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Aimiton Precious

Sepia-toned illustration of two travelers walking a dusty path at sunset, with a divine figure hovering in the clouds above. The background features rolling hills, a gnarled tree, and parchment-style texture. The only text is “OldFolktales.com” in the top right corner.

Mawu’s Divine Justice

by Aimiton Precious

African Folktales·Beninese Folktales·Dahomean (Fon) Folktales·West African Folktales

In the ancient days when the gods walked closely with mortals and divine wisdom governed the affairs of earth, the great goddess Mawu maintained perfect order over all creation through her mysterious ways. Each dawn brought with it a sacred ritual that had continued unchanged for countless years: Mawu would dispatch her divine messenger to travel across the world from

Parchment-style illustration of American girl Mabel meeting forest witch after dropping figurines, from modern fairy tale.

African Folktales·Inspired Tales·West African Folktales

Mabel and the Witch

Once upon a time, in a place not so very far away, there lived a girl named Mabel and her mother, who was also named Mabel. This created quite a bit of confusion at the post office and the doctor’s office, so most folks simply called them Mabel and Mom,

Parchment-style illustration of Kélé standing before lion and hunters at dusk; West African folktale from Mali.

The Lion King of Bamako

Bamako, a vibrant city that pulses with the rhythmic beating of djembe

Parchment-style Yoruba folktale illustration of greedy tortoise struggling with heavy yam basket as dog walks away.

The Tortoise, the Dog, and the Farmer

In the ancient land of Kurumi, nestled in the heart of southwestern

Effiong the Hunter

In the bustling region of Calabar, where dense forests met thriving communities, lived a hunter named Effiong. His skill with bow and spear was legendary, and he earned great

Ijapa the Tortoise Goes to Sky Feast

In the days when animals spoke with human voices and walked upright like people, a terrible famine descended upon the animal kingdom like a dark cloud that refused to

Parchment-style illustration of African elder wife holding razor while co-wife kneels beside sleeping child near cooking pots.

The Murder by Mistake

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Congolese (DRC) Folktales

In a village where polygamy was the custom and co-wives shared the duties of household and family; two women prepared for their husband’s long absence. With practiced hands, they

Parchment-style illustration of African Buite holding fish as magical wife and servants vanish, brother Swarmi watches in valley.

How Pride Destroyed Paradise

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales·Central African Folktales

In a certain town where family bonds should have meant everything, two brothers lived lives as different as day and night. The elder was named Swarmi, a man of

Parchment-style illustration of African prince Nsassi naming Lunga and Lenga with loyal dog before Nenpetro’s compound.

The Prince and His Loyal Dog

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Congolese (DRC) Folktales

In a prosperous village where wealth flowed like honey and fortune smiled upon the fortunate, there lived a man named Nenpetro. He was blessed with two wives, and in

Parchment-style illustration of African hunter Nenpetro revived by three wives using dream, guidance, and healing.

Three Wives, One Miracle

Central African Folktales·Congolese (DRC) Folktales

In a village where the sun blazed golden over the red earth, there lived a renowned hunter named Nenpetro. He was a man of great skill with the bow,

Parchment-style illustration of European girl Olga meeting protective wolf in snowy forest after escaping armed stranger.

The Women and Wolves

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Inspired Tales

On opposite sides of a dark forest lived two girls named Olga and Lidia, bound by a friendship as old as their earliest memories. Throughout spring, summer, and autumn,

Parchment-style illustration of Bulgarian girl Maya meeting mother by stove during snowy reunion in cottage.

The Wood-Burning Stove

The blizzard raged outside, spinning snow into thick white curtains that obscured everything beyond the windowpane. Little Maya pressed her face against the cold glass, watching the storm, when

Parchment-style illustration of Gothic Juniper facing ghostly Saeva in haunted forest, from supernatural vengeance folktale.

Cinderella Retelling: Love Beyond Midnight

African Folktales·Central African Folktales

Every night, Juniper recited the same biblical verses, sometimes one hundred times, sometimes five hundred. If she stuttered or changed her voice’s inflection, Saeva’s wooden ruler with its cruel

Parchment-style illustration of Ethiopian Hasseeboo emerging from honey pit to meet giant snake, beginning their unlikely friendship.

The Physician’s Son & the King Snake

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Ethiopian Folktales

In the ancient lands of Ethiopia, there once lived a renowned physician whose wisdom was known throughout the region. When death claimed him, he left behind a young wife

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