 CHAPTER ONE OF WEST AFRICAN FOCETAILS By William H. Barker RedFilibriFox.org by Lizzie Driver How We Got The Name, Spider-Tales In the olden days all the stories which men told were stories of Nancoupon, the chief of the gods. Spider, who was very conceited, wanted the stories to be told about him. Only one day he went to Nancoupon and asked that in future all tales told by men might be anansi stories instead of Nancoupon stories. Nancoupon agreed on one condition. He told Spider, or anansi, that he must bring him three things. The first was a jar full of live bees, the second was a boa constrictor, and the third was a tiger. Spider gave his promise. He took an earthen vessel, and set out for a place where he knew were numbers of bees. When he came in sight of the bees he began saying to himself, they will not be able to fill this jar, yes they will be able, no they will not be able, until the bees came up to him and said, what are you talking about Mr. Anansi? He thereupon explained to them that Nancoupon and he had had a great dispute. Nancoupon had said the bees could not fly into the jar, and Anansi had said they could. The bees immediately declared that of course they could fly into the jar, which they at once did. As soon as they were safely inside, Anansi sealed up the jar and sent it off to Nancoupon. The next day he took a long stick, and set out in search of a boa constrictor. When he arrived at the place where one lived, he began speaking to himself again. He will be just as long as this stick, no he will not be as long as this, yes he will be as long as this. These words he repeated several times, till the boa came out, and asked him what was the matter. Oh! we have been having a dispute in Nancoupon's town about you, Nancoupon's people say you are not as long as this stick. I say you are. Please let me measure you by it. The boa innocently laid himself out straight, and Spider lost no time in tying him onto the stick from end to end. He then sent him to Nancoupon. The third day he took a needle and thread, and sewed up his eye. He then set out for a den where he knew a tiger lived. As he approached the place he began to shout and sing so loudly that the tiger came out to see what was the matter. Can you not see, said Spider, my eye is sewn up and now I can see such wonderful things that I must sing about them. Sew up my eyes, said the tiger, then I too can see these surprising sights. Spider immediately did so. Having thus made the tiger helpless, he led him straight to Nancoupon's house. Nancoupon was amazed at Spider's cleverness in fulfilling the three conditions. He immediately gave him permission for the future to call all the old tales and Nancy tales. End of How We Got the Name Spider Tales. This recording is in the public domain. CHAPTER II OF WEST AFRICAN FOCETAILS By William H. Barker Read for LibriVox.org by Lizzie Driver How Wisdom Became the Property of the Human Race Though once lived in Fantyland, a man named Father and Nancy. He possessed all the wisdom in the world. People came to him daily for advice and help. One day the men of the country were unfortunate enough to offend Father and Nancy, who immediately resolved to punish them. After much thought he decided that the severest penalty he could inflict would be to hide all his wisdom from them. He set to work at once to gather again all that he had already given. When he had succeeded, as he thought in collecting it, he placed all in one great pot. This he carefully sealed, and determined to put it in a spot where no human being could reach it. Now Father and Nancy had a son, whose name was Kwe Kodzin. This boy began to suspect his father of some secret design, so he made up his mind to watch carefully. Next day he saw his father quietly slip out of the house, with his precious pot hung round his neck. Kwe Kodzin followed. Father and Nancy went through the forest till he had left the village far behind. Then, selecting the highest and most inaccessible-looking tree, he began to climb. The heavy pot, hanging in front of him, made his ascent almost impossible. Again and again he tried to reach the top of the tree, where he intended to hang the pot. There, he thought, wisdom would indeed be beyond the reach of everyone but himself. He was unable, however, to carry out his desire. And each trial the pot swung in his way. For some time Kwe Kodzin watched his father's vein attents. At last, unable to contain himself any longer, he cried out, Father, why do you not hang the pot on your back? Then you could easily climb the tree. Father and Nancy turned and said, I thought I had all the world's wisdom in this pot. But I find you possess more than I do. All my wisdom was insufficient to show me what to do. Yet you have been able to tell me. In his anger he threw the pot down. It struck on a great rock and broke. The wisdom contained in it escaped and spread throughout the world. End of how wisdom became the property of the human race. This recording is in the public domain. Chapter 3 of West African Folk Tales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. West African Folk Tales by William H. Barker. Chapter 3. A Nasi and Nothing. Near a Nasi's miserable little hut, there was a fine palace where lived a very rich man called Nothing. Nothing and a Nasi proposed one day to go to the neighboring town to get some wives. Accordingly they set off together. Nothing being a rich man wore a very fine velvet cloth while a Nasi had a ragged cotton one. While they were on their way, a Nasi persuaded Nothing to change clothes for a little while, promising to give back the fine velvet before they reach the town. He delayed doing this, however, first on one pretext, then on another, till they arrived at their destination. A Nasi, being dressed in such a fine garment, found no difficulty in getting as many wives as he wished. Poor Nothing, with his ragged and miserable cloth, was treated with great contempt. At first he could not get even one wife. At last, however, a woman took pity on him and gave him her daughter. The poor girl was laughed at very heartily by a Nasi's wives for choosing such a beggar as Nothing appeared to be. She wisely took no notice of their scorn. The party set off for home. When they reached the crossroads leading to their respective houses, the women were astonished. The road leading to a Nasi's house was only half cleared. The one which led to Nothing's palace was, of course, wide and well-made. Not only so, but his servants had strewn it with beautiful skins and carpets in preparation for his return. Servants were there awaiting him, with fine clothes for himself and his wife. No one was waiting for a Nasi. Nothing's wife was queen over the whole district, and had everything her heart could desire. A Nasi's wives could not even get proper food. They had to live on unripe bananas with peppers. The wife of Nothing heard of her friend's miserable state and invited them to a great feast in her palace. They came and were so pleased with all they saw that they agreed to stay there. Accordingly, they refused to come back to a Nasi's hut. He was very angry and tried in many ways to kill Nothing but without success. Finally, however, he persuaded some rep friends to dig a deep tunnel in front of Nothing's door. When the hole was finished, a Nasi lined it with knives and broken bottles. He then smeared the steps of the palace with okra to make them very slippery and withdrew to a little distance. When he thought Nothing's household was safely in bed and asleep, he called to Nothing to come out to the courtyard and see something. Nothing's wife, however, dissuaded him from going. A Nasi tried again and again, and each time she bade her husband not to listen. At last Nothing determined to go and see this thing. As he placed his foot on the first step, of course he slipped, and down he fell into the hole. The noise alarmed the household. Lights were fetched, and Nothing was found in the ditch, so much wounded by the knives that he soon died. His wife was terribly grieved at his untimely death. She boiled many yams, mashed them, and took a great dishful of them round the district. To every child she met, she gave some, so that the child might help her to cry for her husband. This is why, if you find a child crying, and ask the cause, you will often be told he is crying for Nothing. End of Chapter 3. Thunder and a Nasi from West African Folk Tales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Eva Marie Kony. There had been a long and severe famine in the land where a Nasi lived. He had been quite unable to obtain food for his poor wife and family. One day, gazing desperately out to sea, he saw rising from the mists of the water a tiny island with a tall palm tree upon it. He determined to reach this tree, if any means were possible, in climate, in the hope of finding a few nuts to reward him. How to get there was the difficulty. This however solved itself when he reached the beach, for there lay means to his hand in the shape of an old broken boat. It certainly did not look very strong, but a Nasi decided to try it. His first six attempts were unsuccessful. A great wave dashed him back onto the beach each time he tried to put off. He was persevering, however, and at the seventh trial was successful in getting away. He steered the battered old boat as best he could and at length reached the palm tree of his desire. Having tied the boat to the trunk of the tree, which almost grew straight out of the water, he climbed towards the nuts. Plucking all he could reach, he dropped them, one by one, down to the boat. To his dismay, however, everyone missed the boat and fell, instead, to the water until only the last one remained. This he aimed even more carefully than the others, but he'd also fell into the water and disappeared from his hungry eyes. He had not even tasted one and now all were gone. He could not bear the thought of going home empty-handed, so, in his despair, he threw himself into the water, too. To his complete astonishment, instead of being drowned, he found himself standing on the sea bottom in front of a pretty little cottage. From the latter came an old man who asked a Nasi what he wanted so badly that he had to come to Thunder's cottage to seek it. A Nasi told his tale of woe, and Thunder showed himself most sympathetic. He went into the cottage and fetched a fine cooking pot, which he presented to a Nasi, telling him that he needed never be hungry again. The pot would always supply enough food for himself and his family. A Nasi was most grateful and left Thunder with many things. Being anxious to test the pot at once, a Nasi only waited till he was again seated at the old boat to say, Pot pot, what you used to do for your master do now for me. Immediately, good food of all sorts appeared, a Nasi ate a hardy meal, which he very much enjoyed. On reaching land again, his first thought was to run home and give all his family a good meal from his wonderful pot. A selfish, greedy fear prevented him. But if I should use up all the magic of a pot on them and have nothing more left for myself, better keep a pot a secret, then I can enjoy the meal when I want one. So, his mindful of this thought, he hid the pot. He reached home, pretending to be utterly worn out with fatigue and hunger. There was not a grain of food to be had anywhere. His wife and poor children were weak with one of it, but self or Nasi took no notice of that. He congratulated himself at the thought of his magic pot, now safely hidden in his room. There he retired from time to time when he felt hungry and enjoyed a good meal. His family got thinner and thinner, but he grew plumper and plumper. They began to suspect some secret and determined to find it out. His eldest son, Kwaku, to sin, had the power of changing himself into