Why the Plantain-Eater Did Not Build a Nest

The tale of the Plantain-eater, a bird known for its vibrant plumage and self-centered cries, reflects a moral lesson about procrastination and self-reliance. Unlike other birds that prepared nests for shelter, the Plantain-eater relied on others during storms, making excuses to avoid building its own. Ultimately, it faced rejection and discomfort, embodying the consequences of failing to act responsibly when given the chance.

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

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The Plantain-eater attempts to deceive others into providing shelter instead of taking responsibility.

Community and Isolation: The bird’s refusal to contribute by building its own nest leads to its isolation during adverse conditions.

Conflict with Nature: The Plantain-eater’s lack of preparation leaves it vulnerable to natural elements like rain.

► From the same Region or People

Central Africa
- Boloki Lore

Learn more about Bantu peoples

The Plantain-eater is a gaudy-plumaged bird, not quite so large as a Cockatoo. It is called by the natives Lukulu[1]koko. Its notes are, Kulu! kulu! kulukoko! hence the natives say, “It is always talking about itself.”

All the birds built nests so that when it rained they could shelter and remain dry. The Plantain-eater, however, never troubled to build a nest, but when the rain fell in torrents he went to a neighbour and said: “Let me come into your nest out of the rain.”

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But his neighbour answered him: “No, go and cut some palm fronds and build your own nest.”

The Plantain-eater, at this reply, went off crying: “Kulu! kulu! kulukoko! Wait until the rain stops, and then I will fetch fronds to build my nest.”

By and by the rain ceased and the neighbours called out: “Plantain-eater, the rain is finished, now get your fronds for nest building.”

But the Plantain-eater said: “I will stop where I am, and when it rains I will raise my shoulders and put my head under my feathers, and the rain will not hurt me.”

The next time it rained, however, he found it was very unpleasant to be out in it; and again he asked to be allowed to enter a neighbour’s nest, but he was driven off. Thus it always happened that when it rained he intended to build a house; and when it was fine he said he did not need a house, but would put his head under his feathers.

And that is why the Plantain-eater is seen jumping from branch to branch in the rain, trying to enter other people’s nests, making all kinds of promises in the rain, and only talking loudly and boasting in the fine weather of what he will do.

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Why the Fowl and Dog Are Abused by the Birds

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

Central Africa
- Boloki Lore

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.

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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.

Juan Gathers Guavas

Juan’s father asked him to gather guavas for visiting neighbors. Instead, Juan ate the fruit and played a prank. He replaced the guavas with a wasp nest in a basket, locked the guests in the room, and watched as they scrambled to escape the wasps. Seeing their swollen faces afterward, Juan mockingly remarked how “fat” the guavas had made them.

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

► Themes of the story

Trickster: Juan embodies the trickster archetype, using cunning and mischief to play a prank on the guests.

Family Dynamics: The interaction between Juan and his father highlights aspects of familial relationships and expectations.

Community and Isolation: The story reflects on Juan’s actions affecting his relationship with the community, leading to potential isolation due to his mischievous behavior.

► From the same Region or People

Southeast Asia
- Philippines
  - Tagalog Lore

Learn more about Philippines peoples

One day Juan’s father sent him to get some ripe guavas, for a number of the neighbors had come in and he wanted to give them something to eat. Juan went to the guava bushes and ate all the fruit he could hold, and then he decided to play a joke on his father’s guests instead of giving them a feast of guavas. A wasp’s nest hung near by. With some difficulty he succeeded in taking it down and putting it into a tight basket that he had brought for the fruit. He hastened home and gave the basket to his father, and then as he left the room where the guests were seated he closed the door and fastened it.

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As soon as Juan’s father opened the basket the wasps flew over the room; and when the people found the door locked they fought to get out of the windows. After a while Juan opened the door, and when he saw the swollen faces of the people, he cried. “What fine, rich guavas you must have had! They have made you all so fat!”.

