The Story of the Lightning and the Thunder

Long ago, Thunder and Lightning lived among people, with Thunder as an old sheep and Lightning her fiery ram son. Lightning’s destructive temper led to widespread harm despite Thunder’s rebukes. After complaints, the king first banished them to the bush, then to the sky. From there, Lightning still rages, and Thunder’s distant voice continues to scold him, explaining their celestial presence today.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Origin of Things: The tale provides an explanation for the natural phenomena of thunder and lightning.

Conflict with Nature: The people’s struggle against the destructive forces of Lightning reflects human challenges with natural elements.

Divine Punishment: Lightning’s banishment to the sky serves as retribution for his harmful actions.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

In the olden days the thunder and lightning lived on the earth amongst all the other people, but the king made them live at the far end of the town, as far as possible from other people’s houses.

The thunder was an old mother sheep, and the lightning was her son, a ram. Whenever the ram got angry he used to go about and burn houses and knock down trees; he even did damage on the farms, and sometimes killed people. Whenever the lightning did these things, his mother used to call out to him in a very loud voice to stop and not to do any more damage.

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But the lightning did not care in the least for what his mother said, and when he was in a bad temper used to do a very large amount of damage. At last the people could not stand it any longer, and complained to the king.

So the king made a special order that the sheep (Thunder) and her son, the ram (Lightning), should leave the town and live in the far bush. This did not do much good, as when the ram got angry he still burnt the forest, and the flames sometimes spread to the farms and consumed them.

So the people complained again, and the king banished both the lightning and the thunder from the earth and made them live in the sky, where they could not cause so much destruction. Ever since, when the lightning is angry, he commits damage as before, but you can hear his mother, the thunder, rebuking him and telling him to stop. Sometimes, however, when the mother has gone away some distance from her naughty son, you can still see that he is angry and is doing damage, but his mother’s voice cannot be heard.

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Why the Flies Bother the Cows

Queen Adiaha Umo of Calabar, known for her lavish feasts, hosted domestic animals but excluded wild beasts out of fear. During one feast, the cow presided over the table but neglected to share food with the fly, dismissing its pleas. The fly complained to the queen, who decreed that flies could forever feed on cows’ eyes—a practice still observed today.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Origin of Things: The tale provides an explanation for the natural phenomenon of flies persistently bothering cows, particularly around their eyes.

Good vs. Evil: The narrative contrasts the neglectful behavior of the cow with the fly’s pursuit of justice, highlighting the struggle between fairness and wrongdoing.

Cunning and Deception: The fly’s persistence and appeal to the queen demonstrate cleverness in seeking redress for the cow’s neglect.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

When Adiaha Umo was Queen of Calabar, being very rich and hospitable, she used to give big feasts to all the domestic animals, but never invited the wild beasts, as she was afraid of them. At one feast she gave there were three large tables, and she told the cow to sit at the head of the table, as she was the biggest animal present, and share out the food. The cow was quite ready to do this, and the first course was passed, which the cow shared out amongst the people, but forgot the fly, because he was so small. When the fly saw this, he called out to the cow to give him his share, but the cow said: “Be quiet, my friend, you must have patience.”

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When the second course arrived, the fly again called out to the cow, but the cow merely pointed to her eye, and told the fly to look there, and he would get food later.

At last all the dishes were finished, and the fly, having been given no food by the cow, went supperless to bed. The next day the fly complained to the queen, who decided that, as the cow had presided at the feast, and had not given the fly his share, but had pointed to her eye, for the future the fly could always get his food from the cow’s eyes wherever she went; and even at the present time, wherever the cows are, the flies can always be seen feeding off their eyes in accordance with the queen’s orders.

Why the Sun and the Moon live in the Sky

The story tells of the sun and water, once friends living on Earth. Water refused to visit the sun, claiming his vast people needed a large space. The sun built a huge compound, inviting water, who arrived with his people and gradually filled the space. Eventually, water overflowed, forcing the sun and moon to retreat to the sky, where they remain to this day.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Creation: The tale explains the origin of the Sun and Moon’s positions in the sky.

