In this tale, birds and animals once lived in the sky. When cold and rain struck, they sent the Dog to fetch fire. Distracted by food on the ground, he forgot his mission. The Fowl, sent to hurry him, also succumbed to earthly temptations. Today, bird cries mock the Dog and Fowl for their selfishness, a symbolic reminder of their abandonment of friends in need.
Source
Among Congo Cannibals
by John H. Weeks
Seeley, Service & Co.,London, 1913
► Themes of the story
Cunning and Deception: The tale highlights the deceptive nature of the Dog and Fowl, who, instead of fulfilling their promise to bring fire, indulge in earthly pleasures, leading to their downfall.
Community and Isolation: The story underscores the importance of communal responsibility and the isolation that results from failing to support one’s community in times of need.
Echoes of the Past: The ongoing mockery by certain birds serves as a reminder of past transgressions, illustrating how historical actions can influence present relationships and societal norms.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Bantu peoples
There was a time when all the birds and animals lived in the sky. One day it was very rainy and cold—so cold that they were all shivering. The birds said to the Dog: “Go down and fetch us some fire to warm ourselves.”
The Dog descended, but seeing plenty of bones and pieces of fish Iying about on the ground he torgot to take the fire to the shivering birds. The birds and animals waited, and the Dog not returning they sent the Fowl to hasten him with the fire.
► Continue reading…
The Fowl, however, on arriving below, beheld plenty of palm nuts, pea nuts, maize, and other good things, so he did not tell the Dog to take up the fire, and did not take any himself.
This is the reason why you can hear of an evening a bird that sings with notes like this, “Nsusu akende bombo! nsusu akende bombo!” which means. The Fowl has become a slave! the Fowl has become a slave! And the Heron sometimes sits on a tree near a village and cries, “Mbwa owa! mbwa owa!” = Dog, you die! dog, you die! [I have often heard these birds, and their notes quickly suggested the phrases quoted above, and undoubtedly gave rise to the story.]
This is why you hear these birds jeer at and abuse the Fowl and Dog, because they left their friends to shiver in the cold while they enjoyed themselves in warmth and plenty.
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Dreamtime Whispers 