The Poor Fisherman and His Wife

A poor fisherman and his wife catch an unusual fish they believe to be a priest, sparking fear of retribution. Misinterpreting festive bell sounds as a manhunt, they flee in terror. Returning home, they panic at more bells, mount a tied horse, and mistakenly think falling fruit are gunshots. Overwhelmed by fear, they tragically die, illustrating the perils of misunderstanding and paranoia.

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

► Themes of the story

Illusion vs. Reality: The couple’s inability to distinguish between their fears and actual events drives the plot, highlighting the dangers of misperception.

Tragic Flaw: Their overwhelming paranoia and tendency to jump to conclusions without seeking the truth lead to their untimely demise.

Community and Isolation: The couple’s fear isolates them from their community, leading them to flee and ultimately contributing to their tragic end.

► From the same Region or People

Southeast Asia
- Philippines
  - Ilocano Lore

Learn more about Philippines peoples

Many, many years ago a poor fisherman and his wife lived with their three sons in a village by the sea. One day the old man set his snare in the water not far from his house, and at night when he went to look at it, he found that he had caught a great white fish. This startled the old man very much, for he had never seen a fish like this before, and it occurred to him that it was the priest of the town.

He ran to his wife as fast as he could and cried: “My wife, I have caught the priest.”

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“What?” said the old woman, terrified at the sight of her frightened husband.

“I have caught the priest,” said the old man again.

They hurried together to the river where the snare was set, and when the old woman saw the fish, she cried:

“Oh, it is not the priest but the governor.”

“No, it is the priest,” insisted the old man, and they went home trembling with fear.

That night neither of them was able to sleep for thought of the terrible thing that had happened and wondering what they should do. Now the next day was a great holiday in the town. At four o’clock in the morning cannons were fired and bells rang loudly. The old man and woman, hearing all the noise and not knowing the reason for it, thought that their crime had been discovered, and the people were searching for them to punish them, so they set out as fast as they could to hide in the woods. On and on they went, stopping only to rest so as to enable them to resume their flight.

The next morning they reached the woods near Pilar, where there also was a great holiday, and the sexton was ringing the bells to call the people to mass. As soon as the old man and woman heard the bells they thought the people there had been notified of their escape, and that they, too, were trying to catch them. So they turned and started home again.

As they reached their house, the three sons came home with their one horse and tied it to the trunk of the caramay tree. Presently the bells began to ring again, for it was twelve o’clock at noon. Not thinking what time of day it was, the old man and woman ran out of doors in terror, and seeing the horse jumped on its back with the intention of riding to the next town before anyone could catch them. When they had mounted they began to whip the horse. In their haste, they had forgotten to untie the rope which was around the trunk of the caramay tree. As the horse pulled at the rope fruit fell from the tree upon the old man and woman. Believing they were shot, they were so frightened that they died.

The Dancers

In 1001, villagers of Ramersdorf defied their stern abbot by dancing in the monastery courtyard, a cherished tradition. Angered, the abbot cursed them to dance for a year and a day. Unstoppable, they whirled through seasons, immune to fatigue or intervention. When the curse lifted, they collapsed into a crater they’d worn, forever scarred, living as diminished, childlike versions of themselves, a haunting testament to defiance and consequence.

Source
Folk-lore and Legends: German
Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty, at the Edinburgh University Press
W.W. Gibbings, London, 1892

► Themes of the story

Divine Punishment: The abbot curses the villagers to dance for a year and a day as retribution for their defiance.

Community and Isolation: The villagers’ shared experience of the curse isolates them from the rest of society.

Time and Timelessness: The unending dance blurs the perception of time, as they continue through changing seasons.

From the German lore

Learn more about German Folklore

The Sabbath-day drew to a close in the summer-tide of the year of grace one thousand and one, and the rustics of Ramersdorf amused themselves with a dance, as was their wont to do, in the courtyard of the monastery. It was a privilege that they had enjoyed time immemorial, and it had never been gainsaid by the abbots who were dead and gone, but Anselm von Lowenberg, the then superior of the convent, an austere, ascetic man, who looked with disdain and dislike on all popular recreations, had long set his face against it, and had, moreover, tried every means short of actual prohibition to put an end to the profane amusement.

