Shadows of the Green River
Classic Paternoster South African Folktale Shadows of the Green River
Shadows of the Green River
Long ago, in the bones and stones of what is now the town of Paternoster South Africa, there was a serene river called Umzali, meaning Mother of Life.
The river gave life to lush green trees, fertile lands, and animals who thrived in the warmth of her embrace. But Umzali held a secret — her waters were guarded by Izithunzi, the Shadows of the River.
Izithunzi were spirits that lived in the trunks of the tall trees growing along her banks. They only came alive when the sun cast long shadows, stretching their reach far across the water.
It was said they were the first to drink from the river when it was created, and in return, they vowed to protect its purity.
Travelers who sought to take more than they needed or who disrespected the river often found themselves mysteriously lost, their footprints erased by the shadows.
One day, a proud and boastful hunter named Vusumuzi arrived in the village by the river. He was known for his greed and often hunted more than his share, leaving carcasses to rot in the sun.
When he heard of Umzali, he declared, “A river this beautiful must surely hold treasures beneath its surface! I will take what the Shadows cannot guard.”
At dawn, Vusumuzi crept to the riverbank with a sack. He began cutting down one of the great trees, believing its wood to hold magical power.
As his axe bit into the trunk, the shadows began to shift unnaturally, coiling around him like living ropes. But Vusumuzi ignored the warning and continued his work.
When the sun reached its highest point, Vusumuzi’s shadow disappeared entirely. He suddenly realized he was not alone.
A deep voice emerged from the rustling branches, echoing through the land: “Greedy hunter, you have dishonored Umzali. Your shadow will remain with us until you learn respect.”
For days, Vusumuzi wandered the river’s edge, his shadow gone and his body growing weaker without rest. The villagers, hearing his cries, told him to return what he had taken and to seek forgiveness from the river and the spirits.
Exhausted and humbled, Vusumuzi dropped his axe and knelt by the river. He spoke with sincerity, “Umzali, I was blinded by greed. Forgive me, and I will protect you.”
At that moment, his shadow returned, stretching behind him as the sun dipped low in the sky. The Izithunzi, satisfied with his change of heart, released him, and the river’s waters sparkled as if in agreement.
True to his word, Vusumuzi became the river’s fiercest protector, warning all who came of the sacred balance between humans and nature.
To this day, as the sun sets over the rivers of South Africa, the shadows of the trees remind us to tread lightly and honor the life-giving waters.
