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A curse or a blessing! | It has been raining for three days. There is water everywhere. There is a problem. The only bridge linking Napetet village with the shopping centre has been carried away by water.
To make it worse many houses have been washed away by floods. Only permanent houses remain standing.
We had waited for the rains! What seemed a blessing in the beginning is now a disaster for villagers. Everybody had prepared their farm for the planting season. Now, we cannot even do that!
Before this terrible situation, Lomongin, the famous rain-maker in the area, was seen consulting his gods. People gathered outside his home anxiously waiting for a message of hope.
When he come out of his house, he assured people that the creator was going to answer their prayers. That they will have enough rain for their crops.
Children played outside as we waited for the rains. Later that day, we saw big white clouds in the far east. I knew they were rain clouds.
People were still thinking about what the rain maker said. Mother shouted loudly, “There! The clouds are now dark.” Suddenly, heavy rain poured.
Some people had left their homes and their farms thinking that the rain would stop. The rain took many days. Animals played in the grass. People waited anxiously for the rain to stop but it rained and rained.
People of Napetet had longed for rain but now they did not want it any more. Some had no homes. They had no bridge to cross on. Only few wanted more rain so their dams could fill up.
People of Napetet village also had a new problem! They saw crocodiles swimming everywhere. This had never happened before. The villagers were confused.
They could not go for shopping as all the shops were across the river. Children couldn't go to school because most schools were across the river.
There was grass everywhere. Then, grasshoppers began eating leaves.
What should have been a blessing, was a big loss to Napetet residents. Lomongin, the rain-maker, was disappointed as well! The only person who was happy was Kapuus with his nine cats! |
A Dancer's Tale The Story of Phyllis Spira | Once upon a time, in Joburg's Orange Grove, a little girl called Phyllis was born into the world. Two people in love, hugged their sweet little babe. No-one knew then, what a dancer they'd made.
By the time she was four, she had learned very quick. She impressed all her teachers, with her ducky feet flicks! Before school and after, she danced everyday. Nothing pleased Phyllis, more than ballet.
When the world was ready for Phyllis at fifteen, She arrived in big, old London, ready to live her dream. She said goodbye to all her friends. She was ready to start fresh. Watch out Royal Ballet School! Phyllis is here to impress.
When Phyllis danced Swan Lake, it was fit to show the Queen! After years of pirouetting, she was ready to be seen. Dancing for the audience, she turned and twirled about. Look! Everyone is smiling! See how they clap and shout!
From Mexico to Canada. From the USA to France. Phyllis travelled far and wide, so the world could see her dance. With the Royal Ballet Company, and her ballerina friends, she spread her love for ballet. She never wanted it to end.
Phyllis always knew, that dance was in her heart. But she longed to return home again, and make a fresh new start. So she leaped and bounded, back to her beautiful land. Her ballerina roots were regrown. She was once more South African.
Dancing wasn’t just for fun, as Phyllis always knew. She’d work at dancing day and night, and with hard work she grew. Always smiling, always trying, through good times and through tough, Phyllis always did her best. She couldn’t get enough.
Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake and Giselle. Phyllis danced these for the people: graceful, tireless, well. With partners Gary Burne and Eduard Greyling too, her magnificence inspired the audience. To her, flowers they threw.
Reward comes easily, when you put yourself to the test. Phyllis came to realise this, once she was called ‘The Best.’ She was awarded ‘Prima Ballerina Assoluta.’ The greatest dancer of them all! Phyllis would be forever known. She wanted nothing more.
Goodness! What a catch! Phyllis met her loving partner. His name was Phillip Boyd. He was another dancer. Together they were married. and together they would dance. No-one could be better matched, given half the chance!
Though they had no children, Phyllis and Phillip were never sad. They two of them found another way to help other Mums and Dads. They started Dance For All, a special school for dance. So that children with no money, could also learn to prance!
She left a legacy of dance, and incredible success. Her magic was passed on to others to help them become their best. Her students spread across the world, inspired by her ducky feet. They dance on while we watch, dreaming from our seats. |
A Fish and a Gift | One special Friday Yusuf’s father gets dressed before a flicker of light brightens the sky. He pulls on his heavy weather-proof jacket and the green woolen cap that covers his ears. He waves his boy goodbye. Yusuf’s eyes brighten when Papa says, “Today is the day I will catch a fish and bring a gift home for you.”
A fish and a gift? Oh, what will it be? Papa cycles down to Muizenberg Beach. Squeak squeak go the wheels all the way to Surfer’s Corner. Gulls circle the sky. “Whaaat? Whaaat? Whaaat?” they cry. “What will you bring back for Yusuf?” Papa rings his bell. “Wait and see what it will be!”
The fishermen watch the sun rise. They check their nets. They check their oars. They listen to the wind. They drag their boats down to the water. Yusuf’s grandfather, Oupa Salie was a treknet fisherman. Before him his father, Oupagrootjie Ridwaan, knew the sea too.
The boat rides into the waves. Papa’s arms stretch to the oar. His leg braces against the side. His neck strains, his back muscles ripple. Papa sings as he works: “Drop and swish. Find a fish. Pull and plop. Don’t you stop.”
All day long Yusuf looks at the sky. It is bright and clear and windless. A fish and a gift! What will Papa bring home from the sea? Sometimes he brings a beautiful shell. Sometimes he brings a jewel green bottle rinsed by the waves.
Some days Yusuf’s father brings a story. Like the time they found sea turtles on the sand, hundreds washed up in a storm. “Whaaat? Whaaat? Whaaat?” cried the gulls. “What will you do to help the turtles?” Papa said, “We saved those turtles, I tell you straight. We sent them back to the ocean, every last one.”
Always Papa brings a song. He sings the song while he pulls the oars. He sings the song while he pulls the nets. He sings the song as he winds the ropes. He sings the song as he cycles home. “Drop and swish. Find a fish. Pull and plop. Don’t you stop.”
Ouma Safiya wants a nice fat yellowtail for her supper. Mother wants a new dress. “Don’t be silly,” says Ouma. “You’ll be lucky if they catch even a tiny crab. More likely it will be fish tail Friday. There’s not so many fish left in the sea.” Yusuf holds Ouma’s hand. They cross the road at the bathing cabins. “Whaaat? Whaaat? Whaaat?” cry the gulls perched on the bright rooftops. “What is for supper?”
Last year the fishermen fought with the surfers. Angry fists and shouting words. “Whaaat? Whaaat? Whaaat?” cried the gulls. “There’s enough sea for everybody,” said Yusuf’s father. He showed them the fishing license that had been Oupa Salie’s. “Waves for all. Water for free.”
Ouma Safiya watches through her binoculars, her fingers curled in curiosity. The shark siren sounds. Swimmers run back to the sand and grab their towels. Surfers rush to the shore, carrying their boards under their arms. Under the showers they strip off their wetsuits. “Whaaat? Whaaat? Whaaat?” cry the gulls. “What will Yusuf’s father bring from the ocean?”
Yusuf’s father and uncle and cousins heave and pull. A little shark has been caught. It twists and thrashes in the waves. Yusuf’s father untangles the nets, singing to the shark: “Drop and swish. Find a fish. Pull and plop. Don’t you stop.” When the shark at last is free it streaks back into the waves, leaving only one fat yellowtail in the net. Ouma Safiya will be pleased.
The men pull the boat in and coil up the cables. A hard white triangle catches Papa’s finger. “Whaaat? Whaaat? Whaaat?” cry the gulls. “What did you bring back for Yusuf?” As the sun goes down, Papa answers the gulls. “A lucky shark tooth for my boy.” At home Yusuf holds his gift up to the stars. |
A house for Mouse | Mouse was looking for a new house.
This looks like a nice house.
“You can come and sleep with me,” said Puppy. “Thank you,” said Mouse.
That night, Mouse’s dreams were bouncy and muddy.
“You can come and sleep with me,” said Parrot. “Thank you,” said Mouse.
That night, Mouse’s dreams were noisy and wild.
“You can come and sleep with me,” said Fish. “Thank you,” said Mouse.
That night, Mouse’s dreams were cold and wet.
Mouse needed somewhere warm and dry.
Mouse found a bookshelf nearby.
That night, Mouse had warm and cosy dreams. Good night Mouse. |
A Tiny Seed The Story of Wangari Maathai | In a village on the slopes of Mount Kenya in East Africa, a little girl worked in the fields with her mother. Her name was Wangari.
Wangari loved being outside. In her family’s food garden she broke up the soil with her machete. She pressed tiny seeds into the warm earth.
Her favourite time of day was just after sunset. When it got too dark to see the plants, Wangari knew it was time to go home. She would follow the narrow paths through the fields, crossing rivers as she went.
Wangari was a clever child and couldn’t wait to go to school. But her mother and father wanted her to stay and help them at home. When she was seven years old, her big brother persuaded her parents to let her go to school.
She liked to learn! Wangari learnt more and more with every book she read. She did so well at school that she was invited to study in the United States of America. Wangari was excited! She wanted to know more about the world.
At the American university Wangari learnt many new things. She studied plants and how they grow. And she remembered how she grew: playing games with her brothers in the shade of the trees in the beautiful Kenyan forests.
The more she learnt, the more she realised that she loved the people of Kenya. She wanted them to be happy and free. The more she learnt, the more she remembered her African home.
When she had finished her studies, she returned to Kenya. But her country had changed. Huge farms stretched across the land. Women had no wood to make cooking fires. The people were poor and the children were hungry.
Wangari knew what to do. She taught the women how to plant trees from seeds. The women sold the trees and used the money to look after their families. The women were very happy. Wangari had helped them to feel powerful and strong.
As time passed, the new trees grew into forests, and the rivers started flowing again. Wangari’s message spread across Africa. Today, millions of trees have grown from Wangari’s seeds.
Wangari had worked hard. People all over the world took notice, and gave her a famous prize. It is called the Nobel Peace Prize, and she was the first African woman ever to receive it. |
Adun, the beautiful | Adun was very beautiful. All the men in her village wanted to marry her. But Adun refused them all.
One market day, a man borrowed legs from another man, and arms from another, and a body from a third man. Then this man joined all the parts together. He put his head on top and went to the market.
This man wanted Adun and was determined to marry her. Adun was pleased by his appearance. She wanted to be with him. The man came from a far town, and Adun decided to return with him.
As Adun and the man journeyed to his place, the owner of the legs took the legs back. Then the owner of the arms took his arms back. And finally the owner of the body took that back.
Only the head was left, and the head went on. Adun was scared but she did not run away. They arrived at the house of the head.
The following morning, before the head went to his farm, he spoke to Tortoise. “If Adun tries to escape, blow this horn to tell me,” said the head.
After the head left, Adun packed her things. Then she began to run away.
Seeing her, Tortoise blew the horn, “Head, head, Adun is about to run away,” puffed Tortoise.
The head went up to Adun and said, “Where do you think you are going?” Adun went back to the head’s house.
Eventually Adun consulted a diviner about what to do. The diviner advised, “Go and buy some bean cakes. Soak them in palm oil and put them in Tortoise’s horn.”
Adun followed the diviner’s instructions. She put the oily cakes into the horn.
The following day, she took her things and began to run away again. When Tortoise took the horn to blow it, the delicious bean cakes fell into his mouth.
Tortoise ate, ate and ate. And Adun ran away. |
Amazing Daisy | Once upon a time on a little farm near a little village
there lived a little chicken called Daisy.
“When I grow up, I want to fly high, high into the sky,” Daisy said.