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The rustics, however, were not to be debarred by his displeasure from pursuing, perhaps, their only pleasure; and though the pious abbot discountenanced their proceedings, they acquiesced not in his views, and their enjoyment was not one atom the less.

The day had been very beautiful, and the evening was, if possible, more so. Gaily garbed maidens of the village and stalwart rustics filled the courtyard of the convent. A blind fiddler, who had fiddled three generations off the stage, sat in front of a group of elders of either sex, who, though too old and too stiff to partake in the active and exciting amusement, were still young enough to enjoy looking on. A few shaven crowns peered from the latticed casements which looked out on to the merry scene. The music struck up, the dance began. Who approaches? Why are so many anxious glances cast in yonder direction? It is the Abbot.

“Cease your fooling,” he spake to them, in a solemn tone; “profane not the place nor the day with your idle mirth. Go home, and pray in your own homes for the grace of the Lord to govern ye, for ye are wicked and wilful and hard of heart as the stones!”

He waved his hand as if to disperse them, but his words and his action were equally unheeded by the dancers and the spectators.

“Forth, vile sinners!” he pursued. “Forth from these walls, or I will curse ye with the curse.”

Still they regarded him not to obey his behest, although they so far noticed his words as to return menacing look for look, and muttered threats for threat with him. The music played on with the same liveliness, the dancers danced as merrily as ever, and the spectators applauded each display of agility.

“Well, then,” spake the Abbot, bursting with rage, “an ye cease not, be my curse on your head–there may ye dance for a year and a day!”

He banned them bitterly; with uplifted hands and eyes he imprecated the vengeance of Heaven on their disobedience. He prayed to the Lord to punish them for the slight of his directions. Then he sought his cell to vent his ire in solitude.

From that hour they continued to dance until a year and a day had fully expired. Night fell, and they ceased not; day dawned, and they danced still. In the heat of noon, in the cool of the evening, day after day there was no rest for them, their saltation was without end. The seasons rolled over them. Summer gave place to autumn, winter succeeded summer, and spring decked the fields with early flowers, as winter slowly disappeared, yet still they danced on, through coursing time and changing seasons, with unabated strength and unimpaired energy. Rain nor hail, snow nor storm, sunshine nor shade, seemed to affect them. Round and round and round they danced, in heat and cold, in damp and dry, in light and darkness. What were the seasons–what the times or the hour or the weather to them? In vain did their neighbours and friends try to arrest them in their wild evolutions; in vain were attempts made to stop them in their whirling career; in vain did even the Abbot himself interpose to relieve them from the curse he had laid on them, and to put a period to the punishment of which he had been the cause. The strongest man in the vicinity held out his hand and caught one of them, with the intention of arresting his rotation, and tearing him from the charmed circle, but his arm was torn from him in the attempt, and clung to the dancer with the grip of life till his day was done. The man paid his life as the forfeit of his temerity. No effort was left untried to relieve the dancers, but every one failed. The sufferers themselves, however, appeared quite unconscious of what was passing. They seemed to be in a state of perfect somnambulism, and to be altogether unaware of the presence of any persons, as well as insensible to pain or fatigue. When the expiration of their punishment arrived, they were all found huddled together in the deep cavity which their increasing gyrations had worn in the earth beneath them. It was a considerable time before sense and consciousness returned to them, and indeed they never after could be said to enjoy them completely, for, though they lived long, they were little better than idiots during the remainder of their lives.

The Grey Mare in the Garret

In 1400, during a plague in Cologne, Frau Richmodis von Aducht, presumed dead, was buried adorned with jewels. A sexton attempting theft was horrified when she revived. She returned home, astonishing her husband, while a mysterious incident involving their grey mare in the attic added intrigue. Richmodis lived happily after, her story immortalized in art and local lore, though these relics have since vanished.

Source
Folk-lore and Legends: German
Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty, at the Edinburgh University Press
W.W. Gibbings, London, 1892

► Themes of the story

Resurrection: Frau Richmodis von Aducht, presumed dead and buried, unexpectedly returns to life, exemplifying a literal return from death.

