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1Unit 2B Folklore Folktales Fairytales

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John SteptoeA long time ago, in a certain place in Africa, a small village lay across a

river and half a day’s journey from a city where a great king lived. A man named Mufaro lived in this village with his two daughters, who were called Manyara and Nyasha. Everyone agreed that Manyara and Nyasha were very beautiful.

Manayara was almost always in a bad temper. She teased her sister whenever their father’s back was turned, and she had been heard to say, “Someday Nayasha, I will be a queen, and you will be a servant in my household.”

“If that should come to pass,” Nyasha responded, “I will be pleased to serve you. But why do you say such things? You are clever and strong and beautiful. Why are you so unhappy?”

“Because everyone talks about how kind you are, and they praise everything you do,” Manyara replied. “I’m certain that Father loves you best. But when I am a queen, everyone will know that your silly kindness is only weakness.”

Nyasha was sad that Manyara felt this way, but she ignored her sister’s words and went about her chores. Nyasha kept a small plot of land, on which she grew, millet, sunflowers, yams, and vegetables. She always sang as she worked, and some said it was her singing that made her crops more bountiful that anyone else’s.

One day, Nyasha noticed a small garden snake resting beneath a yam vine. “Good day, little Nyoka,” she called to him. “You are welcome here. You will keep away creatures who might spoil my vegetables. “She bent forward, gave the little snake a loving pat on the head, and then returned to her work.


From that day on, Nyoka was always at Nyasha’s side when she tended her garden. It was said that she sang all the more sweetly when he was there.

Mufaro knew nothing of how Manyara treated Nyasha. Nyasha was too considerate of her father’s feelings to complain, and Manayara was always careful to behave herself when Mufaro was around.

Early one morning, a messenger from the city arrived. The Great King wanted a wife. “The Most Worthy and Beautiful Daughters in the Land are invited to appear before the King, and he will choose one to become Queen!” the messenger proclaimed.

Mufaro called Manyara and Nyasha to him. “It would be a great honor to have one of you chosen,” he said. “Prepare yourselves to journey to the city. I will call together all our friends to make a wedding party. We will leave tomorrow as he sun rises.”

“But, my father, “Manyara said sweetly, “it would be painful for either of us to leave you, even to be wife to the king. I know Nyasha would grieve to death if she were parted from you. I am strong. Send me to the city, and let poor Nyasha be happy here with you.”

Mufaro beamed with pride. “the king has asked for the most worthy and the most beautiful. No, Manyara, I cannot send you alone. Only a king can choose between two such worthy daughters. Both of you must go!”

That night, when everyone was asleep, Manyara stole quietly out of the village. She had never been in the forest at night before, and she was frightened, but her greed to be the first to appear before the king drove her on. In her hurry, she almost stumbled over a small boy who suddenly appeared, standing in the path.

“Please,” said the boy. “I am hungry. Will you give me something to eat?” “I have brought only enough for myself,” Manyara replied. “But, please!” said the boy. “I am so very hungry.” “Out of my way, boy! Tomorrow I will become your queen. How dare stand in my path!”


After traveling for what seemed to be a great distance, Manyara came to a small clearing. There, silhouetted against the moonlight, was an old woman seated on a large stone.

The old woman spoke, “I will give you some advice, Manyara. Soon after you pass the place where two paths cross, you will see a grove of trees. They will laugh at you. You must not laugh in return. Later, you will meet a man with his head under his arm. You must be polite to him.”

“How do you know my name? How dare you advise your future queen! Stand aside, you ugly old woman!” Manyara scolded, and then rushed on her way without looking back.

Just as the old woman had foretold, Manyara came to a grove of trees, and they did indeed seem to be laughing at her.

“I must be calm,” Manyara thought. “I will not be frightened.” She looked up at the trees and laughed out loud” “I laugh at you trees! She shouted and she hurried on.

It was not yet dawn when Manyara heard the sound of rushing water. “The river must be up ahead,” she thought. “The great city is just on the other side.”

But there, on the rise, she saw a man with his head in his hand tucked under his arm. Manyara ran past him without speaking. “A queen acknowledges on those who please her,” she said to herself. I will be queen. I will be queen,” she chanted as she hurried on toward the city.

Nyasha woke at the first light of dawn. As she put on her finest garments, she thought how her life might be changed forever beyond this day. “I’d much prefer to live here,” she admitted to herself. “I’d hate to leave this village and never see my father or sing to little Nyoka again.”

Her thoughts were interrupted by loud shouts and a commotion from the wedding party assembled outside. Manayara was missing! Everyone bustled about, searching and calling for her. When they found her footprints on the path that led to the city, they decided to go on as planned.

