As the night wore on, the moonlight hesitated, its rays lingering just beyond the horizon. The villagers held their breath, eager for the story to start. Denkehna’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, his voice barely above a whisper. Just as it seemed the moon would remain hidden, its silvery glow burst forth, illuminating the gathering. The villagers gasped in unison, and their faces aglow with wonder.
At that moment, a small mosquito named Kadi ventured out from her mother’s corner, eager to practice her flying skills. She fluttered towards the arena, the moonlight casting a magical glow on her tiny wings. As she flew past the villagers’ faces and ears, they clapped their hands in unison, but not in applause. Kadi, however, thought it was praise and beamed with pride.
With a joyful buzz, Kadi returned to her mother, exclaiming, “Mother, Mother! I flew past the villagers, and they clapped for me! They praised my flying skills!” Her mother looked at her with a mix of amusement and concern, and suddenly, she burst into laughter. “Oh, Kadi, you little scamp! Those weren’t claps of praise, dear. They were trying to swat you away!”
Kadi’s smile faltered, and she looked at her mother with confusion. “But why would they do that, Mother?” she asked. Her mother’s laughter turned into a shout, “Because, child, villagers have always had a… let’s say, ‘dislike’ for mosquitoes! They see us as pests, buzzing around their ears and biting their skin. They would love to get rid of us!”
Kadi’s eyes widened in understanding, and her mother continued, “You must be careful, Kadi. The villagers may seem enticed, but deep down, they can be quite… unforgiving to creatures like us. So, let’s find a safer way for you to practice flying, okay? Maybe over the nearby pond or in the Woodland, where you can fly without being seen.”
Kadi nodded, feeling a mix of relief and caution. Her mother smiled and ruffled her wings, “I just want you to be safe, little one. Now, let’s go find a safer spot for you to practice your flying.”
Meanwhile, Denkehna continued his story, his words weaving a spell of enchantment. The moonlight danced across the villagers’ faces, casting an ethereal glow on their features. The story poured forth like a river, carrying the villagers on a journey of wonder and discovery…
“Before I proceed, honourable villagers, I must address a brief matter,” Denkehna said with a gentle smile. “I noticed a certain tiny visitor earlier, a mosquito who seemed eager to join our gathering. Though her enthusiasm was commendable, I must advise her and her kin to be mindful of their surroundings. Let us focus on the tale at hand, and perhaps, little one, you can find inspiration in the stories we share tonight.”
With a nod, Denkehna resumed his narrative, “To the venerable Paramount Chief, sage of the ages, I submit this tale for your wisdom and insight,” Denkehna began, his voice weaving a spell of enchantment. “In the Woodland, a great schism once occurred among the creatures. The animals that fed on grass, tired of the forest’s shade and the whims of the trees, decided to create their own section, known as the Grassland. They claimed the open plains as their domain, where they could roam freely and feast on the lush grasses that sustained them.”
Denkehna paused, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. “As the adage goes: if it walks like a hare, speaks like a hare, and acts like a hare, then surely, Paramount Chief, you behold a hare before you, regardless of its self-proclaimed title of ‘rabbit.’” The Paramount Chief’s eyes narrowed, intrigued by the tale’s subtle wisdom. “Tell me, Denkehna,” he said, “what lesson lies within this story of the Grassland’s creation?” Denkehna smiled, his voice taking on a measured tone. “The lesson, Paramount Chief, is that true identity is not claimed, but revealed through actions and nature. Just as the creatures of the Grassland are defined by their love of grass and open plains, so too are we defined by our deeds and the company we keep.”
Denkehna’s narrative unfolds like a verdant scroll. In the heart of the woodland lies the Grassland, a realm teeming with diverse creatures. Here, the animals lived in harmony with nature, feasting on the forest’s bounty. Though discord often simmered beneath the surface, they dwelled in relative safety and happiness, blissfully unaware of the fragile nature of these blessings.
However, fate had other plans. A devastating blight descended upon the Grassland, and the very fabric of their existence began to unravel. Food grew scarce, and animals turned against one another, consumed by envy and desperation. It was in this tumultuous climate that a group of hares arrived, promising protection from the lurking shadows of badgers and other terrors. The animal the s, desperate for solace, entrusted their well-being to the hares.
Initially, the Grassland flourished, not due to the hares’ efforts, but thanks to nature’s resilience. The animals had enough to eat, and the hares’ boasts of safety went unchallenged. Yet, as time passed, the hares’ demeanour darkened. They commandeered the field mice’s berries, seized the beavers’ dams, and expelled any who dared to dissent.