Illusion vs. Reality: The astonishing events challenge the perceptions of reality for those involved, blurring the line between what is real and what is imagined.

Community and Isolation: Frau Richmodis’s return from the grave alters her relationship with her community, highlighting themes of belonging and estrangement.

From the German lore

Learn more about German Folklore

In the portal of the Church of the Apostles, near the new market in Cologne, hung a picture, the portraits of a certain Frau Richmodis von Aducht and her two children, of whom the following singular story is related. The picture was covered with a curtain which she worked with her own hands.

Her husband, Richmuth von Aducht, was, in the year of grace 1400, a rich burgomaster of Cologne, and lived at the sign of the Parroquet in the New Marckt. In that year a fearful plague desolated all quarters of the city. She fell sick of the pest, and, to all appearance, died.

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After the usual period had elapsed she was buried in the vaults of the Apostles’ Church. She was buried, as the custom then was, with her jewelled rings on her fingers, and most of her rich ornaments on her person. These tempted the cupidity of the sexton of the church. He argued with himself that they were no use to the corpse, and he determined to possess them. Accordingly he proceeded in the dead of night to the vault where she lay interred, and commenced the work of sacrilegious spoliation. He first unscrewed the coffin lid. He then removed it altogether, and proceeded to tear away the shroud which interposed between him and his prey. But what was his horror to perceive the corpse clasp her hands slowly together, then rise, and finally sit erect in the coffin. He was rooted to the earth. The corpse made as though it would step from its narrow bed, and the sexton fled, shrieking, through the vaults. The corpse followed, its long white shroud floating like a meteor in the dim light of the lamp, which, in his haste, he had forgotten. It was not until he reached his own door that he had sufficient courage to look behind him, and then, when he perceived no trace of his pursuer, the excitement which had sustained him so far subsided, and he sank senseless to the earth.

In the meantime Richmuth von Aducht, who had slept scarcely a moment since the death of his dear wife, was surprised by the voice of his old manservant, who rapped loudly at his chamber door, and told him to awake and come forth, for his mistress had arisen from the dead, and was then at the gate of the courtyard.

“Bah!” said he, rather pettishly, “go thy ways, Hans; you dream, or are mad, or drunk. What you see is quite impossible. I should as soon believe my old grey mare had got into the garret as that my wife was at the courtyard gate.”

Trot, trot, trot, trot, suddenly resounded high over his head.

“What’s that?” asked he of his servant.

“I know not,” replied the man, “an’ it be not your old grey mare in the garret.”

They descended in haste to the courtyard, and looked up to the window of the attic. Lo and behold! there was indeed the grey mare with her head poked out of the window, gazing down with her great eyes on her master and his man, and seeming to enjoy very much her exalted station, and their surprise at it.

Knock, knock, knock went the rapper of the street gate.

“It is my wife!” “It is my mistress!” exclaimed master and man in the same breath.

The door was quickly unfastened, and there, truly, stood the mistress of the mansion, enveloped in her shroud.

“Are you alive or dead?” exclaimed the astonished husband.

“Alive, my dear, but very cold,” she murmured faintly, her teeth chattering the while, as those of one in a fever chill; “help me to my chamber.”

He caught her in his arms and covered her with kisses. Then he bore her to her chamber, and called up the whole house to welcome and assist her. She suffered a little from fatigue and fright, but in a few days was very much recovered.

The thing became the talk of the town, and hundreds flocked daily to see, not alone the lady that was rescued from the grave in so remarkable a manner, but also the grey mare which had so strangely contrived to get into the garret.

The excellent lady lived long and happily with her husband, and at her death was laid once more in her old resting-place. The grey mare, after resting in the garret three days, was got down by means of scaffolding, safe and sound. She survived her mistress for some time, and was a general favourite in the city, and when she died her skin was stuffed, and placed in the arsenal as a curiosity. The sexton went mad with the fright he had sustained, and in a short time entered that bourn whence he had so unintentionally recovered the burgomaster’s wife.

