Prentice Hall

Why Monkeys Live in Trees (African Folk Tale)

This is a folktale that proposes to explain why monkeys live in the trees, and in the middle of the tale, we also learn why chickens don't have any ears. This is typical of the oral traditions in the past. This tale tells about Leopard, who is admiring his reflection in a pool, and learns about a contest. King Gorilla has offered a pot of gold to anyone who can eat what looks like a mound of black dust in one day. When the different animals try, however, they scream, sneeze, cough, and cannot do it, because the mound is actually black pepper. Then Monkey says he can do it if he can lie down and rest in the tall grass between mouthfuls. Leopard, however becomes suspicious and spies on Monkey. He sees that there are hundreds of monkeys waiting their turn in the grass to take a mouthful of pepper. Furious, he chases the monkeys, and the others join in. The only way the monkeys can escape is to climb to the tops of all the trees, which is why the live in trees to this day.

Why the Tortoise's Shell is Not Smooth (African Folk Tale)

This folktale proposes to teach readers why tortoises have a cracked type of shell, rather than a smooth one.

A cunning tortoise convinces the birds to lend him some feathers so that he can fly with them to a great banquet in the sky. Tortoise uses his cunning to trick the birds and eat all the good food at the banquet. THe birds get their revenge by taking back the feathers that Tortoise has used to fly. Tortoise fall to the ground, shattering his shell into pieces. This tale teaches a lesson about not believing everything you see and offers an ancient explanation for the markings on a tortoise's shell.

Senor Coyote and the Tricked Trickster (Mexican Folk Tale)

Senor Coyote and Senor Mouse have been feuding for a long time when Mouse finds Coyote caught in a trap. He agrees to save Coyote if Coyote will promise to work for him for the rest of Coyote's life. Reluctantly, Coyote agrees. Then one day, Mouse is caught by Senor Snake because Snake was trapped by a rock, and when Mouse went to help roll the rock off of him, Snake caught him. Coyote finds out about this predicament, and thinks that if he can save Mouse, then his life will be given back to him. Coyote cunningly tricks Snake into reenacting the whole scene, but stops before Mouse can get caught by Snake again. With the Snake under the rock, Coyote explains to Mouse that he should get his life back for getting him out of the Snake's grasp. Mouse reluctantly agrees that Coyote's debt is paid.… (meer)