00:01
Nestled in the Salonga Rainforest’s rich, dense foliage, waterfalls bubbled and tumbled, cascading down into the rivers below. High in the trees, Bonobo chimpanzees swinging, grinning from ear to ear. Exotic African parrots squawking, calling; flowers’ sweet fragrances drifting on a breeze.
00:34
There stood a village. Its young leader, Chief Muteba, mourning the loss of his late father, had yet to prove his worth.
00:51
The villagers had seen him grow from boy to man. His father had been loved, loyal, respected. Would he be able to lead as his father before him?
01:13
By his side, his much-loved prize hen, Marigold. He stroked her red and gold feathers as he held court.
01:28
“Today we hunt. The storehouses need replenishing before the rains come.”
01:38
Stealthily creeping through the dense undergrowth, they came across a muster of peafowls, proudly dancing, prancing, displaying their blue and green translucent plumage. “Wait! Stop! We catch as many as we can. They will make a wonderful addition to our village.”
- Storyteller
- Jeanette P Thompson
- Recording date
- 30 Jul 2026
- Location / community
- Salonga Rainforest
- Duration
- 07:47
- Card label / subtitle
- An original tale of pride, envy and kindness
- Themes
- Elders & Wisdom, Morals & Lessons
- Language / dialect
- English
- Cultural / community context
An original story written and performed by Jeanette P Thompson, inspired by the traditions of fables and fairy tales. Set in the Salonga Rainforest, it uses animal characters and a village community to examine pride, jealousy, captivity, freedom and responsible leadership. It should be described as an original folk-tale-style story rather than as a traditional African folktale.
- Archive permission
- Consent given by Jeanette P Thompson
10 Sep 2026, 10:52