Not only was this memorable circumstance commemorated in the Church of the Apostles, but it was also celebrated in bassi relievi figures on the walls of the burgomaster’s residence–the sign of the Parroquet in the New Marckt. The searcher after antiquities will, however, look in vain for either. They are not now to be found. Modern taste has defaced the porch where stood the one, and erected a shapeless structure on the site of the other.

Tortoise Hunting Ostriches

The Tortoises devised a clever plan to hunt Ostriches by forming rows and forcing them to flee through the middle. While staying still and calling to each other, the Ostriches, confused by the calls, ran until they exhausted themselves and collapsed. The Tortoises then gathered where the Ostriches fell and feasted on them.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The tortoises employ a clever strategy to hunt the ostriches by positioning themselves strategically and using calls to confuse and exhaust the birds.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts a lesson on the effectiveness of intelligence and strategy over brute strength.

Community and Isolation: The tortoises work collectively to achieve their goal, emphasizing the strength found in unity.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

One day, it is said, the Tortoises held a council how they might hunt Ostriches, and they said, “Let us, on both sides, stand in rows near each other, and let one go to hunt the Ostriches, so that they must flee along through the midst of us.” They did so, and as they were many, the Ostriches were obliged to run along through the midst of them. During this they did not move, but, remaining always in the same places, called each to the other, “Are you there?” and each one answered, “I am here.” The Ostriches hearing this, ran so tremendously that they quite exhausted their strength, and fell down. Then the Tortoises assembled by-and-by at the place where the Ostriches had fallen, and devoured them.

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The Dance for Water or Rabbits’ Triumph

During a severe drought, animals united to dance water to the riverbed’s surface. Rabbit mocked their efforts and stole water, prompting them to plan his capture. Tortoise tricked Rabbit with a pitch-coated shell, ensnaring him. The animals decided Rabbit’s punishment, but his cunning prevailed. When Lion tried to kill him by swinging him by the tail, Rabbit escaped, leaving only his tail’s skin behind.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: Rabbit employs trickery to access the water without participating in the communal effort, showcasing his deceitful nature.

Community and Isolation: While the animals unite to solve the water crisis, Rabbit isolates himself, refusing to join the collective endeavor.

Revenge and Justice: The animals devise a plan to capture and punish Rabbit for his selfish actions, seeking justice for his transgressions.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

There was a frightful drought. The rivers after a while dried up and even the springs gave no water.

The animals wandered around seeking drink, but to no avail. Nowhere was water to be found.

A great gathering of animals was held: Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Jackal, Elephant, all of them came together. What was to be done? That was the question. One had this plan, and another had that; but no plan seemed of value.

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Finally one of them suggested: “Come, let all of us go to the dry river bed and dance; in that way we can tread out the water.”

Good! Everyone was satisfied and ready to begin instantly, excepting Rabbit, who said, “I will not go and dance. All of you are mad to attempt to get water from the ground by dancing.”

The other animals danced and danced, and ultimately danced the water to the surface. How glad they were. Everyone drank as much as he could, but Rabbit did not dance with them. So it was decided that Rabbit should have no water.

He laughed at them: “I will nevertheless drink some of your water.”

That evening he proceeded leisurely to the river bed where the dance had been, and drank as much as he wanted. The following morning the animals saw the footprints of Rabbit in the ground, and Rabbit shouted to them: “Aha! I did have some of the water, and it was most refreshing and tasted fine.”

Quickly all the animals were called together. What were they to do? How were they to get Rabbit in their hands? All had some means to propose; the one suggested this, and the other that.

Finally old Tortoise moved slowly forward, foot by foot: “I will catch Rabbit.”

“You? How? What do you think of yourself?” shouted the others in unison.

“Rub my shell with pitch,[black beeswax] and I will go to the edge of the water and lie down. I will then resemble a stone, so that when Rabbit steps on me his feet will stick fast.”

“Yes! Yes! That’s good.”

And in a one, two, three, Tortoise’s shell was covered with pitch, and foot by foot he moved away to the river. At the edge, close to the water, he lay down and drew his head into his shell.