The creatures, realizing their peril, banded together to overthrow the hares, but at great cost. The Grassland lay ravaged, its inhabitants scarred. Time healed the wounds, and the survivors slowly rebuilt their lives. They learned to trust one another, and their happiness and safety flourished anew. The hares were all but forgotten, their legacy a cautionary tale of the dangers of false promises and unchecked power.
Denkehna’s voice lingered, his words painting a vivid picture of the Grassland’s tumultuous history. The Paramount Chief’s eyes were thoughtful, his mind reflecting on the tale’s deeper meaning. “And what lesson can be gleaned from this story, Denkehna?” he asked, his voice measured. Denkehna’s smile was subtle, his eyes glinting with wisdom. “The lesson, Paramount Chief, is that true leadership is not about promises, but about actions. It is about serving the greater good, not personal ambition.”
As Denkehna’s tale unfolded like a velvet curtain, the crowd was entranced by the magical world of animals learning to live in harmony. The story’s wisdom and wonder wove a spell that captivated the hearts of all who listened. Pa-Komrabai, a young sub-chief, approached Denkehna, his eyes shining with admiration. “Your tales are truly enchanting, Denkehna. You have a gift for bringing people together and imparting valuable wisdom.”
Denkehna smiled, his eyes twinkling with gratitude. “It is not I who am magical, Pa-Komrabai, but the stories themselves. They possess the power to inspire and educate us if we only listen with receptive hearts and open minds.” The crowd erupted into applause, praising Denkehna’s wisdom and storytelling prowess.
As the morning sun cast its golden rays upon the palace, illuminating the vibrant colours of the intricate carvings that adorned the walls, Paramount Chief Bai-Sama sat upon his throne, surrounded by his trusted sub-chiefs The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft chirping of birds, creating a serene atmosphere.
With Denkehna’s tale fresh in their minds, Paramount Chief Bai-Sama turned to his speaker, Pa-Foday, and whispered a task in his ear. Pa-Foday nodded and cleared his throat, his voice booming across the village square. ““koyeno, koyeno!” By order of Paramount Chief Bai-Sama, we seek a talented individual who can bring joy and laughter to our beloved Queen Sentho. Let the musicians, magicians, and dancers of Lokomasama showcase their skills and talents before the palace. The one who pleases the Queen’s heart shall be rewarded!”
The villagers’ faces lit up with excitement as they prepared for the grand performance. The sound of drums, flutes, and laughter filled the air as the performers took to the stage. Kadiatu, the skilled dancer, spun and leapt with grace. Foday, the musician, played soulful melodies on his flute. Mohamed, the magician, made coins disappear and reappear with a flick of his wrist.
But one magician stood out among the rest. Amara, a master of disguise, transformed himself into a series of characters, each one more hilarious than the last. He became a clumsy farmer, a pompous chief, and even a mischievous monkey, bringing laughter and joy to the gathering. Paramount Chief Bai-Sama and Queen Sentho were in stitches, their laughter echoing across the village square.
As the performances came to a close, the villagers gathered around the palace, eager to hear the Paramount Chief’s decision. Pa-Foday stepped forward, his voice booming once more, “The time has come to deliberate on who shall be declared the winner. Let the sub-chiefs and the gathering discuss and decide who has pleased the Queen’s heart the most!” The sub-chiefs and villagers engaged in a lively discussion, praising the talents of their favourite performers.
In the end, it was clear that Amara’s disguises had won over the hearts of the gathering. Paramount Chief Bai-Sama smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “My dear villagers, it is clear that Amara’s talents have pleased the Queen’s heart the most. His disguises were a true delight, and we were all entertained by his creativity and skill.” Queen Sentho nodded in agreement, her smile still radiating from the performance. “Indeed, my husband. Amara’s performance was truly exceptional. Let him be rewarded and recognized for his talent.” And so, Amara was declared the winner, his talents and creativity earning him a special place in the hearts of the villagers.
The villagers’ laughter and applause still lingered in the air as Denkehna concluded his previous tale. As the night wore on, Denkehna began a new story, his voice taking on a fresh narrative tone. “The following night, the animals of the forest found themselves embroiled in a heated dispute, their usual harmony disrupted by petty squabbles and loud quarrels.” With these words, Denkehna launched into a new tale, one that would captivate the villagers and transport them to a world of wonder and intrigue.
Art Koroma
Moonlight Stories of Lokomasama C2025