Origin of Things: It provides a narrative for a natural phenomenon: why the Sun and Moon reside in the sky.

Conflict with Nature: The Sun’s interaction with Water leads to an overwhelming flood, highlighting a struggle against natural forces.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

Many years ago the sun and water were great friends, and both lived on the earth together. The sun very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned his visits. At last the sun asked the water why it was that he never came to see him in his house, the water replied that the sun’s house was not big enough, and that if he came with his people he would drive the sun out.

He then said, “If you wish me to visit you, you must build a very large compound; but I warn you that it will have to be a tremendous place, as my people are very numerous, and take up a lot of room.”

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The sun promised to build a very big compound, and soon afterwards he returned home to his wife, the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile when he opened the door. The sun told the moon what he had promised the water, and the next day commenced building a huge compound in which to entertain his friend.

When it was completed, he asked the water to come and visit him the next day.

When the water arrived, he called out to the sun, and asked him whether it would be safe for him to enter, and the sun answered, “Yes, come in, my friend.”

The water then began to flow in, accompanied by the fish and all the water animals.

Very soon the water was knee-deep, so he asked the sun if it was still safe, and the sun again said, “Yes,” so more water came in.

When the water was level with the top of a man’s head, the water said to the sun, “Do you want more of my people to come?” and the sun and moon both answered, “Yes,” not knowing any better, so the water flowed on, until the sun and moon had to perch themselves on the top of the roof.

Again the water addressed the sun, but receiving the same answer, and more of his people rushing in, the water very soon overflowed the top of the roof, and the sun and moon were forced to go up into the sky, where they have remained ever since.

The Elephant and the Tortoise; or, Why the Worms are Blind and Why the Elephant has Small Eyes

This African folktale explains why elephants have small eyes and worms are blind. King Ambo of Calabar held feasts where a greedy elephant always ate the most. A cunning tortoise deceived the elephant into trading his large eyes for food, leaving him blind. A humble worm lent the elephant his tiny eyes, but the elephant kept them permanently, leaving worms sightless ever since.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The tortoise employs cleverness to deceive the elephant, exploiting the latter’s greed to achieve his goal.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts a lesson on the consequences of greed and gullibility, demonstrating how the elephant’s excessive desire leads to his downfall.

Origin of Things: The tale provides an explanation for natural phenomena, specifically why elephants have small eyes and worms are blind.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

When Ambo was king of Calabar, the elephant was not only a very big animal, but he had eyes in proportion to his immense bulk. In those days men and animals were friends, and all mixed together quite freely.

At regular intervals King Ambo used to give a feast, and the elephant used to eat more than any one, although the hippopotamus used to do his best; however, not being as big as the elephant, although he was very fat, he was left a long way behind.

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As the elephant ate so much at these feasts, the tortoise, who was small but very cunning, made up his mind to put a stop to the elephant eating more than a fair share of the food provided. He therefore placed some dry kernels and shrimps, of which the elephant was very fond, in his bag, and went to the elephant’s house to make an afternoon call.

When the tortoise arrived the elephant told him to sit down, so he made himself comfortable, and, having shut one eye, took one palm kernel and a shrimp out of his bag, and commenced to eat them with much relish.

When the elephant saw the tortoise eating, he said, as he was always hungry himself, “You seem to have some good food there; what are you eating?”

The tortoise replied that the food was “sweet too much,” but was rather painful to him, as he was eating one of his own eyeballs; and he lifted up his head, showing one eye closed.

The elephant then said, “If the food is so good, take out one of my eyes and give me the same food.”

The tortoise, who was waiting for this, knowing how greedy the elephant was, had brought a sharp knife with him for that very purpose, and said to the elephant, “I cannot reach your eye, as you are so big.”