Rabbit during the evening came to get a drink. “Ha!” he chuckled sarcastically, “they are, after all, quite decent. Here they have placed a stone, so now I need not unnecessarily wet my feet.”

Rabbit trod with his left foot on the stone, and there it stuck. Tortoise then put his head out. “Ha! old Tortoise! And it’s you, is it, that’s holding me. But here I still have another foot. I’ll give you a good clout.” Rabbit gave Tortoise what he said he would with his right fore foot, hard and straight; and there his foot remained.

“I have yet a hind foot, and with it I’ll kick you.” Rabbit drove his hind foot down. This also rested on Tortoise where it struck.

“But still another foot remains, and now I’ll tread you.” He stamped his foot down, but it stuck like the others.

He used his head to hammer Tortoise, and his tail as a whip, but both met the same fate as his feet, so there he was tight and fast down to the pitch.

Tortoise now slowly turned himself round and foot by foot started for the other animals, with Rabbit on his back.

“Ha! ha! ha! Rabbit! How does it look now? Insolence does not pay after all,” shouted the animals.

Now advice was sought. What should they do with Rabbit? He certainly must die. But how? One said, “Behead him”; another, “Some severe penalty.”

“Rabbit, how are we to kill you?”

“It does not affect me,” Rabbit said. “Only a shameful death please do not pronounce.”

“And what is that?” they all shouted.

“To take me by my tail and dash my head against a stone; that I pray and beseech you don’t do.”

“No, but just so you’ll die. That is decided.”

It was decided Rabbit should die by taking him by his tail and dashing his head to pieces against some stone. But who is to do it?

Lion, because he is the most powerful one.

Good! Lion should do it. He stood up, walked to the front, and poor Rabbit was brought to him. Rabbit pleaded and beseeched that he couldn’t die such a miserable death. Lion took Rabbit firmly by the tail and swung him around. The white skin slipped off from Rabbit, and there Lion stood with the white bit of skin and hair in his paw. Rabbit was free.

The Story of a Dam

A severe drought led Lion to summon animals to create a water dam, excluding the lazy Jackal. Once the dam filled with rain, Jackal disrupted the water and outwitted Baboon, the guard. Tortoise devised a clever trap, capturing Jackal. Despite his death sentence, Jackal escaped through cunning trickery, leaving Lion trapped under a rock and the animals frustrated by his endless deceit.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: Jackal employs trickery to exploit the dam’s resources without contributing to its creation, deceiving Baboon and the other animals.

Moral Lessons: The narrative imparts lessons about the consequences of laziness and deceit, as Jackal’s actions lead to discord among the animals.

Community and Isolation: The story contrasts the collective effort of the animals in building the dam with Jackal’s selfish behavior, emphasizing the value of communal cooperation.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

There was a great drought in the land; and Lion called together a number of animals so that they might devise a plan for retaining water when the rains fell. The animals which attended at Lion’s summons were Baboon, Leopard, Hyena, Jackal, Hare, and Mountain Tortoise. It was agreed that they should scratch a large hole in some suitable place to hold water; and the next day they all began to work, with the exception of Jackal, who continually hovered about in that locality, and was overheard to mutter that he was not going to scratch his nails off in making water holes.

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When the dam was finished the rains fell, and it was soon filled with water, to the great delight of those who had worked so hard at it. The first one, however, to come and drink there, was Jackal, who not only drank, but filled his clay pot with water, and then proceeded to swim in the rest of the water, making it as muddy and dirty as he could.

This was brought to the knowledge of Lion, who was very angry and ordered Baboon to guard the water the next day, armed with a huge knobkirrie. Baboon was concealed in a bush close to the water; but Jackal soon became aware of his presence there, and guessed its cause. Knowing the fondness of baboons for honey, Jackal at once hit upon a plan, and marching to and fro, every now and then dipped his fingers into his clay pot, and licked them with an expression of intense relish, saying, in a low voice to himself, “I don’t want any of their dirty water when I have a pot full of delicious honey.” This was too much for poor Baboon, whose mouth began to water. He soon began to beg Jackal to give him a little honey, as he had been watching for several hours, and was very hungry and tired.