As the wedding party moved through the forest, brightly plumed birds darted about in the cool green shadows beneath the trees. Though anxious

4Unit 2B Folklore Folktales Fairytalesabout her sister, Nyasha was soon filled with excitement about all there was to see.

They were deep in the forest when she saw the small boy standing by the side of the path.

“You must be hungry,” she said, and handed him yam she brought her lunch. The boy smiled and disappeared as quietly as he had come.

Later, as they were approaching the place where the two paths crossed, the old woman appeared and silently pointed the way to the city. Nyasha thanked her and gave her a small pouch filled with sunflower seeds.

The sun was high in the sky when the party came to the grove of towering trees. Their uppermost branches seemed to bow down to Nyasha as she passed beneath them. At last, someone announced that they were near their destination.

Nyasha ran ahead and topped the rise before the others could catch up with her. She stood transfixed at her first sight of the city. “Oh, my father,” she called. “a great spirit must stand guard here! Just look at what lies before us. I never in all my life dreamed there could be anything so beautiful.

Arm in arm, Nyasha and her father descended the hill, crossed the river and approached the city gate. Just as they entered through the great doors, the air was rent by piercing cries, and Manyara ran wildly out of a chamber at the center of the enclosure. When she saw Nyasha, she fell upon her sobbing.

“Do not go to the king, my sister. Oh please, Father do not let her go!” she cried hysterically. “There’s a great monster there, a snake with five heads! He said that he knew all my faults and that I displeased him. He would have swallowed me alive if I had not run. Oh, my sister, please do not go inside that place.”

It frightened Nyasha to see her sister so upset. But, leaving her father to comfort Manyara, she bravely made her way to the chamber and opened the door.


On the seat of the great chief’s stool lay the little garden snake. Nyasha laughed with relief and joy.

“My little friend!” she exclaimed. “It’s such a pleasure to see you, but why are you here?” “I am the king,” Nyoka replied. And there, before Nyasha’s eyes, the garden snake changed shape. “I am the king. I am also the hungry boy with whom you shared a yam in the forest and the old woman to whom you made a gift of sunflower seeds. But you know me best as Nyoka. Because I have been all these, I know you to be the Most Worthy and Most Beautiful daughter in the Land. It would make me very happy if you would be my wife.” And so it was that, a long time ago, Nyasha agreed to be married. The king’s mother and sisters took Nyasha to their house and the wedding preparations began. The best weavers in the land laid out their finest cloth for her wedding garments. Villagers from all around were invited to the celebration, and a great feast was held. Nyasha prepared the bread for the wedding feast from millet that had been brought from her village.

Mufaro proclaimed to all who would hear him that he was the happiest father in all the land, for he was blessed with two beautiful and worthy daughters- Nyasha, the queen; and Manyara, a servant in the queen’s household.


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Reading Comprehension Questions for Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters1. Why does the author use the phrase: “a long time ago” in the

introduction of the story Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters? What other evidence supports your statement?

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2. In paragraphs 1-3, which statements best reflects the central or main idea of the story? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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3. Closely reread the following sentences from the story:“I am the king. I am also the hungry boy with whom you shared a yam in the forest and

the old woman you made a gift of sunflower seeds. But you know me best as Nyoka. Because I have been all these, I know you to be the Most Worthy and Most Beautiful

Daughter in the Land. It would make me very happy if you would be my wife.”How do these sentences contribute to the development of the theme of the story? Use two details from the passage to support your answer. Write your answer in complete sentences.

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4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Manyara and Nyasha ?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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5. Do you agree or disagree that Manyara should become queen? Use evidence from the selection to support your claim.

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6. Explain why it was necessary the king to become several characters in order to choose a queen? Use text evidence to support your statement._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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9Unit 2B Folklore Folktales Fairytales7. Folktales often teach the morals and values of the cultures from which they are told. What

do the actions and words of the characters in Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters suggest about

morals and values of the people of Zimbabwe?

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8. At what point in the story did Manayara begin to change or do you believe she did not

change? Use text evidence to support your statement.

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9. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughter’s is considered a Cinderella story, how do Nyasha and

Manyara compare and contrast to the evil step sisters and Cinderella of the version of

Cinderella that we are familiar with in the United States?

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10. In both versions of the Cinderella story the main characters exhibited kindness. Did

kindness help both main characters or did it lead them to tragedy. Use text evidence to explain

your statement.

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Vocabulary in Context

1. Nyasha was sad that Manyara felt this way, but she ignored her sister’s words and went about her chores. (page 1 paragraph5) In this


sentence the word ignored most closely means; a) followed closely, b) did not follow at all, c) was unable to follow.