The elephant then took the tortoise up in his trunk and lifted him up. As soon as he came near the elephant’s eye, with one quick scoop of the sharp knife he had the elephant’s right eye out. The elephant trumpeted with pain; but the tortoise gave him some of the dried kernels and shrimps, and they so pleased the elephant’s palate that he soon forgot the pain.

Very soon the elephant said, “That food is so sweet, I must have some more”; but the tortoise told him that before he could have any the other eye must come out. To this the elephant agreed; so the tortoise quickly got his knife to work, and very soon the elephant’s left eye was on the ground, thus leaving the elephant quite blind. The tortoise then slid down the elephant’s trunk on to the ground and hid himself. The elephant then began to make a great noise, and started pulling trees down and doing much damage, calling out for the tortoise; but of course he never answered, and the elephant could not find him.

The next morning, when the elephant heard the people passing, he asked them what the time was, and the bush buck, who was nearest, shouted out, “The sun is now up, and I am going to market to get some yams and fresh leaves for my food.”

Then the elephant perceived that the tortoise had deceived him, and began to ask all the passers-by to lend him a pair of eyes, as he could not see, but every one refused, as they wanted their eyes themselves. At last the worm grovelled past, and seeing the big elephant, greeted him in his humble way. He was much surprised when the king of the forest returned his salutation, and very much flattered also.

The elephant said, “Look here, worm, I have mislaid my eyes. Will you lend me yours for a few days? I will return them next market-day.”

The worm was so flattered at being noticed by the elephant that he gladly consented, and took his eyes out–which, as every one knows, were very small–and gave them to the elephant. When the elephant had put the worm’s eyes into his own large eye-sockets, the flesh immediately closed round them so tightly that when the market-day arrived it was impossible for the elephant to get them out again to return to the worm; and although the worm repeatedly made applications to the elephant to return his eyes, the elephant always pretended not to hear, and sometimes used to say in a very loud voice, “If there are any worms about, they had better get out of my way, as they are so small I cannot see them, and if I tread on them they will be squashed into a nasty mess.” Ever since then the worms have been blind, and for the same reason elephants have such small eyes, quite out of proportion to the size of their huge bodies.

Why the Worms live Underneath the Ground

In the reign of King Eyo III, a dispute arose between driver ants and worms over their strength. After a feast, the boastful driver ants insulted the worms, prompting the king to arrange a battle to settle the matter. The ants, in overwhelming numbers, quickly defeated the worms. Since then, worms have lived underground, hiding from danger, a legacy of their defeat.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Origin of Things: The tale explains why worms live underground.

Good vs. Evil: The conflict between the boastful ants and the humble worms.

Conflict with Nature: The struggle between different creatures in the natural world.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

When Eyo III. was ruling over all men and animals, he had a very big palaver house to which he used to invite his subjects at intervals to feast. After the feast had been held and plenty of tombo had been drunk, it was the custom of the people to make speeches. One day after the feast the head driver ant got up and said he and his people were stronger than any one, and that no one, not even the elephant, could stand before him, which was quite true. He was particularly offensive in his allusions to the worms (whom he disliked very much), and said they were poor wriggling things.

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The worms were very angry and complained, so the king said that the best way to decide the question who was the stronger was for both sides to meet on the road and fight the matter out between themselves to a finish. He appointed the third day from the feast for the contest, and all the people turned out to witness the battle.

The driver ants left their nest in the early morning in thousands and millions, and, as is their custom, marched in a line about one inch broad densely packed, so that it was like a dark-brown band moving over the country. In front of the advancing column they had out their scouts, advance guard, and flankers, and the main body followed in their millions close behind.

When they came to the battlefield the moving band spread out, and as the thousands upon thousands of ants rolled up, the whole piece of ground was a moving mass of ants and bunches of struggling worms. The fight was over in a very few minutes, as the worms were bitten in pieces by the sharp pincer-like mouths of the driver ants. The few worms who survived squirmed away and buried themselves out of sight.

King Eyo decided that the driver ants were easy winners, and ever since the worms have always been afraid and have lived underground; and if they happen to come to the surface after the rain they hide themselves under the ground whenever anything approaches, as they fear all people.