But all the other chickens laughed at her.
“You are so weird,” they said. “We won’t play with you anymore.”
“Daisy, we can all flap our wings but it’s very difficult for chickens to fly,” Mama told her.
Daisy wouldn’t give up. Every day she practised by herself, flapping her wings. Flap, flap, flap, she would flap her wings but she couldn’t lift off the ground.
While she practised, she imagined herself flying high into the sky and looking at the chickens below. She imagined herself flying past the sparrows and past the swallows. “Wow!” the birds would say. “A chicken that can fly!”
So … Flap, flap, flap, every day Daisy would flap her wings.
She would lift off the ground but fall down again.
“I’m never going to fly!” Daisy cried to Mama. “The others are right.”
“Daisy, you are different from the other chickens. They don’t want to fly but you do! You can do it,” Mama said.
The following day Daisy climbed to the top of the chicken coop and flap, flap, flap, she flapped her wings. She flew into the air and flapped her wings … and flapped her wings … and flapped her wings and …
BAM!
The other chickens laughed out loud. “Ha ha ha! We told you! Chickens can’t fly!”
But the next day Daisy climbed even higher, right up to the top of the rondavel. Flap, flap, flap, Daisy flapped her wings.
She flew into the air and flapped her wings … and flapped her wings … and flapped her wings and …
She kept flying! The wind beneath her wings grew stronger and she flew higher and higher! The sparrows and the swallows said, “Amazing! A flying chicken!”
And the other chickens wanted to be just like her.
They said, “Oh Daisy, you’re amazing!” |
Anansi and Wisdom | Long long ago people didn't know anything. They didn't know how to plant crops, or how to weave cloth, or how to make iron tools. The god Nyame up in the sky had all the wisdom of the world. He kept it safe in a clay pot.
One day, Nyame decided that he would give the pot of wisdom to Anansi. Every time Anansi looked in the clay pot, he learned something new. It was so exciting!
Greedy Anansi thought, “I’ll keep the pot safe at the top of a tall tree. Then I can have it all to myself!” He spun a long thread, wound it round the clay pot, and tied it to his stomach. He began to climb the tree. But it was hard climbing the tree with the pot bumping him in the knees all the time.
All the time Anansi's young son had been standing at the bottom of the tree watching. He said, “Wouldn't it be easier to climb if you tied the pot to your back instead?” Anansi tried tying the clay pot full of wisdom to his back, and it really was a lot easier.
In no time he reached the top of the tree. But then he stopped and thought, “I'm supposed to be the one with all the wisdom, and here my son was cleverer than me!” Anansi was so angry about this that he threw the clay pot down out of the tree.
It smashed into pieces on the ground. The wisdom was free for everyone to share. And that is how people learned to farm, to weave cloth, to make iron tools, and all the other things that people know how to do. |
Animals of Uganda | These are giraffes. They have very long necks. They eat leaves from tall trees. What colour is a giraffe?
This is an elephant. The males have white tusks. They have large ears. Elephants have long trunks. They use their trunks to pick leaves off the tall trees. Elephants eat grasses and leaves. What colour is the elephant?
This is a crocodile. It lives in the rivers and lakes. It has a long tail. It has a wide mouth and many sharp teeth. It eats fish and other animals. What colour is the crocodile?
This is a lion. It has big, sharp teeth. The male lions have a mane. Where is the mane on this lion?
This is the crested crane. It is the symbol of Uganda. It has long legs and a crown. What are the colours of the crested crane?
These are water buffalo. They eats grasses and live near rivers and lakes. What does a water buffalo have growing on its head?
These animals are called zebras. They have black and white stripes. What other animal do you know that looks like a zebra?
Here are two different types of animal. A mother warthog with her babies. Warthogs have tusks too. How many warthogs can you count in the picture? The other animals are cobs. They eats grasses. What colour is the cob?
What types of animals do you see? Where do they live? Which one would you eat? |
Baby who cried | |
Byantaka and the dead pot | Once upon a time, there was a man called Byantaka who had a cow. Each day Byantaka grazed his cow. He also gave the cow water to drink. But Byantaka only had a very small pot for water.
So he went at his neighbour’s home to borrow a bigger pot for water. His neighbour agreed to lend Byantaka his biggest clay pot saying, “My neighbour’s problem is my problem.”
After a few days, Byantaka went to a potter’s place and bought a small pot. He took it home. He put the small pot inside the big pot that he had borrowed from his neighbour.
Then he put the big pot, with the small pot inside it, on his head. He carried the big pot to the neighbour who loaned him the pot.
Byantaka told him, “I am returning your pot, it has reproduced.” The neighbour was amazed that his pot had produced another pot. He praised Byantaka saying, “Your home is blessed.”
After a while, Byantaka went back to his neighbour to borrow the pot again. He did not have good intentions.
The owner of the big pot waited in vain for Byantaka to return his pot. Eventually he went to Byantaka’s home and said, “I have come for my pot.”
Byantaka told his neighbour, “My friend, our pot died. I was just on my way to tell you the bad news.”
His neighbour clapped his hands together in surprise. His face began to swell with anger. He shouted at Byantaka, “I have never heard of a pot dying!”
Byantaka replied, “My friend you should accept these things. Everything that produces must die. I was also very sorry about the big pot’s death.”
His neighbour was very angry and he went to court to report Byantaka. The judge listened to explanations from both of them. He found the owner of the pot was in the wrong.
“When Byantaka told you that the pot had reproduced, you accepted. When he says that every living thing which reproduces must die, he is correct.” That is how the judge judged the case.
Byantaka’s neighbour went home walking like a snail. Byantaka had got the big pot with his cleverness. |
Chicken and Millipede (Level 3) | Chicken and Millipede were friends. But they were always competing with each other. One day they decided to play football to see who was the best player.
They went to the football field and started their game. Chicken was fast, but Millipede was faster. Chicken kicked far, but Millipede kicked further. Chicken started to feel grumpy.
They decided to play a penalty shoot-out. First Millipede was goal keeper. Chicken scored only one goal. Then it was the chicken’s turn to defend the goal.
Millipede kicked the ball and scored. Millipede dribbled the ball and scored. Millipede headed the ball and scored. Millipede scored five goals.
Chicken was furious that she lost. She was a very bad loser. Millipede started laughing because his friend was making such a fuss.
Chicken was so angry that she opened her beak wide and swallowed the millipede.
As Chicken was walking home, she met Mother Millipede. Mother Millipede asked, “Have you seen my child?” Chicken didn’t say anything. Mother Millipede was worried.
Then Mother Millipede heard a tiny voice. “Help me mom!” cried the voice. Mother Millipede looked around and listened carefully. The voice came from inside the chicken.
Mother Millipede shouted, “Use your special power my child!” Millipedes can make a bad smell and a terrible taste. Chicken began to feel ill.
Chicken burped. Then she swallowed and spat. Then she sneezed and coughed. And coughed. The millipede was disgusting!
Chicken coughed until she coughed out the millipede in her stomach. Mother Millipede and her child crawled up a tree to hide.
From that time, chickens and millipedes were enemies. |
Crushed louse | Long time ago, there were two young men who lost their cows. They looked for the cows until it was late.
As it got dark, they saw a light in a house. They agreed to go and ask for a place to sleep.
They went to the house and knocked. The door opened and they went in. The young men didn't see anyone. But they heard a voice greeting them.
The voice said, “I am a louse. Open the pot and have food. Open the earthenware pot and drink amahewu.”
Then the louse put on its skin and went out.
The young men ate, drank, and gave thanks. They left the house.
As they left, they had a bad thought. They said, “No, it couldn’t happen that we had food from a louse.” Eventually they agreed to go back and crush the louse.
They went back to the house and crushed the louse. Suddenly the louse was gone, and the house disappeared! They found themselves outside in the open. |
Danger of abandoning a mother | There lived a man called Lodipo. He lived with his two wives, Akai and Akitela.
Lodipo’s first wife, Akai, was the only one who helped his blind mother.
One day, Lodipo’s younger wife, Akitela, said, “Let us move away to a safer village.” The current place was constantly attacked by cattle raiders and Akitela felt unsafe.
Lodipo told Akitela that they could not leave his blind mother. But Akitela insisted that they should move and leave the old woman alone. “If you don’t move away from here, I will return to my parents,” Akitela cried to Lodipo.
Lodipo loved Akitela very much so he gave in to her demands and they prepared to leave. The first wife, Akai, watched all these happenings with confusion.
Lodipo’s blind mother sat on a goat skin under a tree. She was unaware of what was going on. “How can we leave her on her own?” Akai wondered.
Lodipo and his two wives loaded all their belongings on their two camels. They left quietly without even saying goodbye to the old woman. But Akai was crying because she was sad to leave her mother-in-law all alone.
The old woman was left alone in the manyatta. She cried and sang this sad song: “Awesita Lodipo Ngina Ekitae Ka ng'akinei, Nakolong kedounio, Nitonoma tani Akolong'a Awesiti ngina, Awesiti a Lodipo ngina Eriamaros morua polonia.”
Immediately after Lodipo and his wives had left, raiders attacked the village.
The raiders asked the old woman to tell them where her son went. The warriors told her that they would go after her son and kill him. The old woman pleaded with them not to kill the first wife and her children.
She also told them to bring back her ram that Lodipo took with him.
The warriors followed Lodipo. When he was just settling down in the new place, they caught up with him. They killed him and his young wife.
The first wife, Akai, went back with the ram to live with the old woman. |
Disagreement among occupations | In a village there was a disagreement among people of different occupations. Everyone thought their work was the most important!
The teacher said that he had the most important occupation. “Without teachers you could not go to school and learn.”
The builder said that he had the most important occupation. “Without builders you would not have schools to learn in or houses to sleep in.”
The carpenter said that he had the most important occupation. “Without carpenters you would have no furniture for your houses and schools.”
The doctor claimed that he had the most important occupation. “Without doctors and nurses you could get sick and die.”
The farmer said that she had the most important occupation. “Without farmers you would not have food to eat."
The student argued that students had the most important work. “Without students, there would be no teachers, builders, doctors, farmers, or carpenters.”
Eventually everyone agreed that all the occupations are important. We need teachers, builders, doctors, farmers, and carpenters. But everyone has to be a student first! |
Donkey Child | It was a little girl who first saw the mysterious shape in the distance.
As the shape moved closer, she saw that it was a heavily pregnant woman.
Shy but brave, the little girl moved nearer to the woman. “We must keep her with us,” the little girl’s people decided. “We’ll keep her and her child safe.”
The child was soon on its way. “Push!” “Bring blankets!” “Water!” “Puuuuussssshhh!!!”
But when they saw the baby, everyone jumped back in shock. “A donkey?!”
Everyone began to argue. “We said we would keep mother and child safe, and that’s what we’ll do,” said some. “But they will bring us bad luck!” said others.
And so the woman found herself alone again. She wondered what to do with this awkward child. She wondered what to do with herself.
But finally she had to accept that he was her child and she was his mother.
Now, if the child had stayed that same, small size, everything might have been different. But the donkey child grew and grew until he could no longer fit on his mother’s back. And no matter how hard he tried, he could not behave like a human being. His mother was often tired and frustrated. Sometimes she made him do work meant for animals.
Confusion and anger built up inside Donkey. He couldn’t do this and he couldn’t do that. He couldn’t be like this and he couldn’t be like that. He became so angry that, one day, he kicked his mother to the ground.
Donkey was filled with shame. He started to run away as far and fast as he could.
