Tales from the World - Africa

Anansi hides the world’s wisdom in a pot, but his son spots the flaw in his grand plan.

A selfish host receives the same tricky hospitality he offered his guest.

Crocodile wins safe passage for the river animals, then leads their escorts into an ambush.

Anansi tackles Nyame’s four impossible tasks: Python, Leopard, Hornets and the fairy Mmoatia.

Zebra challenges Baboon for the waterhole and earns the black stripes he wears forever.

Tortoise uses one long rope to out-pull Elephant at a rock and Hippopotamus at a palm tree.

Heron helps Dove resist Jackal’s threats, showing how knowledge can stop a bully.

A missing pot of dumplings, one sharp nose and a flooded stream test Mmutla and Phiri’s friendship.

A milk-giving bird, a house inside a rock and a spellbound crocodile transform two children’s lives.

A small jackal uses quick words and quicker thinking to escape a hungry lion.

The animals work together to dig for water while one selfish creature refuses to help.

King Essiya’s noisy bird contest ends when the black-and-white Fishing Eagle Ituen finally opens his wings.

A strong-willed girl throws glowing roots and ashes into the sky, making stars and the Milky Way.

During a devastating drought, the animals must cooperate to find and protect water.

Hare receives help from a mysterious tree and must decide whether to honour his promise.

Hawk must recognise Owl’s quiet owlet among the noisy young birds he carries for the king.

Tortoise steals King Efriam’s feast-making drum without knowing the hidden rule that changes its song.

Lion claims every piece of the hunt, only to discover that the biggest share brings the biggest job.

A young Lion ignores his mother’s warning and meets Gurikhoisip, his white dogs and a piercing spear.

The ants build separate defences while a beetle loses the one message that could unite them.

Akon Obo turns reed traps, close observation and years of work into the luck of a lifetime.

Amara’s impossible search for creatureless water leads to a trapped town and a calabash full of magic.

Mantis tries three ridiculous ways to catch the Moon and nearly misses three beetles glowing on the path.

Wolf steals Monkey’s magic fiddle, but its dancing tune makes the truth impossible to hide.

An orphaned hunter’s son finds his father’s treasure and a stone that grants whatever he asks.

Nandi and Tebo follow wet hoofprints into the hills and free the silver-horned Rain Bull.

Tortoise tricks the birds at a sky feast, but his greed brings him crashing down.

Old working animals leave ungrateful owners and discover the strength of companionship.

A tiny bird challenges Lion’s bullying and proves that size is not courage.

Lion loses the wings he used selfishly after breaking trust with the creatures who guarded them.

Bat causes trouble between friends and becomes too ashamed to appear by day.

Jackal tries to carry the burning Sun and is marked forever by the heat.

Sun and Moon make a vast home for Water, whose enormous family soon fills every room and the whole world.