READING A:
1. The Lost Message
I immediately see parallels to human struggles; different groups coming together to address common struggles and enemies. Consensus could not be found but each group found a separate unity. Still fell prey to their enemies. King-insect sent a message to work together but the beetle lost it.
In a hunter-gatherer community like the San, working together can mean the difference between life and death. This story helps to illustrate the dangers on discord.
2. The Monkey's Fiddle
Again we see a reflection of the nomadic culture in the monkey’s need to travel to a new land for resources. There is also insight into the kinship structure and nature of reciprocity.
Jealously incites wolf, and in turn jackal, to want the bow for themselves. Monkey ends up saving himself with his magic fiddle and escapes to his thorn tree with the bow and instrument.
3. The Tiger, The Ram, and The Jackal
4. The Lion, The Jackal, and The Man
5. The World's Reward
6. Tiger and Jackal
7. Tink-Tinkje
8. The Lion, The Jackal and The Rope
This tale, like many folk tales, attributes human qualities to animal behaviors. The jackal is a scavenger and often takes the kills of other predators. Here the jackal deceives the lion and steals his kill. This can parallel the behavior of some people who profit from the hard work of others. In a small tribe like the San, this type of behavior cannot be tolerated and people must be extra vigilant.
9. Jackal Fools Lion Again
10. The Hunt of Lion and Jackal
11. Story of Lion and Little Jackal
12. The Lioness and the Ostrich
This story was a bit strange and I’m not sure that I understood it. Ostriches drink blood and roar?
(Ostrich, mouth open Source: Wikipedia Commons)
13. The Story of a Dam
Story source: South African Folk-Tales by James Honey (1910).
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