Nelson Mandela's favorite African folktales.

In these beloved stories we meet a Kenyan lion named Simba, a snake with seven heads, and tricksters from Zulu folklore; we hear the voices of the scheming hyena, and we learn from a Khoi fable how animals acquired their tails and horns. Creation myths tell us how the land, its animals, and its people all came into existence under a punishing sun or against the backdrop of a spectacularly beautiful mountain landscape. Whether warning children about the dangers of disobedience or demonstrating that the underdog can, and often does, win, these stories, through their depiction of wise animals as well as evil monsters, are universal in their portrayal of humanity, beasts, and the mystical. Translated from their original languages--Karanga, Nguni, Xhosa, and many others--these folktales are a testament to the craft of storytelling and the power of myth.

The enchanting song of the magical bird (Tanzania) -- The cat who came indoors (Zimbabwe) -- The great thirst (San, Southern Africa) -- King Lion's gifts (Khoi, Southern Africa) -- The message (Namibia) -- The snake chief (West Africa/Zululand, South Africa) -- How Hlakanyana outwitted the monster (Nguni, South Africa) -- Words as sweet as honey from Sankhambi (Venda, South Africa) -- Mmutla and Phiri (Botswana) -- The lion, the hare, and the hyena (Kenya) -- Mmadipetsane (Lesotho) -- Kamiyo of the river (Transkei, South Africa) -- Spider and the crows (Nigeria) -- Natiki (Namaqualand, South Africa) -- The hare and the tree spirit (Xhosa, South Africa) -- The mantis and the moon (San, Southern Africa) -- The snake with seven heads (Xhosa, South Africa) -- The hare's revenge (Zambia) -- The wolf queen (Cape Malay) -- Van Hunks and the devil (Cape Dutch) -- Wolf and jackal and the barrel of butter (Cape Dutch) -- The cloud princess (Swaziland) -- The guardian of the pool (Central Africa/Zululand, South Africa) -- The sultan's daughter (Cape Malay) -- The ring of the king (Mythical African kingdom) -- The clever snake charmer (Morocco) -- Asmodeus and the bottler of djinns (South African English) -- Sakunaka, the handsome young man (Zimbabwe) -- The mother who turned to dust (Malawi) -- Mpipidi and the motlopi tree (Botswana) -- Fesito goes to market (Uganda) -- Sannie Langtand and the visitor (South African English).