Long ago, in the land of Angola, there lived two companions known by their strange names: Mr. Carry-Me-Not and Mr. Tell-Me-Not. Both were traders, men who travelled with their carriers to sell their goods and earn their wealth. They set out together with baskets of merchandise bound tightly, heading for the city of Loanda where the markets bustled with life.
In Loanda they traded successfully, exchanging their goods for profit. Once their business was complete, they bound up their baskets once more and began the long journey home. The road was heavy and hot, and before long they reached the place called Kifuangondo.
Here Mr. Tell-Me-Not turned to his friend and said, “Let us go forward now, my companion!” But Mr. Carry-Me-Not answered, “First let me sleep.” They both lay down to rest until the evening. When they awoke, Tell-Me-Not asked, “Friend, how did you rest?” and Carry-Me-Not replied, “I did not rest at all.”
The next morning, Tell-Me-Not urged again, “Let us go, my friend!” But Carry-Me-Not said, “I cannot walk.” Concerned, Tell-Me-Not replied, “Then let us rest here. Carriers, return home. When you reach our elders in Ambaca, tell them this: ‘Mr. Carry-Me-Not is sick. We left him and Mr. Tell-Me-Not at Kifuangondo. Tell them that Mr. Tell-Me-Not has remained behind to care for his companion until his sickness has passed.’” The carriers obeyed and departed, while the two companions stayed behind, passing another day and night.
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By morning, Tell-Me-Not said gently, “Friend, your sickness is great. Let me carry you so that we may continue.” But Carry-Me-Not shook his head. “They do not carry me,” he said. Tell-Me-Not frowned. “That is a lie. I will carry you; I tell you so.” But Carry-Me-Not insisted, “No, they do not carry me. It is the law of my family.”
Tell-Me-Not grew impatient. “Enough of your lies! I will carry you anyhow.” With that, he lifted Carry-Me-Not upon his back and began walking again. They made their way as far as the Bengo River at Palma’s. There, exhausted, Tell-Me-Not pleaded, “Friend, get down.” But Carry-Me-Not answered firmly, “I shall not get down. I warned you that they do not carry me. Yet today you carried me, and now I cannot get down.”
Through the long night Tell-Me-Not bore his companion on his back, unable to rest. At daybreak, the two set out once more. Later, when Tell-Me-Not needed to relieve himself, he begged, “Friend, get down that I may do something.” But Carry-Me-Not replied the same: “I told you already. I cannot get down once carried. Today you carry me, and I can no longer be set down.” Forced, Tell-Me-Not had to tend to his needs while still bearing the weight.
At Pulungo, Tell-Me-Not tried again. “Friend, get down that I may rest.” But Carry-Me-Not only repeated, “I will not get down anymore.”
From then on, both suffered. Tell-Me-Not ate nothing, drank no water. Carry-Me-Not, though carried, also refused food and drink. They pressed on, weaker with each step. At last, Tell-Me-Not fell to the ground from exhaustion. Their fathers, hearing news of their plight, sent a hammock to bring them home.
Eight days they lay together, one clinging to the other. But at the end, death claimed them both: Tell-Me-Not and Carry-Me-Not. One died upon the other’s back, and at home, they were buried separately, each in his own grave.
From this tale comes a warning for all who live: when a friend or companion advises you, listen. If you stubbornly refuse, insisting that no harm will come, you walk into destruction. A person who does not listen to others is like a beast of the forest, alone, heedless, and doomed to stumble upon what will kill him.
Thus ends the story of Mr. Carry-Me-Not and Mr. Tell-Me-Not.
Moral Lesson
This folktale teaches that pride and stubbornness can destroy not only oneself but also those who care for us. Mr. Carry-Me-Not’s refusal to yield, and Mr. Tell-Me-Not’s refusal to heed warnings, led them both to their graves. True wisdom lies in listening, respecting advice, and knowing when to accept help.
In life, no one is above counsel. To listen is not weakness but strength. To ignore advice is to walk blindly toward danger.
Knowledge Check
1. Who were the two main characters in the story?
Mr. Carry-Me-Not and Mr. Tell-Me-Not, two traders from Angola.
2. Where did the men first trade their goods?
They traded in the city of Loanda.
3. What was Mr. Carry-Me-Not’s strange rule about being carried?
He claimed, “They do not carry me, it is the law of my family,” meaning once carried, he could not be set down.
4. How did the companions suffer on their journey?
Both went without food or water, and Tell-Me-Not collapsed from exhaustion while carrying his friend.
5. What was the final outcome of their journey?
Both men died, Carry-Me-Not on the back of Tell-Me-Not, and they were buried separately.
6. What lesson does the story teach?
The importance of listening to others’ advice and the dangers of stubborn pride.
Source: Traditional folktale of the Kimbundu people, Angola.
