blending African folklore with modern storytelling

Earth Ancient

Long, long ago, Earth Ancient had its feet in Africa; nowhere else.

Around and in Earth Ancient, animals spoke with one voice. No tales were secret. Those who walked on fours spoke their stories of old to the young. Those who flew were the most vocal in announcing daybreak, midday's rest and evensong. Those who slithered or hopped imparted wisdom quietly. Those who swam told by example. Everything was as it should be; everyone spoke how they were meant to.

Earth Ancient watched patiently; her soil created before man. Her roots gripped the soil before man's helpers came along.

Some helpers learned their ways along the long road of experience; others in the quick action of calamities and shifts in Earth Ancient's foundations.

Such were the lessons Hyena learned on the dusty knowledge road of the African plains. Hunger accompanied Hyena then as it does now, endlessly and often fruitlessly looking, seeking the smell gods that carry his next meal. Until one day, when Sun turned its fierce face upon drought-wrought forests, and skeleton trees split to reveal two roads, at the end of which waited a mouthwatering meal of trapped antelope. Unable to decide which road would deliver the mouthwatering dish first, he chose both roads, sending one leg left and the other right.

But Earth Ancient had paved both roads with the traps of impatience. The paths continued to veer in different directions, leading Hyena's legs further and further apart.

Finally, Hyena split in two. His front legs became longer than the backs; a painful gait, his constant companion. His hunger remained, drawn into the pain of torn flesh.

Created to help man in his search for patience, Hyena taught the lesson of haste and impatience well. He had choices, but in the end, indecision had painted the impossible task:

Choose; choose well or be damned.

Now that man is the only being who speaks words, Earth Ancient's lessons are spoken less clearly and are easily forgotten by our children.

Forgotten at our peril.