Why the Bat flies by Night

The tale explains why bats are nocturnal. Oyot, a bush rat, admired his friend Emiong the bat’s delicious soup, unaware it was pre-prepared. Tricked by the bat into believing the soup’s flavor came from boiling himself, Oyot imitated this, leading to his death. Enraged, Oyot’s wife sought justice, but the bat evaded capture by adopting a nocturnal lifestyle, avoiding humans by day.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The bat’s deceit leads to the bush rat’s demise.

Origin of Things: It provides an explanation for why bats are nocturnal.

Good vs. Evil: The bat’s malicious trick contrasts with the bush rat’s innocence.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

A bush rat called Oyot was a great friend of Emiong, the bat; they always fed together, but the bat was jealous of the bush rat. When the bat cooked the food it was always very good, and the bush rat said, “How is it that when you make the soup it is so tasty?” The bat replied, “I always boil myself in the water, and my flesh is so sweet, that the soup is good.” He then told the bush rat that he would show him how it was done; so he got a pot of warm water, which he told the bush rat was boiling water, and jumped into it, and very shortly afterwards came out again. When the soup was brought it was as strong and good as usual, as the bat had prepared it beforehand.

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The bush rat then went home and told his wife that he was going to make good soup like the bat’s. He therefore told her to boil some water, which she did. Then, when his wife was not looking, he jumped into the pot, and was very soon dead.

When his wife looked into the pot and saw the dead body of her husband boiling she was very angry, and reported the matter to the king, who gave orders that the bat should be made a prisoner. Every one turned out to catch the bat, but as he expected trouble he flew away into the bush and hid himself. All day long the people tried to catch him, so he had to change his habits, and only came out to feed when it was dark, and that is why you never see a bat in the daytime.

Why the Water-Snake Has no Poison

This myth explains why the water-snake lacks venom. The Python mother distributed poison to her snake offspring, enabling them to protect themselves. However, the water-snake, distracted by fishing, missed her summons. Upon returning late, he was denied poison due to his disobedience. Consequently, the water-snake’s bite is harmless, and he is neither feared nor avoided, serving as a lesson on the consequences of neglecting responsibility.

Source
Among Congo Cannibals
by John H. Weeks
Seeley, Service & Co.,London, 1913

► Themes of the story

Origin of Things: It provides an explanation for a natural phenomenon—the harmlessness of the water-snake’s bite.

Conflict with Authority: The water-snake’s disregard for his mother’s summons leads to negative consequences, highlighting the repercussions of defying authority.

Cultural Heroes: The Python mother serves as a foundational figure who imparts wisdom and enforces societal norms.

► From the same Region or People

Central Africa
- Boloki Lore

Learn more about Bantu peoples

When the Python had given birth to all the snakes she said to them: “You have no poison now, but another day I will call you, and give to each of you a proper share of poison.” After a time the day arrived, and the Python called all her children to receive the promised gift. The green snake, the viper, the whip-snake, the diamond-headed snake all arrived, and each received his share of the poison so as to defend himself from his enemies. Wherever these snakes went on a journey everybody jumped out of their way, for if they did not they were bitten and suffered much pain.

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The Water-snake, however, instead of obeying his mother’s call, went off to the river to fish. By and by he became tired of fishing, and thought he would go and hear what his mother the Python wanted.

As he went he met the other snakes returning, and heard that they had received their gifts from their mother. On his arrival he asked her for his share of the poison.

But the Python said: “No, I called you, and instead of coming you went fishing, so now you have lost your share of the poison through disobedience.”

That is why the Water-snake is only laughed at when he bites, and no one thinks of moving out of his way, for he has no poison through disregarding his mother’s call.

The Fowl and the Hippopotamus; or, the Cause of the Enmity among Birds and Animals

A Fowl’s deceptive claim of selling its leg for wealth leads a greedy Hippopotamus to sell its own leg, resulting in its death. Blaming the Fowl, Hippopotami enlist Hawks, Kites, and wildcats to attack Fowls, prompting retaliation involving Crocodiles and humans. This tale explains how deceit introduced lasting enmity, violence, and death among animals and birds, weaving a cautionary lesson on honesty and greed.

