The Clever Young Man and the Monster

Tanzania

Once upon a time in East Africa, the monster or ogre Shing’weng’we swallowed
all the people in the world together with all the domestic animals, except one pregnant
woman who hid in a pile of chaff. Later this woman gave birth to a boy named Masala
Kulangwa (whose name means “the smart or clever person who understands quickly”).
When he grew up he asked: “Mother, why are there only the two of us? Where are the
other people?” She answered: “My dear one, everyone else was swallowed by
Shing’weng’we. We two are the only ones left.”
From that day on, the young man started looking for the monster. One day, he
killed a grasshopper and arrived home singing: “Mother, Mother, I have killed
he killed a grasshopper and arrived home singing: “Mother, Mother, I have killed
Shing’weng’we. Rejoice and shout for joy.” But his mother answered: “My dear one,
this is only a grasshopper, not the monster. Let’s roast him and eat him.”
Another day, he killed a bird and arrived home singing: “Mother, Mother, I have
killed Shing’weng’we up in the hills. Rejoice and shout for joy.” But his mother
answered: “My dear one, this is only a bird, not the monster. Let’s roast it and eat it.”
Another day he killed a small gazelle and arrived home singing: “Mother, Mother,
I have killed Shing’weng’we up in the hills. Rejoice and shout for joy.” But his mother
answered: “My dear one, this is only a small gazelle, not the monster. Let’s roast it and
eat it.”
Another day he killed an antelope and arrived home singing: “Mother, Mother, I
have killed Shing’weng’we up in the hills. Rejoice and shout for joy.” But his mother
answered: “My dear one, this is only an antelope, not the monster. Let’s roast it and eat
it.”
Finally, the clever young man Masala Kulangwa found Shing’weng’we, overcame
him and cut open the monster’s stomach. Out came his father, along with his relatives
and all the other people. But by bad luck, when he split open the monster’s back,
Masala Kulangwa cut off the ear of an old woman. This woman became very angry and
insulted the young man. She tried to bewitch him. But Masala Kulangwa found medicine
and healed the old woman. Then, all the people declared the young man chief and
raised him up in the Chief’s Chair. Masala Kulangwa became the chief of the whole
world and his mother became the Queen Mother.