any shape he chose, so he took the form of a tiny fly and accompanied his father everywhere, at last a Nasi, feeling hungry, entered his room and closed the door. Next he took the pot and had a fine meal. Having replaced the pot in his hiding place, he went out, and pretends of looking for food. As soon as he was safely out of sight, Kwaku to sin fetched up the pot and called all his hungry family to come at once. They had as good a meal as their father had had. When they had finished, Miss Nasi, to punish her husband, said she would take the pot down to the village and give everybody a meal. This she did, but alas, in working to prepare so much food at one time, the pot grew too hot and melted away. What was to be done now? Nasi would be so angry. His wife forbade everyone to mention the pot. Nasi returned, ready for supper and, as usual, went into his room, carefully shutting the door. He went to the hiding place. It was empty. He looked all around in consternation. No pot was to be seen anywhere. Someone must have discovered it. His family must be the culprits who would find a means to punish them. Saying nothing to anyone about the matter, he waited till morning. As soon as it was light, he started off towards the shore, where an old boat lay. Getting into the boat, it started of its own accord and gled swiftly over the water, straight for the palm tree, arrived there and Nasi attached the boat as before and climbed the train. This time, unlike the last, the nuts almost fell into his hands. When he aimed them at the boat, they fell easily into it, not one as before dropping into the water. He deliberately took them and threw them overboard, immediately jumping after them. As before, he found himself in front of Thunder's cottage, with Thunder waiting to hear his tale. This he told, the old man showing the same sympathy as he had previously done. This time, however, he presented Nasi with a fine stick and made him goodbye. Nasi could scarcely wait till he got in the boat, so anxious he to try the magic properties of his new gift. The next stick he said, what you used to do for your master, do for me also. The stick began to beat him so severely that, in a few minutes, he was obliged to jump into the water and swim ashore, leaving the boat and stick to drift away where they pleased. Then he returned sorrowfully homeward, bemoaning his many bruises and wishing he had acted more wisely from the beginning. Chapter 5 From West African Folk Tales by William H. Barker Read for LibriVox.org by Eswa Why the lizard continually moves his head up and down. In a town not very far from Anansi's home, lived a great king. This king had three beautiful daughters, whose names were kept a secret from everybody. Except their own family. One day, their father made a proclamation that his three daughters would be given as wives to any man who could find out their names. Anansi made up his mind to do so. He first bought a large jar of honey and set off for the bathing place of the king's daughters. Right there, he climbed to the top of a tree on which grew some very fine fruit. He picked some of this fruit and poured honey over it. When he saw the princesses approaching, he dropped the fruit on the ground and waited. The girls thought the fruit dropped off its own accord, and one of them ran forward to pick it up. When she tasted it, she called out to her sister's by name to exclaim on its sweetness. Anansi dropped another, which the second princess picked up. She, in her turn, calling out the names of the other two. In this fashion, Anansi found out all the names. As soon as the princesses had gone, Anansi came down from the tree and hurried into the town. He went to all the great men and summoned them to a meeting at the king's palace on the morrow. He then visited his friend, the lizard, to get him to act as herald at the court's next day. He told lizard the three names, and the later was to sound them through his trumpet when the time came. Early next morning, the king and his court were assembled as usual. All the great men of the town appeared, as Anansi had requested. Anansi stated his business, reminding the king of his promise to give his three daughters to the men who had found out their names. The king demanded to hear the later, whereupon lizard sounded them on his trumpet. The king and courtes were very much surprised. His majesty, however, could not break the promise he had made of giving his daughters to the men who named them. He accordingly gave them to Mr. Lizard. Anansi was very angry, and explained that he had told the names to Lizard, so that he ought to get at least two of the girls, while Lizard could have the third. The king refused. Anansi then begged hard for even one, but that was also refused. He went home in a very bad temper, declaring that he would be revenged on Lizard for stealing his wife's way. He thought over the matter very carefully, but could not find a way of punishing Lizard. At last, however, he had an idea. He went to the king, and explained that he was setting off next morning on a long journey. He wished to start very early, and so begged the king's help. The king had a fine cock, which always crowed at daybreak to weaken the king if he wished to get up early. Anansi begged that the king would come on the cock to crow next morning, that Anansi might be sure of getting off in time. This, the king readily promised. As soon as night fell, Anansi went by a back way to the cock's sleeping place, seized the bird quickly, and killed it. He then carried it to Lizard's house, where all were in bed. There, he quietly cooked the cock, placed the feathers under Lizard's bed, and put some of the flesh on a dish close to Lizard's hand. The wicked Anansi then took some boiling water, and poured it into poor Lizard's mouth, thus making him dumb. When morning came, Anansi went to the king, and reproached him for not letting the cock crow. The king was much surprised to hear that it had not obeyed his commands. He sent one of his servants to find and bring the cock to him. But of course, the servant returned empty-handed. The king then ordered them to find the thief. No trace of him could be found anywhere. Anansi then cunningly said to the king, I know Lizard is rogue, because he stole my three wives from me. Perhaps he is the thief. Interestingly, the man went to search Lizard's house. There, of course, they found the remnants of the cock, cooked ready to eat, and his feathers under the bed. They questioned Lizard, but the poor animal was unable to reply. He could only move his head up and down helplessly. They thought he was refusing to speak, so dragged him before the king. To the king's questions, he could only return the same answer, and his majesty got very angry. He did not know that Anansi had made the poor animal dumb. Lizard tried very hard to speak, but in vain. He was accordingly judged guilty of theft, and as a punishment his wives were taken away from him, and given to Anansi. Since then, Lizards have always had a way of moving their heads helplessly backward and forward, as if saying, How can anyone be so foolish as to trust Anansi? End of why the Lizard continually moves his head up and down. This recording is in the public domain. TIT FOR TAT From West African Folk Tales This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. West African Folk Tales by William H. Barker Chapter Six TIT FOR TAT There had been a great famine in the land for many months. Meat had become so scarce that only the rich cheats had enough money to buy it. The poor people were starving. Anansi and his family were in a miserable state. One day Anansi's elder son, Quickerson, to his great joy, discovered a place in the forest where there were still many animals. Knowing his father's wicked ways, Quicku told him nothing of the matter. Anansi, however, speedily discovered that Quickie was returning loaded, day after day, to the village. There he was able to sell meat at a good price to the hungry villagers. Anansi immediately wanted to know the secret, but his son wisely refused to tell him. The old man determined to find out by a trick. Slipping into his son's room one night, when he was fast asleep, he cut a tiny hole in the corner of the bag, which Quickie also carried into the forest. Anansi then put a quantity of ashes into the bag and replaced it where he had found it. Next morning, as Quickie set out for the forest, he threw the bag, as usual, over his shoulder. Unknown to him at each step, the ashes were sprinkled on the ground. Consequently, when Anansi set out an hour later, he was easily able to follow his son by means of the trail of ashes. He too arrived at the animal's home in the forest and found Quickie there before him. He immediately drove his son away, saying that, by the law of the land, the place belonged to him. Quickie saw how he had been tricked and determined to have the meat back. He accordingly went home, made a tiny image and hung little bells round its neck. He then tied a long thread to its head and returned toward the hunting place. When about halfway there, he hung the image to a branch of a tree in the path and hid himself in the bushes nearby, holding the other end of the thread in his hand. The greedy father, in the meantime, had killed as many animals as he could find, being determined to become rich as speedily as possible. He then skinned them and prepared the flesh to carry it to the neighboring villages to sell. Taking the first load, he set off for his own village. Halfway there, he came to the place where the image hung in the way. Thinking this was one of the gods, he stopped. As he approached, the image began to shake its head vigorously at him. He felt that this meant that the gods were angry. To please them, he said to the image, may I give you a little of this meat? Again the image shook its head. May I give you half of this meat? He then inquired. The head shook once more. Do you want the whole of this meat? He shouted fiercely. This time the head nodded, as if the image were well pleased. I will not give you all my meat, and as he cried, at this the image shook in every limb, as if in a terrible temper. Anisee was so frightened that he threw the whole load on the ground and ran away. As he ran, he called back. Tomorrow I shall go to Echobon, and you will not be able to take my meat from me there, you thief. The quickie had heard where his father intended to go next day and set the image in his path as before. Again Anisee was obliged to leave his whole load, and again he called out the name of the place where he would go the following day. The same thing occurred, day after day, till all the animals in the wood were killed. By this time quickison had become very rich, but his father, Anisee, was still very poor. He was obliged to go to quickie's house every day for food. When the family was over, quickie gave a great feast and invited the entire village. While all were gathered together, quickie told the story of his father's cunning and how it had been overcome. This caused great merriment among the villagers. Anisee was so ashamed that he readily promised quickie to refrain from his evil tricks for the future. This promise, however, he did not keep long. End of chapter. Why White Ants Always Harm Man's Property from West African Folktales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Why White Ants Always Harm Man's Property by William H. Barker. There came one such a terrible famine in the land that grain of corn was worth more than its weight in gold. A hungry spider was wandering through the forest looking for food. To his great joy, he found a dead antelope. Knowing that he would not be allowed to reach home in safety with it, he wrapped it up very carefully in a long mat and bound it securely. Placing it on his head, he