By the time he stopped running, it was night, and Donkey was lost. “Hee haw?” he whispered to the darkness. “Hee Haw?” it echoed back. He was alone. Curling himself into a tight ball, he fell into a deep and troubled sleep.
Donkey woke up to find a strange old man staring down at him. He looked into the old man’s eyes and started to feel a twinkle of hope.
Donkey went to stay with the old man, who taught him many different ways to survive. Donkey listened and learned, and so did the old man. They helped each other, and they laughed together.
One morning, the old man asked Donkey to carry him to the top of a mountain.
High up amongst the clouds they fell asleep. Donkey dreamed that his mother was sick and calling to him. And when he woke up…
…the clouds had disappeared along with his friend, the old man.
Donkey finally knew what to do.
Donkey found his mother, alone and mourning her lost child. They stared at each other for a long time. And then hugged each other very hard.
The donkey child and his mother have grown together and found many ways of living side by side. Slowly, all around them, other families have started to settle. |
Elders | Once upon a time there was a husband and wife with children. The mother prepared food for the family each day. She would bring the meal to the table for them to eat.
The father would divide the meat. He would say to the eldest child, “I am old enough for meat. Here is yours. Wait until you are older.”
Then he would say to the next child, “I am old enough for meat. Here is yours. Wait until you are older.” It went like this for all the children. The youngest child got the tiniest piece of meat.
The father kept the big pieces of meat for himself and his wife. The children were quiet and ate their food.
Years passed and the children grew up. The parents grew old. They became helpless. The children took turns preparing food for their old mother and father.
One day at meal time, the eldest child served the meat as usual. But this time she gave only a tiny piece to her father and a tiny piece to her mother.
She said to her parents, “You ate yours, now it is our time. We are old enough.” She served most of the meat to her brothers and sisters.
The father remembered what he did while his children were young. Mother and father agreed that it was not the right thing to do. They asked for forgiveness. The children promised that they would not repeat this mistake with their own children. |
Elephant and Chameleon | Once upon a time in a big palace, there lived a king and his beautiful daughter, the princess.
Elephant lived in a house on one side of the palace. Chameleon lived on the other side.
At this time, there was a terrible drought across the land. The king had an idea and called his two neighbours to the palace.
The kind said to Elephant and Chameleon, “I want you to stomp on the ground with your feet until water comes out.” The king promised the princess in marriage to the one who succeeded.
Chameleon had no hope since he was very small. Elephant was extremely happy since he was so big and powerful. Elephant went to the field and started stomping on the ground.
A lot of dust came, but no water. Elephant stomped on the ground until water was almost coming out, but he was too tired. He gave Chameleon a chance to try.
Chameleon started stomping on the ground. After a short while, water came out. People could not believe their eyes!
So the King gave the beautiful princess to Chameleon. Elephant went home annoyed. |
Father and son | Eddawaliwo omusajja nga ye Nsangabisibe. There was a man called Enzo.
Omusajja ono yalina mutabani nga ye Mudduawulira. This man had a son. The son's name was Paul.
Lumu taata yagamba mutabaniwe nti jangu tutambuleko. One day the man said to his son, “Let’s go for a walk.”
Bwe baali batambula, nebasanga omugugu omusibe obulungi ennyo. Omugugu nga gusanyusa okulaba. On the way, they saw a very nice suitcase. It was packed full.
Taata nakwatibwa amaddu nagamba Mudduawuliranti, “Situla omugugu ogwetike tugutwale eka.” The man got very excited. He said to his son, “Pick it up and we will take it home.”
Omwana nasitula omugugu neyetikka. The son did what the father told him to do. Paul put the suitcase on his head and carried it.
Batambulako katono, omusota neguva mumugugu negumugwa kubigere! On the way home, a snake slithered out of the suitcase. It landed on Paul's feet!
Taata ne mutabaniwe batya nnyo era nebasuula omugugu nebadduka. Father and son were both very scared. Paul dropped the suitcase. They ran away very fast! |
First man and first woman | Long long ago when the earth was new, great mountains covered the world like a blanket, and tall trees spiked the sky.
In this world, there was a deep dark pool, silent and cold.
At the bottom of this pool were two snakes. One had thick strongly patterned coils, and the other was smaller and more delicate.
Then one day, there was a great storm. A flash of lightning pierced right to the bottom of the pool. The waters parted for a moment. The snakes saw the earth above, full of colours and shapes and feathered creatures. When the waters closed again, the snakes could not forget the beauty they had seen.
“We cannot stay in this dark cold pool any longer,” they said to each other. “Let us go up and see the earth above.” “How will we live on earth?” said the smaller snake. “Will we crawl on our bellies?”
“The birds of the air will not laugh at us for being so low,” said her friend. “We will not crawl, we will walk!” Very slowly the snakes uncoiled themselves. Close together they began to swim up, up, to the light above.
And as they reached the surface of the water, a strange thing happened. The tips of their tails split into two. They grew limbs with feet and toes. From just beneath their heads grew two arms with hands and fingers.
They were no longer snakes, but Man and Woman.
“We will make our home in the hills,” said Woman. “Each morning we will see the sun rise and feel it warm on our backs.” “We will look after the grass and the trees,” said Man. “And be friends with Bird and Beast.”
“Come,” said First Man. “I will,” said First Woman. And they walked out together into their new world. |
Fox and Rooster | There was a time when all the animals lived together as friends. One day they decided to have a meeting to elect a king.
Rooster wanted to be king. So he lied to the other animals. He told them, “The red comb on my head is fire! Don’t touch the comb on my head!”
The other animals believed Rooster. They decided to elect Rooster as their king. The animals hoped that Rooster’s fire would help them in cold weather.
Then came a day when it rained. And rained. And rained. It was cold. Everything was wet and cold.
“Where can we get fire to warm our bodies?” Rabbit asked the other animals.
“We can get fire from the comb on Rooster’s head,” replied Monkey. “Rooster is our king because he has fire on his head,” said Monkey.
The animals agreed with Monkey. They sent Fox to collect fire from king Rooster.
Fox found Rooster in a deep sleep. So he decided to take fire without asking Rooster.
Fox collected some dry grass. He put the grass next to the comb on Rooster’s head. Nothing happened. The grass did not catch fire.
“Wake up king Rooster!” yelled Fox. “We need fire now.”
But Rooster could not give fire to Fox.
Fox was angry. He went back to the other animals. He told them the truth about the comb on Rooster’s head. From that day, no one was afraid of Rooster. And foxes eat roosters and their families. |
Friends become enemies | Once upon a time there lived two friends, Hyena and Hare. Hyena was a hardworking farmer. He woke up early every morning and went to work in his field.
Hare woke up when it was already broad daylight. He would yawn and stretch. Then he would go looking for food.
Most mornings, Hare would take some seeds from Hyena’s granary. Then he went to his field and pretended to work. He would light a fire and roast the seeds. He did nothing, except eat roasted seeds.
At harvest time, Hare went and stole his friend’s ripe maize. He carried it to his own granary.
Hyena complained about the stolen crops. Hare answered, “Maybe the neighbours stole your maize. They are suffering from famine because they are lazy.”
Hyena thought about this problem for a long time. He came up with an idea. He collected gum from the trees. He put that sticky gum around the whole field. The thief would get stuck in the gum.
During the night, Hare went to Hyena’s field to steal more maize. Before entering the field he looked around to see if it was safe.
Hare did not see the gum that Hyena had put around the field. Hare stood in the gum and was stuck. He started shouting for help.
Hyena heard the shouts and ran out to catch the thief. He could not believe his eyes. It was his friend Hare who was stuck in the gum!
From that time, Hyena went his way and Hare went the other way. That marked the end of their friendship. |
Goat and the hyena’s knife | Once upon a time, there was a long dry spell. The animals ate all the grass in the country. Only the imbowa plants on the big trees survived.
One day Goat saw Hyena pass by with a knife. Goat asked for the knife so that she could cut imbowa plants to eat.
Hyena gave the knife to Goat. She cut down the climbing plant, and ate until she was full. Goat forgot all about the knife she had used.
When Hyena returned to ask for the knife, Goat was at a loss. She could not remember where she had dropped it.
Goat scratched here and there in search of the knife. Up to today Goat is still looking for that knife.
Hyena told Goat, “Since you have lost my knife, which was the source of my livelihood, I will eat you. Then I will eat your offspring!”
From that time, Hyena has never spared Goat.
Meanwhile, Goat continues to search for Hyena’s knife. |
Goat, the false king | Once upon a time, there was a goat called Igodhoobe. Igodhoobe the goat was the king of farm animals and birds. He lived a good life. One day, Igodhoobe the goat called all the animals and birds to a meeting.
“My friends, I have called you because I had a dream,” said Igodhoobe the king. All the animals and birds kept quiet. They listened to their king carefully.
“I dreamed that there was no food or water left in the land. Many of our relatives died!” said Igodhoobe the king. When the animals and the birds heard the dream, they were worried. “What shall we do?” asked the cat.
The hen and the duck had an idea. They said, “Let each one of us bring food and put it in the king’s store.” All the animals agreed with this idea.
Igodhoobe the king made a rule. He said, “Get ropes. Tie up anyone who does not bring food to my store. Then carry him to me.”
Soon after this, it was time for a new king to rule over the farm. All the animals and birds met and elected the cat as their new king.
But Igodhoobe the goat refused to agree that the cat was king. “I’m the king. There is no other king. I can’t obey any other animal,” said Igodhoobe the goat.
The animals took food to the new king’s store. But Igodhoobe the goat did not take anything. “When Igodhoobe the goat was king, we all obeyed him. Now he does not want to obey our new king. What shall we do to him?” asked the cow.
All the domestic animals and birds were angry. “He thinks he is different to us,” they all muttered.
The dog said, “I helped him when he was king. I did not sleep at night. I was always with him, ready to help.”
The sheep said, “I gave him my wool to cover his children.”
The pig said, “When he was king, he told his friends that I eat a lot. But I was often in his garden digging and weeding his maize and millet.”
The sheep asked, “What did he say? That you eat a lot? Did he think that he will be king forever?” Then the sheep added, “Let him understand that he is not king any more. I don’t know why he thinks he is so important.”
All the animals laughed and agreed that Igodhoobe the goat must take food to the new king. King Cat ordered Igodhoobe to come to him.
When the animals went to fetch Igodhoobe the goat, he was sitting on a chair with his legs crossed. The cow told Igodhoobe what the new king said. “I shall not go to the cat. There is no other king except me. When you become a king, you are always a king,” replied Igodhoobe the goat.
“We will tie you with ropes and take you to the new king,” said the sheep.
So the cow tied Igodhoobe the goat to her tail. She then pulled Igodhoobe to the king. The sheep, the duck, the dog, the pig, and the cock cheered as the cow pulled the goat. They all shouted together, “Take this stubborn goat to our new king!”
From that time, every goat refuses to move when it is pulled. It thinks that you are taking it to the king’s court. |
Greedy Kiundu | A long time ago, in the village of Nyamani, there lived a man known as Kiundu. He liked to eat very much. He especially liked to eat meat.
One day, the chief of the village invited all the villagers to his son’s wedding.
Kiundu also heard people talking about another wedding party in a nearby village called Katumbi. “Two parties on the same day!” Kiundu thought.
“I must attend both parties,” Kiundu said to himself. “I will first walk to Katumbi and then come back to Nyamani.”
