The Man Who Knew Everything African Folklore Story

Can one person know everything? In the African Folklore story of The Man Who Knew Everything, Nyeri learns a valuable lesson.

The Man Who Knew Everything African Folklore Story

Can a single person know everything?

Nyeri is a visitor in the village over which rules his friend King Mwangi. Soon Nyeri begins to find fault with things in his friends’ village: the rice-crop is not planted right, the fish-traps are made wrong, and the roofs of the huts are not strong.

One day King Mwangi has a big gathering to talk with the elders of the village. Nyeri also finds fault in what the King says at every turn. King Mwangi says to Nyeri, "My friend, when a stranger comes to a town and the people are dancing, he should learn the step before joining in, otherwise he will spoil the dance."