started for home. As he went, he wept bitterly, telling everyone that this was his dead grandfather's body. Everyone he met sympathized heartily with him. On his way, he met the wolf and the leopard. These two wise animals suspected that this was one of the spider's tricks. They knew that he was not to be trusted. Walking on a little way, they discussed what they could do to find out what was in the bundle. They agreed to take a shortcut across the country to a tree which they knew Cousin Spider must pass. When they reached this tree, they hid themselves very carefully behind it and waited for him. As he passed the place, they shook the tree and uttered frightful noises. This so frightened Mr. Spider that he dropped his load and ran away. The two gentlemen opened the bundle and, to their great joy, discovered the flesh of the antelope in it. They carried it off to their own home and began to prepare supper. When Mr. Spider recovered from his fear, he began to wonder who could have been at the tree to make the noise. He decided that his enemies must be the wolf and the leopard. He made up his mind he would get his meat back from them. He took a small lizard and filed his teeth to find sharp points. He then sent him to spy upon the wolf and leopard by begging fire from them. He was to get the fire and quench it as soon as he left the cottage. He could then return and ask a second time. If they asked him questions, he must smile and show his teeth. The lizard did as he was told and everything turned out just as Spider had expected. Wolf and Leopard eagerly asked the lizard where he had had his teeth filed so beautifully. He replied that filing Spider had done it for him. Wolf and Leopard discussed the matter and decided to have their teeth filed in the same way. They could then easily break the bones of their food. Accordingly, they went to the house of the disguised Spider and asked him to make their teeth like lizards. Spider agreed but said that to do it properly, he would first have to hang them on a tree. They made no objection to this. When he had them safely hung, Spider and his family came and mocked them. Spider then went to their cottage and brought away the body of the antelope. The whole village was invited to the feast, which was held in front of the two poor animals on the tree. During this festival, everyone made fun of the wolf and the leopard. Next morning, White Ant and his children passed the place on their way to some friends. Mr. Leopard begged them to set him and his friend free. White Ant and his family set to work destroying the tree and set them at liberty. Leopard and Wolf promised the ants that on the return they would spread a feast for them. Unfortunately, Spider heard the invitation and made up his mind to benefit by it. On the third day, which was the very time set by the wolf and the leopard, Spider dressed up his children like the ants. They set out singing the ants chorus in order to deceive Leopard. Wolf and Leopard welcomed them heartily and spread a splendid feast for them, which the Spiders thoroughly enjoyed. Soon after their departure, the real ants arrived. The two hosts, thinking these must be Spider and his family, poured boiling water over them and killed them all except the father. White Ant, on reaching home again, in great anger, vowed that he would never again help anyone. He would take every opportunity to harm property. From that day to this, White Ants have been a perfect pest to man. End of Why White Ants Always Harm Man's Property. Section 8 of West African Folktales by William H. Barker. This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Squirrel and the Spider. A hard-working squirrel had, after much labor, succeeded in cultivating a very fine farm. Being a skillful climber of trees, he had not troubled to make a roadway into his farm. He used to reach it by the trees. One day, when his harvests were very nearly ripe, it happened that Spider went out hunting in that neighborhood. During his travels, he arrived at Squirrel's Farm. Greatly pleased at the appearance of the fields, he sought for the roadway to it. Finding none, he returned home and told his family all about the matter. The very next day they all set out for this fine place and set to work immediately to make a road. When this was completed, Spider, who was very cunning, threw pieces of earthenware pot along the pathway. This he did to make belief that his children had dropped them while working to prepare the farm. Then he and his family began to cut down and carry away such of the corn as was ripe. Squirrel noticed that his fields were being robbed but could not at first find the thief. He determined to watch. Sure enough, Spider soon reappeared to steal more of the harvest. Squirrel demanded to know what right he had on these fields. Spider immediately asked him the same question. They are my fields, said the Squirrel. Oh no, they are mine, retorted the Spider. I dug them and sowed them and planted them, said poor Squirrel. Then where is your roadway to them? said crafty Spider. I need no roadway. I come by the trees, with Squirrel's reply. Needless to say, Spider laughed such an answer to scorn and continued to use the farm as his own. Squirrel appealed to the law, but the court decided that no one had ever had a farm without a road leading to it. Therefore the fields must be spiders. In great glee Spider and his family prepared to cut down all the harvest that remained. When it was cut they tied it in great bundles and set off to the nearest marketplace to sell it. When they were about half way there a terrible storm came on. They were obliged to put down their burdens by the roadside and run for shelter. When the storm had passed they returned to pick up their loads. As they approached the spot they found a great black crow there, with his broad wings outspread to keep the bundles dry. Spider went to him and very politely thanked him for so kindly taking care of their property. Your property, replied Father Crow, who ever heard of any one leaving bundles of corn by the roadside, not sense these loads are mine. Though saying he picked them up and went off with them, leaving Spider and his children to return home sorrowful and empty-handed, their thieving ways had brought them little profit. End of The Squirrel and the Spider Chapter 9 of West African Folk Tales This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org West African Folk Tales by William H. Barker Chapter 9 Why We See Ants Carrying Bundles as Biggest Themselves Krikku Anasi and Krikku Tsin his son were both very clever farmers. Generally they succeeded in getting fine harvest from each of their farms. One year, however, they were very unfortunate. They had sown their seeds as usual, but no rain had fallen for more than a month after, and it looked as if the seeds would be unable to sprout. Krikku Tsin was walking sadly through his fields one day looking at the bare dry ground and wondering what he and his family would do for food if they were unable to get any harvest. To his surprise he saw a tiny dwarf seeded by the roadside. The little hunchback asked the reason for his sadness, and Krikku Tsin told him. The dwarf promised to help him by bringing rain on the farm. He bade Krikku fetch two small sticks and tap him lightly on the hump while he sang. O water go up, o water go up, and let rain fall and let rain fall. To Krikku's great joy rain immediately began to fall, and continued till the ground was thoroughly well soaked. In the days following the seeds germinated and the crops began to promise well. Anasi soon heard how well Krikku's crops were growing, whilst his own were still bare and hard. He went straight away to his son and demanded to know the reason. Krikku Tsin, being an honest fellow, at once told him what had happened. Anasi quickly made up his mind to get his farm watered in the same way and accordingly set out toward it. As he went, he cut two big strong sticks, thinking, My son made the dwarf work with little sticks. I will make him do twice as much with my big ones. He carefully hid the big sticks, however, when he saw the dwarf coming toward him. As before, the hunchback asked what the trouble was, and Anasi told him. Take two small sticks and beat me lightly on the hump, said the dwarf. I will get rain for you. But Anasi took his big sticks and beat so hard that the dwarf fell down dead. The greedy fellow was now thoroughly frightened, for he knew that the dwarf was gesture to the king of the country and a very great favorite of his. He wondered how he could fix the blame on someone else. He picked up the dwarf's dead body and carried it to a cola tree. There he laid it on one of the top branches and sat down under the tree to watch. By and by, Krikutsin came along to see if his father had succeeded in getting rain for his crops. Did you not see the dwarf's father, he asked, as he saw the old man sitting alone? Oh, yes, replied Anasi, but he has climbed this tree to pick cola. I am now waiting for him. I will go up and fetch him, said the young man, and immediately began to climb. As soon as his head touched the body, the ladder, of course, fell to the ground. Oh, what have you done, you wicked fellow-critus father, you have killed the king's chester! That is all right, quietly replied the son, who saw that this is one of Anasi's tricks. The king is very angry with him, and has promised a bag of money to anyone who would kill him. I will now go and get the reward. No, no, no, shouted Anasi. The reward is mine. I killed him with two big sticks. I will take him to the king. Very well was the son's reply, as you killed him, you may take him. Off said Anasi, quite pleased with the prospect of getting a reward. He reached the king's court, only to find the king very angry at the death of his favorite. The body of the chester was shut up in a great box, and Anasi was condemned as punishment to carry it on his head for ever. The king enchanted the box so that it could never be set down on the ground. The only way in which Anasi could get rid of it was by getting some other man to put it on his head. This, of course, no one was willing to do. At last, one day, when Anasi was almost worn out with his heavy burden, he met the aunt. Will you hold this box for me while I go to market and buy some things I need badly, said Anasi to Mr. Ant? I know your tricks, Anasi, replied the aunt. You want to be rid of it. Oh, no indeed, Mr. Ant protested, Anasi, indeed I will come back for it, I promise. Mr. Ant, who was an honest fellow, and always kept his own promises, believed him. He took the box on his head, and Anasi hurried off. Needless to say, the sly fellow had not the least intention of keeping his word. Mr. Ant waited in vain for his return, and was obliged to wander all the rest of his life with the box on his head. That is the reason we so often see aunts carrying great bundles as they hurry along. CHAPTER X. Why spiders are always found in the corners of ceilings. Iggya, Anasi, was a very skillful farmer. He, with his wife and son, set to work one year to prepare a farm, much larger than any they had previously worked. They planted it with yams, maize, and beans, and were rewarded by a very rich crop. Their harvest was quite ten times greater than any they had ever had before. Iggya, Anasi, was very well pleased when he saw his wealth of corn and beans. He was, however, an exceedingly selfish and greedy man who never liked to share anything, even with his own wife and son. When he saw that the crops were quite ripe, he thought of a plan whereby he alone would profit from them. He called his wife and son to him, and spoke thus. We have all three worked exceedingly hard to prepare these fields. They have well repaid us. We will now gather in the harvest and pack it away in our