2. That night, when everyone was asleep, Manyara stole quietly out of the village. (Page 2 paragraph 6)Without changing the meaning of the sentence, which word can best be used the replace the underlined word? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Her thoughts were interrupted by loud shouts and a commotion f rom the wedding party assembled outside (page 3 paragraph 8). What word can be used a synonym for the underlined word in this sentence.__________________________________________________

4. There, silhouetted against the moonlight, was an old woman seated on a large stone.(page 2 paragraph 8)In the sentence the word silhouetted means___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. She stood transfixed at her first sight of the city. (page 4 paragraph 4) Is a feeling or emotion associated with the underlined word used in this sentence? What does the underlined word mean in this sentence.___________________________


__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________6. As the wedding party moved through the forest, brightly plumed birds darted about in the cool green shadow beneath the trees. (page 3 paragraph 9) In this sentence the word plumed means____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________7. Just as they entered through the great doors, the air was rent by piercing cries, and Manyara ran wildly out of a chamber at the center of the enclosure.(page 4 paragraph 6) What word(s) could you use to replace rent in this sentence without changing the tone of the sentence?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Additional guides for Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters

1ST OF TWO GUIDESLITERATURE GUIDES Reading Experiences to Inspire Acts of Kindness

MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERSby John Steptoe Fairy tales are great stories for helping students work out complicated moral issues in a make-believe context. The Cinderella story has a universal theme of an under-appreciated, kind, and honest child who finally gets what she deserves. Found in countries all around the world, the same story plays out in different contexts. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters is a Cinderella story from Africa in which kindness, generosity, honesty, and love are rewarded and selfishness is punished. A related lesson in the story is found in how the kind daughter responds to the teasing and abuse from her cruel sister.

Before Reading ASK: Is it important to be kind even if no one knows it was you who did the kind act? Discuss/think of some kind acts that could be done without letting others know you did them. Why would you want to keep it a secret?SHOW: The front and back covers of the book and talk about where and when this story might take place. How does it look different from your area? Encourage predictions and creative observations.CONNECT: We are going to read a story about two beautiful daughters one of whom may marry a king if she is worthy. I wonder what a king would be looking for? How can he be sure he picks the right one?.

During ReadingASK: Stop several times to ask the student to predict what might happen next. Ask him or her to describe each sister.

14Unit 2B Folklore Folktales FairytalesSHOW: Discuss the artwork and notice the different types of wildlife that are seen on each page. “In what ways does the environment in the book look different from your own area?” CONNECT: No one can see the selfish and selfless acts of the daughters in the woods. Why does each one act the way she does?

After ReadingASK: When do you think the king decided that Nyasha was the one to become queen?SHOW: Nyasha entered the chamber even though her sister warned her there was a monster inside. Look at her face and hands when she sees the snake. What can you tell about Nyasha from this picture?CONNECT: Notice all the people watching the new queen on the last page. Why would the king want to make sure his country’s future queen was not selfish?

Activities1. Discuss and make a list of some ways that you can show kindness

to people you live with, friends, and strangers. Are the acts of kindness the same for each group of

people? Be sure to think of small acts of kindness as well as a

bigger act that may involve some time and giving up an opportunity for yourself.

Make a plan to do some of the things on your list. After some time, come back to talk about the list again.

Did you do some of the things you planned? How did you feel? How did the people you were kind to react?

Can you add some ideas to your list?2. How did Nyasha respond when her sister was unkind to her?

Think of a time when someone was unkind to you. How did you respond? How do you wish you had responded? What would you like to try next time?

3. Draw a picture or diagram showing the sequence of the trials that both girls encountered on their journeys. Analyze how each girl


responded to each trial. Think of words to describe each action, such as proud, generous, and afraid..

4. Compare this story to the classic fairy tale Cinderella. How is this story like Cinderella and how is it different? Make a chart showing the comparisons.

5. Use paints or markers to copy a flower or animal from the story. Talk about what medium the artist may have used to create the pictures.

6. What does it mean to get what you deserve? Did the sisters get what they deserved? Was it fair that Nyasha became queen? Was it fair that Manyara became a servant in her household? Do you think this idea is real? Do you feel that you get what you deserve? Do you treat people the way you want to be treated or do you treat them the way they treat you? What is the best policy?


