Efik people of southeastern Nigeria
why the sun and the moon live in the sky.
This tale has appeared in several books,[1] but none as imaginatively illustrated as Willow Legge’s. Here, brightly colored silk-screened, flat, and elemental depictions of sun and moon, water and sky contrast sharply with pure white intaglio prints of water’s “people”—a seahorse, a shrimp, a crab, an octopus, and a nautilus—to bring the tale vividly to life. The detailed rendering of the sea creatures reflects the precision of the Victorian encyclopedia illustrations that Legge emulated. The eighteen intaglios were blind-embossed from carved linoleum plates. All prints and text of the book are printed on 300 gsm Somerset mould-made paper. The text was hand set and printed letterpress in 30 pt. Baskerville series 169 in ten unbound 4-page sections. The cloth-covered clamshell box was made by Dorset Bookbinding, and the entire production carried out by the artist with the assistance of John Coleman, Cathy Down, and Ron King at Circle Press, England.
The story is a classic just-so story about the friendship of Sun, Moon, and Water at a time when they all lived on earth. As the readers/viewers slowly turn the pages of this beautifully designed book, they see how Water and his extended family of all sea creatures, invited to visit Sun and Moon, overflow the Sun’s house. Sun and Moon are forced to flee from earth to Sky where they remain to this day. This is the story of . . .
why the sun and the moon live in the sky.
Many years ago the sun and the water were great friends, and both lived on the earth together.
The sun very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned his visits.
At last the sun asked the water why it was that he never came to see him in his house.
The water replied that the sun’s house was not big enough, and that if he came with all his people he would drive the sun out.
The water then said, ‘If you wish me to visit you, you must build a very large compound; but I warn you that it will have to be a tremendous place, as my people are very numerous. . .
. . . ‘and take up a lot of room.’
The sun promised to build a very big compound, and soon afterward he returned home to his wife, the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile when he opened the door.
The sun told the moon what he had promised the water, and the next day he commenced building a huge compound in which to entertain his friend.
When it was completed, he asked the water to come and visit him the next day.
When the water arrived, he called out to the sun and asked him whether it would be safe for him to enter, and the sun answered, ‘Yes, come in, my friend.’
The water then began to flow in, accompanied by the fish and all the water animals.
Very soon the water was knee-deep, so he asked the sun if it was still safe, and the sun again said, ‘Yes,’ so more water came in.
When the water was level with the top of a man’s head, the water said to the sun,
‘Do you want more of my people to come?’
The sun and the moon answered, ‘Yes,’ not knowing any better, so the water flowed in, until the sun and moon had to perch themselves on top of the roof.
Again the water addressed the sun, but, receiving the same answer, and more of his people rushing in, the water very soon overflowed the top of the roof,
and the sun and the moon were forced to go up into the sky where they have remained ever since.
Akatope
Akatope
Akatope and the Journey of Alice Kariuki (south Africa)
Long ago, in a quiet village at the edge of a vast forest, there lived a young girl named Alice Kariuki. She was known for her kindness and her deep curiosity about the world beyond her village. Every evening, she would sit by the fire and listen to the elders tell stories of spirits, animals, and magical lands hidden beyond the mountains. Among these tales, one word kept appearing—Akatope, a mysterious name whispered with both fear and respect.
No one in the village could clearly explain what Akatope was. Some said it was a great bird with wings that blocked the sun, while others claimed it was a hidden treasure buried deep in the forest. Alice, however, felt that Akatope was calling her, as though it were a secret waiting for her to uncover. One dawn, carrying only a calabash of water and a small woven bag of food, she set out on a journey to find the truth.
The forest was alive with sounds. Birds sang, monkeys chattered, and the wind carried the scent of wild honey. As Alice walked deeper, she met a wise tortoise resting by a stream. The tortoise spoke slowly: “Child, many have sought Akatope, but few return. It is not just a place—it is a test of the heart. If you wish to find it, you must listen more than you speak, and give more than you take.”
Thanking the tortoise, Alice continued her journey. Soon, she came across a group of children crying by a fallen tree. Their calabash of water had spilled, and they were thirsty. Remembering the tortoise’s words, Alice shared her own water with them, even though it meant she might go thirsty herself. The children smiled and disappeared into the air—revealing themselves as forest spirits sent to test her.
