Reading Notes: West African Folktales, Part B
King Chameleon and the Animals
Does the end justify the means? Chameleon is crafty and his actions during the race are not exactly sportsmanlike (reminds me of Anansi already). While the fastest animal to complete the race may not be the most qualified for the position of King, the contest is open to all contenders, which reminds me of the great Cannonball run.
Following Chameleon's sketchy win, the animals abandon him although he retains the title of King. His loneliness serves as just comeuppance for his underhanded methods, and he banishes himself to deserted mountaintop. The story doesn't mention whether the animals elect a runner-up as their new King, but King Chameleon's reign could have lasting consequences even in his absence. I'm picturing a chastened, changed Chameleon approaching the animal tribe once more years later, perhaps for another contest regarding the ruler they truly accept.
I love the idea of a king in title only, and I'm reminded of Emperor Norton from the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman: a eccentric man of glowing good nature who spends his life as self-proclaimed emperor of the United States.
How Mushrooms First Grew
Travelling debt... Here's a great candidate for a modern-day rendition. Our legal system is almost as complex (and maddening) as our health care system in the United States. Re-assigning debt can be easily performed with the proper legal documentation (lawsuits, injury, damages, property values), and is even considered entertainment to fans of shows including Judge Judy (blech). However, should a private investigator attempt to follow the trail of the money... That could actually be fun to write, and reminds me of the wackiest old comedy I ever saw (What's Up Doc, directed by Peter Bogdanovich in 1972).
Debt path, originating with money invested in seeds by the two poor, repentant brothers...
Collection agencies buy "bad debt" all the time. When delinquent accounts get too old, the company holding their debt has the option to sell it for a reduced price to a collection agency - traditionally unscrupulous individuals wagering they can recoup their investment by a more personal, intimidating, and badgering approach. What if a mob collection agency decides to take on the task of debt collection from the two brothers (we'll assume it's a large debt owed to unsavory individuals), only to find a Russian nesting doll scenario of lawsuits, animals, inheritance, and wrongful death? The brothers could eventually start their own successful mushroom farm after discovering morels flourishing near the tree-stump on their land, repaying their debts and beginning a new era of prosperity.
Makes me want to watch Snatch again.
Bibliography
West African Folktales. William H. Barker, Cecilia Sinclair, with drawings by Cecilia Sinclair (1917).
Does the end justify the means? Chameleon is crafty and his actions during the race are not exactly sportsmanlike (reminds me of Anansi already). While the fastest animal to complete the race may not be the most qualified for the position of King, the contest is open to all contenders, which reminds me of the great Cannonball run.
Following Chameleon's sketchy win, the animals abandon him although he retains the title of King. His loneliness serves as just comeuppance for his underhanded methods, and he banishes himself to deserted mountaintop. The story doesn't mention whether the animals elect a runner-up as their new King, but King Chameleon's reign could have lasting consequences even in his absence. I'm picturing a chastened, changed Chameleon approaching the animal tribe once more years later, perhaps for another contest regarding the ruler they truly accept.
I love the idea of a king in title only, and I'm reminded of Emperor Norton from the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman: a eccentric man of glowing good nature who spends his life as self-proclaimed emperor of the United States.
How Mushrooms First Grew
Travelling debt... Here's a great candidate for a modern-day rendition. Our legal system is almost as complex (and maddening) as our health care system in the United States. Re-assigning debt can be easily performed with the proper legal documentation (lawsuits, injury, damages, property values), and is even considered entertainment to fans of shows including Judge Judy (blech). However, should a private investigator attempt to follow the trail of the money... That could actually be fun to write, and reminds me of the wackiest old comedy I ever saw (What's Up Doc, directed by Peter Bogdanovich in 1972).
Debt path, originating with money invested in seeds by the two poor, repentant brothers...
- Bushfowl eats the seeds, decides to sell eggs
- Tree smashes the nest of the birds eggs, spins great quantities of silk-cotton
- Elephant plucks all the silk off of the tree, wanders into the wild in hopeless despair
- Hunter kills elephant, tree-stump trips hunter, breaking his leg, white ants (termites) eat the tree
Collection agencies buy "bad debt" all the time. When delinquent accounts get too old, the company holding their debt has the option to sell it for a reduced price to a collection agency - traditionally unscrupulous individuals wagering they can recoup their investment by a more personal, intimidating, and badgering approach. What if a mob collection agency decides to take on the task of debt collection from the two brothers (we'll assume it's a large debt owed to unsavory individuals), only to find a Russian nesting doll scenario of lawsuits, animals, inheritance, and wrongful death? The brothers could eventually start their own successful mushroom farm after discovering morels flourishing near the tree-stump on their land, repaying their debts and beginning a new era of prosperity.
Makes me want to watch Snatch again.
Benicio del Toro as Franky Four Fingers, Snatch (2001)
Image source: Tumblr
Image source: Tumblr
"Do you know why they call him Franky “Four Fingers” Doug? Because he makes stupid bets with dangerous people, and when he doesn’t pay up, they give him the chop, Doug."
Bibliography
West African Folktales. William H. Barker, Cecilia Sinclair, with drawings by Cecilia Sinclair (1917).
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