Rawera (the Comforter) and the Monster

Nairobi, Kenya

A long time ago, the people of Funtu lived happily. They worked hard and
produced much food. They loved each other. The King was kind: everybody loved him.
Meanwhile, there was a woman, Ng’uono, who lived in the village. Because she was
barren, men refused to marry her. Elders forcefully married Ng’uono to Jater, an old
man. Ng’uono and Jater had no friends. Despite being treated badly, they were not
bitter. They humbly accepted their situation.
One day, there was a feast. As usual, Ng’uono and Jater were not invited. From
their home, they heard people singing and shouting joyfully. Suddenly, the music
stopped. Cries of agony filled the air. Curious, Jater and Ng’uono came out. What they
saw frightened them. Creatures bigger than millet granaries, with eyes as big as
cooking pots surrounded the village. These odd-looking beings had hairy bodies, with
claws for toes. Ng’uono and Jater trembled just by looking at them. “These are
monsters. Let us run,” Ng’uono said fearfully. “No. They will reach us in no time and eat
us up,” Jater said. “Come with me,” he said, taking his wife by the hand. They hid in a
hole under a big tree. They could hear people crying as the monsters chased them. The
noise stopped after a long time. “Wait here. I will go and see what is happening,” Jater
said to his wife. “You cannot go out there! You will be killed,” Ng’uono objected. Jater
ignored her and slid out of the hole. There was not a single person. The monster had
flattened all the huts. The crops were all destroyed. Shocked, Jater stood out there, lost
in thought. Back in the hole, Ng’uono was worried about her husband. Unable to wait
any longer, she came out and saw him. “Oh! What destruction!” she moaned. Walking
towards him, she asked, “What shall we do?” “I don’t know,” Jater replied sadly. They
sat under the big tree and soon fell asleep. Ng’uono was woken up by the cry of a bird
perched on her forehead. “Wake up. What happened?” asked the bird. Sobbing, she
told him the story. “Wake up hour husband and follow me,” the bird commanded. After
walking for several days, the bird led them to a valley, green with vegetation, beautiful
flowers and clear streams. “This is your new home. There are crops of all types: harvest
them and eat.” After saying this the bird turned to fly away. “Oh! Before I leave…
Ng’uono, take good care of your son. Bye.” “What are you talking about? I am …” she
started but the bird had already flown away.
Jater and his wife remained standing, unable to understand. Ng’uono gave birth
to a baby boy a few months later. They called him Rawera, the comforter. Rawera grew
up strong and obedient. One afternoon, while he was out hunting, he saw huge
footprints at the edge of the forest. The footprints were bigger than any he had seen
before. Afraid but curious, he followed the footprints. Deeper and deeper he went into
the thick forest. The forest was so dark that he could not find his way through. Tired, he
sat under the nearest tree and fell asleep, his dog beside him. The barking of the dog
woke him. Sleepily, he stood up. And then heard it: a voice stronger than thunder. It
came from deep inside the forest. He could not understand what the voice said. Soon,
there were more voices, equally loud. The earth shook and trees swayed. Frightened,
Rawera ran. Fear, hunger and confusion slowed him tremendously. The slower he ran,
the louder the voices became. Finally, he reached the edge of the forest and collapsed.
He could no longer hear the terrible voices.
He rested for a few minutes and walked home. “Where have you been,” his
mother asked. “Mother, I was just out for hunting,” “Never stay late in the forest: it is
dangerous,” warned his father. He did not tell them what happened. For many days
after, Rawera thought about the voices. He was sure the creatures were not human.
Determmined to find out, he made several poisoned arrows and spears. He hid these
carefully. For many months, he trained his dog and fed it well. His dog, Sibuor, grew
large and fierce. Satisfied with his preparations, Rawera set out at dawn one day. He
took his weapons and told his parents that he was going hunting. At the edge of the
forest, he stopped to eat, rest and feed his dog. Soon after, they entered the forest.
They walked for a long, long time without hearing any sound. Rawera was disappointed
but he walked on. “Stop!” a voiced called from above. He looked up anxiously but did
not see anything and walked on. “I said stop. You will be killed,” the shrill voice said
again. “Who are you and how do you know where I am going?” Rawera asked. A bird
landed on his forehead, scaring him. He jumped to one side, ready to attack. “Do not kill
me. I want to save you,” the bird said, perching on Sibuor’s head. “The voices you hear
the other time belong to monsters. They ate your ancestors. I am sure your parents told
you this. Now, go back home. “Whaaat? Monsters live here?’ Rawera asked. “Believe it:
in this forest live many monsters,” the bird confirmed. “You say these monsters ate my
people? How then can you tell me to go back? I will find and kill them all. Show me
where to find them,” Rawera said defiantly. “Well, I have warned you. Come with me.”
The bird led Rawera and Sibuor further into the forest. “Look over there,” he said
upon reaching a clearing. Rawera trembled at the sight before him: many giants seated
round a big fire. Their bodies were hairy. Smoke escaped from their big noses. Seeing
how frightened Rawera was, the bird said, “I told you. You can fight them, can you?”
“Bu-u-t they killed my people. I must kill them,” Rawera stammered. “Because you are
so determined, I will help you,” said the bird. “When you shoot them, aim for the palm.
Go now.” His dog beside him, Rawera walked into the clearing. The monsters smelled
him may meters away, stood as one and walked to meet him, saliva pouring from their
big mouths. Terrified, Rawera turned back and ran. “Do not run. Turn back and shoot,”
the bird encouraged him.
He turned, took aim and fired his first arrow. One of the monsters swallowed it.
“Shoot at the palm,” the bird shouted. The monsters were approaching fast. Rawera let
go of another arrow. He aimed at the palm and felled one monster. Encouraged, he shot
the monsters rapidly. Only one remained, the biggest of them.
Rawera had only one arrow left. “Wait,” the bird called out. “Let Sibuor go out and
meet him. Then, shoot the monster through the left ear.” Rawera commanded his dog to
attack the monster. As the monster picked Sibuor to swallow him, Rawera shot him
through the left ear. The monster died. “Cut the monster’s big toes,” the bird ordered
Rawera. When he did, all the people who had been eaten by the monsters came out.
They were excited to be back. They thanked Rawera.
They all walked to the valley where Rawera and his parents lived. Jater and
Ng’uono were happy to see all the people of the village. After listening to Rawera’s
story, everybody was proud of him. They made him chief. All villagers then respected
Ng’uono and Jater.(Simoun Victor D. Rodoblaco, Brilliant Creations Publishing, Inc., 2017, 110-113)

What’s More
 Compare the two African myths to the narrative below. Consider how the
story-telling evolved from the myths of ancient times to the stories of the
modern scene. Analyze the structure, plot, and underlying purpose of the
narratives. Copy the table in your LITERATURE ACTIVITY NOTEBOOK.

Things Fall Apart (summary)