Kiundu woke up early in the morning and walked to Katumbi village. When he arrived he saw that the cooks were still preparing the food. “I will go back to Nyamani and return here later,” Kiundu decided.
Kiundu walked back to Nyamani hoping to find the meat ready. He was now hungry. But when he arrived, people there were also still preparing the food.
“When I left Katumbi they were starting to cook,” he thought. “The food must be ready now.” So Kiundu walked back to Katumbi. He was now very hungry.
By the time Kiundu got to Katumbi, people had already eaten. Guests were giving presents to the bride and the groom. Kiundu did not have a gift to give. He only wanted to eat.
Kiundu was most disappointed about missing the food. He decided to walk back to Nyamani village. He was hungry and tired and walked very slowly.
When he arrived at Nyamani village, people were singing and dancing. They had already eaten all the food!
When he heared that there was no food, Kiundu fainted. He had missed meat from both parties. When he recovered, he got some porridge in a small cup!
Kiundu walked home again, still hungry. |
Guilty conscience | Once upon a time, there was an old woman who lived with her three grandchildren.
Every morning they all went to work in the field. But one day, one of the girls said, “Grandmother, I don’t feel well today.”
So the old woman sent the child home.
When the girl got home, she saw that there was meat in the pot. She ate all the meat and then went to sleep.
The old woman and two children were tired and hungry when they returned from the field. Grandmother prepared ugali for supper, to eat with the meat she had cooked early in the morning.
She opened the pots to serve her grandchildren. When she opened the pot with the meat, it was empty!
“Who ate the meat?” asked Grandmother, frowning. But all three grandchildren shook their heads. “Not me,” each one said.
So their grandmother tied a rope across the river. She told each of them to walk on the rope as they sang a song. “The one that ate the meat will fall into the river, and learn to tell the truth,” Grandmother said to the children.
The first granddaughter walked quickly across the river, singing the song.
The song went like this: Nimbe esia ulire inyama. Mukoye khalira engwe mu nyanza. Engwe mu ndaliro engwe munyanza. Mukoye khalira engwe mu nyanza.
The other two grandchildren began to argue with each other. The girl said to the boy, “You go next.” The boy replied, “No, you go next!”
The granddaughter who ate the meat was scared and shivering. As she stepped forward to walk on the rope, she slipped and fell into the river.
“Help! Help!” shouted the girl. Grandmother said to the other two, “She is guilty, but we must help her.”
Together they pulled the frightened girl out of the river. Since that day, the old woman’s grandchildren have always told the truth. |
Hare tricks Elephant again | Once upon a time, Elephant and Hare were very good friends. They shared a large herd of camels, cattle, and sheep.
They grazed their animals in the valley of Kingilo. Sometimes they took the animals to the hills, where there was plenty of grass and water.
As the animals grazed, Hare and Elephant played games. They enjoyed playing football very much.
Every time they played, Elephant would score more goals than Hare. This upset Hare very much.
One day Hare asked Elephant, “What makes you so good?” Elephant quickly answered, “My big legs.”
The next day, Hare suggested that they run a race. Elephant agreed and they started their race.
Hare won all the races. Elephant was upset because he had never been defeated. So he asked Hare, “What makes you a good runner?” Hare answered, “My thin legs.”
Without a second thought, Elephant asked what he could do to make his legs thin. Hare said, “It is simple, I will show you with fire.”
Hare said, “Put your legs in the fire.” Elephant stepped into the fire. He shouted, “I am burning! I am burning!”
Hare was happy. He encouraged Elephant to hold on, because burning his legs was the only way they could become thin.
Elephant’s legs hurt very badly, so he crawled out of the fire. He could not stand with his burned legs, so he lay down.
Elephant sat for many days before he could stand on his legs.
Eventually, he was able to limp home to his family.
Hare and Elephant are no longer friends. |
Hen and Eagle | Once upon a time, Hen and Eagle were friends. They lived in peace with all the other birds. None of them could fly.
One day, there was famine in the land. Eagle had to walk very far to find food. She came back very tired. “There must be an easier way to travel!” said Eagle.
After a good night’s sleep, Hen had a brilliant idea. She began collecting the fallen feathers from all their bird friends. “Let’s sew them together on top of our own feathers,” she said. “Perhaps that will make it easier to travel.”
Eagle was the only one in the village with a needle, so she started sewing first. She made herself a pair of beautiful wings and flew high above Hen. Hen borrowed the needle but she soon got tired of sewing. She left the needle on the cupboard and went into the kitchen to prepare food for her children.
But the other birds had seen Eagle flying away. They asked Hen to lend them the needle to make wings for themselves too. Soon there were birds flying all over the sky.
When the last bird returned the borrowed needle, Hen was not there. So her children took the needle and started playing with it. When they got tired of the game, they left the needle in the sand.
Later that afternoon, Eagle returned. She asked for the needle to fix some feathers that had loosened on her journey. Hen looked on the cupboard. She looked in the kitchen. She looked in the yard. But the needle was nowhere to be found.
“Just give me a day,” Hen begged Eagle. “Then you can fix your wing and fly away to get food again.” “Just one more day,” said Eagle. “If you can’t find the needle, you’ll have to give me one of your chicks as payment.”
When Eagle came the next day, she found Hen scratching in the sand, but no needle. So Eagle flew down very fast and caught one of the chicks. She carried it away. Forever after that, whenever Eagle appears, she finds Hen scratching in the sand for the needle.
As the shadow of Eagle’s wing falls on the ground, Hen warns her chicks. “Get out of the bare and dry land.” And they respond: “We are not fools. We will run.” |
Holidays with grandmother | Odongo and Apiyo lived in the city with their father. They looked forward to the holidays. Not just because school was closed, but because they went to visit their grandmother. She lived in a fishing village near a large lake.
Odongo and Apiyo were excited because it was time to visit their grandmother again. The night before, they packed their bags and got ready for the long journey to her village. They could not sleep and talked the whole night about the holiday.
Early the next morning, they left for the village in their father’s car. They drove past mountains, wild animals and tea plantations. They counted cars and sang songs.
After a while, the children were tired and fell asleep.
Father woke up Odongo and Apiyo as they arrived in the village. They found Nyar-Kanyada, their grandmother, resting on a mat under a tree. Nyar-Kanyada in Luo, means ‘daughter of the people of Kanyada’. She was a strong and beautiful woman.
Nyar-Kanyada welcomed them into the house and danced around the room singing with joy. Her grandchildren were excited to give her the presents they brought from the city. “First open my gift,” said Odongo. “No, my gift first!” said Apiyo.
After she opened the presents, Nyar- Kanyada blessed her grandchildren in a traditional way.
Then Odongo and Apiyo went outside. They chased butterflies and birds.
They climbed trees and splashed in the water of the lake.
When it was dark they returned to the house for dinner. Before they could finish eating, they were falling asleep!
The next day, the children’s father drove back to the city leaving them with Nyar-Kanyada.
Odongo and Apiyo helped their grandmother with household chores. They fetched water and firewood. They collected eggs from the chickens and picked greens from the garden.
Nyar-Kanyada taught her grandchildren to make soft ugali to eat with stew. She showed them how to make coconut rice to eat with roast fish.
One morning, Odongo took his grandmother’s cows to graze. They ran onto a neighbour’s farm. The farmer was angry with Odongo. He threatened to keep the cows for eating his crops. After that day, the boy made sure that the cows did not get into trouble again.
On another day, the children went to the market place with Nyar-Kanyada. She had a stall selling vegetables, sugar and soap. Apiyo liked to tell customers the price of items. Odongo would pack the items that customers bought.
At the end of the day they drank chai tea together. They helped grandmother to count the money she earned.
But too soon the holidays were over and the children had to go back to the city. Nyar-Kanyada gave Odongo a cap and Apiyo a sweater. She packed food for their journey.
When their father came to fetch them, they did not want to leave. The children begged Nyar-Kanyada to go with them to the city. She smiled and said, “I am too old for the city. I will be waiting for you to come to my village again.”
Odongo and Apiyo both hugged her tightly and said goodbye.
When Odongo and Apiyo went back to school they told their friends about life in the village. Some children felt that life in the city was good. Others felt that the village was better. But most of all, everyone agreed that Odongo and Apiyo had a wonderful grandmother! |
How tortoise’s nose became crooked | Once upon a time, Tortoise and Squirrel were very close friends. One day, Squirrel said to Tortoise, “My friend, we have no money, but market day is getting close. What business can we do to make some money?”
Tortoise responded, “You know I can make clay plates. I want you to join me in making plates to sell.” “Okay my friend, tomorrow evening I will join you to make the plates,” Squirrel said.
On the day of the market, Tortoise went to the marketplace. He saw two people fighting in the distance. He put down his clay plates and went to watch the fight.
When Tortoise got there, he saw that it was his friend Squirrel fighting with Mole.
Immediately, without finding out what caused the fight, Tortoise took a big stick and began to beat Mole. “Leave my friend alone!” shouted Tortoise.
Mole turned to face Tortoise and bit him deeply on the nose.
Tortoise’s nose began to bleed.
Tortoise had impatiently entered into the fight. Since that day, Tortoise has a crooked nose to remind him not to be so hasty. |
Hungry jackal and the sour grapes | Once upon a time there was a hungry jackal. He was walking around the bush looking for food.
He came upon a big orchard of fresh ripe grapes. He spotted a bunch of grapes hanging from a high branch.
"Those look really delicious," he thought to himself.? He took a few steps back so that he could make his highest jump.
The grapes were too high. Jackal fell on his back without getting to the grapes.
Jackal got up and went further back from his starting spot. This time he was planning to jump higher. He almost got high enough but he fell harder on his back.
He tried again and again, but couldn't get to the grapes. He kept falling until his back was very sore.
Finally, he gave up and walked away.
Jackal was not happy at all. He stopped, looked back at the grapes and thought, "Those grapes look really sour anyway." He carried on walking. He was hungrier than before. |
Hyena and Tortoise | A long time ago, in the village of Mkosi, there lived a greedy hyena.
In a nearby village, lived a timid tortoise. The hyena and the tortoise were friends.
Hyena heard that across the great western river lived bees that made delicious honey. These bees traveled once a year, and were away from their hives for a whole week. “We must get that honey while the bees are away,” said Hyena to Tortoise.
The tortoise was afraid to go. But he was too timid to refuse. The next morning, the two animals set off for the beehives. The hyena walked very fast but the tortoise dragged behind in fear.
They went up a hill, down into a valley and across the plains. Then they crossed the great western river, and walked further.
Finally, they saw beehives in trees on a hill. The hyena ran to the trees energetically. The tortoise almost fainted because he was so tired and hungry.
When Hyena reached the biggest beehive, he wasted no time. He called to Tortoise, “Quickly, climb up the tree and knock down the hive.”
The tortoise struggled slowly up the tree. He knew he could easily slip and fall. This annoyed the hyena, who started yelling at Tortoise.
When Tortoise touched the beehive, he heard the buzzing of bees. They were still in their hives! The tortoise was startled and fell out of the tree. The big beehive fell too.
The beehive landed on the tortoise. Honey covered him completely so he was hidden! Hyena started to lick up the honey. The bees were not pleased.
The bees stung the hyena on every part of his body. Hyena decided to run for his life but the bees followed him.
The hyena ran down the hill, through the river, across the plains and into the valley. The bees swarmed around him all the way, stinging him.
The tortoise, still under the big beehive, noticed that everything was quiet. The beehive and honey had dried on his back.
Soon the tortoise realised that he no longer needed to crawl into a bush to hide. His hard new shell of honey could protect him.
