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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.
Once upon a time, in Calabar, there was a stubborn king named Ansa who had ruled for fifty years. King Ansa was known for two things: his firm, unbending ways and his deep love for his trusted cat. This cat wasn’t just a pet; she was the royal housekeeper, in charge of keeping the king’s storehouse safe and sound. Now, this cat took her job seriously and kept watch over the supplies with a sharp eye and even sharper claws.
In the same palace, a young rat named Etim worked as a house-boy. Etim was fast, clever, and always on the go, running errands and keeping the palace clean. But, like most rats, he was poor and had little to his name. Despite his humble status, he’d fallen head over heels for Uduak, one of the king’s servant girls. Uduak was kind and always had a warm smile for Etim, making his heart skip a beat. But how could he win her heart when he had nothing to offer?
One night, while tossing and turning, Etim had an idea. The king’s storehouse was packed with corn and native pears, and if he could sneak in and grab a little, he’d finally have something to gift to Uduak. “Just a bit,” he thought, “no one will even notice.”
So, when the palace fell quiet, Etim snuck into the storehouse. His tiny paws padded softly as he climbed through a small hole in the roof, slipping inside unnoticed. His nose twitched at the sweet scent of the pears and the earthy smell of the corn. He gathered a small stash and made his way back out as quietly as he’d come in.
The next day, Etim approached Uduak with his little gift, beaming as he handed her a pear. Uduak’s face lit up with delight, and Etim’s heart soared. Night after night, he repeated his little escapade, bringing Uduak more corn and pears, feeling like he was winning her affection one piece at a time.
But as the end of the month came around, the cat started her inventory of the storehouse. As she counted the corn and pears, her eyes narrowed. Something was off—there were fewer than there should be. She reported this to King Ansa, who frowned deeply.
“Where is my corn, and where are my pears?” he demanded, his voice echoing through the palace.
The cat was stumped. She guarded the storehouse day and night. But then a friend whispered something into her ear. “The rat,” her friend said, “has been sneaking in at night and taking the corn and pears to give to that servant girl.”
Furious, the cat reported this to King Ansa. When the king heard, he was livid. He called Uduak and Etim before him, his eyes blazing with anger.
“Uduak,” he said sternly, “did you accept stolen gifts?”
Uduak looked down, ashamed, and nodded. The king ordered that she be flogged for taking the stolen goods. Etim’s heart sank as he watched, knowing he was to blame. But King Ansa’s wrath turned quickly to Etim.
“You!” he thundered. “You betrayed my trust. How dare you steal from your king?”
With a wave of his hand, he dismissed both Etim and the cat from his palace. “You have both failed me. Get out of my sight!”
The cat’s eyes glinted with resentment as she left, and her anger burned toward Etim. As they walked away from the palace, she glared at him, hissing, “Because of you, I lost everything.”
And from that day on, the cat held a grudge against the rat. Every time she saw a rat, she would chase it, driven by the memory of that betrayal that cost her the king’s trust and her place in the palace.