After taking no notice of Baboon at first, Jackal looked round, and said, in a patronizing manner, that he pitied such an unfortunate creature, and would give him some honey on certain conditions, viz., that Baboon should give up his knobkirrie and allow himself to be bound by Jackal. He foolishly agreed; and was soon tied in such a manner that he could not move hand or foot.

Jackal now proceeded to drink of the water, to fill his pot, and to swim in the sight of Baboon, from time to time telling him what a foolish fellow he had been to be so easily duped, and that he (Jackal) had no honey or anything else to give him, excepting a good blow on the head every now and then with his own knobkirrie.

The animals soon appeared and found poor Baboon in this sorry plight, looking the picture of misery. Lion was so exasperated that he caused Baboon to be severely punished, and to be denounced as a fool.

Tortoise hereupon stepped forward, and offered his services for the capture of Jackal. It was at first thought that he was merely joking; but when he explained in what manner he proposed to catch him, his plan was considered so feasible that his offer was accepted. He proposed that a thick coating of “bijenwerk” (a kind of sticky black substance found on beehives) should be spread all over him, and that he should then go and stand at the entrance of the dam, on the water level, so that Jackal might tread upon him and stick fast. This was accordingly done and Tortoise posted there.

The next day, when Jackal came, he approached the water very cautiously, and wondered to find no one there. He then ventured to the entrance of the water, and remarked how kind they had been in placing there a large black stepping-stone for him. As soon, however, as he trod upon the supposed stone, he stuck fast, and saw that he had been tricked; for Tortoise now put his head out and began to move. Jackal’s hind feet being still free he threatened to smash Tortoise with them if he did not let him go. Tortoise merely answered, “Do as you like.” Jackal thereupon made a violent jump, and found, with horror, that his hind feet were now also fast. “Tortoise,” said he, “I have still my mouth and teeth left, and will eat you alive if you do not let me go.” “Do as you like,” Tortoise again replied. Jackal, in his endeavors to free himself, at last made a desperate bite at Tortoise, and found himself fixed, both head and feet. Tortoise, feeling proud of his successful capture, now marched quietly up to the top of the bank with Jackal on his back, so that he could easily be seen by the animals as they came to the water.

They were indeed astonished to find how cleverly the crafty Jackal had been caught; and Tortoise was much praised, while the unhappy Baboon was again reminded of his misconduct when set to guard the water.

Jackal was at once condemned to death by Lion; and Hyena was to execute the sentence. Jackal pleaded hard for mercy, but finding this useless, he made a last request to Lion (always, as he said, so fair and just in his dealings) that he should not have to suffer a lingering death.

Lion inquired of him in what manner he wished to die; and he asked that his tail might be shaved and rubbed with a little fat, and that Hyena might then swing him round twice and dash his brains out upon a stone. This, being considered sufficiently fair by Lion, was ordered by him to be carried out in his presence.

When Jackal’s tail had been shaved and greased, Hyena caught hold of him with great force, and before he had fairly lifted him from the ground, the cunning Jackal had slipped away from Hyena’s grasp, and was running for his life, pursued by all the animals. Lion was the foremost pursuer, and after a great chase Jackal got under an overhanging precipice, and, standing on his hind legs with his shoulders pressed against the rock, called loudly to Lion to help him, as the rock was falling, and would crush them both. Lion put his shoulders to the rock, and exerted himself to the utmost. After some little time Jackal proposed that he should creep slowly out, and fetch a large pole to prop up the rock, so that Lion could get out and save his life. Jackal did creep out, and left Lion there to starve and die.

The World’s Reward

An old dog, abandoned by his master, resolves to journey to the “land of the aged,” joined by a bull, ram, donkey, cat, goose, and cock. They find a house occupied by robbers, frighten them away, and feast on the food. When a robber returns, the animals cleverly fend him off, leaving him terrified and ensuring their peaceful stay.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The animals devise a clever plan to scare away the robbers by stacking themselves and creating a cacophony of noises, effectively deceiving the robbers into fleeing.

