The Baba Indaba Children's Stories, published by Abela Publishing, often uses folklore and fairy tales which have their origins mists of time. Afterall who knows who wrote the story of Cinderella, also known in other cultures as Tattercoats or Conkiajgharuna. So who wrote the original? The answer is simple. No-one knows, or will ever know, so to assume that anyone owns the rights to these stories is nothing but nonsense. As such, we have decided to use the Author name "Anon E. Mouse" which, of course, is a play on the word "Anonymous".
ISSN: 2397-9607 Issue 35
In Issue 35 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Chinese tale of Tiki-Pu who is a servant and dogsbody in a prestigious art school. Not good enough to be an apprentice, he dreams that one day his work would hang alongside that of his master. But will his dreams ever become a reality? Well you'll have to read the story to find out if he does?
SSN: 2397-9607 Issue 34
In Issue 34 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Maya version of the creation story which starts with the high god Hurakan, the mighty wind, who passed over the universe, still wrapped in gloom. He called out "Earth", and the solid land appeared thus starting the creation of the world.
ISSN: 2397-9607 Issue 33
In Issue 33 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the old English tale of old Toonie whose greatest wish before he died was to see a fairy. It was well known that in order to see a fairy three things are needed—a handful of courage, a mouthful of silence, and a capful of moonshine. But will old Toonie’s wish ever be granted….?
ISSN: 2397-9607 Issue 32
In Issue 32, Baba Indaba narrates the American Indian Hopi legend of the Kachina and Coyote. Just before dawn one day, the Kachina bets the Coyote he can’t sing a certain song before the sun rises. Payment for the loser is extreme. So who won the bet? Well you’ll just have to read the story to find out. Look out for the moral of the story.
ISSN: 2397-9607 Issue 31
In Issue 31 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the American Indian tale of how a pair of moccasins was used by a brave to woo a maiden. Did it work? Well you’ll just have to read the story to find out if it did.
ISSN: 2397-9607 Issue 61
In Issue 61 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Jamaican Anansi story of the bet between the Turtle and the Horse – in effect the Jamaican Anansi version of the hare and the tortoise. Written in pidgin English, this story must be spoken with a Jamaican accent. The story is accompanied by sheet music for a calypso-style ditty about the tale.
ISSN: 2397-9607 Issue 52
In Issue 52 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Australian tale of how the fish did not always live in the water. This is a story of how they changed their living environment. But where did they first live you might ask? Well you’ll just have to read the story to find out.
In Issue 30 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Aesop’s fable about an old lion who pretends to be ill. But is he as ill as he is making out to be? Look out for the moral at the end of the story.
In Issue 29 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the South African tale of the council of the birds and the reason why the Whitecrow never speaks. Look out for the moral in the story!
In Issue 28 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Aesop’s fable about the Eagle and the Crow. The crow is misguided and thinks he is an eagle, with disastrous circumstances. Look out for the moral in the tale!
In Issue 27 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Persian tale of the Soothsayer’s Wife and the (poor) Hodja. - a teacher of sorts who wants to improve his lot in life. But just how does the hodja succeed?
In Issue 26 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Aesop’s fable of the Wolf and the Kid. A kid goat was frolicking and playing so much he did not hear the call to go home. The wolf sees the lone goat and sees a chance for dinner. But what happens? Look for the moral in the story.
In Issue 25 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the West African folktale about Miss Salt and Miss Pepper and their friends the Sauces and the Onion Leaves. They hear of a handsome youth and go off to see if they can win his attention. On the way poor little Onion Leaves is mocked and asked to walk elsewhere because she smells so much. But what happens next?
In Issue 24 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Russian tale of SALT and that of Ivan the Ninny. His father gave two great ships to Ivan’s older brothers and a small, worn-out ship with patchwork sails to Ivan and sends them across to trade. But Ivan comes back with his ship laden with treasure and a Princess on his arm, while his brothers don’t have much to show.
In Issue 23 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Indian tale of a mean Brahman whose dreams about what riches he could obtain if he traded his possessions. His greed and imagination get the better of his common sense with disastrous results. Look out for the moral of the tale.
In Issue 22 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Eastern Jataka (Buddhist) tale of how an elephant, named Girlie Face, overhears the conversation of two men who only have bad intentions in mind. Thinking this is how he is supposed to act he shocks his keepers until a wise man works out what the problem is. Look out for the moral of the tale.
In Issue 21 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Eastern Jataka (Buddhist) tale of how a turtle saved his own life by keeping quiet and listening to what his captors had to say about him.
