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Stories are a big part of the African culture and growing up in the city of Port-Harcourt, these stories shaped my childhood. Times are different now and these bedtime stories which were passed down through generations are not as popular with children as they once were. This podcast aims to bring these stories to the new generation of African children and introduce everyone else to these wonderful stories from the motherland. The lessons and values learnt from these will never be forgotten. Welcome to Stories Mother Told.
In the bustling village of Luwero, where children played with handmade toys and elders shared tales under the shade of ancient trees, there lived a dog named Bosa. Bosa was renowned not just for his shiny black coat or the way he could chase his tail endlessly, but for his insatiable love for food and adventure.
Every morning, as the sun painted the skies in shades of gold and pink, Bosa would embark on a new quest. He'd follow the scent of ripe jackfruits, chase after the village chickens, or sometimes even try to steal the fish from old Mzee Kato’s bucket. The village children adored his antics, and the elders often shook their heads, chuckling at his mischief.
One day, after sneaking into the weekly market, Bosa stumbled upon the most scrumptious bone he had ever seen. It belonged to Mama Nalweyiso, the best cook in Luwero. The bone was meaty, dripping with flavors and spices, and Bosa couldn’t resist. Swiftly grabbing it, he dashed away, looking for the perfect spot to savor his newfound treasure.
After much thought, he decided on the serene banks of the River Nnyanja. The calm flowing waters, the gentle chirping of birds, and the soft rustling of leaves would be the ideal backdrop for such a feast.
But as he was about to indulge, he caught a sight that gripped his heart – another dog in the water, seemingly bigger and with what looked like an even more sumptuous bone! His heart pounded with envy. “How can there be a bone better than Mama Nalweyiso’s?” Bosa thought.
Without a moment's hesitation and with dreams of having two amazing bones, Bosa barked fiercely, trying to intimidate this mysterious rival. He lunged forward, but as he did, his prized possession slipped from his grasp, plunging into the cool waters of the Nnyanja, lost to the river's embrace.
He waited, expecting the other dog to react, to bark back, to defend its bone. But nothing happened. The waters remained calm, the other dog motionless. And then, realization washed over him. There was no other dog, no bigger bone. It was merely his reflection, a mirror of his own greed.
Bosa sat by the river, crestfallen and hungry, the taste of the bone he lost lingering in his imagination. He had been deceived by his desires, and now he had nothing.
Word of Bosa's folly spread across Luwero, becoming a tale told time and time again. Parents narrated it to their children, and children to their friends. The story of the dog who had everything but wanted more served as a timeless lesson on the perils of greed and the value of contentment.