Community and Isolation: Each animal, having been abandoned or neglected, comes together to form a supportive group, highlighting the importance of companionship and unity in overcoming adversity.

Good vs. Evil: The narrative contrasts the virtuous, cooperative animals against the malevolent robbers, emphasizing the triumph of good over evil.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

Once there was a man that had an old dog, so old that the man desired to put him aside. The dog had served him very faithfully when he was still young, but ingratitude is the world’s reward, and the man now wanted to dispose of him. The old dumb creature, however, ferreted out the plan of his master, and so at once resolved to go away of his own accord.

After he had walked quite a way he met an old bull in the veldt.

► Continue reading…

“Don’t you want to go with me?” asked the dog.

“Where?” was the reply.

“To the land of the aged,” said the dog, “where troubles don’t disturb you and thanklessness does not deface the deeds of man.”

“Good,” said the bull, “I am your companion.”

The two now walked on and found a ram.

The dog laid the plan before him, and all moved off together, until they afterwards came successively upon a donkey, a cat, a cock, and a goose.

These joined their company, and the seven set out on their journey.

Late one night they came to a house and through the open door they saw a table spread with all kinds of nice food, of which some robbers were having their fill. It would help nothing to ask for admittance, and seeing that they were hungry, they must think of something else.

Therefore the donkey climbed up on the bull, the ram on the donkey, the dog on the ram, the cat on the dog, the goose on the cat, and the cock on the goose, and with one accord they all let out terrible (threatening) noises (cryings).

The bull began to bellow, the donkey to bray, the dog to bark, the ram to bleat, the cat to mew, the goose to giggle gaggle, and the cock to crow, all without cessation.

The people in the house were frightened perfectly limp; they glanced out through the front door, and there they stared on the strange sight. Some of them took to the ropes over the back lower door, some disappeared through the window, and in a few counts the house was empty.

Then the seven old animals climbed down from one another, stepped into the house, and satisfied themselves with the delicious food.

But when they had finished, there still remained a great deal of food, too much to take with them on their remaining journey, and so together they contrived a plan to hold their position until the next day after breakfast.

The dog said, “See here, I am accustomed to watch at the front door of my master’s house,” and thereupon flopped himself down to sleep; the bull said, “I go behind the door,” and there he took his position; the ram said, “I will go up on to the loft”; the donkey, “I at the middle door”; the cat, “I in the fireplace”; the goose, “I in the back door”; and the cock said, “I am going to sleep on the bed.”

The captain of the robbers after a while sent one of his men back to see if these creatures had yet left the house.

The man came very cautiously into the neighborhood, listened and listened, but he heard nothing; he peeped through the window, and saw in the grate just two coals still glimmering, and thereupon started to walk through the front door.

There the old dog seized him by the leg. He jumped into the house, but the bull was ready, swept him up with his horns, and tossed him on to the loft. Here the ram received him and pushed him off the loft again. Reaching ground, he made for the middle door, but the donkey set up a terrible braying and at the same time gave him a kick that landed him in the fireplace, where the cat flew at him and scratched him nearly to pieces. He then jumped out through the back door, and here the goose got him by the trousers. When he was some distance away the cock crowed. He thereupon ran so that you could hear the stones rattle in the dark.

Purple and crimson and out of breath, he came back to his companions.

“Frightful, frightful!” was all that they could get from him at first, but after a while he told them.

“When I looked through the window I saw in the fireplace two bright coals shining, and when I wanted to go through the front door to go and look, I stepped into an iron trap. I jumped into the house, and there some one seized me with a fork and pitched me up on to the loft, there again some one was ready, and threw me down on all fours. I wanted to fly through the middle door, but there some one blew on a trumpet, and smote me with a sledge hammer so that I did not know where I landed; but coming to very quickly, I found I was in the fireplace, and there another flew at me and scratched the eyes almost out of my head. I thereupon fled out of the back door, and lastly I was attacked on the leg by the sixth with a pair of fire tongs, and when I was still running away, some one shouted out of the house, ‘Stop him, stop h–i–m!'”