Reading Diary A: South African Folktales

I really enjoyed reading the West African folktales last week, so I thought I would check out the South African Folktales this week to see just how different geological regions differ in their storytelling. Needless to say, there was quite a contrast - one major component being the Jackal as the trickster rather than the spider Anansi!

One story I found really interesting was The World's Reward. To tell you the truth...I didn't actually get why the story was given that title. I think I just might be missing a pretty key point; I'm not really sure. Nevertheless, I thought it was a pretty good read. I really liked that the author threw in there each of the sounds the animals make; it gave the story a little bit more life. It was also really creative that all of the animals were able to work together, despite being such different breeds. The only thing I didn't quite like was how it ended. I felt like there wasn't any real wrap up to the story! I've already started thinking I may do this for my storytelling post this week and perhaps add a different ending of my own!

(old, aging dog)

Another story I enjoyed was Jackal Fools Lion Again. The way that the Jackal ends up fooling the lion was really creative. By starving the lion, he is able to create vulnerable environment. It was interesting that the author chose to have the jackal call the lion "uncle". The reader can instantly tell that this was for teasing purposes because right after the the jackal addresses him as "uncle", the lion retorts back with: "How dare you call me uncle, you impudent scoundrel,"an instant sign of anger. The building anger in the lion is the exact reason the jackal was able to trick him at the end.