Ethiopian Folktales

Narrated by Obang Oboti

Once upon a time, there was a man living in Obobo sub-district in Pokedi village. This man wasn’t happy with his son’s weakness.

Once when he was talking to his friend he told him his will.

“Please," he said to his friend. "I can’t leave my son all my property, my sorghum, maize and ground-nuts – he is too lazy. If I die, don’t be afraid. Burn my huts, my belongings and my cereals. After my death, though I am dead, I will not take my farm and my children and my wives – burn down everything except for my wives and children – give my weak son my wives and children and let him see how much hard work it is to feed them all.”

So when he died, his friend did this. And so the lazy son learned how hard he had to work. His father didn’t want his son to be lazy and in poverty after his death. So after the father’s death, his friend burned all his cereals and all huts and so the son built his own huts and worked hard and grew much cereal and his father’s servants went under him. And he learned the value of hard work and won the respect of people.