Where Animals Talk; West African Folk Lore Tales/Part 1/Tale 13
Unkind Criticism
Persons
| Tyema (A Black Monkey) | Ekaga (Tortoise) |
NOTE
This story is probably of comparatively recent origin though known at least fifty years ago. It seems to point to the time when white men began to taunt negroes because of their color, the common insult by an angry white master being "You black monkey!" The tale cannot antedate the first coming of white men to West Africa three hundred years ago; for, no native would have invented this insult, though they do now imitate white men, when, in a quarrel, they wish to taunt an opponent.
The Black Monkey, up a tree, saw Tortoise passing beneath, slowly and awkwardly moving step by step. Monkey laughed at the dull manner and appearance of Tortoise; and, to tease one whom he thought stupid and unable to resent insult, he jumped down onto the back of Tortoise. There, safely perched, he jeered at Tortoise, saying many unkind things. Tortoise was unable to throw off his tormentor; nor could he reach him. His short hands and feet could not touch Monkey. So, Tortoise was compelled to carry Monkey on the way, the while that the latter was taunting him. Finally, the patience of Tortoise was exhausted, and, his indignation being aroused, he stopped, and said angrily, "Get off of my back, you black monkey!"
Monkey was sensitive about his color; and, at that word "black," he slipped off, and went away ashamed. But he was angry also, and determined to have some revenge.
Some time after this. Monkey made a feast, and invited a number of beasts, among the rest Tortoise. But Monkey purposely placed all the dishes up high, so that Tortoise, unable to reach to them, could get no food, as he vainly went around and around the table. All the while. Monkey was sarcastically urging him to come and help himself and eat. Tortoise bore it without complaint; and at the end of the feast, he went away hungry. But he also determined to have his revenge.
On another day. Tortoise made a feast, and invited the same persons who had seen his humiliation at the house of Monkey. Monkey came to the feast. But Tortoise had prepared the food in only one dish, around which the company were to sit on the ground, and from which they were to eat with their hands. Before calling them to eat. Tortoise had provided water and soap for them to wash their hands previous to their putting them into the same dish. As Monkey was about to put his. Tortoise reminded him that it was black, and that he should first wash it. He said, "Here is water, and the soap by which white people keep their hands from getting black."
Monkey was ashamed, and lathered the soap over his hands until they were white with foam. "Now," said Tortoise, "put your hand into the water to remove the foam." Monkey did so; and his hands were still black.
The rest of the company objected to his black hand going into their food. And he went away ashamed and hungry.