Funny Nature & Travel Art & Stage Going Viral Science Greetings Inspirational

Edit Profile Recently Viewed Favorites

Main > Inspirational > Spirituality

You’ll Love the Wit & Wisdom of These African Folktales

By: Bhavesh B.

Font Size:

A+ A-

We’ve all grown up listening to short folk stories narrated by our elders. These tales are part of every culture, and they help entertain, pass knowledge, and teach beliefs and morals. When it comes to folktales with morals, Africa has a treasure trove of wonderful ones everyone must read at least once. These African stories have been used for ages to entertain and educate children.

African folktales usually draw from everyday phenomena and feature sly animals and spirits as the main characters. Given that animals play such an important part in Africa, this is no surprise. While it is true that the stories have talking animals and might seem far-fetched at first glance, the inherent message in them is always relatable to everyone. Here are some famous old African short stories that we feel you and the young ones in your family will love.

Related: 5 Zen Parables With Profound Life Lessons

1. Why Are the Cheetah’s Cheeks Stained?

Inspiring African Folktales, mother cheetah

Inspiring African Folktales, cheetah and cub

Moral:

This story reminds us that we shouldn’t take an easy but unethical path to achieve our goal just because it’s convenient. We must use our own strength and skills to achieve our objectives rather than doing something dishonorable. In the long run, it will only cause us more harm than good.

Related: The Six Elephants - Ancient Myth with a Moral!

2. Jabu and the Lion

Moral:

The moral of this Zulu story is simple: promises should not be broken. If you don’t honor your promise, fate might not be so kind to you in return.

3. The Curse of the Chameleon

Inspiring African Folktales, chameleon , river

Moral:

This story teaches us that we mustn’t defer from our goal and become disloyal to someone who trusts us. It's easy to be distracted on the way to our mission, but doing so will only lead to misfortune and destruction.

Related: This Story Teaches a Life Lesson We Always Seem to Forget

4. King of the Birds

Inspiring African Folktales, eagle, peacock

Related: 12 Powerful Short Stories That Everybody Should Read!

Inspiring African Folktales, sparrow, vulture

Moral:

The story shows that leadership is not all about size but about skill and wisdom. You might not feel as skilled or successful as the people around you, but if you stick to your strengths and keep using your wits, you will certainly emerge victorious.

Share these wonderful stories with your loved ones!

Like Next Post Send Share WhatsApp

Copy Link

Did you mean:

Continue With: Facebook Google

By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy

Report copyright infringement

Print this content

You may also like:

Spirituality

These Ancient Chinese Stories Have Great Moral Teachings

Enrich Your Day with These Beautiful Chinese Fables

Sit back and enjoy these beautiful Chinese fables with great moral lessons.

Cute overload

13 Times Dogs Didn't Know What the Heck was Going On!!

These dogs are so confused it's simply hilarious!

Nature

No One Can Stay Indifferent To Mother Nature’s Stunts

Nature will always find a way to remind us how powerful it is, and these stunning mages prove it.

Humor

These Pictures of Funny Animals Are a Recipe for Happiness

20 Adorably Funny Animal Pics That Will Brighten Your Day

Sometimes, all you need is some adorably funny animal pictures to brighten your day

Games

These Illustrated Facts Show Why Science is So Incredible

Learning Science Becomes Fun with These Illustrated Facts

Take a look at some interesting science facts that have been beautifully illustrated and presented in an enjoyable manner.

Cute overload

These Stories Prove Why Having Pets is the Greatest Gift

The Love Between These Pets and Their Owners is Beautiful!

Have a pet can be the greatest gift in the world and these adorable stories show exactly why.

Science and Technology

12:18

Do We REALLY Have Free Will or Is It An Illusion?

When you "decide" anything, was it ever really up to you?

Health

Counting Calories or Food Quality: Which is Better?

A new two-year study put these two approaches head to head, and the results offer something for both camps. When researchers looked beyond weight, one approach pulled clearly ahead.

Send Comment

Related Topics: animals, photos, inspirational, african, baba recommends, stories, storytelling, Lessons for Life, folk tales, moral tale, moral stories, folktales, african folktales

Quizzes

General Knowledge Quiz

Whether you are a scholar of the arts or a devotee of the lab, this quiz demands both precision and intuition. Good luck!

How Things Work

No advanced degrees required-just an appreciation for the hidden logic of the world around us. Let’s see how many everyday mysteries you can solve!

Geography Quiz

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or an armchair explorer, these questions will challenge your understanding of borders, landmarks, and natural wonders.