Thursday, July 3, 2008

African Folk Tales

These 5 Books are publised by Mango, The children's imprint of DC Books. I was so enjoyed to illustrate these books. Stories are so nicely written by Tanya Munshi. Books are of 32 pages and 20cmx20cm in size.

Two Bachelors and a Python
Both Kalemeleme and Kinku are lonely and unhappy men in a village in Central Africa but that is where their similarity ends. Kalemeleme is kind and gentle at heart while Kinku is short-tempered and hot-headed. On a day of hunting, an act of kindness towards Moma, the mighty rock python makes Kalemeleme worthy of a special gift. When the arrogant and foolhardy Kinku expects the same, he learns that you only get what you deserve. (www.mangobooks.net)



Two Tortoise and the Eagle
In a beautiful jungle in the interiors of Africa, lives a Tortoise and an Eagle. One lives in the shade of the bushes while the other has his home high in the tree-tops. It is unlikely that they would ever meet but one day, it happens. The Tortoise plays the perfect host to the Eagle who has no respect for his friend. The very hurt Tortoise decides to teach him that friendship is not something to be mocked at. (www.mangobooks.net)




The Story of a Dam
The once beautiful forest in South Africa has been reduced to a dry land because of a draught. The animals in the forest then come up with a plan to dig a pit to store rain water. But when everybody works hard at digging the water hole, the jackal plays spoilsport. When he proves to be too cunning for the other animals, it takes an unlikely hero to catch him.
(www.mangobooks.net)




The King of Birds
It is election time in the bird kingdom and everybody wants to be the king. A meeting is held among the great winged creatures to choose the king. From the magnificent Eagle to the tiny Warbler, the nominees are not willing to back off. Soon, the meeting ends in a commotion as everyone is convinced of his worth and not others’. In the end of this Zulu folktale, a race would be the only way to choose the right leader.
(www.mangobooks.net)




Jabu and the Lion
Jabu is a young Zulu cowherd who happens to love his job—taking care of his father’s cattle. In fact, no one else in his village is as tactful and hardworking as he is. One fine day, when Bhubesi, the lion who has been causing havoc in the village gets caught in a trap, Jabu frees him even though instinct warns him not to. And soon he realises that an act of kindness need not always be repaid in kind.(www.mangobooks.net)