barns. When that is done, we shall be in need of a rest. I propose that you and our son should go back to our home in the village, and remain there at your ease for two or three weeks. I have to go to the coast on very urgent business. When I return, we will all come to the farm and enjoy our well-earned feast. Anasi's wife and son thought this a very good, sensible plan, and at once agreed to it. They went straight back to their village, leaving the cunning husband to start on his journey. Needless to say, he had not the slightest intention of so doing. Instead, he built himself a very comfortable hut near the farm, supplied it with all manner of cooking utensils, gathered in a large store of the corn and vegetables from the barn, and prepared for a solitary feast. This went on for a fortnight. By that time, Anasi's son began to think it was time for him to go and weed the farm, lest the weed should grow too high. He accordingly went there and worked several hours on it. While passing the barn, he happened to look in. Great was his surprise to see that more than half of their magnificent harvest had gone. He was greatly disturbed, thinking robbers had been at work, and wondered how he could prevent further mischief. According to the village, he told the people there what had happened, and they helped to make a rubber man. When evening came, they carried the sticky figure to the farm, and placed it in the midst of the fields, to frighten away the thieves. Some of the young men remained with Anasi's son to watch in one of the barns. When all was dark, Igia and Anasi, quite unaware of what had happened, came, as usual, out of his hiding-place to fetch more food. On his way to the barn, he saw in front of him the figure of a man, and at first felt very frightened. Finding that the man did not move, however, he gained confidence and went up to him. "'What do you want here?' said he. There was no answer. He repeated his question with the same result, and Anasi then became very angry and dealt the figure a blow on the cheek with his right hand. Of course his hand stuck fast to the rubber. "'How dare you hold my hand?' he exclaimed. "'Let me go at once, or I shall hit you again.' Then he hit the figure with his left hand, which also stuck. He tried to disengage himself by pushing against it with his knees and body, until finally knees, body, hands, and head were all firmly attached to the rubber man. There Igia and Anasi had to stay until daybreak when his son came out with the other villagers to catch the robber. They were astonished to find that the evil doer was Anasi himself. He on the other hand was so ashamed to be caught in the act of greediness that he changed into a spider and took refuge in the dark corner of the ceiling, lest anyone should see him. Since then spiders have always been found in dark, dusty corners, where people are not likely to notice them. This recording is in the public domain. Anansi and the Blind Fisherman from West African Folk Tales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. To find out more or see how you can volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Anansi and the Blind Fisherman by William H. Barker Anansi and his old age became a fisherman. Very soon after that his sight began to fail. Finally, he grew quite blind. However, still being very strong, he continued his fishing with the help of two men. The latter were exceedingly kind to him and aiding him in every possible way. They led him each morning to the beach and into the canoe. They told him where to spread his net and when to pull it in. When they returned to land, they told him just where and when to step out so that he did not even get wet. Day after day this went on, but Anansi, instead of being in the least grateful to them, behaved very badly. When they told him where to spread his net, he would reply, I know, I was just about to put it there. When they were directing him to gather the boat, he would say, Oh, I know perfectly well we're at the beach, I was just getting ready to step out. This went on for a long time. Anansi getting rudder and rudder to his helpers every day until they could bear his treatment no longer. They determined when opportunity offered to punish him for his ingratitude. The next day, as usual, he came with them to the beach. When they had got the canoe ready, they bade him step in. Do you think I am a fool? He said. I know the canoe is there. They made no answer but got in and patiently pulled toward the fishing place. When they told him where to spread his net, he replied with so much abuse that they determined there and then to punish him. By this time, the canoe was full of fish, so they turned to row home. When they had gone a little way, they stopped and said to him, Here we are at the beach. He promptly told them that they were very foolish to tell him a thing that he knew so well. He added many rude and insulting remarks, which made them thoroughly angry. He then jumped proudly out, expecting to land on the beach. To his great astonishment, he found himself sinking in deep water. The two men rode quickly away, leaving him to struggle. Like all men of that country, he was a good swimmer. Before being blind, he was unable to see where the land lay, so he swam until he was completely tired out and was drowned. End of A Nonsie and the Blind Fisherman Adds Anoumi and Her Mother From West African Folk Tales by William H. Barker Read for LibriVox.org by David Barnes There once lived a woman who had one great desire. She longed to have a daughter, but alas, she was childless. She could never feel happy because of this unfulfilled wish. Even in the midst of a feast, the thought would be in her mind, Ah, if only I had a daughter to share this with me. One day she was gathering yams in the field, and it chanced that she pulled out one which was very straight and well shaped. Ah, she thought to herself, if only this fine yam were a daughter, how happy I should be. To her astonishment the yam answered, If I were to become your daughter, would you promise never to reproach me with having been a yam? She eagerly gave her promise, and at once the yam changed into a beautiful, well-made girl. The woman was overjoyed and was very kind to the girl. She named her Adzanoumi. The latter was exceedingly useful to her mother. She would make the bread, gather the yams, and sell them at the market place. She had been detained one day longer than usual. Her mother became impatient at her non-appearance and angrily said, Where can Adzanoumi be? She does not deserve that beautiful name. She's only a yam. A bird singing nearby heard the mother's words and immediately flew off to the tree under which Adzanoumi sat. There he began to sing, Adzanoumi, Adzanoumi, your mother is unkind. She says you are only a yam. You do not deserve your name. Adzanoumi, Adzanoumi. The girl heard him and returned home weeping. When the woman saw her she said, My daughter, my daughter, what's the matter? Adzanoumi replied, Oh, my mother, my mother, you have reproached me with being a yam. You said I did not deserve my name. Oh, my mother, my mother. With these words she made her way toward the yam field. Her mother, filled with fear, followed her wailing. Nay, Adzanoumi, Adzanoumi, do not believe it, do not believe it. You are my daughter, my dear daughter, Adzanoumi. But it was too late. Her daughter, still singing her sad little song, quickly changed back into a yam. When the woman arrived at the field there lay the yam on the ground and nothing she could do or say would give her back the daughter she had desired so earnestly and treated so inconsiderately. End of Adzanoumi and her mother. This recording is in the public domain. The house was so thin and pale for lack of food. Only one family appeared healthy and well. This was the household of Anansi's cousin. Anansi was unable to understand this and felt sure his cousin was getting food in some way. The greedy fellow determined to find out the secret. What had happened was this. Spider's cousin, while hunting one morning, had discovered a wonderful stone. The stone lay on the grass in the forest and ground flower of its own accord. Nearby ran a stream of honey. Kofi was delighted. He sat down and had a good meal. Not being a greedy man, he took away with him only enough for his family's needs. Each morning he returned to the stone and got sufficient food for that day. In this manner he and his family kept well and plump while the surrounding villagers were starved and miserable looking. Anansi gave him no peace till he promised to show him the stone. This he was most unwilling to do, knowing his cousin's wicked ways. He felt sure that when Anansi saw the stone he would not be content to take only what he needed. However, Anansi troubled him so much with questions that at last he promised. He told Anansi that they would start next morning as soon as the women said about their work. Anansi was too impatient to wait. In the middle of the night he bade his children get up and make a noise with the pots as if they were the women at work. Spider at once ran and wakened his cousin, saying, Quick! it is time to start. His cousin, however, saw he had been tricked and went back to bed again, saying he would not start till the women were sweeping. No sooner was he asleep again than Spider made his children take brooms and begin to sweep very noisily. He roused Kofi once more, saying, It is time we had started. Once more his cousin refused to set off, saying it was only another trick of Spiders. He again returned to bed and to sleep. This time Spider slipped into his cousin's room and cut a hole in the bottom of his bag, which he filled with ashes. After that he went off and left Kofi in peace. When morning came the cousin awoke. Seeing no sign of Spider he very gladly set off alone to the forest, thinking he had got rid of the tiresome fellow. He was no sooner seated by the stone, however, than Anansi appeared, having followed him by the trail of ashes. Aha! he cried. Here is plenty of food for all. No more need to starve. Hush! said his cousin. You must not shout here. The place is too wonderful. Sit down quietly and eat. They had a good meal and Kofi prepared to return home with enough for his family. No, no cried Anansi. I am going to take the stone. In vain did his friend try to overcome his greed. Anansi insisted on putting the stone on his head and setting out for the village. Spider, Spider, put me down, said the stone. The pig came and drank and went away. The antelope came and fed and went away. Spider, Spider, put me down. Spider, however, refused to listen. He carried the stone from village to village selling flour, until his bag was full of money. He then set out for home. Having reached his hut and feeling very tired, he prepared to put the stone down. But the stone refused to be moved from his head. It stuck fast there and no effort could displace it. The weight of it very soon grew too much for Anansi and ground him down into small pieces, which were completely covered over by the stone. That is why we often find tiny spiders gathered together under large stones. End of Chapter 13 This recording is in the public domain. Morning sunrise from West African folk tales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Bergoine. West African Folk Tales by William H. Barker Chapter 14 Morning Sunrise A man in one of the villages had a very beautiful daughter. She was so lovely that people called her Morning Sunrise. Every young man who saw her wanted to marry her. Three in particular, were very anxious to have her for their wife. Her father found it difficult to decide among them. He determined to find out by a trick which of the three was most worthy of her. He bade her lie down on her bed as if she were dead and then sent the report