Source
Among Congo Cannibals
by John H. Weeks
Seeley, Service & Co.,London, 1913

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The Fowl deceives the Hippopotamus by pretending to have sold its leg for wealth, leading the Hippopotamus to a fatal decision.

Conflict with Nature: The tale depicts the ensuing strife between different animal species, highlighting the disruption of natural harmony due to individual actions.

Origin of Things: This narrative explains the cause of the enduring enmity among birds and animals, providing a mythological origin for observed natural hostilities.

► From the same Region or People

Central Africa
- Boloki Lore

Learn more about Bantu peoples

A Fowl, on returning from a trading journey, hid one of his legs under his wing and said: “I sold my leg for two thousand brass rods in the towns I have been visiting.” A greedy hippopotamus, hearing this, said: “If the Fowl could receive two thousand brass rods for his small leg, how much shall I receive for mine?” So calling some of his friends they entered a canoe and paddled down-river to the towns. On arriving, the leg of the Hippopotamus was cut off, carried ashore, and sold for a large number of brass rods.

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When the Hippopotami returned to the canoe, after selling the leg, they discovered that their friend had bled to death, so they picked up their paddles in great anger and returned to their town.

On arriving at their town they sought out the Fowl and charged him with the death of their friend, for they said, “Because of your lying deception he went and sold his leg.”

In their anger they called on the Hawks and Kites to swoop down and carry off the chickens belonging to the Fowls; and they told the wild bush-cat that whenever he found the door of the Fowl-house open he was to creep in and kill the Fowls.

In this way so many Fowls were killed, that in defence the Fowls called on the Crocodiles to bite the Hippopotami and wound them to death; and they asked Man whenever he saw a Hippopotamus to hurl his spear at it and kill it. Thus, through the Fowl’s one deception, enmity, quarrels, and death were first introduced among the birds and animals.

Why Dogs Wag their Tails

A wealthy man tasked his loyal dog and cunning cat to deliver a magic ring to his daughter. When faced with a river, the dog insisted on carrying the ring, but accidentally lost it in the swift current. Ashamed, the dog fled, while the cat returned with the sad news. The master’s anger led to a tale explaining dogs’ greeting rituals and cats’ fear of water.

Source
Philippine Folk Tales
compiled and annotated by
Mabel Cook Cole
A.C. McClurg & Co., Chicago, 1916

► Themes of the story

Trickster: The cunning cat plays a significant role in the narrative, showcasing wit and cleverness.

Origin of Things: It explains the reasons behind certain animal behaviors, such as why dogs wag their tails and cats avoid water.

Conflict with Authority: The animals face repercussions from their master, highlighting the consequences of failing to fulfill duties.

► From the same Region or People

Southeast Asia
- Philippines
  - Visayan Lore

Learn more about Philippines peoples

A rich man in a certain town once owned a dog and a cat, both of which were very useful to him. The dog had served his master for many years and had become so old that he had lost his teeth and was unable to fight any more, but he was a good guide and companion to the cat who was strong and cunning.

The master had a daughter attending school at a convent some distance from home, and very often he sent the dog and the cat with presents to the girl. One day he called the faithful animals and bade them carry a magic ring to his daughter.

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“You are strong and brave,” he said to the cat “You may carry the ring, but you must be careful not to drop it”

And to the dog he said: “You must accompany the cat to guide her and keep her from harm.”

They promised to do their best, and started out. All went well until they came to a river. As there was neither bridge nor boat, there was no way to cross but to swim.

“Let me take the magic ring,” said the dog as they were about to plunge into the water.

“Oh, no,” replied the cat, “the master gave it to me to carry.”

“But you cannot swim well,” argued the dog. “I am strong and can take good care of it.”