Days passed, and Alice grew weary. At last, she stumbled upon a hidden clearing where the air shimmered like sunlight on water. In the center stood a tall tree, its trunk engraved with the word “Akatope.” Beneath it lay not treasure, but a mirror made of polished stone. When Alice looked into it, she saw not her reflection, but all the good she had done—helping her mother, sharing with others, and now giving water to strangers.
A gentle voice filled the clearing: “Akatope is not a bird, or gold, or land. Akatope is the spirit of wisdom and kindness. It lives in those who act with courage and compassion.” The mirror dissolved into light, and the tree shed golden leaves that wrapped around Alice, blessing her with strength and knowledge.
Alice returned to her village with a calm heart and a new glow in her eyes. She shared the lesson of Akatope—that true wealth lies in kindness and selflessness. From that day forward, the villagers treated one another with greater care, and Alice Kariuki was remembered as the girl who discovered the true meaning of Akatope. And so, the story of Alice Kariuki and Akatope was told for generations, a reminder that sometimes the greatest journeys lead us back to the values we carry inside.
Azima bol’ ŋmɛri gɔnaate (South Africa)
In the old days, before villages were divided by roads and markets, there lived a wise elder named Grandmother Zawadi. She was small in stature, but her voice carried across valleys, and her words were remembered long after they were spoken. Among the many proverbs she taught the children, one was repeated more than any other: “Azima bol’ ŋmɛri gɔnaate.” No one fully understood it, but the elders nodded with respect whenever they heard it.
The phrase seemed to hold a secret. Some said it was a blessing for courage, others whispered that it was a warning about greed. But Zawadi only smiled when asked, saying, “The words will reveal themselves when the heart is ready.” Among all the children, it was Nia, a curious and bold girl, who longed most to discover the truth.
One season, a drought fell upon the land. The rivers shrank, the crops withered, and the animals wandered close to the village in hunger. The people grew restless, blaming one another, and even forgetting their bonds of kinship. In their despair, Nia remembered the strange phrase and felt it was connected to their struggle.
Determined to find answers, Nia went to the sacred hill where Grandmother Zawadi often sat at sunset. There, she whispered the words aloud: “Azima bol’ ŋmɛri gɔnaate.” Suddenly, the wind rose and carried her voice across the valley. The earth trembled, and a path of light appeared, leading her to an ancient baobab tree.
At the base of the tree sat a glowing figure—half spirit, half human. The figure spoke: “Child, these words mean: Strength is born when hearts unite. Your people suffer not only from lack of rain, but from the breaking of trust. Return to them, remind them of their unity, and the earth will heal.”
Nia returned to the village and gathered everyone in the square. She stood tall and repeated the phrase clearly: “Azima bol’ ŋmɛri gɔnaate—Strength is born when hearts unite!” She reminded them to share food, to fetch water together, and to care for the weakest among them. Slowly, the quarrels ceased, and the people began to work side by side once more.
Within days, clouds gathered, and rain fell across the land. Crops sprouted again, rivers swelled, and laughter returned to the village. From that day, the phrase became a guiding proverb. And whenever hardships came, the villagers remembered Nia and the wisdom hidden in those words: Azima bol’ ŋmɛri gɔnaate—Strength is born when hearts unite.
Ah! Bolli! (South Africa)
In a small village where the sun painted the grass golden, there lived a boy named Bolli. He loved running barefoot in the fields, chasing butterflies, and listening to the sound of the wind in the trees. But more than anything, Bolli dreamed of playing football.
One morning, his father brought home a round, shiny ball made from old cloth and string. Bolli’s eyes sparkled like stars. He held it close and whispered, “Ah! Bolli!”—because the ball felt like magic in his hands.
Every evening, after finishing his chores, Bolli would run to the big field. Sometimes his friends joined him, and sometimes he played alone. With every kick, he imagined himself scoring goals that made the whole village cheer.
The ball bounced and rolled, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. When Bolli kicked too hard, it tumbled into the tall grass. He would laugh, chase it, and shout, “Ah! Bolli!” as though calling both himself and the ball together.
One day, the children of the village gathered, and they made two little goalposts from sticks. They split into teams and played until the sky turned orange. Bolli ran, kicked, and laughed so much that his heart felt as light as the ball itself.
When the sun set and the stars began to twinkle, Bolli carried his ball home. His mother smiled as she saw the dust on his feet and the joy on his face. She said, “You played well, my son. But now, rest well too.”