of her death to each of the three lovers, asking them to come and help him with her funeral. The messenger came first to Wiseman. When he heard the message, he exclaimed, What can this mean? The girl is not my wife. I certainly will not pay any money for her funeral. The messenger came next to the second man. His name was Whit. The latter at once said, Oh dear, no, I shall not pay any money for her funeral expenses. Her father did not even let me know she was ill, so he refused to go. Thinker, the third young man, when he received the message, at once got ready to start. Certainly I must go and mourn for Morning Sunrise, said he. Had she lived, surely she would have been my wife. So he took money with him and set out for her home. When he reached it, her father called out, Morning Sunrise, Morning Sunrise, Come here, this is your true husband. That very day the betrothal took place, and soon after the wedding followed, Thinker and his beautiful wife lived very happily together. Many centuries ago, the people of this earth were much troubled by floods. They see used to at times overflow its usual boundaries and sweep across the low sandy stretches of land which bordered it. Time and again this happened, many lives being lost at each flood. Mankind was very troubled to find an escape from this off-repeated disaster. He could think of no way of avoiding it. Fortunately for him, the wise turtle came to his help. Take my advice, said she, and plant rows of palms along the sea coast. They will bind the sand together and keep it from being washed so easily away. He did so, with great success. The roots of the palms kept the sand firmly in its place. When the time came again for the sea to overflow, it washed just to the line of trees and came no farther. Thus many lives were saved annually by the kind forethought of the turtle. In return, one would think, mankind would protect and cherish this poor animal. But no. Each time a turtle comes to the seashore to lay her eggs among the sand, she is caught and killed for the sake of her flesh. It is the thought of the ingratitude of mankind to her, which makes her beat her breast with her forelegs when she is caught. She seems to be saying, ah, this is all the return I get for my kindness to you. End of Chapter 15. This recording is in the public domain. Chapter 16 of West African Folk Tales by William H. Barker Read for LibriVox.org by Lizzie Driver how beasts and serpents first came into the world. The famine had lasted nearly three years. Quacozin, being very hungry, looked daily in the forest in the hope of finding food. One day he was fortunate enough to discover three palm kernels lying on the ground. He picked up two stones with which to crack them. The first nut, however, slipped when he hit it and fell into a hole behind him. The same thing happened to the second and to the third. Very much annoyed at his lost, Quaco determined to go down the hole to see if he could find his lost nuts. To his surprise, however, he discovered that this hole was really the entrance to a town of which he had never before even heard. When he reached it he found absolute silence everywhere. He called out, is there nobody in this town? and presently heard a voice in answer. He went in its direction and found an old woman sitting in one of the houses. She demanded the reason of his appearance, which he readily gave. The old woman was very kind and sympathetic and promised to help him. You must do exactly as I tell you, said she. Go into the garden and listen attentively. You will hear the yam speak. Pass by any yam that says, Dig me out, dig me out. But take the one that says, Do not dig me out, then bring it to me. When he brought it she directed him to remove the peel from the yam and throw the latter away. He was then to boil the rind and while boiling it would become yam. It did actually do so and they sat down to eat some of it. Before beginning their meal the old woman requested Queiko not to look at her while she ate. Being very polite and obedient he did exactly as he was told. In the evening the old woman sent him into the garden to choose one of the drums which stood there. She warned him, If you come to any drum which says ding ding on being touched take it but be very careful not to take any one which sounds dong dong. He obeyed her direction in every detail. When he showed her the drum she looked pleased and told him to his great delight that he had only to beat it if at any time he were hungry. That would bring him food in plenty. He thanked the old woman heartily and went home. As soon as he reached his own hut he gathered his household together and then beat the drum. Immediately food of every description appeared before them and they all ate as much as they wished. The following day Queiko Zin gathered all the people of the village together in the assembly place and then beat the drum once more. In this way every family got sufficient food for their once and all thanked Queiko very much for thus providing for them. Queiko's father however was not at all pleased to see his son thus able to feed the whole village. Anansi thought he too ought to have a drum. Then the people would be grateful to him instead of Queiko Zin. Accordingly he asked the young man where the wonderful drum had come from. His son was most unwilling to tell him but Anansi gave him no peace until he had heard the whole story. He then wasted no time but set off at once towards the entrance-hole. He had taken the precaution to carry with him an old nut which he pretended to crack. Then, throwing it into the hole, he jumped in after it and hurried along to the silent village. Arrived at the first house he shouted, Is there no one in this town? The old woman answered us before and Anansi entered her house. He did not trouble to be polite to her but addressed her most rudely saying, Hurry up, old woman, and get me something to eat. The woman quietly directed him to go into the garden and choose the yam which should say, Do not dig me out! Anansi laughed in her face and said, You surely take me for a fool. If the yam does not want me to dig it out I will certainly not do so. I will take the ones which want to be gathered. This he did. When he brought it to the old woman she told him, as she told his son, to throw away the inside and boil the rind. Again he refused to obey. Whoever heard of such a silly thing is throwing away the yam. I will do nothing of the sort. I will throw away the peel and boil the inside. He did so and the yam turned into stones. He was then obliged to do as she first suggested and boil the rind. The latter, while boiling, turned into yam. Anansi turned angrily to the old woman and said, You are a witch. She took no notice of his remark, but went on setting the table. She placed his dinner on a small table, lower than her own, saying, You must not look at me while I eat. He rudely replied, Indeed, I will look at you if I choose. And I will have my dinner at your table, not at that small one. Again she said nothing, but she left her dinner untouched. Anansi ate his own, then took hers, and ate it also. When he finished, she said, Now go into the garden and choose a drum. Do not take one which sounds dong-dong. Only take one which sounds ding-ding. Anansi retorted, Do you think I will take your advice, you witch? No. I will choose the drum which says dong-dong. You were just trying to play a trick on me. He did as he wished. Having secured the drum, he marched off without so much as a thank you to the old woman. No sooner had he reached home, then he longed to show off his new power to the villagers. He called all to the assembly place, telling them to bring dishes and trays, as he was going to provide them with food. The people in great delight hurried to the spot. Anansi proudly taken his position in the midst of them, began to beat his drum. To his horror and dismay, instead the multitude of foodstuffs which Kwaku had summoned, Anansi saw, rushing towards him, beasts and serpents of all kinds. Such creatures had never been seen on the earth before. The people fled in every direction, all except Nancy, who was too terrified to move. He speedily received fitting punishment for his disobedience. Fortunately Kwaku, with his mother and sisters, had been at the outer edge of the crowd, so easily escaped into shelter. The animals presently scattered in every direction, and ever since they have roamed wild in the great forests. End of how beasts and serpents first came into the world. This recording is in the public domain. Chapter 17 From West African Folktales by William H. Barker Read for LibriVox.org by Esther Honourable Minu It happened one day that a poor, at-Kim man had to travel from his own little village to Akra, one of the big towns on the coast. This man could only speak the language of his own village, which was not understood by the men of the town. As he approached Akra, he met a great herd of cows. He was surprised at the number of them, and wondered to whom they could belong. Seeing a man with them he asked him, to whom do these cows belong? The man did not know the language of the Akim man, so he replied, Minu. I do not understand. The traveller, however, thought that Minu was the name of the owner of the cows, and exclaimed, Mr. Minu must be very rich. He then entered the town. Very soon he saw a fine large building, and wondered to whom it might belong. The man he asked could not understand his question, so he also answered, Minu. Dear me, what a rich fellow Mr. Minu must be, cried the Akim man. Coming to a still finer building with beautiful gardens around it, he again asked the owner's name. Again came the answer, Minu. How wealthy Mr. Minu is, said our wondering traveller. Next he came to the beach. There he saw a magnificent steamer being loaded in the harbour. He was surprised at the great cargo which was being put on board, and inquired of a bystander, to whom does this fine vessel belong? Minu replied the man. To the honourable Minu also. He is the richest man I ever heard of, cried the Akim man. Having finished his business, the Akim man set out for home. As he passed down one of the streets of the town, he met men carrying a coffin. And followed by a long procession, all dressed in black, he asked the name of the dead person, and received the usual reply. Minu. Poor Mr. Minu, cried the Akim man. So he has had to leave all his wealth in beautiful houses, and die just as a poor person would do. Well, well, in future I will be content with my tiny house and little money. And the Akim man went home quite pleased to his own hut. End of chapter 17. This recording is in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recorded by Julian Jamison. Why the moon and the stars receive their light from the sun? Once upon a time there was a great scarcity of food in the land. Father Anansi and his son, Kwe Kutzin, being very hungry, set out one morning to hunt in the land. In a short time, Kwe Kutzin was fortunate enough to kill a fine deer, which he carried to his father at their resting place. Anansi was very glad to see such a supply of food, and requested his son to remain there on guard, while he went for a large basket in which to carry at home. An hour or so passed without his return, and Kwe Kutzin became anxious. Fearing lest his father had lost his way, he called out to his father to guide him to the spot. To his joy he heard a voice reply, Yes, my son. And immediately he shouted again, thinking it was Anansi. Instead of the latter, however, a terrible dragon appeared. This monster breathed fire from his great nostrils, and was altogether a dreadful sight to behold. Kwe Kutzin was terrified at his approach, and speedily hid himself. The dragon arrived at the resting place, and was much annoyed to find only the deer's body. He vented his