Great storytelling of the short story began in Africa with the African folktale also known as African folklore. Folklore storytelling is the most ancient art form of the African Community. Just as someone expresses their ideas and the form of music, painting, dance and sculpture folklore takes the ideas of an ancient story and creates with words a picture that enchants the listener with a rich auditory environment.

In Africa, in the earliest times before there were pictures or written words there was the African folktale. For centuries, stories were passed down by word of mouth from one generation to the next. As Africans traveled across the African continent, they took their stories with them.

In this African folklore short story, making a happy marriage that withstands hardships and inspires respect from fathers is not an easy task especially when a woman’s hand in marriage is not easily obtained because of a peanut shell task.

Peanut Shell Impossible Task African Folktale Love Story

A True Love Story

A clan chief had a most beautiful daughter who was regularly courted by suitors for miles around but as soon as the suiters were told that, the only condition on which they could obtain his daughter's hand in marriage was to bail out a river with a peanut shell.

Well, the suitors always walked away in disappointment letting down the father and daughter.

However, at last one suiter actually tried to fulfill the condition and for his efforts, he obtained the beautiful daughter's hand in marriage; for the father said, "Iye amene amachita ntchito yosatheka amakonda ndi mtima wake wonse" “He who undertakes an impossible task loves with his whole heart.”

More short folklore stories from Africa to make you fall in love with myths and legends again from the motherland.

1. Why the bunny rabbit has wiggly slits for a nose
2. Love Takes No Less Than Everything Marriage Folklore
3. Hunters Attack Cowards Tell the Story
4. One Do Wrong All Get Punished
5. Mighty Little Hedgehog