The hyena was so tired and full of stings that he fainted before he got home. When he woke up, he discovered that the stings had caused patches in is fur.
This is how the tortoise got his hard shell, and the hyena got his patches. Hyena swore that he would never again steal. But the hyena and the tortoise are no longer friends. |
Kalabushe the talkative | Long time ago there lived a girl whose name was Kalabushe. Kalabushe was a very talkative girl. Kalabushe’s mother warned her not to talk too much, but Kalabushe did not listen.
One day, Kalabushe’s aunt fell sick. She lived across the valley on the other side of Kalabushe’s village.
Kalabushe’s mother was very busy that day. It was late in the evening by the time she gave Kalabushe food to take to her sick aunt.
On the way Kalabushe met Sinson, the hyena who had changed into a person.
Sinson asked her what she was carrying. Kalabushe answered, “Meat, eggs and milk.” Kalabushe’s mother had warned her not to say what she was carrying.
Kalabushe also told Sinson that her aunt was sick and that she was taking the food to her. Sinson began salivating at the thought of the meat that Kalabushe was carrying.
He quickly ran ahead of Kalabushe to her aunt’s house.
He swallowed Kalabushe’s aunt and then covered himself with her blanket.
When Kalabushe arrived, the house was very quiet. She went inside the house and called out, “Aunt, where are you?”
When she did not hear her aunt’s voice, Kalabushe went to the inner room where her aunt slept. She was surprised when she saw someone covered with a big blanket.
“Aunt, why are your ears so big today?” asked Kalabushe. Sinson replied from under the big blanket, “So that I can hear you well.”
Kalabushe asked again, “Aunt, why are your eyes so big today?” Sinson answered, “So I can see you well.”
Kalabushe finally asked, “Aunt, why is your mouth so big today?” Sinson replied, “So I can swallow you up.” Sinson jumped from the bed and swallowed up Kalabushe.
Because Kalabushe was very talkative, she kept talking even when she was inside Sinson’s stomach. She asked many questions.
In the end, Sinson was so tired of Kalabushe’s many questions that he decided to spit her out.
Kalabushe and her aunt were rescued by the villagers. From that day, Kalabushe did not talk too much to strangers. |
Keeper and his special nursery | This is the story of Keeper and his nursery for orphaned animals.
August was a busy month for Keeper and his helpers at the nursery.
One year old Mkite arrived first. She came in an old green truck.
Keeper and his helpers were very sorry for Mkite. She was so thin and sad.
But soon, Mkite got stronger. She began to play with the other animals at the nursery.
On another day in August, a helicopter landed at the nursery.
Keeper and his helpers rushed outside. In the helicopter was a small elephant under big blanket.
Ndiwa was under the blanket. He was five days’ old. Keeper fed Ndiwa with a bottle.
The third orphan that month was Malea. She arrived at the nursery on a red tractor. She was six months’ old.
Malea the rhinoceros soon became close friends with Enkare, a baby buffalo. They went everywhere together.
One night, everybody was woken up by the arrival of Ambia.
Ambia was five months’ old. She was weak after her long journey.
Because of her long neck, Keeper held the bottle high to feed Ambia.
Tiny twins Abei and Moit arrived in the middle of August. These antelopes were only a few hours’ old. They were very sick.
Everyone was sad when Abei died a week after he arrived at the nursery. But Keeper and his helpers saved Moit.
The last orphans to arrive in August were Kopi, Kepi and Keji. These cubs were two weeks’ old. They were very hungry when they arrived.
Keeper and his helpers love all of the animals, even the naughty ones.
The naughtiest baby was Lobolia. Lobolia liked to hide Keeper's glasses.
The people at the nursery work hard to look after the baby animals. They hope that one day the orphans can look after themselves. Then these animals can return to the wild.
How old and how many? Read the story again and then answer these questions. in the month of August? in August? |
Ketty the naughty girl | Once upon a time, there was a girl by the name of Ketty.
Whenever her mother asked Ketty to do anything, she would refuse.
One day Ketty's mother was sick. She asked Ketty to go to her grandmother and get medicine. On her way to grandmother, Ketty decided to swim in the river.
As the day passed, it began to get dark. Ketty's mother and father began to worry.
Her mother called the neighbours to help look for Ketty. Everyone was worried about the monster who eats children at night.
The monster lived in the forest nearby. It slept all day. At night it went looking for children to eat.
While people were searching for Ketty, she was still having fun in the river.
The monster woke up and started looking for his supper. As he was walking, he smelled a child in the river. The neighbours were also getting closer to the river.
Ketty saw the monster coming and screamed as loudly as she could. She hid in a bush by the river.
The neighbours heard Ketty scream. They ran towards her voice. They found Ketty hiding. She was very scared.
From that day, Ketty learned to listen to her mother. |
King of the birds | Once long ago, the birds had a meeting. They wanted a king, just like people and animals. Which bird should be king?
"Eagle, he is strong and kingly!" said one bird. "No, he has no crown, and when he calls, he sounds too sad," said another. "Then Ostrich, because he is the largest and roars like a lion," one called out. "No, he can't fly. The king of the birds must be able to fly."
"I think I should be king," said Peacock, fanning his tail. "I am so beautiful." "You are too proud," said Owl. "I have the largest eyes of any bird. I should be king." "No, not you, Owl," the other birds shouted. "You go to sleep when the sun rises!"
And so they didn’t get very far with choosing a king. Then one bird had an idea. "The one who can fly the highest will be king," she said. "Yes, yes," all the birds shouted, and they all flew up, up, into the sky.
Goose flew for one day, straight over the highest mountains in the world. Eagle flew for two days, into the sky high above the mountains. But Vulture soared for three whole days without stopping, straight toward the sun. Far above them, the birds heard Vulture cry, "I am the highest, I am king!"
But then just above him Vulture heard a tiny voice, "Tink, tink, tink! I am the highest, I am king." It was Ncede, the smallest bird of all. He had held onto the great wing feathers of Vulture as he soared into the sky.
"You won’t beat me again," said Vulture, and flew straight up into the air. He flew up and up until he could fly no more. "I am higher than any other bird. I am your king!" he cried.
But out from under Vulture's wing crept the tiny bird. "Tink, tink! Tink, tink! It is I, the smallest one! I am your king." Vulture was too exhausted to fly any further.
So down he sailed - with the little bird still under his wing. The other birds were furious with Ncede. They waited for him, ready to pluck out all his feathers.
But quick little Ngcede saw how angry the other birds were, and flew into an empty snake hole. The waiting birds told Owl, "With your big eyes, you must keep guard at the hole and catch him when he comes out." So Owl sat in front of the hole.
But the sun was warm and soon Owl fell fast asleep. Little Ngcede peeped out of the snake hole. When he saw that Owl was asleep, he flew up and away.
Owl was very ashamed that he had let the little bird escape. Now he only hunts at night. In the day, he sleeps, away from the sight of the other birds. |
Letter to mum | Mother was finishing packing her clothes in a small bag.
As she went out the door, she hugged me and said, “Bye for now.”
“Where are you going, mum?” I looked up at her as I asked.
I started to cry wanting to follow her but dad lifted me up on his shoulder.
Dad said, “Your mother is going to the hospital to have a baby.”
When I heard “baby” I stopped crying and looked at him. “Why is she going to get the baby from the hospital?” I asked him.
Dad sat me on a small chair and said, “I will tell you why she is going to get the baby from the hospital.”
I listened keenly to him as he explained although I didn’t quite understand why she wasn’t having the baby at home. When dad finished explaining, I asked, “Will she still love me when she comes back with the other baby?”
My dad held me close and said, “We will always love you.”
“Can I write a letter to her while she is there?” I asked dad.
That evening, I began to write a letter to mum.
I tore a paper from my exercise book and began to write…
“Mummy, mummy, dad said that you have gone to bring another baby…
…Please hurry up and return home…
…I want you to bring a baby girl, so I can play with her when she grows up…
…You can bring two so one can be mine…
…I am waiting for you here outside our house.”
I folded my letter so I could give it to my father to bring it to mum. When I woke up the following morning, the letter was gone. |
Little Ant’s big plan | Little Ant loved to read. Little Ant was often teased. “Ants don’t read. Ants must feed. Ants collect the food they need.”
Little Ant would read all day, he’d read and read the day away.
The other ants took what they found to store for winter underground.
His mum and dad got really mad, and Little Ant felt really bad.
In autumn when the leaves fall down, the ants must keep food underground.
The Queen wants food to fill the store, so all the ants must work some more.
Little Ant begins to shout about a place he read about. “A restaurant is what we need, a place where people go to feed. It says so in the books I read.”
The ants go marching one by one. They march into the setting sun.
And Little Ant said, “Hey, there’s one!”
The ants go marching one by one, carrying a burger, carrying a bun.
When they return the Queen is glad. The stores are full. They cheer like mad.
Ant gets hugs from mum and dad.
His baby sister takes his hand, “Now I think I understand.” “The way you love to read a book … Makes me want to take a look.” |
Lory Dory | One night Grandpa was tucking me in. His hands were soft and his hair was thin.
“I’m going to tell you a special story, about a girl named Lory Dory.”
You couldn’t see Lory Dory at all because she was born invisible.
You’d only see Lory when rain hit her head,
or when she was curled under blankets in bed.
Lory was left out of all the kids’ games. They teased her and they called her names.
“Look, it’s Lory. The Imaginary Friend! She’s not like us, she’s just pretend!”
One day at school, a boy wanted to know: “How do you look? I only see you in snow.”
“Can you paint yourself?” Lory knew that she could. But not in the same way the boy thought she would.
Lory painted her body with all that she loved from the world all around and the sky up above.
She painted herself every day with such pride, to bring out the person who she was inside.
“I know I’m invisible and hard to see. So I painted these pictures to show the real me.”
“Are you making this up, Gramps? Is this story true?” “Lory is real – real as me, real as you.”
When Grandpa had left me, I can’t quite be sure, but I think I saw Lory just outside my door. |
Maguru gives out legs | Long time ago, no animal had legs. They all used to crawl on the ground.
Only human beings had legs because Maguru had given legs to humans.
One day, Maguru decided to give legs to every animal. He walked round the village announcing from a loudspeaker. He wanted each animal to walk like a human being.
The animals were happy when they heard that they would be given legs. Each animal wanted to have legs so that it could walk and run. They sang, wagged their tails and flapped their wings.
Animals gathered and discussed how difficult it was to crawl. The ground scratched their bellies. Legs would also help them to stand and see far, like human beings did.
When the day came, many animals crawled to Maguru’s house to get their legs. Giraffes, lions, elephants, rabbits, crocodiles, and birds queued and waited to be given legs.
Each animal was given four legs. Birds were given two legs each.
Animals looked different on legs. Some danced in joy. Others had difficulty walking and fell down.
They walked round the village showing off to human beings. All the animals said, “We will never crawl again.”
The last animal in the queue was the millipede. Maguru asked, “Is there anyone else after you?” “No, I am the last one,” Millipede answered.
Maguru thought, “If there is no one else, what will I do with the rest of the legs?” Maguru gave all the remaining legs to Millipede.
Millipede went away very happy because he had many legs. “I will move faster than any of them,” he thought.
As soon as Millipede had left, the snake came to Maguru’s house. “Maguru, please give me some legs,” Snake begged.
“I have given out all the legs. Where were you?” Maguru asked. “I over-slept,” Snake replied.
Maguru checked in his house to see whether there were any legs remaining. But he did not find any.
