African Folktale

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Retold by The Legendary Connection

TLC#00161

A long, long time ago, in the days when the world was first being created, the gods decided to make a very special tree. They called it the Baobab Tree, and they gave it a unique gift—the gift of speech.

At first, the gods were pleased with their creation. But as soon as the Baobab Tree began to grow, it also began to complain.

“It’s too hot!” grumbled the Baobab. “I’m so thirsty! I want water!”

The gods, wanting to help, sent rain to water the ground and fill the rivers and lakes around the Baobab.

But no sooner had the rain come than the Baobab grumbled again. “Ugh! Now it’s too humid! It’s hot and sticky!” So the gods sent a cool breeze to ease the heat.

“Brrrr! Now it’s too cold!” whined the Baobab, shivering in the wind.

The gods were growing frustrated. They went down to speak to the Baobab and warned, “Enough complaining! Be grateful, or you will be sorry.”

For a short time, the Baobab was silent, and the gods were able to continue their work. They created other trees, each one beautiful in its own way. Some had colorful flowers, and others filled the air with a sweet fragrance. The Baobab watched as these lovely trees appeared all around it, and soon, it couldn’t help itself.

“Why did you make me so plain?” it cried. “Why don’t I have flowers?”

The gods tried to ignore the Baobab’s complaints and continued their work, creating trees that bore delicious fruits—apple trees, orange trees, peach trees, and more.

The Baobab huffed, “I want fruit too! Why can’t I have juicy fruit like those trees?”

The gods gave the Baobab one final warning. “Enough. Stop complaining, or you’ll regret it.”

But the Baobab wouldn’t stop. When the gods finished creating animals and the Baobab saw them walking freely across the earth, it complained again.

“Why did you give them legs and not me?” the Baobab whined. “I want to walk around, too!”

At last, the gods had enough. Frustrated beyond measure, they came down to the Baobab, seized it by its thick trunk, and yanked it right out of the ground. Then, with great strength, they turned it upside down and planted it back into the earth—headfirst!

From that day forward, the Baobab’s roots stretched up toward the sky, and its branches reached down into the soil. With its mouth buried underground, the Baobab could no longer complain, and it could no longer see its reflection in the water.

But though it was silent, the Baobab slowly grew to understand its role. It became a shelter for animals, storing water in its trunk during the dry seasons, and providing food and shade for people. Over time, it gave so much back to the world that it became one of the most beloved trees.

All across Africa, people tell the story of the Baobab Tree and its lesson. They say that sometimes the most remarkable gifts come from simply accepting who you are and giving back to others. And that is why the Baobab, with its unusual shape and upside-down branches, stands tall and proud, serving the world in peaceful silence.

Original sources: Avis, Riana. “Baobab Myths and Stories.” The Baobab Way, 2 June 2015, thebaobabway.com/baobab-myths-and-stories/

Geraghty, Nina. “The Legend of the Upside-down Tree - Baobab Foundation.” Baobab Foundation, 5 July 2013, baobabfoundation.co.za/the-legend-of-the-upside-down-tree/. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024