anger and blows upon the latter, and went away. Soon after father Anansi made his appearance. He was greatly interested in his son's tale, and wished to see the dragon for himself. He soon had his desire, for the monster smelling human flesh hastily returned to the spot and seized them both. They were carried off by him to his castle, where they found many other unfortunate creatures also awaiting their fate. All were left in charge of the dragon's servant, a fine white cock, which always crowed to summon his master, if anything unusual happened, in the latter's absence. The dragon then went off in search of more prey. Kwe Kutzin now summoned all his fellow prisoners together, to arrange a way of escape. Kwe Kutzin all feared to run away because of the wonderful powers of the monster. His eyesight was so keen that he could detect a fly moving miles away. Not only that, but he could move over the ground so swiftly that none could out-distance him. Kwe Kutzin, however, being exceedingly clever, soon thought of a plan. Knowing that the white cock would not crow, as long as he has grains of rice to pick up, Kwe Kutzin scattered on the ground the contents of forty bags of grain, which were stored in the Great Hall. While the cock was thus busily engaged, Kwe Kutzin ordered the spinners to spin fine hempen ropes, to make a strong rope ladder. One end of this he intended to throw up to heaven, trusting that the gods would catch it and hold it fast, while he and his fellow prisoners mounted. While the ladder was being made, the men killed and ate all the cattle they needed, reserving all the bones for Kwe Kutzin at his express desire. When all was ready, the young man gathered the bones into a great sack. He also procured the dragon's fiddle and placed it by his side. Everything was now ready. Kwe Kutzin threw one end of the ladder up to the sky. It was caught and held. The dragon's victims began to mount, one after the other, Kwe Kutzin remaining at the bottom. By this time, however, the monster's powerful eyesight showed him that something unusual was happening at his abode. Seeing his approach, Kwe Kutzin also mounted the ladder with a bag of bones on his back and the fiddle under his arm. The dragon began to climb after him. Each time the monster came too near, the young man threw him a bone, with which, being very hungry, he was obliged to descend to the ground to eat. Kwe Kutzin repeated this performance till all the bones were gone, by which time the people were safely up in the heavens. Then he mounted himself, as rapidly as possible, and then to play a tune on the wonderful fiddle. Each time he did this, the dragon had to return to earth to dance, as he could not resist the magic music. When Kwe Kutzin was quite close to the top, the dragon had very nearly reached him again. The brave youth bent down and cut the ladder away below his own feet. The dragon was dashed to the ground, but Kwe Kutzin was pulled up into safety by the gods. The ladder was so pleased with his wisdom and bravery in giving freedom to his fellow men that they made him the sun, the source of all light and heat to the world. His father Anansi became the moon, and his friends the stars. Thereafter it was Kwe Kutzin's privilege to supply all these with light, each being dull and powerless without him. End of section 18 For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org West African Folk Tales by William H. Barker Ohia and the Thieving Deer There once lived upon the earth a poor man called Ohia, whose wife was named Ohairhu. This unfortunate couple had suffered one trouble after another. No matter what they took in hand, misfortunes seemed to lie and wait for them. Nothing they did met with success. They became so poor that at last they scarcely obtained a cloth with which to cover themselves. Finally, Ohia thought of a plan which many of his neighbors had tried and found successful. He went to a wealthy farmer who lived near and offered to hew down several of his palm trees. He would then collect their sap to make palm wine. When this should be ready for the market, his wife would carry it there and sell it. The proceeds would then be divided equally between the farmer, Ohia, and Ohairhu. This proposal having been laid before the farmer, he proved quite willing to agree to it. Not only so, but he granted Ohia a supply of earthen pots in which to collect the sap, as the miserable man was far too poor to buy any. In great delight, Ohia and his wife set to work. They cut down the trees and prepared them, setting the pots underneath to catch the sap. Before cock-crow on market day, Ohia set off with a lighted torch to collect the wine and prepare it for his wife to take into the town. She was almost ready to follow. To his great distress on arriving at the first tree, instead of finding his earthen pot filled with a sweet sap, he saw it lying in pieces on the ground, the wine all gone. He went on to the second and third trees, but there, and at all the others, too, the same thing had happened. His wife, in high spirits and ready for market, joined him at this moment. She saw it once by his face that some misfortune had again befallen them. Sorefully they examined the mischief and agreed that some wicked person had stolen the wine and then broken the pots to hide the theft. A wirehoo returned home in despair, but Ohia set to work once more. He fetched a second supply of pots and placed them all ready to catch the sap. On his return next morning he found that the same behavior had been repeated. All his wine was again stolen and his pots in fragments. He had no resource but to go to the farmer and tell him of these fresh misfortunes. The farmer proved to be very kind and generous and gave orders that Ohia might have as many pots as he should require. Once more the poor fellow returned to the palm trees and set his pots ready. This third attempt, however, met with no better result than the two previous. Ohia went home in despair. His wife was of the opinion that they should give up trying to overcome their evil fortunes. It was quite evident that they could never attain success. The husband, however, determined that, at least, he would find and punish the culprit, if that were possible. Accordingly he bravely set his pots in order for the last time. When night came he remained on guard among the trees. Midnight passed and nothing happened, but toward two o'clock in the morning a dark form glided past him to the nearest palm tree. A moment after he heard the sound of a breaking pot he stole up to the form. On approaching it he found that the thief was a bush-deer carrying on its head a large jar into which it was pouring the wine from Ohia's pots. As it emptied them it threw them carelessly on the ground, breaking them in pieces. Ohia ventured a little nearer, intending to seize the culprit. The latter, however, was too quick for him and escaped, dropping his great pot on the ground as he ran. The deer was very fleet, but Ohia had fully determined to catch him, so followed. The chase continued over many miles until mid-day arrived, at which time they had reached the bottom of a high hill. The deer immediately began to climb, and Ohia, though almost tired out, still followed. Finally the summit of the hill was reached, and there Ohia found himself in the midst of a great gathering of quadrupeds. The deer, panting, threw himself on the ground before King Tiger. His majesty commanded that Ohia should be brought before him to be punished for this intrusion into such a serious meeting. Ohia begged for a hearing before they condemned him. He wished to explain fully his presence there. King Tiger, after consulting with some of the other animals, agreed to listen to his tale. Thereupon Ohia began the story of his unfortunate life. He told how one trial after another had failed, and how, finally, he had thought of the palm wine. He described his feelings on discovering the first theft after all his labor. He related his second, third, and fourth attempts with the result of each. He then went on to tell of his chase after the thief, and thus explained his presence at their conference. The quadrupeds listened very attentively to the recital of Ohia's troubles. At the conclusion they unanimously agreed that the deer was the culprit and the man blameless. The former was accordingly sentenced to punishment while the latter received an apology in the name of the entire conference. King Tiger, it appeared, had each morning given deer a large sum of money wherewith to purchase palm wine for the whole assembly. The deer had stolen the wine and kept the money. To make up to Ohia for his losses, King Tiger offered him, as a gift, the power of understanding the conversation of all animals. This said he would speedily make Ohia a rich man. But he attached one condition to the gift. Ohia must never, on pain of instant death, tell anyone about his wonderful power. The poor man, much delighted, set off for home. When it was reached, he lost no time in setting to work at his palm trees again. From that day his troubles seemed over. His wine was never interfered with and he and a wire who became more and more prosperous and happy. One morning while he was bathing in a pool quite close to his house, he heard a hen and her chickens talking together in his garden. He listened and distinctly heard a chicken tell mother hen about three jars of gold buried in Ohia's garden. The hen bade the chicken be careful lest her master should see her scraping near the gold and so discover it. Ohia pretended to take no notice of what they were saying and went away. Presently, when mother hen and her brood had gone, he came back and commenced digging in that part of the garden. To his great joy he soon found three large jars of gold. They contained enough money to keep him in comfort all his life. He was careful, however, not to mention his treasure to anyone but his wife. He hid it safely inside his house. Soon he and a wire who had become one of the richest couples in the neighborhood and owned quite a large amount of property. Ohia thought he could afford now to keep a second wife so he married again. Unfortunately, the new wife did not at all resemble a wire who. The latter had always been a good, kind, honest woman. The new wife was of a very jealous and selfish disposition. In addition to this she was lame and continually imagined that people were making fun of her defect. She took the idea into her head that Ohia and a wire who went together were in the habit of laughing at her. Nothing was further from their thoughts but she refused to believe so. Whenever she saw them together she would stand and listen outside the door to hear what they were saying. Of course she never succeeded in hearing anything about herself. At last, one evening, Ohia and a wire who had gone to bed. The latter was fast asleep when Ohia heard a conversation which amused him very much. A couple of mice in one corner of the room were arranging to go to the larder to get some food. As soon as their master, who was watching them, was asleep. Ohia, thinking this was a good joke, laughed out right. His lame wife heard him and rushed into the room. She thereupon accused him of making fun of her again to a wire who. The astonished husband of course denied this but to no purpose. The jealous woman insisted that if he were laughing at an innocent joke he would at once tell it to her. This Ohia could not do without breaking his promise to King Tiger. His refusal fully confirmed the lame woman's suspicions and she did not rest till she had laid the whole matter before the chief. He, being an intimate friend of Ohia, tried to persuade him to reveal the joke and set the matter at rest. Ohia naturally was most unwilling to do anything of the sort. The persistent woman gave the chief no peace