Maguru came out and said, “Sorry, Snake, there are no legs remaining.” Snake had to crawl back home without legs. Since that day Snake does not sleep much. He is always waiting for the next chance to get legs. |
Mulongo and the hyenas | There was once a girl called Mulongo who lived with her parents near the village of Budongo. One day Mulongo's mother sent her to fetch water at the well.
On the way, she met her friends. They were going to the forest to get firewood. Mulongo wanted to go with them. "Please wait for me under this muvule tree!" she said, "I have to fetch water for my mother." But her friends didn’t want to wait.
"All right, I’ll catch up with you in the forest!" said Mulongo. She ran off to fetch water and take it to her mother. Then she went to the forest to look for her friends.
She followed a path that led to a stream. On the other side of the stream were many tiny paths each one, leading in a different direction. "Which path had her friends taken?" she wondered.
She chose the biggest path, and walked and walked, but she could not find her friends. She was so tired that when she sat under a tree to rest, she fell fast asleep.
When Mulongo woke up, it was dark. In the darkness, yellow eyes were gleaming. She was surrounded by hyenas! She was too terrified even to cry out. She tried running, but the hyenas circled her hungrily.
"Don’t move," said the gruff voice of the biggest hyena. "If you run, we’ll eat you!" "Please let me go home!" Mulongo pleaded.
But instead the hyenas took Mulongo to their house in the forest. It was a dirty hut full of bones and buzzing flies. She lay down and pretended to go to sleep.
In the darkness, she heard the hyenas talking to each other. "How is the fire doing?" one hyena asked. "Is the water boiling?" "Everything is ready," was the reply. "Should I bring her?" "Yes, yes!" growled the other hyenas. "We’re hungry!" They were ready to drag Mulongo out of the hut.
But the big hyena spoke, "Hyenas, wait. Remember the rule of the village. No hyena may eat alone. We have to invite the whole family to share a meal." "I’ll go and call the in-laws," said his wife. "I’ll go and fetch my cousins," said the small hyena. "I’ll fetch our brothers and sisters," said another. "And I will remain here with our food," said the big hyena.
The big hyena sat in the doorway of the hut and the others went off in different directions. They took a long time, and the big hyena began to doze in front of the warm fire. Soon he was snoring. This was Mulongo's chance! But how was she going to get past the hyena? He was so big he filled the whole doorway.
There was only one way. She took a flying leap right over the hyena’s back, and ran as fast as her legs could carry her.
Just then the other hyenas returned, and saw what had happened. They ran after her, howling with anger and disappointment. But it was too late.
As she came to her village, one of the villagers recognised her and shouted, "Mulongo, Mulongo is coming, Mulongo is coming." Her father and mother ran out to meet her. They hugged her, while thanking God for saving their child, "Mulongo, Mulongo, we thought you had died!"
From that day, Mulongo and the other children never again went back to the forest alone. |
Mwari and the ogre | Once upon a time there lived a young girl called Mwari.
Her parents used to send her to collect firewood near the forest,but with caution not to go inside the forest for the forest was full of dangerous animals and ogres.
As she looked inside the forest she saw a big dry log lying on the ground. One day Mwari went to collect firewood as usual.
She took the axe and entered into the forest. As she started cutting the fallen tree into pieces she heard a big sound asking,” who is touching my firewood?”
Mwari was so scared, she tried to run but the ogre grabbed her by hand.
It told her she will make it’s lunch meal by boiling in a big pot.
Her screams alerted other villagers who had come to collect firewood too
They ran back to the village and informed the village warriors who went to the forest to fight the ogre.
Although many of them were injured they managed to rescue her.
She learnt her lesson to obey what she was told. |
My first pair of shoes | I had never worn shoes before. When I saw children wearing nice shoes, I would look at them with longing.
My mother would say, “You will have many pairs in the future, just wait!” Sometimes I did not believe her. “When is the future?” I asked her one day.
Time passed and it was nearly Christmas. Everybody was busy going to the market and coming back with bags of new things. “Mother, are we going to the market?” I asked her.
The day before Christmas, my mother woke me up earlier than usual. She asked me to fetch the big shopping basket she always carried to the market.
At the open-air market there were many parents with their children. They were buying new clothes and stocking up on food.
We went straight to where there were many different types of shoes. My eyes were wide with amazement. I gaped at row after row of neatly arranged shoes.
After trying on many pairs, I settled for black lace-up shoes. At home that night, I couldn’t sleep. I was so excited thinking of how I would wear my new shoes and show off to every child in the village.
After a while, I got out of bed and put on the shoes. I walked slowly around the room and then put the shoes back into the box. I lay down again, but I couldn’t sleep.
I got up and tried on the shoes a second time. I strutted around the room for a while and then put them back.
I lay down once more and tried to sleep. But I got up a third time. I put on the shoes and jumped around the room. Then I felt tired. I decided to get back into bed.
The following morning, I was woken by my mother. “What is this I see?” she asked.
I was wearing my new shoes in bed! |
My friend Coco | When I was five years old, my uncle gave me a wonderful present. It was a three-week-old puppy! The day my uncle brought the puppy home, I was very happy. I knew I had a friend.
After putting him down, my uncle turned to me and asked, “What name will you give him?” I looked at my puppy, and said, “Coco.” My uncle was surprised. He asked, “Why do you call him Coco?” I said, “Because he looks like cocoa.”
I asked my uncle if Coco was born alone. My uncle said that there was another puppy, exactly like Coco. I went to see Coco’s brother.
When Coco saw his brother, he was very excited. The two of them put their heads together as if they were talking.
I asked my uncle if I could keep both Coco and his brother. “All right,” he said. “But you must look after them.” So every evening, I played with them and took them for exercise.
A few months later, Coco and his brother were big, strong and healthy. They were too big for me to look after on my own.
So I asked my uncle to take back Coco’s brother. But when Coco was left alone, he looked very sad. It felt as if he was asking me, “Why did you do that?”
He stopped playing. Sometimes he refused to go for a walk with me. There were times when Coco ate very little. I was worried. I asked myself, “What can I do to help Coco?”
Then one day my uncle came to visit. When I heard his voice, I rushed out of the house. Before I could see him, I heard the barking of dogs.
Behind the kitchen, dancing happily before me were Coco and his brother!
I was so happy that I did not know who to hug first, Coco or my uncle. I knew Coco would go back to his old self now that his brother was back. We would go running in the fields again! |
Namoratunga | Long time ago, in a Turkana village, people loved to dance the edonga dance.
Every evening they gathered together and danced edonga. The whole region came to know of this village and its dancers.
People from the nearby villages also came to dance edonga.
A stranger heard of the famous village. He sent his messenger to go there before him.
When the messenger arrived, the villagers were afraid. They wondered who the stranger was, and why he had sent his messenger. The villagers prepared food and animals to be slaughtered.
The villagers gathered and prepared sacrifices. They sat the whole day until evening. But the stranger did not arrive.
In the evening, the villagers danced as usual until midnight. That night there were many dancers. Everybody in the village was excited.
Before the dance ended, the stranger arrived. Even though he was a stranger, he looked just like the other villagers. They did not notice him at first.
When it was the stranger's turn to dance, he joined the men. But his dancing was strange and different from the others.
People were amused and began to laugh at the stranger. Some dancers fell down laughing. Some sat down, and others knelt laughing.
The stranger did not like people laughing at him. He decided to curse them. He stopped dancing and everyone became a stone in the position they were in. Some were lying down, others standing, others sitting and kneeling. Then the stranger left the village.
Since then, those stones remained there. At night they can be heard singing and dancing edonga. That is how we have the site of Namoratunga. |
Namukhaywa | Long time ago, in the village of Elunyiko, there lived a man called Ndong’a and his wife called Namukhaywa. They had six children. All of them were girls.
When Namukhaywa was pregnant with her seventh child, Ndong’a warned her, “If you give birth to another girl, I will leave you. But if you give me a baby boy, I will hold a big party for you!”
When it was time to give birth, Namukhaywa went to the traditional midwife. Would the child be a girl or a boy?
It was a boy AND a girl – twins! She called the boy Mukhwana, and the girl she called Mulongo. As she looked at Mukhwana, she was very happy. But as she looked at Mulongo, she felt sad. She felt that there was only one thing she could do.
Namukhaywa left Mulongo in the care of the midwife and took Mukhwana home to her husband.
She proudly showed Ndong’a the baby boy. He was very happy and called all the villagers to celebrate the birth of his son.
Mukhwana grew up to be a fine young man. And Mulongo grew up to be a fine young woman.
One day, while minding his father’s cattle, Mukhwana saw a very beautiful girl. “This is the girl I want to marry,” he said to himself.
But when he asked her to marry him, she sang this song: “Mukhwana wefwe, Mukhwana. So yakhupa omunwa, Mukhwana. Nebebula omukhana, Mukhwana. Barulaka khulwanda, Mukhwana. Nebebula omusiani, Mukhwana. Barera mungo muno, Mukhwana. Iyeyi yakwa, Mukhwana. Iyindi yakwa, Mukhwana.”
This happened again and again. Mukhwana did not know what to do. So he went to his mother, Namukhaywa. “I have found a beautiful girl,” he said. “And I want to marry her. But every time I ask her, she sings the same song.”
To his surprise, Namukhaywa said, “What the girl is singing about is true. That is your sister. You were born twins. Your father wanted a son, not a daughter. So I left your baby sister with the midwife, and brought you home to your father.”
When Mukhwana told his father the story, he saw that he had been wrong. He called Namukhaywa and together they went to the midwife to fetch Mulongo.
When Mulongo arrived home, her father and the village elders slaughtered a goat and performed the traditional ceremony for re-uniting Mulongo and her seven siblings.
A year later, Mulongo was married to the son of the rich king of that village. She brought a lot of wealth and happiness to her family. |
One hot Saturday afternoon | It was a very hot Saturday afternoon in December.
“Bontle and Mpho and Lerato, go out and play!” Mme said to us. “I don’t want you under my feet.” We ran out of the house.
“Let’s go to the river,” Lerato said. “It’s cooler there.” “But Mme told us not to swim in the river,” said Bontle. “We won’t swim,” answered Lerato. “We’ll just play in the shade next to the water.”
But playing libeke is hot work, even when you’re under the trees next to the river. First we took off our shoes. But we were still hot. Then we took off our shirts and skirts. But we were still hot.
We put our feet in the river to cool off. Then we splashed each other. Soon we were soaked with water.
“Oh come on! ?Let’s swim,” said Mpho. “Mme will never know.” We swam and swam and forgot about the time.
The sun started to go down, and the day began to cool. Where were our clothes?
We looked under the trees. We looked on the bushes. We looked everywhere.
There were some cows near the river, enjoying the sweet grass. Bontle looked up, “Look at that cow! What’s in her mouth?” “She’s eating a red flower,” said Lerato. “It’s not a red flower,” shouted Mpho. “It’s your shirt!”
We looked at another cow who was chewing something blue. “That’s my skirt!” shouted Bontle.
We went home in our panties, shivering. But not only because it was cool. “It was the cows,” we cried. “The cows ate our clothes.”
But did Mme believe us? Soon our bottoms were very warm. And it wasn’t from the sun. |
Otukolia fights Lingiri | There existed a monstrous animal called Lingiri. It lived in a cave at the foot of a mountain.
Lingiri swallowed all the people on the earth. Except one pregnant woman.
This expectant mother lived alone near a forest. She would go to collect firewood to cook her food.