But the cat refused to give up the ring until finally the dog threatened to kill her, and then she reluctantly gave it to him.

The river was wide and the water so swift that they grew very tired, and just before they reached the opposite bank the dog dropped the ring. They searched carefully, but could not find it anywhere, and after a while they turned back to tell their master of the sad loss. Just before reaching the house, however, the dog was so overcome with fear that he turned and ran away and never was seen again.

The cat went on alone, and when the master saw her coming he called out to know why she had returned so soon and what had become of her companion. The poor cat was frightened, but as well as she could she explained how the ring had been lost and how the dog had run away.

On hearing her story the master was very angry, and commanded that all his people should search for the dog, and that it should be punished by having its tail cut off.

He also ordered that all the dogs in the world should join in the search, and ever since when one dog meets another he says: “Are you the old dog that lost the magic ring? If so, your tail must be cut off.” Then immediately each shows his teeth and wags his tail to prove that he is not the guilty one.

Since then, too, cats have been afraid of water and will not swim across a river if they can avoid it.

The Virtue of the Cocoanut

A hunter discovers a peculiar young coconut tree during a hunt and decides to bring it home. When its leaves wilt during the journey, he revives it with the blood of his hunted animals: a bird, a monkey, and a pig. The tree flourishes and becomes a source of tuba (coconut liquor). The hunter links tuba’s effects to the animals: chatter like the bird, silliness like the monkey, and drunken slumber like the pig.

Source
Philippine Folk Tales
compiled and annotated by
Mabel Cook Cole
A.C. McClurg & Co., Chicago, 1916

► Themes of the story

Origin of Things: The tale explains the origin of tuba, a traditional coconut liquor, and attributes its effects to the animals whose blood nourished the tree.

Transformation: The young coconut tree undergoes a transformation from a wilting plant to a flourishing tree, thanks to the infusion of animal blood.

Conflict with Nature: The hunter’s journey involves interactions with various animals and the natural environment, highlighting the challenges and relationships between humans and nature.

► From the same Region or People

Southeast Asia
- Philippines
  - Visayan Lore

Learn more about Philippines peoples

One day a man took his blow-gun and his dog and went to the forest to hunt. As he was making his way through the thick woods he chanced upon a young cocoanut tree growing in the ground. It was the first tree of this kind that he had ever seen, and it seemed so peculiar to him that he stopped to look at it.

When he had gone some distance farther, his attention was attracted by a noisy bird in a tree, and he shot it with his blow-gun. By and by he took aim at a large monkey, which mocked him from another treetop, and that, too, fell dead at his feet.

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Then he heard his dog barking furiously in the distant bushes, and hastening to it he found it biting a wild pig. After a hard struggle he killed the pig, and then, feeling satisfied with his success, he took the three animals on his back and returned to the little plant.

“I have decided to take you home with me, little plant,” he said, “for I like you and you may be of some use to me.”

He dug up the plant very carefully and started home, but he had not gone far when he noticed that the leaves had begun to wilt, and he did not know what to do, since he had no water. Finally, in despair, he cut the throat of the bird and sprinkled the blood on the cocoanut. No sooner had he done this than the plant began to revive, and he continued his journey.

Before he had gone far, however, the leaves again began to wilt, and this time he revived it with the blood of the monkey. Then he hastened on, but a third time the leaves wilted, and he was compelled to stop and revive it with the blood of the pig. This was his last animal, so he made all the haste possible to reach home before his plant died. The cocoanut began to wilt again before he reached his house, but when he planted it in the ground, it quickly revived, and grew into a tall tree.

This hunter was the first man to take the liquor called tuba from the cocoanut tree, and he and his friends began to drink it. After they had become very fond of it, the hunter said to his friends:

“The cocoanut tree is like the three animals whose blood gave it life when it would have died. The man who drinks three or four cups of tuba becomes like the noisy bird that I shot with my blow-gun. One who drinks more than three or four cups becomes like the big monkey that acts silly; and one who becomes drunk is like the pig that sleeps even in a mud-hole.”