That night, as Bolli lay under his blanket, he held the ball close and whispered one last time, “Ah! Bolli…” His eyes slowly closed, and he drifted into dreams where the stars became footballs in the sky, and he kicked them gently from one cloud to another.
The Lion’s Whisker (Ethiopia)
This tale tells of a wise mother who seeks to win back her ill husband’s heart. A healer instructs her to retrieve a lion’s whisker. Through immense patience and courage, she earns the lion’s trust—and when the healer discards the whisker into the fire, the message becomes crystal clear: if she can win the trust of a fierce beast, she’s more than capable of healing her relationship. The focus is on forgiveness, patience, and inner strength.
The Clever Little Bird (South African Folktale, English)
Once upon a time, in a land full of tall trees and wide open skies, the birds of the forest decided they needed a king.
The big, strong birds puffed out their chests.
“We are the biggest, we are the strongest,” they said.
But the smaller birds whispered, “What about wisdom? What about cleverness?”
So the birds agreed: their king would be the one who could fly the highest into the sky.
Early the next morning, all the birds stretched their wings. With a mighty flutter, they soared upward — hawks, eagles, owls, and doves, each flying higher and higher.
The great eagle spread his wide wings and left the others far below. He was sure he would be the winner.
But hidden among his feathers was a tiny little bird. Quiet and unnoticed, it had clung to the eagle’s back from the very start.
When the eagle grew tired and could fly no higher, the little bird popped out from his feathers. With a cheerful chirp, it flapped its tiny wings and soared just a little bit higher than the eagle.
The other birds gasped!
“The little one is the winner!” they cried.
And so it was decided: even the smallest creature can be the wisest and the cleverest.
From that day on, the tiny clever bird became the king of the skies.
Lion and Warthog
Long ago, deep in the African bush, Lion was roaming proudly. He was the king of the animals, strong and fierce. But one day, as he padded through the tall grass, he stepped into a hunter’s trap.
SNAP!
The trap closed around his leg.
Lion roared and pulled, but the harder he struggled, the tighter it became. By nightfall, the mighty king of the animals was stuck and tired.
Along came Warthog, trotting and snuffling in the dust. He saw Lion in the trap.
“Please, Warthog,” groaned Lion, “help me get free. You will be my friend forever.”
Warthog felt pity. Though he was small, he pushed and tugged at the trap with all his strength. At last — click! — the trap opened, and Lion was free.
But instead of thanking Warthog, Lion licked his lips.
“Now I am hungry,” he growled. “I think I will eat you.”
Warthog’s eyes grew wide, but he stayed calm.
“Very well, great Lion,” he said softly. “But first, let us go back into the trap. Then you can show me exactly how it caught you.”
Proud Lion agreed. He stepped back into the trap to demonstrate.
SNAP! It closed again around his leg.
Warthog chuckled and trotted away.
“Goodbye, Lion. Next time, remember: never harm the one who helps you.”
And so, Lion remained stuck until the hunter returned, while Warthog disappeared safely into the tall grass.
Sun, Moon, and Water
Long ago, Sun and Moon lived happily together on Earth. They were bright and beautiful, and their best friend was Water.
Water was friendly too, but he was always busy, flowing through rivers, streams, and lakes with all his fish and creatures. Sun often said,
“Dear Water, why don’t you come and visit us at our home?”
Water smiled,
“I would love to, but are you sure you can welcome me and all my family? I never travel alone. Wherever I go, the fish, the crocodiles, the frogs, and all my creatures must come too.”
Sun nodded confidently.
“Of course, you are welcome! My wife, Moon, and I will prepare our home.”
So Moon helped Sun build a big house. They made it wider and stronger than any other, ready for their friend.
At last, Water came. He flowed to their door, bringing rivers, fish, and frogs. The water poured into the house.
“Is there enough room?” Water asked.
“Yes, come in!” said Sun.
So more water poured in, bringing hippos, crocodiles, and even sea creatures. Soon the house was filling quickly.
At last, the water rose so high that Sun and Moon had to climb onto the roof. But still, Water kept coming!
Finally, the water covered the whole house, and Sun and Moon had nowhere left to go. So they rose up, up, into the sky, where they would be safe and dry.
And that is why Sun and Moon live above us, looking down kindly on their friend Water, who still flows across the Earth.