till he summoned her husband to answer her charge before the assembly. Finding no way of escape from the difficulty, Ohia prepared for death. He first called all his friends and relatives to a great feast and bade them farewell. Then he put his affairs in order, bequeathed all his gold to the faithful Ohia who and his property to his son and servants. When he had finished he went to the assembly place where the people of the neighborhood were gathered together. He first took leave of the chief and then commenced his tale. He related the story of his many misfortunes, of his adventure with a deer and of his promise to King Tiger. Finally he explained the cause of his laughter which had annoyed his wife. In so speaking he fell dead as the Tiger had warned him. He was buried amid great mourning for everyone had liked and respected him. The jealous woman who had caused her husband's death was seized and burnt as a witch. Her ashes were then scattered to the four winds of heaven and it is owing to this unfortunate fact that jealousy and selfishness are so widespread through the world where before they scarcely existed. End of Ohia and the Thieving Deer Chapter 20 From West African Folktales by William H. Barker Read for LibriVox.org by Esther How the Tortoise Got Its Shell A few hundred years ago the chief Maury, God, determined to have a splendid yam festival. He therefore sent his messengers to invite all his chiefs and people to the gathering just to take place on Fida, Friday. On the morning of that day he sent some of his servants to the neighboring towns and villages to buy goats, sheep, and cows for the great feast. Mr. Clo, the tortoise, who was a tall and handsome fellow, was sent to buy palm wine. He was directed to the palm fields of Koklovy, the chicken. At that time Clo was a very powerful traveller and speedily reached his destination, although it was many miles distant from Maury's palace. When he arrived Koklovy was taking his breakfast. When they had exchanged polite salutations Koklovy asked the reason of Clo's visit. He replied, I was sent by His Majesty, Maury, the ruler of the world, to buy him palm wine. Whether he's the ruler of this world or not answered Koklovy, no one can buy my wine with money. If you want it you must fight for it. If you win you can have it all and the palm trees too. This answer delighted Clo as he was a very strong fighter. Koklovy was the same so that the fighting continued for several hours before Clo was able to overcome Koklovy. He was at last successful, however, and securely bound Koklovy before he left him. Then, taking his great pot, he filled it with wine. Finding that there was more wine than the pot would hold, Clo foolishly drank all the rest. He then piled the palm trees on his back and set out for the palace with the pot of wine. The amount which he had drunk, however, made him feel so sleepy and tired that he could not walk fast with his load. Added to this a terrible rain began to fall which made the ground very slippery and still more difficult to travel over. By the time Clo succeeded in reaching his master's palace, the gates were shut and locked. Maury, finding it so late, had concluded that everyone was inside. There were many people packed into the great hall and all were singing and dancing. The noise of the concert was so great that no one heard Clo's knocking at the gate and there he had to stay with his great load of wine and palm trees. The rain continued for nearly two months and was so terrible that the people all remained in the palace till it had finished. By that time Clo had died under the weight of his load which he had been unable to get off his back. There he lay before the gate with the pile of palm trees on top of him. When the rain ceased and the gates were opened the people were amazed to see this great mound in front of the gate where before there had been nothing. They fetched spades and began to shovel it away. When they came to the bottom of the pile there lay Clo. His earthenware pot and the dust had caked together and formed quite a hard cover on his back. He was taken into the palace and by the use of many wonderful medicines he was restored to life. But since that date he has never been able to stand upright. He has been a creeping creature with a great shell on his back. End of Chapter 20 This recording is in the public domain. The Hunter and the Tortoise from West African Folk Tales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Eva Marie Canunis A village hunter had one day gone farther afield than usual coming to a part of the forest with which he was unacquainted. He was astonished to hear a voice singing. He listened and this was a song. It is many forces themselves found things that things which forced themselves found him. The singing was accompanied by a sweet music which entirely charmed the hunter's heart. When the little song was finished the hunter peeped through the branches to see who the singer could possibly be. Imagine his amazement when he found it was none other than a tortoise with a tiny harp slung in front of her. Never had he seen such a marvelous thing. Time after time he returned to the same place in order to listen to this wonderful creature. At last persuaded her to let him carry her back to his hut that he might enjoy her singing daily in comfort. Then she permitted only on the understanding that she sang to him alone. The hunter did not rest long content with this arrangement however. Soon he began to wish that he could show this wonderful tortoise to all the world and thereby thought he would gain great honor. He told the secret first to one then to another until finally it reached the ears of the chief himself. The hunter was commanded to come and tell his tale before the assembly. When however he described the tortoise who sang and played on the harp people shouted and scorned. They refused to believe him. At last he said, If I do not speak the truth I give you leave to kill me. Tomorrow I will bring the tortoise to this place and you may all hear her. If she cannot do as I say I am willing to die. And if the tortoise can do as you say we give you leave to punish us in any way you choose. The matter being then settled the hunter returned home well pleased with the prospect. As soon as tomorrow dawn he carried tortoise and harp down to the assembly place where a table had been placed ready for her. Everyone gathered around her to listen but no song came. The people were very patient quite willing to give the tortoise and the hunter a chance. Hours went by and to the hunter's dismay and shame the tortoise remained mute. He tried in every means and his power to coax her to sing but in vain. The people at first whispered then spoke at right and scorned at a boaster in his claims. Night came on and brought with it the hunter's doom. As the last grave the setting sun faded he was beheaded. The instant this had happened the tortoise spoke. The people looked at one another and troubled wonder. Our brother spoke the truth then and we have killed him the tortoise however went on to explain. He brought his punishment on himself I let a happy life in the forest singing my little song. He was not content to come and listen to me he had to tell my secret which did not at all concern him all the world. Had he not tried to make a show of me this would have never happened. It is man who forces himself fun things that things which force themselves on him. It is man which forces himself fun things that things which force himself on him. End of The Hunter and the Tortoise. Quo-fi and the Gods from West African Folk Tales This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org West African Folk Tales by William H. Barker Quo-fi and the Gods Quo-fi was the eldest son of a farmer who had two wives Quo-fi's mother had no other children When the boy was three years old his mother died Quo-fi was given to a stepmother to mind After this she had many children Quo-fi of course was the eldest of all When he was about ten years old his father also died Quo-fi had now no relative but his stepmother for whom he had to work As he grew older she saw how much more clever and handsome he was than her own children and grew very jealous of him He was such a good hunter that day after day he came home laden with meat or with fish Every day she treated him in the same way She cooked the meat then portioned it out She gave to each a large helping but when it came to Quo-fi's turn she would say Oh my son Quo-fi, there is none left for you You must go to the field and get some ripe paw-paw Quo-fi never complained Never once did he taste any of the meat he had hunted At every meal the others were served but there was never enough for him One evening when the usual thing had happened Quo-fi was preparing to go to the field to fetch some paw-paw for his supper All at once one of the gods appeared in the village carrying a great bag over his shoulder He summoned all the villagers together with these words Oh my villagers, I come with a bag of death for you Upon he began to distribute the contents of his bag among them When he came to Quo-fi he said Oh my son Quo-fi, there was never sufficient meat for you Neither is there any death As he said these words everyone in the village died except Quo-fi He was left to reign there in peace which he did very happily End of Quo-fi and the Gods Chapter 23 From West African Folk Tales by William H. Barker read for Librivox.org by Esther The Lion and the Wolf A certain old lady had a very fine flock of sheep She had fed and cared for them so well that they became famous for their fatness In time a wicked wolf heard of them and determined to eat them Night after night he stole up to the old dame's cottage and killed a sheep The poor woman tried her best to save her animals from harm but failed At last there was only one sheep left of all the flock Their owner was very sad She feared that it too would be taken away from her in spite of all she could do While she was grieving over the thought of this a lion came to her village Seeing her sad face he asked the reason of it She soon told him all about it He thereupon offered to do his best to punish the wicked wolf He himself went to the place where the sheep was generally kept while the ladder was removed to another place In the meantime the wolf was on his way to the cottage As he came he met a fox The fox was somewhat afraid of him and prepared to run away The wolf however told him where he was going and invited him to go too The fox agreed and the two set off together They arrived at the cottage and went straight to the place where the sheep generally slept The wolf at once rushed upon the animal while fox waited a little behind Just as fox was deciding to enter and help wolf there came a bright flash of lightning By the light of it the fox could see that the wolf was attacking not a sheep but a lion He hastily ran away shouting as he went Look at his face Look at his face During the flash wolf did look at the pretended sheep To his dismay he found he had made a great mistake At once he began to make humble apologies but all in vain Lion refused to listen to any of his explanations and speedily put him to death End of Chapter 23 This recording is in the public domain This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For further information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Makumau and Makufia or I will die God's death and I will die the king's death From West African Folktales by William H. Barker Once upon a time there were two men who were such great friends that they were almost always together If one was seen the other was sure to be near They had given one another special names which were to be used only by themselves One name Makumau meant I will die God's death and the other