A collection of African bedtime stories narrated by a number of storytellers in different African languages and translated into English. These are stories that their own grandmothers told them at the end of the day while they sat around a warm fire.
This episode tells the story of a sneaky Lizard who steals from Tortoise, and teaches us about the being mindful of what we do to others.
Narrated in isiNdebele by uGogo Lady Mkandla
Translated in English by Tanaka Mpofu
28 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
The Hare and the Baboon (isiNdebele)
This episode tells the story of two friends – a trusting Baboon and a cheeky Hare – teaching us the importance of being careful when choosing who we befriend.
Narrated in isiNdebele by uGogo Lady Mkandla
Narrated in English by Tanaka Mpofu
15 Aug 2024TRANSCRIPT
The Selfish Man and the Fruit Tree (ChiShona)
In this episode we hear the story of a selfish man who treated himself to delicious fruit while his family had no food.
Narrated in the Shona language by Mbuya Bizabane and in English by Eve-Tendai.
10 Aug 2024
The Chicken & the Eagle's Needle (IsiNdebele)
This short story teaches us about trust and the importance of taking care of other people's belongings. Narrated in IsiNdebele.
10 Aug 2024
The New King (IsiNdebele)
This episode is about an aging king who sets out to find someone to take over his throne, and teaches us about the importance of wisdom and honesty. Narrated in IsiNdebele.
11 Sept 2023
Tsuro and the King's Medicine (ChiShona)
This episode tells the story of Tsuro, the Hare and her mission to retrieve medicine for the King, Shumba the Lion. The story teaches us the value of mental strength, as we hear about how Tsuro comes up with a plan to complete her task.
Enjoy!
2 Aug 2023
The Three Men and the River (IsiNdebele)
In this episode, we are told the story of three brothers with rather unusual names and varying characteristics. The story teaches us the value of being proactive and the danger of greed. Narrated in isiNdebele by Gogo Mkandla.
24 Jul 2023
Why Kamba Has No Tail (ChiShona)
This episode tells the story of Kamba the tortoise and why she doesn't have a tail. The story teaches us about the necessity of sacrifice. Enjoy!
3 Jul 2023
The Day Tortoise Flew With the Birds (IsiNdebele)
This episode tells the story of tortoise and how anger stopped him from doing what he was meant to do. Narrated in isiNdebele. Enjoy!
1 Jul 2023
The Boy and His Coat (ChiShona)
This episode tells a story about a boy who made a coat to impress others, and it teaches us about the importance of being true to oneself. Narrated in chiShona. Enjoy!
1 Jul 2023
The Bird and the Well (ChiShona)
This episode tells the story of a troublesome bird that creates conflict between two groups of villagers. Narrated in chiShona. Enjoy!
28 Jun 2023
The Crocodile and the Rabbit (ChiShona)
This episode tells the story of the crocodile and the rabbit, told in chiSona, which teaches us about the importance of showing gratitude to those who help us. Enjoy!
26 Jun 2023
The Hare and the Lion (IsiNdebele)
This story is narrated in IsiNdebele spoken in Zimbabwe and various parts of South Africa. It tells what happens when Lion is too trusting and leaves his cubs in the care of Hare. Enjoy!
Inside a recent episode
Tortoise and the Lizard's Tail (isiNdebele)
Published 31 Jul 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Lizard leapt up in shock and cried out, Oh, voodoo, why on earth did you chop off my tail? And Tortoise responded, Oh, but it's not your tail, is it, Lizard? It was just dragging about behind you, so it doesn't belong to anyone at all. What's yours is what you're carrying. So I'm now taking this tale and keeping it as mine. This teaches us to always be careful about what we do to others. Because tomorrow, when the same thing is done to us, it may cause us great harm. […]
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