Chinua Achebe

Okonkwo is a wealthy and respected warrior of the Umuofia clan, a lower

Nigerian tribe that is part of a consortium of nine connected villages. He is haunted by
the actions of Unoka, his cowardly and spendthrift father, who died in disrepute, leaving
many village debts unsettled. In response, Okonkwo became a clansman, warrior,
farmer, and family provider extraordinaire. He has a twelve-year-old son named Nwoye
whom he finds lazy; Okonkwo worries that Nwoye will end up a failure like Unoka.
In a settlement with a neighboring tribe, Umuofia wins a virgin and a fifteen-year-old
boy. Okonkwo takes charge of the boy, Ikemefuna, and finds an ideal son in him.
Nwoye likewise forms a strong attachment to the newcomer. Despite his fondness for
Ikemefuna and despite the fact that the boy begins to call him “father,” Okonkwo does
not let himself show any affection for him.
During the Week of Peace, Okonkwo accuses his youngest wife, Ojiugo, of
negligence. He severely beats her, breaking the peace of the sacred week. He makes
some sacrifices to show his repentance, but he has shocked his community irreparably.
Ikemefuna stays with Okonkwo’s family for three years. Nwoye looks up to him
as an older brother and, much to Okonkwo’s pleasure, develops a more masculine
attitude. One day, the locusts come to Umuofia—they will come every year for seven
years before disappearing for another generation. The village excitedly collects them
because they are good to eat when cooked.
Ogbuefi Ezeudu, a respected village elder, informs Okonkwo in private that the
Oracle has said that Ikemefuna must be killed. He tells Okonkwo that because
Ikemefuna calls him “father,” Okonkwo should not take part in the boy’s death. Okonkwo
lies to Ikemefuna, telling him that they must return him to his home village. Nwoye
bursts into tears.
As he walks with the men of Umuofia, Ikemefuna thinks about seeing his mother.
After several hours of walking, some of Okonkwo’s clansmen attack the boy with
machetes. Ikemefuna runs to Okonkwo for help. But Okonkwo, who doesn’t wish to look
weak in front of his fellow tribesmen, cuts the boy down despite the Oracle’s
admonishment. When Okonkwo returns home, Nwoye deduces that his friend is dead.
Okonkwo sinks into a depression, neither able to sleep nor eat. He visits his
friend Obierika and begins to feel revived a bit. Okonkwo’s daughter Ezinma falls ill, but
she recovers after Okonkwo gathers leaves for her medicine.
The death of Ogbuefi Ezeudu is announced to the surrounding villages by means
of the ekwe, a musical instrument. Okonkwo feels guilty because the last time Ezeudu
visited him was to warn him against taking part in Ikemefuna’s death. At Ogbuefi
Ezeudu’s large and elaborate funeral, the men beat drums and fire their guns. Tragedy
compounds upon itself when Okonkwo’s gun explodes and kills Ogbuefi Ezeudu’s
sixteen-year-old son.
Because killing a clansman is a crime against the earth goddess, Okonkwo must
take his family into exile for seven years in order to atone. He gathers his most valuable
belongings and takes his family to his mother’s natal village, Mbanta. The men from
Ogbuefi Ezeudu’s quarter burn Okonkwo’s buildings and kill his animals to cleanse the
village of his sin.
Okonkwo’s kinsmen, especially his uncle, Uchendu, receive him warmly. They
help him build a new compound of huts and lend him yam seeds to start a farm.
Although he is bitterly disappointed at his misfortune, Okonkwo reconciles himself to life
in his motherland.
During the second year of Okonkwo’s exile, Obierika brings several bags of
cowries (shells used as currency) that he has made by selling Okonkwo’s yams.
Obierika plans to continue to do so until Okonkwo returns to the village. Obierika also
brings the bad news that Abame, another village, has been destroyed by the white man.
Soon afterward, six missionaries travel to Mbanta. Through an interpreter named
Mr. Kiaga, the missionaries’ leader, Mr. Brown, speaks to the villagers. He tells them
that their gods are false and that worshipping more than one God is idolatrous. But the
villagers do not understand how the Holy Trinity can be accepted as one God. Although
his aim is to convert the residents of Umuofia to Christianity, Mr. Brown does not allow
his followers to antagonize the clan.
Mr. Brown grows ill and is soon replaced by Reverend James Smith, an
intolerant and strict man. The more zealous converts are relieved to be free of Mr.
Brown’s policy of restraint. One such convert, Enoch, dares to unmask an egwugwu
during the annual ceremony to honor the earth deity, an act equivalent to killing an
ancestral spirit. The next day, the egwugwu burn Enoch’s compound and Reverend
Smith’s church to the ground.
The District Commissioner is upset by the burning of the church and requests
that the leaders of Umuofia meet with him. Once they are gathered, however, the
leaders are handcuffed and thrown in jail, where they suffer insults and physical abuse.

After the prisoners are released, the clansmen hold a meeting, during which five
court messengers approach and order the clansmen to desist. Expecting his fellow clan
members to join him in uprising, Okonkwo kills their leader with his machete. When the
crowd allows the other messengers to escape, Okonkwo realizes that his clan is not
willing to go to war.
When the District Commissioner arrives at Okonkwo’s compound, he finds that
Okonkwo has hanged himself. Obierika and his friends lead the commissioner to
the body. Obierika explains that suicide is a grave sin; thus, according to custom, none
of Okonkwo’s clansmen may touch his body.
(https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/things/summary/)

The Clever Young Man and Things Fall Apart

 the Monster & Rawera (the
Comforter) and the Monster
Structure
Exposition
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Denouement

Plot

Purpose

Perf
Answer the questions. Write your answers in a

1. What is unique about African culture as shown in the myths you’ve read?
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2. How can you show heroism today? ______________________________

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