African Folk Tales Read Online Free Page B

night thieves entered Muhammadu’s compound and bound Muhammadu and his wife with ropes. The thieves had sharp knives, and they said they would kill Muhammadu and his wife if they cried out. So saying, they took the donkeys and the corn, the cloth and everything that was in the compound. They did not leave one pot, they did not leave even a needle.
    The thieves had sharp knives, and said they would kill Muhammadu and his wife if they cried out.
    The next morning Muhammadu and his wife were able to free themselves from the ropes with which the thieves had tied them. When they went out into the street, they told their neighbours what had happened. They went to the great compound of the Galadima in order to tell him their sad story.
    Entering the compound of the Galadima, Muhammadu and his wife heard angry voices disputing the division of donkeys, corn, cloth, pots, mats, and other goods. It was the Galadima quarrelling about his share with several men whom Muhammadu recognized as the thieves who had robbed him. Muhammadu cried out to all the people. Pointing to his belongings, he called for justice against the thieves and the Galadima, who was their master.
    â€œThey bound us; they threatened to kill us!” Muhammadu cried. “They stole all that I had, I who as a wood-cutter had worked hard and saved my money.”
    These happenings were quickly carried to the ears of the Emir, who was the king of the town and of all the surrounding country. The Emir took speedy action. He drove the Galadima from the town for ever, he drove away the Galadima’s followers and all the people in the Galadima’s great compound.
    The Emir called Muhammadu the wood-cutter, and the turban of honour was wound around the head of Muhammadu.
    The Emir said to Muhammadu, “Now you are the Galadima of my town. You are the Galadima in my council.”
    For Muhammadu from that day on there was increasing wealth and power.

A Hunter, when the World began
    A VERY LONG time ago, in the beginning of the world, there lived a famous hunter. He had killed so many wild animals that he had been given the title, King of All Hunters.
    The King of All Hunters had two sons. When one of the sons wished to marry a young girl in the town, the King of All Hunters decided to test the strength and cleverness of this son.
    â€œAll the wildest, most savage animals I have killed,” he said to his son, “except one. Go out into the bush. If you are able to kill this one remaining savage creature you will have permission to marry the young girl.”
    The young man prepared to go into the bush to hunt the savage creature.
    â€œRemember,” his father warned him, “what you are going to hunt is the most fearful animal in the world: with many mouths; with fire-like eyes; with enormous strength.”
    The young man took some food, then took his gun and his knife, called for his three dogs, and went off into the bush. He walked all day, and in the evening caught a hare for his supper. He walked all the next day and the day after that.
    At last he came to the hut of an old woman who lived alone. She was outside her hut by a stream, where she was washing cooking-pots. She called out to him.
    â€œI cannot stop,” the young man replied, “for my business is urgent.”
    The old woman called to him again that it was very important for him to speak with her. The young man turned and went to see what she wanted.
    â€œHere is food,” said the old woman.
    It was good food and the young man enjoyed eating it.
    â€œHere is a calabash,” said the old woman, “please wash it. ”
    The young man went to the stream and started to wash the calabash. But as he washed it, it broke. Inside he found an egg, a round smooth stone, and a small broom of palm-raffia.
    â€œYou have broken the calabash and I am glad,” said the old woman. “Take with you what you have found inside. In case of danger drop one at a time, first