In issue 20 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Armenian tale of how Queen Semiramis desired King Ara for her consort. King Ara rebuffed all her advances. Filled with rage she attacked King Ara’s kingdom, with disastrous results.
In issue 19 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the West African, Hausa folktale about how a chameleon used his brains and outwitted the Hartebeest and other animals to win the hand of the most beautiful maiden in the land. This is in effect the African version of the Tortoise and the Hare.
In issue 18 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the American Indian, Ojibway story about the maiden who came from the stars who after searching the land for a suitable home, chose to make her home amongst them.
In issue 17 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Jewish/Persian tale of BOSTANAI - a story about the Jewish people during their captivity/exile in Babylon and how a cruel monarch was taught a lesson.
In issue 16 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the San Bushman tale of THE GIRL FROM THE EARLY RACE WHO MADE THE STARS. This story has echos of the Zulu story “The Stars and the Road of Stars” book 1 in the Baba Indaba Children’s Stories which tells of a maiden who created the stars and the Milky Way.
In issue 15, Baba Indaba narrates the story of AMEEN AND THE GHOUL. Ameen is tired of his life of poverty and seemingly endless toil. With little or no reward. He knows of the Valley of the Angel of Death where few fear to tread, filled with Ghouls, Jinns, other evil spirits and …….treasure! With nothing to lose, Ameen sets off to pit his wits against the Ghouls. But what will the outcome be?
In issue 14, Baba Indaba narrates the story of CONKIAJGHARUNA. It is believed that folklore and tales are believed to have originated in India and made their way overland along the Silk and Spice routes and through Central Asia before arriving in Europe. As such, this Georgian version of Cinderella is more than likely closer to the original than you're ever likely to read.
In issue 13 of the Baba Indaba children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Buddhist Jataka tale of the Monkey and the Crocodile. A crocodile on the mighty Indus river tries to seduce a monkey with only one intention in mind. But will the monkey fall for his deceptive talk?
n issue 12 of the Baba Indaba children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates a tale from the Highlands of Scotland about a Hoodie (a magical being) who tricks a (mortal) maiden into marriage. Her sisters eventually work out the deception and set off to rescue her. But is rescue what she really wants...?
In issue 11 of the Baba Indaba children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Chinese tale of the Porcelain Pagoda and how the Emperor wanted his magicians to build him a bridge to the moon. You'll have to read the story to find out if they did.....?
In issue 10 of the Baba Indaba children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the African story of The Lost Message. The King of the Insects sends a message to all the varieties of ants showing them how to work together in harmony. But the message is lost along the way with disastrous results. Read the story to find out what these consequences were.
In issue 9 of the Baba Indaba children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the old English story about a young man who sets off to find fame and fortune. Alsong the way he meets three groups of silly people, each group sillier than the last.
In issue 8 of the Baba Indaba children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Aesop's fable about the Tortoise and the Ducks and how "foolish curiosity and vanity
often lead to misfortune."
In issue 7 of the Baba Indaba children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates two more Anansi stories about the mischievous antics of Anansi the West African trickster spider. The stories are – WHY THE JACK-SPANIARD'S WAIST IS SMALL and THE KING AND THE ANT'S TREE.
In issue 6 of the Baba Indaba children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Anansi story about how Anansi, the West African trickster spider, tricks Mr Lion into doing something he would not ordinarily do. So well run is the trick that Mr Lion has to beg help from passers by to extricate himself from his predicament.
In issue 5 of the Baba Indaba children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Turkish story of a poor Woodcutter, tired of being poor goes off to seek his fame and fortune. Along the way he meets a Pixie in need whom he helps. Well where does this end up.....? You'll have to read the story to find out!
In issue 4 of the Baba Indaba children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the Romanian story of The Watchmaker. A story about how an uneducated but intelligent boy applies himself and rises to a very high office in the land. But is what he has achieved been enough to win the hand of the princess? Well you'll just have to read the story to find out.
In issue 3 of the Baba Indaba children's Stories, Baba Indaba narrates the story of how Bengali gods Sani, or Saturn, the god of bad luck, and Lakshmi, the goddess of good luck, fell out with each other in heaven. Sribatsa, considered to be the wisest man on Earth was asked to mediate which puts Sribatsa in a fix.
In Issue 2 of the Baba Indaba Children's Stories, Baba Indaba tells the ancient African tale of how the hare came to have a slit nose. The story also tells pf how the moon came to receive the scratches on her face and why children should not fight.
Issue 1 in the Baba Indaba Children's Stories series. Here Baba Indaba, the old Zulu storyteller, narrates the ancient Zulu tale about a maiden from the early race who made stars and the road of stars (Milky Way) and how she went about doing this.