Python
by
Traditional (Toruba)
Translated by Ulli Beier and
Bakare Rgadamosi (Nigeria)
Swaggering prince
Giant among snakes.
They say python has no house.
I heard it long ago
And I laughed and laughed and laughed.
For who owns the ground under the lemon grass?
Who owns the ground under the elephant grass?
Who owns the swamp-father of rivers?
Who owns the stagnant pool-father of waters?
Because they never walk hand in hand
People say that snakes only walk singly.
But just imagine
Suppose the viper walks in front
The green mamba follows
And the python creeps rumbling behind--
Who will be brave enough
To wait for them?
Extension: Discuss how the Python is viewed in different cultures. Pick words from the poem which describe the Python-- such as prince and owner of the waters. Read the poem again while playing an audio tape which has flute music. Play the music again while students create pictures to the sound of the music. Have them include snakes in their creations.