The Great Animal Battle

By Mauritz Mostert

Moral African Folktales for all ages,

African Folktales are common to most of the tribes and peoples of Africa. Different cultures, whilst sharing a common point of reference, will colour each story with their own rich, unique heritage. These tales by tradition were handed down by word of mouth through the ages, to be enjoyed by young and old alike.

Honouring tradition, I tried to keep the "voice" of the original storytellers of old, in the same manner in which they spoke, centuries ago. Contractions have been left out, since they were not the mode of speech in those bygone days.

In Africa, myths and tall tales abound, around the next mountain, through yonder valley, you will find a story that almost sounds the same as one you heard before. Thus, there are many versions of each tale. I believe my stories capture the essence of originality, having been adapted from traditional oral folktales.

Many folktales about Africa inspired countless expeditions in search of mysteries and treasures, from golden mountains, to lost tribes, to amazing animals. How did they get there? How were they made? Were they kind or fierce? Were they friendly or terrifying? Yes, some were gentle, some were vicious, but all had a story to tell. Who are they? What do they stand for, what nature do they have?

All beings possess traits of one kind or another, it is these that are discovered in folktales.

These stories have been built upon ancient traditions. As an African-born author, I owe a debt of gratitude to all our ancestors who passed down wonderful fables and tales, from which these stories are derived. It is to them, I dedicate my books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wildmoz
• Release date: Apr 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781386963486

Mauritz Mostert

Author and artist, Mauritz Mostert, was born and bred on a South African farm. The untamed bushveld was his second home where his family was influential in the creation of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Growing up between what was then the African wilds and a commercial farm meant driving vast distances over dirt tracks, through rivers, riding in supplies needed for weeks at a time in an old Kombi. Isolation in the bushveld was profound but blissful. In the rainy season the camp would be cut off as the rivers rose and flooded the dry bush. The nearest bush clinic was the mission station at Acornhoek, run by nuns, over forty miles away and the nearest small town, one hundred. In the bush, young Mauritz learned to be resourceful and capable. His constant companions, the birds, the animals and Santros, the son of his grandfather's right-hand man. But like most colonial children from African farms, Mauritz had to eventually go to boarding school, seeing his beloved bushveld only on holidays. Mauritz has worked in South Africa and Botswana as an expedition guide and coordinator for documentary makers associated with National Geographic. Apart from painting and writing books, he is the webmaster and developer accountable for Wildmoz. There he is the wildlife photographer, providing visual content on the websites and illustrations for the African Folktales Book Series.

Book preview

THE GREAT ANIMAL BATTLE

by

Mauritz Mostert

Editor

Cari Mostert

COPYRIGHT

The Great Animal Battle

Text copyright © 2012 Cari & Mauritz Mostert

Illustrations copyright © 2012 Mauritz Mostert

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means – electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise – without prior permission in writing from the authors.

Published by

WILDMOZ

ISBN-9781386963486

Discover other titles by Mauritz Mostert at Wildmoz.com

PREFACE

African Folktales are common to most of the tribes and peoples of Africa. Different cultures, whilst sharing a common point of reference, will colour each story with their own rich, unique heritage. These tales by tradition were handed down by word of mouth through the ages, to be enjoyed by young and old alike.

Honouring tradition, I tried to keep the voice of the original storytellers of old, in the same manner in which they spoke, centuries ago. Contractions have been left out,