The Story of the Chicken and the Eagle

The Story of the Chicken and the Eagle

The Story of the Chicken and the Eagle

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Once upon a time Chicken and Eagle were good friends. They lived together and shared everything, but both were featherless.

One day they decided to think of flying and they decided that they should sew or stitch feathers on for their wings. Eagle sewed his feathers on and tried flying. He got on well, and everyone was very happy. Chicken did not have a sewing needle and so he decided to borrow from Eagle. Eagle gave it to him and told him to handle it carefully because it was the only remaining needle that he had.

Chicken took the needle and started sewing feathers on to his wings whilst also watching Eagle. Because Chicken was distracted by Eagle, he did not sew his feathers on so well. He tried also to fly. But Chicken couldn’t fly as well as Eagle did, and as he was flying several times, he lost the needle.

I remember telling you to handle it with care and if you have
lost it, I will always be taking your chicks until you bring back my needle.

Eagle came back and requested for his needle. Chicken told him, “Wait my dear, let me look for it because I can’t remember where I have put it.”

Eagle told him, “I remember telling you to handle it with care and if you have lost it, I will always be taking your chicks until you bring back my needle.”

Chicken started looking and searching for the needle everywhere he went, whether he is in the rubbish or eating; but up to date, he is still searching for the needle whilst Eagle is always taking his chicks.

Reflections:
1) Was the punishment Eagle exercised on Chicken fair? Why or why not?
2) What does this story teach us about listening to others? About caring for others’ belongings?

Folktales Collected in Renk

Folktales Collected in Pibor

Folktales Collected in Bentiu

Folktales Collected in UNMISS PoC site, Juba

The Story of Chicken and Elephant

by Na'eesh Mabadh Team | Na'eesh Mabadh Radio Programme

Enjoyed The Story of Chicken and Elephant? Listen to the Na’eesh Mabadh adaptation of this folktale for radio.

Na’eesh Mabadh is a peacebuilding project inspired by South Sudanese folktales.
Learn more about this project on the Na’eesh Mabadh page.


The Story of Fox and the Animals in the Party

The Story of Fox and the Animals in the Party

The Story of Fox and the Animals in the Party

Listen to the StorytellerRead the story

Once upon a time, Fox organised to kill White-eared Kob
because White-eared Kob killed his mother, and so Fox thought it necessary to take revenge.

Once upon a time, Fox organised to kill White-eared Kob because White-eared Kob killed his mother, and so Fox thought it necessary to take revenge. But he could not do it by himself because White-eared Kob was bigger than him. So instead he had to find another means to kill White-eared Kob.

Fox asked the animals to gather for a special meeting. After all the animals had gathered, he told the gathering that the next day they were going to have a very big traditional dance competition and everyone must participate. All were happy and they went back to their homes to prepare for the competition.

The following morning all the animals came for the competition and everyone was dressed in his or her own traditional mode. Fox was the organizer for the competition and he addressed the gathering at the commencement of the competition. He arranged them all and the first to start was the White-eared Kob and the frog.

There was a point where everyone was to reach in order to qualify as a winner, but in truth the distance was so long that any animal who tried to arrive at that point would either die, or could not even reach the point at all. Fox just did this because his plan was to kill White-eared Kob.

 

In his arrangement he organized many frogs along the line where their colleague was to run and when the competition kicked off each frog was to appear up ahead in front of White-eared Kob as if it were the same frog, all the way to the end until the last one appeared as a winner.

On the way the White-eared Kob was always some distance behind frog. All the other animals were clapping and whistling to see who was to be the first. White-eared Kob tried and tried but finally he fell down unconscious and died. The plan was fulfilled and the frog became the first winner.

Reflections:

1) The story presents revenge as normal and necessary. Is it? Why or why not?
2) How does the setting of the dance competition affect your understanding of Fox’s plans?
2) What alternatives were available to Fox?

Folktales Collected in Renk

Folktales Collected in Pibor

Folktales Collected in Bentiu

Folktales Collected in UNMISS PoC site, Juba