One time when she went to collect firewood, she collected a heap that was too heavy for her to carry. She said to herself aloud, “Who will help me raise this firewood on to my head?”
It so happened that the day for this mother to deliver was due. When the pregnant woman was struggling to lift the firewood, the child jumped out and said, “Mother, let me lift for you.” Since the child still had the umbilical cord, she named him Otukolia. His name meant ‘one with a long uncut umbilical cord.’
When Otukolia had grown up a bit, he asked his mother, “Eyaa, I see only you and me, where are some of our people?” His mother replied, “Grow up a bit more.”
Each time Otukolia pestered his mother to tell him where their relatives were. But his mother would always reply, “Grow up a bit more.”
When his mother saw that the boy had grown up and was able to defend himself, she told him about the monstrous animal. “This monster has swallowed everyone. It lives in a cave at the foot of the mountain. The people are still alive in the monster!” said the woman.
When he was about seventeen, Otukolia started making many sharp razor blades. When he was fully prepared, he climbed up the mountain and sat on a stone and started calling Lingiri in a loud voice, “Li--ngi-ri-ri-ri, Li-ng-i-ri-i- i-i.”
When Lingiri heard the call, he responded “Yiyiyiyiyi -yi-yi-yi-yi,” and his voice shook the earth. He asked, “I’ve eaten all the Bari. I’ve eaten all the Ndrua. I’ve eaten all the Ma’di. Who is calling me up there?” Otukolia called again and Lingiri responded asking the same question, “Who is calling me up there?”
Lingiri walked out of his cave. His long tongue stretched out towards Otukolia, ready to eat him.
Lingiri attempted to lick up Otukolia with his tongue. But each time, Otukolia cut Lingiri’s tongue with the sharp razor blades.
Lingiri’s tongue got smaller and weaker until the monster died. Otukolia took a machete and cut open the monster’s tummy.
All the people in Lingiri’s tummy came out with great joy. They thanked him for liberating them. Otukolia became their king for defeating Lingiri. |
Pontshibobo's tree (Colour-in) | Once upon a time, there was a young man called Pontshibobo. When he was little he was a very good boy. He had grown into a very good man. He respected everybody he met.
Pontsihibobo had a friend called Hippo. He was not respectful like Pontshibobo. One day Pontshibobo and Hippo were walking down the street together. Hippo had an idea, “Let’s go and smoke a zol,” he said.
Pontshibobo was surprised. “Why do you ask me to smoke with you?You know that I don’t smoke.”
Hippo got cross. “If you don’t want to smoke with me you can’t be my friend,” he said and walked off.
Pontshibobo went home and sat under the tree in his yard and cried.
“Why are you crying?” asked the tree. Pontshibobo got a huge fright. He had never heard a tree talking before. He told the tree about Hippo. “I have lost a friend,” he said.
The tree asked Pontshibobo, “What do you really wish for?” Pontshibobo thought for a while. Then he replied, “I want a house. I am grown up now and I want a home. I want to marry and have children.”
The tree also thought for a while. “Take my leaves and my branches and build yourself a house with them,” he said. Pontshibobo did as the tree told him and he built a small, beautiful house. He married and had children. He was happy.
But the tree was not happy. Pontshibobo had forgotten all about him and he felt sad. “I need a friend,” the tree said to himself, “or else I will die.” Just at that moment Pontshibobo came into the yard. He heard what the tree said, and he saw that the tree was very sick.
Pontshibobo was also sad. He had forgotten all about the tree that had helped him build a house for his wife and children. “I am so sorry,” he cried and gave the tree a big hug.
When the tree saw that his friend was back he smiled. He grew new branches and fresh leaves.
Pontshibobo’s children climbed up the branches of the tree. Pontshibobo and his wife sat in the shade after a long day at work. They told stories and laughed and were happy. Pontshibobo and the tree were friends forever. |
Pontshibobo’s tree | Once upon a time, there was a young man called Pontshibobo. When he was little he was a very good boy. He had grown into a very good man. He respected everybody he met.
Pontsihibobo had a friend called Hippo. He was not respectful like Pontshibobo. One day Pontshibobo and Hippo were walking down the street together. Hippo had an idea, “Let’s go and smoke a zol,” he said.
Pontshibobo was surprised. “Why do you ask me to smoke with you?You know that I don’t smoke.”
Hippo got cross. “If you don’t want to smoke with me you can’t be my friend,” he said and walked off.
Pontshibobo went home and sat under the tree in his yard and cried.
“Why are you crying?” asked the tree. Pontshibobo got a huge fright. He had never heard a tree talking before. He told the tree about Hippo. “I have lost a friend,” he said.
The tree asked Pontshibobo, “What do you really wish for?” Pontshibobo thought for a while. Then he replied, “I want a house. I am grown up now and I want a home. I want to marry and have children.”
The tree also thought for a while. “Take my leaves and my branches and build yourself a house with them,” he said. Pontshibobo did as the tree told him and he built a small, beautiful house. He married and had children. He was happy.
But the tree was not happy. Pontshibobo had forgotten all about him and he felt sad. “I need a friend,” the tree said to himself, “or else I will die.” Just at that moment Pontshibobo came into the yard. He heard what the tree said, and he saw that the tree was very sick.
Pontshibobo was also sad. He had forgotten all about the tree that had helped him build a house for his wife and children. “I am so sorry,” he cried and gave the tree a big hug.
When the tree saw that his friend was back he smiled. He grew new branches and fresh leaves.
Pontshibobo’s children climbed up the branches of the tree. Pontshibobo and his wife sat in the shade after a long day at work. They told stories and laughed and were happy. Pontshibobo and the tree were friends forever. |
Pumpkins | Once upon a time there was a family with twelve children.
In the spring, the man planted some seeds in their garden. He said to his family, “I found these seeds and I don’t know which plant they are from.” He warned them, “Don’t eat the fruit until we know what it is.”
The seeds quickly grew into plants. The plants looked like pumpkin plants. Soon the round ripe fruit were ready for harvesting.
Just at this time, the father went away from his family, to work. The mother went to the market to look for food for her children.
The children were so hungry that they couldn’t wait for their mother to return. The eldest child said, “Look, I’m sure those are pumpkins, let’s pick some!” So they picked the plants. They cooked them, and ate until they were full.
All the children fell down, dead! When their mother came home, she found her children lying lifeless. She saw the pumpkin skins on a plate.
She called a dove and asked it to fly to her husband.
When the dove reached the place where the man worked, it sang this song to him: Tsi tsi etsia mumbo Tsio khulola Ondieki, tsi tsi Maondo ki yaraka, tsi tsi Kamalira abana, tsi tsi Ekhumi na babili, tsi tsi
The man was worried when he heard the dove’s song. He started the journey home and went as fast as he could.
On the way he stopped to ask the advice of a healer. The healer listened to the father’s story, and then gave him a magic stick.
When the man arrived home, he touched each child with the magic stick. The children slowly came alive again.
After that day, the children never again ate pumpkins. |
Rain for Nomvula | “No Nomvula, don’t play with water. It is so scarce!” “But it’s hot, Mama! I feel like getting into this water. I want to be cool.”
“No, Nomvula. Don’t play with water. Water is scarce.” “But it’s hot, Mama, I’m thirsty. I’d like to drink cold water.”
It is raining. There is going to be a lot of water. Now I can’t play – I wish it could be hot.
Look at the vegetables. They are growing and becoming green. Look! The bowls and buckets are overflowing with water.
It has stopped raining. Now we can play! Look how beautiful everything is after the rain. The sky is clear and blue. Trees and grass are green, and the plants are flowering.
Oh no! There the rain is again! When are we going to play?
Oh no, me! I’m going to play, even if it’s raining! Oh it’s so lovely to play in the rain. Chapha chapha chapha! Imanz’ilokhwe yam! Imanz’ilokhwe yam! Chapha chapha chapha! Zimanz’iinwele zam! Zimanz’iinwele zam!
Nomvula, you don’t want to listen, my child. Come closer, let me dry and comb your hair. Chapha chapha chapha! Zimanz’iinwele zakho! Zimanz’iinwele zakho! |
Rats! | There was a man who sold oil that he made in his house.
And in that house there were rats. Lots of rats!
Every day the rats looked at the oil and said, "How can we get that oil?"
The rats tried to put their mouths into the bottles. But the spaces in the bottles were too small.
The rats tried to tip over the bottles. But the oil would not flow out.
The rats had a meeting to discuss the problem. After a while, one rat said, "Let's put our tails into the bottles. Then we can lick the oil off our tails."
And that's exactly what the rats did. They put their tails into the bottles, and then licked the oil off each other's tails. The rats did this until they had licked up all the oil.
The man of the house saw that all his oil was gone!
And that was the end of it. |
Rooster and Hare | Once upon a time, there was a rooster and a hare. They were very good friends.
One night, Hare visited Rooster and his family at home. They enjoyed supper together.
Then came the time to go to bed. Hare saw that as Rooster and his family slept, their heads were hidden.
Hare saw that Rooster and his family slept very well. He was not able to sleep the whole night.
In the morning, Hare wanted to know Rooster’s secret. “Where do you put your heads at night?” he asked.
Rooster decided to play a joke on Hare. He said, “My friend, we birds have a secret for going to sleep. At bedtime, we chop off our heads. Without heads, we sleep very well.”
“Then in the morning, we put our heads back on,” explained Rooster.
Hare went home and told his family the secret of the chickens. The Hare family decided to try it themselves! What do you think happened? |
Rooster and Leopard | Once upon a time all the animals lived together in the bush. The rooster was their chief.
Rooster told the animals that the comb on his head was made of fire. For this reason all the animals feared the rooster.
In those days, fire was made using a bow drill. One rainy day, Leopard’s bow drill got wet. She could not make a fire to warm her family.
So Leopard sent her cubs to ask Rooster for fire from his comb.
Rooster was in a bad mood. He sent the cubs away without any fire. Leopard was upset when the cubs came back with nothing.
Late that night when Rooster was asleep, Leopard and cubs went to steal the fire from Rooster’s comb. Leopard picked some dry grass outside Rooster’s house.
She put the dry grass next to the sleeping Rooster’s comb. But the grass did not catch fire. She carefully touched the comb. It was cold!
The cubs also touched the comb. There was no fire! The leopard family all started laughing.
The leopards’ laughter woke Rooster and the chickens. Rooster turned his comb towards them, shouting, “You should run away. Aren’t you afraid?”
Leopard replied, “We touched your comb and we know about your trick! We’ll go back and tell the other animals. They will be angry with you.”
The chickens were afraid. They ran away and Rooster ran with them. The chickens left the bush and went to live with people.
Since that time, chickens have feared leopards and lived with people for protection. |
Singing the Truth The Story of Miriam Makeba | A long time ago, in the vast city of Johannesburg, a baby girl was born. That baby was me. My mom called me Miriam. Miriam Makeba.
Mom was a sangoma, but she also worked to make other people’s homes neat and clean. It was hard for my mom to earn enough for both of us. She started selling homemade beer to bring in more money.
The laws of the land said that selling homemade beer was wrong. The police sent my mom to jail for six and needed my mom. So even though I was just a baby, I went to jail too.
As a little girl I loved to sing. When I was older, I helped my mom clean houses. Singing songs as I worked made the chores go faster and the days seem brighter. Singing made me happier than I can explain.
I sang in my church, and this made others happy too. Music has the power to bring people together. When we were singing we felt brave and strong.
