Lesson 2: Information from stories

Lesson 2 Information from stories

Define

Story: a tale told to you by someone about something

Core content

We can find information about the hunter-gatherers and shepherds from the Later Stone Age by reading the stories they told.

Below is an example of a story told by the San.

Little Hare Harelip

This is a traditional San tale about Mother Moon’s message to man about life after death, and how the Hare’s lip was split.

Mother Full Moon peered over the shoulder of the mountain at the people on the plain. She saw how they rejoiced at her coming. She saw them dance. But she knew that all men carry a stone in their hearts, for they feared death.

‘I must send a message to my children,’ she said to herself, ‘then they will never again be unhappy.’ She searched with shining eyes throughout the night until she saw Owl, who was out hunting. ‘Owl!’ she called. ‘Will you take a message for me?’ ‘I cannot,’ sighed Owl. ‘The night is short, and mice are few. Leave me alone!’ ‘Now I understand why you always have to hide in the dark.’ said Mother Full Moon with disgust. ‘There is no light or warmth in your heart.’

Just then, Jackal came trotting around a bush. Sniffle-snuffling here and there and everywhere, tracking stuff no one else wanted so that he could eat it. ‘Jackal!’ called Mother Full Moon. ‘Will you take a message for me?’ Jackal sat on his haunches, stuck his nose in the air and howled, ‘Oow! Oow! Mother Full Moon, look how I suffer. Look how little I have to live on. Do not ask more of me. Rather help me, help me. Give me food.’ ‘Be off, you beggar!’ said Mother Full Moon crossly.

Image 1.4: A San man from Namibia

Then she saw Hare feeding in the field. ‘Hare, will you take a message for me?’ ‘Yes, yes, Mother Full Moon.’ he said. He sat bolt upright on his short tail and sang: ‘I am Hare Four-foot, I am Hare-run-wild, I am Hare Fleet-foot, I am the Wind’s own child.’

‘I want to send you to my people,’ said Mother Full Moon, ‘to the men of the veld.’ ‘I know them, Mother,’ said Hare. Mother Full Moon continued, ‘You must tell them this:

Image 1.5

“Look at Mother Moon and be content. First, she is like the horn of an eland. Then, she becomes round and fat like the hunters when the herds of animals are plentiful, and every arrow finds its mark. Then, she melts away until there is only a crane’s wishbone left. In the end she vanishes completely. So, it is with men too. First, a man is young, but he grows and becomes strong. Then, old age comes and sucks his bones dry. But when he dies, he shall live again – just as I do.”’

‘Is that all, Mother?’ asked Hare. ‘Yes, but ...,’ said Mother Full Moon. But before she could say, ‘wait a while’, Hare had gone. He ran so fast that the stones flew up behind him and the bushes rustled as he passed them. He ran and sang: ‘I am Hare Four-foot, I am Hare-runwild, I am Hare Fleet-foot, I am the Wind’s own child.’