Showing results by narrator "Andrea Florens" in All Categories

How nature came to be is the basis of African folklore. From a greedy baboon, a vain crocodile, and a clever jackal, African animals are often the characters used to convey the message of human characteristics, their pitfalls, and their triumphs. And unlike stories in other parts of the world, the ending is not always happy. In fact, some African fables are downright gruesome! It was from this point that I wanted to adapt some of Africa’s best-loved stories into tales that could delight a very young audience.

In a tale from the best-selling African Fable Series, a curious egg is found atop a table-shaped mountain. The creatures who live there have never seen an egg of this sort, and when it finally hatches, none of them know what this strange little bird could be or where he belongs. The brave little creature makes his way down the mountain to search for his mother and his home. Meeting all sorts of helpful animals on his way, and eventually reaching the ocean, the penguin gets a ride home to join his loving family.

In this tale from the best-selling African Fable series, the beautiful white zebra is searching for water under the hot African sun. He finds a large pool of thirst-quenching water, but the pool is guarded by a fierce baboon, who does not want to share the water without a fight. What happens next changes the zebra for life and the baboon has his share of trouble. This charming traditional African fable has been humorously retold for children from the ages of two to seven years old.

A beautiful water creature with silky golden skin is the envy of all the animals. The admiration and compliments from all who see him go to his head, and the vain crocodile spends far too much time out of the protection of the water, just so he can get more admiring glances. What happens next changes the crocodile’s looks forever.

The short-nosed elephants go down to the river to get a drink. But lurking in the depths is a crafty crocodile, who would love to eat one of these big animals. He chooses a young elephant and grabs a hold of his stubby nose. A lengthy struggle ensues. Eventually the young elephant breaks free, but his nose has taken on a long winding shape.

The short giraffe and his great friend, the rhino, are in search of much-needed food. When they realize that the tall acacia trees have plenty of juicy green foliage, they decide to ask the magic medicine man for some help to reach the leaves. Off they go, imagining all the way how the magic might accomplish their wish. However, when the magic meal is made for the pair, only one of the animals is in time to eat it. What happens next changes their lives forever.

A magnificent leopard discovers that his life is in danger when a wise advisor to the king suggests that only the biggest, most beautiful leopard skin will solve the king’s terrible insomnia. Chased by the king’s warriors, the leopard seeks the advice of the cunning hyena. The very clever plan works for everyone, and the lucky leopard is safe again.

When baby Springbok is born on Christmas Eve, he sees something so wondrous that his whole life becomes focused on joining the glittering parade. Year after year, with courage, determination, and self-belief, Springbok pursues his dream.

A tale from the best-selling African Fable Series, a clever Jackal ignores the warnings of the other African animals that the hungry Lion is on the prowl. He has outwitted the powerful creature before, and he is smugly confident he can trick the old Lion again. Learn what happens when the two animals meet.

A tale from the best-selling African Fable series, a handsome creature named Rhino, with tightly fitting, glossy skin and perfectly symmetrical horns on the sides of his head, takes pleasure in making fun of all the other African animals. His never-ending hurtful remarks finally get the better of the other creatures, who decide to teach him a lesson. What happens next leaves Rhino very sorry for being so rude and vain.

A tale from the best-selling African Fable Series, a young Hippo greedily guzzles all the food she can find on the land, leaving the other African animals very hungry. Getting fatter and fatter, and uncomfortable in the heat, Hippo finds a new source of food in the water. But the Crocodile and the Eagle are not at all happy with her eating their fish.