaving him with black stripes across it. The terrified Zebras ran away back to the plains. That’s how the Zebra got his stripes.
This story teaches us not to be selfish like the Baboon. We should be kind and share what we have.