2nd of Two guides

Genre: FolktaleMufaro's Beautiful Daughters was inspired by an African folktale. Share with students that folktales are stories handed down from one generation to another by word of mouth; these tales are told by ordinary folks. Folktales are found in just about all cultures. Explain that long ago before books were available, people told stories as a way of preserving them. Today, many folktales have been retold and handsomely illustrated as children's books.Subject: African and African American, Character and Values, Manners and Conduct

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

by John Steptoe

Introducing the Book

Here are a few strategies for introducing the book to the class.Build Background Write this question on a large poster pad: What is beauty? Call on volunteers to share their conceptions of beauty. Make a list of students' ideas. Explain that the book students will read is titled Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. Ask students to note how beauty is treated in this story.Preview the Cover Hold up the book so both the front and back covers are visible. Tell students that the covers show Mufaro's two daughters. Ask students to study the illustrations and then comment on the girls. Ask: What is each one doing? What expressions do they have on their faces? What

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/mufaros-beautiful-daughters

17Unit 2B Folklore Folktales Fairytalespreliminary conclusions might students make about the girls from these pictures? Locate the Setting On a globe or world map, help students locate Africa. Tell students that the story comes from an African country called Zimbabwe. Have a volunteer find Zimbabwe. Then locate the city of Nyanda. Explain that the story takes place just south of Nyanda in and near the walled city of Great Zimbabwe. Explain that the modern nation is named after this ancient city.Enrich Students' Appreciation Explain that the illustrations in this book show the fortress-city of Great Zimbabwe in ancient times. This city was a main trading center of the Shona people starting in the 1400s. There, the Shona sold gold, copper, and ivory to Arab merchants. The remaining ruins of the city show that the Shona were skillful builders. The ruins of three of their stone structures-the Hill Complex, the Great Enclosure, and the Valley Complex-are still visible. Ask students to see if they can find any of these in the book illustrations.

Activity/Visual Literacy

Explain to the class that the Caldecott Medal is named after an English artist, Randolf Caldecott (1846-1886), who is considered the originator of

children's picture books. The medal is given annually to an illustrator in the United States for the most distinguished children's picture book published during the previous year. Review the art in Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters with the class to see why it won this award. Then have students find other Caldecott winners to see what made them "the most distinguished" that year.Activity/Reading Focus

On the chalkboard create a chart such as the one shown here. Explain that the chart shows some of the main characteristics of a folktale. Ask students to look for these as they read Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. Use their responses to complete the chart.

Folktale Characteristics


The characters are all good or all bad

There are magic or make-believe parts

There is a lesson or moral

The story takes place in a long-ago setting

Cultural Connections

Remind students that this story takes place in Africa, and point out that the characters' names come from the Shona language. After reading the story through, explore the following with students:How do the plants and animals reflect an African setting?What else in the illustrations suggests an African setting?Does this story remind you of Cinderella? In what ways?Activity/Comparing Stories

Provide other versions of the Cinderella story and have students compare them. Possible titles include: Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China retold by Ai-Ling Louie; The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo; The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin. How do these versions differ? In what ways are they alike? How do they reflect the culture they come from?

Vocabulary

19Unit 2B Folklore Folktales FairytalesThese words may be unfamiliar to students.

ignored bountiful grieve millet

considerate stole (moved secretly) silhouetted grove

acknowledge garments commotion plumed

transfixed enclosure hysterically

chamber

proclaimed rent (tore)

Activity/Word Search

Try this activity to help make some of the unfamiliar words in the story familiar. Have students work with partners or in small groups. Assign each team a page or two in the book, and ask them to identify four or five words that they Find difficult. Provide dictionaries and tell the teams to look up their words and write them on a sheet of paper. Then have students pass around the paper so that each team member can write a sentence using the word. Conclude by having the teams present their words and sentences to the class.Curriculum Extensions

Use these ideas to help students relate the literature to other areas of the curriculum.Science: Snake SearchRemind students that the king is disguised as a garden snake (also called a garter snake in some places) in the story. Budding herpetologists might find out about the habits of such snakes and why they are helpful to gardeners. Point out that although there are many kinds of snakes in the world, most are not poisonous and only about 50 are truly dangerous to humans.

20Unit 2B Folklore Folktales FairytalesArt: Wedding BellsStudents might create fanciful invitations to the wedding of Nyasha and the king. Their invitations might include time, place, guests of honor, and appropriate dress. Students might also draw pictures of the wedding gift they would give to the newlyweds.

Social Studies: Building a BuildingTell students that the stone buildings at Great Zimbabwe are considered architectural marvels because they were made with dry walls. In a dry wall, the stones are cut and placed so exactly that no mortar or cement is needed. To help students understand the skill this requires, have them try to build a mini wall with small stones. How many layers can they add before the stones start to fall?Everything You Need:Fairy Tales: Everything You NeedSubjects:Africa, Literature, Literature Appreciation, Manners and Conduct, Teacher Tips and Strategies

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