Returned Evil for Kindness African Folktale
The Ape, the Snake, and the Lion Returned Evil for Kindness is an African folktale story from Zanzibar.
Returned Evil for Kindness African Folktale
Long, long ago, in a village called Kendwa, a woman was widowed and left to care for her young son, Akia. She worked tirelessly to provide for him, but they lived in constant poverty, often going hungry. Akia, witnessing his mother's struggles, grew increasingly concerned. One day, he asked, “Mother, we are always hungry. What did Father do to provide for us?”
His mother replied, her voice tinged with sadness, “Your father was a skilled hunter. He knew the ways of the forest and set traps to provide us with food.”
“A hunter!” Akia exclaimed, a spark of hope igniting in his eyes. “That sounds like more than just work; it sounds like an adventure! I will learn to set traps too, and provide for you as Father did.”
Driven by his desire to ease his mother's burden, Akia set to work. The next day, he ventured into the forest, carefully selecting branches and returning home in the evening, his arms laden with his harvest. The following days were spent crafting the branches into sturdy traps and twisting coconut fiber into strong ropes. Finally, on the fifth and sixth days, he carefully placed his traps throughout the forest, hoping for a successful hunt.
For a time, Akia's traps were incredibly successful. He caught an abundance of game, more than he and his mother could eat. He took the surplus to the bustling town of Unguja, where he sold it for a good price. Their small house was soon overflowing with food, and they knew comfort and security for the first time in a long time.
However, this good fortune did not last. Day after day, Akia returned to his traps only to find them empty. The joy and relief they had experienced quickly turned back into worry and hunger. “Mother,” he said, his voice heavy with disappointment, “the traps are empty. We are hungry again.”
As Akia checked his traps one morning, he found an ape caught in one. He raised his hand to strike the creature, but the ape cried out, “Son of Adam, I am Penda. I beg you, spare my life! Release me from this trap, and I swear, if you ever need help, I will repay your kindness.”
Akia, touched by the ape's plea, carefully released him. As Penda climbed into the trees, he paused and said, “You have shown me great kindness, Son of Adam. I will remember this. But heed my warning: Men are treacherous. Never trust them, for they will repay kindness with harm.”
