Folktale: The Magic Calabash
Story time: this is our retelling of a West African-style folktale, told in many versions across generations. Read it aloud with the children in your life.
In a village under a great baobab tree lived Kwame, a hardworking farmer who always shared what little he had. One dry season, digging near the roots of the baobab, he found a smooth calabash that hummed in his hands. “I give to those who give,” it whispered. “Feed others, and you will never lack.”
Kwame took it home and asked, “Please, fill my pot so my neighbours can eat.” Instantly the calabash poured out yam, rice, fish and fruit. Kwame called the whole village. Through the hungry season, no one in the village slept hungry.
A rich merchant named Jengo heard about it. He had full storehouses but never gave a grain away. He came to Kwame with a sly smile. “Lend me the calabash for one night, and I will feed the poor in my town.” Kwame, who believed the best of people, agreed.
That night Jengo locked his doors and whispered, “Fill my storehouse with gold.” The calabash was silent. He shouted, he shook it, he begged. Finally it spoke: “I give to those who give.” Then it poured out bees, a swarm so thick that Jengo ran into the night. In the morning, the calabash had rolled back to Kwame’s door on its own.
Jengo returned, stung and ashamed. Kwame gave him water and food without a word of blame. That kindness changed Jengo more than the bees did. He opened his storehouse to the village, and from then on, the two men fed the hungry together.
The lesson
Generosity multiplies; greed empties you. And kindness, even to those who wronged us, can change hearts.
Talk about it
- Why didn’t the calabash give Jengo gold?
- Why did Kwame help Jengo afterwards?
- What is something you can share this week?
Over to you: Did you hear a different version of this story growing up? Tell us in the comments or share your story.
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