People said my voice was a gift and my songs were special. I sang with other musicians and our music was heard all over the world.
My home was Sophiatown, a place of culture and music. Sophiatown, a place where South Africans could make music in harmony and dance together. But the people who ruled the land at the time did not like this togetherness. Those rulers didn’t want black and white people to be friends.
I knew it was wrong to treat people differently because of their skin colour. I did not hide my beliefs, and so those people in charge wanted me out of the country. When I was singing in America, I was told I could never return home.
People all over the world heard my story. My songs and my story helped many to see how there was no fairness in South Africa for those with black skin. I decided to go on singing and telling the truth about my country, no matter what.
The world loved my music and I was welcomed in many countries. I won awards and sang for important people all over the globe. My life was good, but something was missing. I could not sing in my home country, and people there were not free.
Then a wonderful day dawned when Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa. New people were in charge and the unfair laws belonged to the past. I finally went home with new hope in my heart.
After that I could sing in a free, fair country. People of different skin colours could enjoy music together. I helped make this happen because I was brave and strong. I sang the truth in all of my songs. |
The baboons that went this way and that | The people in a village of small huts were becoming unhappy. Wild animals began to come and frighten them.
These animals ate all their crops and even carried children away. It was not a good place to live any longer, but where could the people go?
One family found the answer. It was not hard to find food up in the hills.
Bushes grew in the cracks between rocks. Trees grew on the slopes of the hills. The parents trapped rock rabbits and the children caught birds.
Other families noticed how well the hill family lived. “It is a good life up in the hills,” said the husband. “You should come there too.”
Soon the other families left the flat land and went up to the hills. Each family found a cave to live in, and felt warm and secure.
Soon the children became very quick at climbing rocks, and finding fruit in the trees. They could swing in the branches almost as well as any monkey.
Slowly, things began to change. The children talked less, and grunted more. Then the adults noticed that their noses were getting bigger and that they were growing more hair.
Every time they looked at one another they saw that their teeth were longer. They started to walk on four legs.
They became a new creature that no-one had seen before in that place. This was the creature which people now call the baboon.
For a time, the baboons lived happily. They stopped chasing the rock rabbits and ate grubs from the ground.
They forgot how to talk. They took off their clothes because their legs and arms were covered with dark hair.
They still remembered that they had been people. They looked at each other’s big noses and laughed at each other.
But they did not like the laughing. They jumped up and down in anger. Soon the baboons could not be together because of the laughing and the anger. Each family went off and lived by itself.
That is why baboons live in small groups today and do not live as a baboon nation. |
The girl who got rich | Once upon a time, there lived two sisters, Nelima and Nambuya. Their parents were dead. They lived on bare land. There was neither rain nor crops to eat. Whoever wanted food had to go a long distance to find any.
Nelima was a humble, quiet and helpful girl. Her sister Nambuya was proud and did not listen to advice. She did not care about other people.
One day, the two sisters woke up and found that they had nothing to eat. They had to look for food. So Nelima and Nambuya went off in different directions.
Meanwhile, there lived an old woman called Netasile. She was believed to be a giver of riches. Netasile had leprosy and her body was full of sores.
Nambuya came across this old woman, who called her, “My daughter, how are you? Where do you come from? Where are you going?”
Nambuya answered all the questions. Then the old woman said, “Come carry me to my house and I will tell you what to do.” Nambuya was rude to the woman.
She said, “I would rather die than touch those dirty sores of yours.” The old woman kept quiet and wished her a safe journey.
Nambuya walked until she reached a place where there were millipedes, snakes, caterpillars and many other insects. She was very tired and weak because she had not eaten anything. When she sat down to rest, these creatures began to bite her.
On her journey, Nelima came to the same woman. She was happy to see Netasile, being the first person she met since starting her journey. The old woman called her and asked the same questions.
Nelima agreed to carry Netasile to her house. “You have done what many have failed to do,” said the old woman. She gave Nelima a stick and told her to go back home, where she would find everything she wanted.
Nelima was very grateful and thanked the old woman. She ran back home and found a new house with everything in it, and a lot of food. She became the richest woman in the land.
But she mourned for the loss of her sister. She said, “One who did not listen to advice ended up in an elephant’s mouth.” |
The girl who played. | Maama Bela gave a letter to Nekesa. ''Take this letter to Jjaja Kolo'' Said maama Bela.
Nekesa put on her shoes. She put the letter in her small bag and ran off.
She met her friends who were playing netball. ''Am taking this letter to Jjaja Kolo. I like to enjoy netball for some minutes. i must join you now'' Said Nekesa. She played netball with friends.
She met an old man with her wife feeding the chicken. ''Am taking this letter to Jjaja Kolo, but it is fun to feed chicken, I must join you now'' Nekesa started to feed chicken.
She met friends who wanted to climb a hill. ''Am taking this letter to Jjaja Kolo, but I have never climbed any hill. I must join you now.'' She joined the group.
She met friends who were picking mangoes.''Am taking this letter to Jjaja Kolo but i like picking mangoes . I must join you.'' She picked mangoes with friends.
She met friends who were swimming. ''Am taking this letter to Jjaja Kolo but i like swimming so much. I must join you now.'' She joined the swimming group.
She forgot about the letter. Some one played with the bag and dropped the letter on the grass. A group of cows came to the pool to drink water.
A cow grabbed the letter and chewed it up. Nekesa did not see the cow.
''It is coming to midday. I must take Jjaja Kollo`s letter'' She said. Nekesa picked her bag and checked inside it. The bag was empty.
she screamed and called for help. ''My friends help me I cant find Jjaja Kolo`s letter. Who has picked it?''
Her friends tried to look for the letter but it was not found.
''Am now in danger. but let me go back home. but Maama Bela will punish me.'' She went home with one of her friend.
''Am sssssorry Maama Belah! I lost Jjaja kolo`s letter.'' Maama Belah asked her many questions. She knew that Nekesa played much and lost the letter. She gave her a small punishment and warned her never to do it again. |
The girl with one breast | A long time ago, there was a man who lived with his wife whom he loved very much. One day he took a walk to the forest. Along the way, he met a tall, slender, and very beautiful girl. He fell in love with her at first sight. The girl too readily accepted him. But she told him that she had only one breast.
So she told him to go home, cut off one of his wife’s breasts and bring it to her. Then she would have two breasts, and they could marry. The man ran very fast back home, picked a knife, pounced on his dear wife, and the breast was off instantly.
He hurried back to the forest to where he had left his newfound darling. But she was nowhere to be seen. He called her name very loudly, but there was complete silence. Then he heard a voice saying, “Why are you calling? Don’t you know that you are in the forest area of Musambwa kwa Libeeletwela?”
When the man heard that, he ran home as fast as a bullet … Only to find his wife had just died. He was so grief stricken because of what he had done that he too died. |
The Jungle School | There was a dark jungle.
It was a big dark jungle. There were lots of trees and a narrow path. Many animals and birds lived here.
One day, all the animals came together. "Did you hear?" asked Tota, the parrot. "Yes," said Hirni, the deer. "What?" asked Darpok, the rabbit. "We have a school in the jungle," answered Zhoola, the monkey. Mota, the elephant wondered, "Hmph?" Lamboo, the giraffe said, "Oh, good!" Dheema, the snail squealed, "Hurry, let's go!"
Tota, the parrot flew ahead. Zhoola, the monkey jumped from tree to tree. Poorakha, the python slithered fast. "Here!" shouted Tota. "Can you read?" "It is upside down, I think," said Zhoola hanging by the branch. Poorakha concluded, "Hisssss. No one can read."
Soon, all the other friends joined them. Lamboo looked over the tree. "No one here," he said. Zhoola repeated, "No one here." Tota proposed, "Look carefully!" Pilloo, the little bear declared, "I found a room!"
"I found a swing", announced Dheema. "What are these blocks?" Darpok wanted to know. "What is this?" was Zhoola's question. Poorakha explained, "I believe, this is a pencil."
Moto and Lamboo found a classroom. They called the others, "Look, what is this?" Everyone came with school bags. They began shouting, "Teacher! Teacher! Where is our teacher?" No one knew.
Then they heard a roar. They heard a loud roar. They heard a louder roar. Poorakha was worried. Dheema was scared. Tota hid behind the board. Lamboo and Zhoola were puzzled.
Who is this? "Hup!" said Zhoola the monkey. No one spoke. They all looked at the teacher. Up and down carefully. Then they looked at one another.
The teacher turned to write on the black board. "Jump," said Zhoola. "Fly! said Tota. Thump, thump, thump ran Mota. "Run, run run fast," screamed Dheema. "Bhagoooo," they all shouted together. When the teacher turned... There was no one in the class. |
The sick hyena | Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a time of great hunger. A very smart hyena pretended he was so sick he couldn’t even go out.
Lots of animals went to visit him in his home to comfort him. But none of them ever came out!
One beautiful afternoon, the rabbit arrived. He thought he would like to visit the hyena too.
He almost went into the hyena’s cave. But suddenly he stopped, and saw there were only tracks of animals going in, and none coming out.
So he stayed outside and shouted into it, "How are you? Are you healthy, my best friend? Are you getting better?"
The hyena answered, "Don’t worry, my friend. Come in and give me some lovely company!"
“Oh, I'm not sure if I should come in. Really, I don’t have time right now, and you have so many visitors . . .” “No, no, rabbit, everything is alright. There’s nobody in here. It's no good for me to stay here all sick and alone.”
"You are lying! I can see the footprints of animals that have gone in but haven't come out . . . “
The hyena went quiet and the rabbit said, “Good-bye, my friend, I think I will visit you another day.”
And the rabbit ran far away from that place! |
Vayu, the wind | Everytime I finish my hot, hot bath. My wet body feels so cool, cool cool. What makes that happen? Vayu, the wind!
The milk in my cup - too hot, too hot. But soon it is ready for me to gulp. Who makes that happen? Vayu, the wind!
The window curtains flutter and gently brush my face. Who makes it happen? Vayu, the wind!
A bolt of lightning far away. Black clouds moving my way. Who makes that happen? Vayu, the wind!
Branches sway and leaves tremble. Flowers gently fall. Who did it all? Vayu, the wind!
Far from the house, we are playing, yet, I can smell the sweets mother is preparing. Who makes it happen? Vayu, the wind!
A glass tumbler on a windowsill, crashes on the ground. I am glad I was not around. Who played this mischief? Of course, it was Vayu, the wind!
A whistle blows. A train rolls in. I cannot see, but hear its din. Who makes that happen? Vayu, the wind!
Cannot be seen. Cannot be heard. Does all the work without a word. Who can it be? Of course! The wind! |
We made a decision | My village had many problems. We made a long line to fetch water from one tap.
We waited under one big tree for food donated by others.
We locked our houses early because of theft.
Many children dropped out of school.
Young girls worked as maids in other villages.
Young boys roamed around the village while others worked on people's farms.
When the wind blew, waste paper hung on trees and fences.
People were cut by broken glass that was thrown carelessly.
Then one day, the tap dried up and our containers were empty.
My father walked from house to house calling people to attend a village meeting.
People gathered under the big tree where we had got donated food.
My father stood in the middle of the group. He said, “We need to solve the problems in our village. We need to work together.”
Eight-year-old Juma, sitting on a tree trunk shouted, “I can help with cleaning up.”
One middle-aged woman said, “The women can join me to grow food.”
Another man stood up and said, “The men will dig a well for water.”
We all shouted with one voice, “We must change our lives.” From that day we worked together and solved our problems. |
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