Makufia I will die the king's death By and by however the other villagers heard these names and gradually everyone got into the habit of calling the two friends by the nicknames in preference to their real ones Finally the king of the country heard of them and wished to see the men who had chosen such strange titles He sent them to court and they came together He was much pleased with the one who had chosen the name of Makufia but he was annoyed at the other man's choice and sought a chance of punishing him When he had talked to them a little while he invited both to a great feast which he was to give in three days time As they went away he gave a fine large yam to Makumau a small round stone to his own favourite The latter felt somewhat aggrieved at getting only a stone while his friend got such a fine yam Very soon he said Oh dear I do not think it is any use carrying this stone home how I wish it were a yam then I could cook it for dinner Makumau being very generous immediately replied then changed with me I am quite tired of carrying my great yam They exchanged and each went off to his own home Makufia cut up his yam and cooked it Makumau broke his stone in half and found inside some beautiful ornaments which the king had hidden there He thought that he would play a trick on the king so told nobody what had been in the stone On the third day they dressed to go to the king's feast Makumau put on all the beautiful ornaments out of the stone Makufia dressed himself just as usual When they reached the palace the king was amazed to see the wrong man wearing his ornaments and determined to punish him more effectively next time He asked Makufia what he had done with the stone and the man told him he had exchanged it for his friends yam but first the king could not think of any way to punish Makumau as of course the latter had not done anything wrong He soon had an idea however He pretended to be very pleased with the poor man and presented him with a beautiful ring from his own finger He then made him promise to come back in seven days and show the ring to the king again to let the latter see that it was not lost If by any chance he could not produce the ring he would lose his head This the king did meaning to get hold of the ring in some way and so get the young man killed Makumau saw what the king's design was so determined to hide the ring He made a small hole in the wall of his room put the ring in it and carefully plastered over the place again so no one could see that the wall had been touched After two days the king sent for the wife of Makumau and asked her to find the ring He promised her a large sum of money for it not telling her of course what would happen to her husband if the ring were lost The woman went home and searched diligently but found nothing Next day she tried again with no better success Then she asked her husband what he had done with it He innocently told her it was in the wall Next day when he was absent she searched so carefully but at last she found it Delighted she ran off to the king's palace and gave the ring to him She got the promised money and returned home never dreaming that she had really sold her husband's life On the sixth day the king sent a message to Makumau telling him to prepare for the next day The poor man befought himself of the ring and went to look if it was still safe To his despair the hole was empty He asked his wife and his neighbours all denied having seen it He made up his mind that he must die In the meantime the king had laid the ring in one of the dishes in his palace and promptly forgot about it When the seventh morning had arrived he sent messengers far and wide to summon the people to come and see a man punished for disobeying the king's orders Then he commanded his servants to set the palace in order and to take the dishes out of his room and wash them The careless servants, never looking to see if the dishes were empty or not took them all to a pool nearby Among them was the dish containing the ring Of course when the dish was being washed out fell the ring into the water without being noticed by the servants The palace being all in readiness the king went to fetch the ring It was nowhere to be found and he was obliged to go to the assembly without it When everyone was ready the poor man, Makumal was called to come forward and show the ring He walked boldly up to the king and knelt down before him saying the ring is lost and I am prepared to die only grant me a few hours to put my house in order At first the king was unwilling to grant even that small favour but finally he said very well you may have four hours then you must return here and be beheaded before the people The innocent man returned to his home and put everything in order Then, feeling hungry he thought I may as well have some food before I die I will go and catch a fish in the pool He accordingly took his fishnet and bait and started off to the very pool where the king's dishes had been washed Very soon he caught a fine large fish Cutting it open to clean it his delight may be imagined at finding the lost ring inside it I have found the ring I have found the ring When the people heard him they all shouted in joy He named himself rightly Makumau for sea The death God has chosen for him that only will he die So the king had no excuse to harm him and he went free end of Makumau and Makufia from West African Folktales by William H. Barker Read for Libervox.org by Esther The robber and the old man In a big town lived a very rich gentleman The fame of his wealth soon spread A clever thief heard of it and determined to have some for himself He managed to hide himself in a dark corner of the gentleman's room while the latter and the robber and the old man in the gentleman's room was counting his bags of money As soon as the old gentleman left the room to fetch something the thief caught up two of the bags and escaped The owner was astonished on his return a few minutes later to find two bags short He could find no trace of the thief Next morning however he chanced to meet the robber just outside the house The dishonest man looked so confused that the rich man at once suspected he was the thief He could not however prove it so took the case before the judge The thief was much alarmed when he heard this He saw a man in the village and asked his advice The wise man undertook to help him if he would promise to pay him half the money when he got off This the robber at once said he would do The old man then advised him to go home and dress in rags He must ruffle his hair and beard and behave as if he were mad If anyone asks a question he must answer moo The thief did so To every question asked by the judge he said moo moo The judge at last grew angry and dismissed the court The thief went home in great glee Next day the wise man came to him for his half of the money but he could get no answer but moo from the thief and at last in despair he had to go home without a penny The ungrateful robber kept everything for himself The wise man regretted very much that he had saved the thief from his just punishment but it was now too late End of Chapter 25 This recording is in the public domain Chapter 26 From West African Folktales by William H. Barker Read for Libervox.org by Esther The Leopard and the Ram A ram once decided to make a clearing in the woods and built himself a house A leopard who lived near also made up his mind to do the very same thing Unknown to each other they both chose the same site Ram came one day and worked at the clearing Leopard arrived after the ram had gone and was much surprised to find some of his work already done However, he continued what Ram had begun Each was daily surprised at the progress made in his absence but concluded that the fairies had been helping him He gave some thanks and continued with his task Thus the matter went on the two working alternately at the building and never seeing one another At last the house was finished to the satisfaction of both The two prepared to take up their abode in the new home to their great astonishment they met Each told his tale and after some friendly discussion they decided to live together Both the leopard and ram had sons These two young animals played together while their parents hunted The leopard was very much surprised to find that every evening his friend Ram brought home just as much meat or venison from the hunt as he himself did He did not dare however to ask the other how he obtained it One day before setting out to hunt leopard requested his son to find out if possible from young Ram how his father managed to kill the animals Accordingly while they were at play little leopard inquired how father Ram having neither claws nor sharp teeth succeeded in catching and killing the beasts Ram refused to tell unless young leopard would promise to show his father's way also The latter agreed Accordingly they took two large pieces of plantain stem and set out into the wood Young leopard then took one piece and placed it in position then going first to the right then to the left bowing and standing on his hind legs and peeping at the stem as his father did he took aim, sprang toward the stem and tore it Young Ram then took the other piece and placed it in position wasting no time he went backward a little way took aim then ran swiftly forward pushing his head against the stem and tearing it to pieces When they had finished they swept the place clean and went home In the evening the leopard obtained the hunt from his son The latter warned him that he must always be careful when he saw the ram go backward He kept this in his mind and from that day watched the ram very closely Sometime afterward it rained making the floor of the house very slippery The leopard called the ram as usual to dine with him As he was coming the ram slipped backward on the wet floor The leopard seeing this was about to kill him Calling to his son to follow he sprang with all his might over the wall of the house and fled to the woods The ram called him back but he did not listen From that time leopards have made their abode in the woods while rams have remained at home End of chapter 26 This recording is in the public domain Why the leopard can only catch prey on its left side At one time leopards did not know how to catch animals for food knowing that the cat was very skillful in this way leopard one day went to cat and asked very politely how to catch animals for food and he looked at the cat and asked him why he could not catch animals for food and he asked why he could not catch animals for food One day went to cat and asked very politely if she would teach him the art Cat readily consented The first thing leopard had to learn was to hide himself among the bushes by the roadside so that he would not be seen by any animal passing by Next he must learn how to move noiselessly through the woods He must never allow the animal he chased to know that he was following it The third great principle was how to use his left paws inside in springing upon his prey During these three things cat requested him to go and practice them well When he had learnt them thoroughly he could return to her and she would give him more lessons in hunting Leopard obeyed At first he was very successful and obtained all the food he wanted One day however he was unable to catch anything at all Being very hungry he thought himself what he could have for dinner Suddenly he remembered that the cat had quite a large family and owned her absent Never thinking of her kindness to him Leopard only remembered that he was hungry He ate all her kittens Plus, on discovering this dreadful act was so angry that she refused to have anything more to do with a great creature Consequently the leopard had never been able to learn how to catch animals that pass him on the right