Long ago, in the heart of Gabon, there lived Nzambi-on-Earth, a powerful ruler whose daughter was famed across the land for her unmatched beauty. Suitors came from far and wide, but none could win her hand. For Nzambi declared that no mortal should marry her daughter unless he could bring down the fire of the heavens from Nzambi Mpungu, the mighty one who dwelt above the blue roof of the sky. The task seemed impossible, and the people wondered aloud, “Who among us can hope to succeed? Who will dare to win such a treasure?”
Amid the doubt, a small but confident voice rose, the spider. Clever and ambitious, he looked at the others and said, “I will go, if you will help me.”
The animals hesitated, then agreed. “We will help you,” they said, “but only if you reward us.”
The spider wasted no time. With his strong silk, he climbed high, reaching the roof of heaven itself. From there he dropped a thread back down to earth, a bridge between worlds. Calling his companions, the tortoise, the woodpecker, the rat, and the sandfly, he bade them climb the silken thread. Up they went, each small creature pulling itself higher until they reached the threshold of the sky.
The woodpecker took the lead. With his sharp beak, he pecked a hole straight through the blue roof, making a path into the heavens. One by one they entered and stood before Nzambi Mpungu, who appeared before them in plain, humble clothing. Though poorly dressed, his presence carried power, and he greeted them kindly.
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“What do you seek?” he asked.
The animals bowed. “O Nzambi Mpungu, ruler above the sky, we have come to fetch your fire for Nzambi-on-Earth, who rules below.”
Nzambi Mpungu stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Wait here while I tell my people of this message.”
Quiet as dust, the sandfly slipped after him, unnoticed, and listened to every word spoken. Meanwhile, the others whispered among themselves. “Can one so poorly clothed truly be the keeper of such terrible fire?” they wondered.
When Nzambi Mpungu returned, he looked sternly at them. “How can I know you are truly messengers of Nzambi-on-Earth, and not impostors?”
“Test us!” they cried. “We will prove our honesty.”
Nzambi Mpungu nodded. “Bring me a bundle of bamboos, that I may build myself a shed.”
The tortoise volunteered. Slow and steady, he made his way down to earth, gathered the bamboo, and returned with the load upon his back.
“Now,” said Nzambi Mpungu, turning to the rat, “crawl beneath this bundle. I will set it aflame, and if you escape, I shall know Nzambi truly sent you.”
Though fearful, the rat obeyed. Flames roared and consumed the bamboo, but when the fire died, the rat crawled out alive and unharmed.
“You speak the truth,” said Nzambi Mpungu. “I will consult my people once more.”
Again, the sandfly followed in secret, searching to discover where the lightning-fire was kept. He returned and whispered his findings to his companions.
When Nzambi Mpungu came back, he posed a challenge. “I will grant you fire if you can tell me where it is hidden.”
The spider stepped forward boldly. “O Nzambi Mpungu, the fire is kept in one of the five cases within your chicken-house.”
Nzambi Mpungu smiled. “You have answered rightly, Spider. Take one case and deliver it to Nzambi-on-Earth.”
The tortoise carried the case carefully down to earth. With it, the spider presented the fire to Nzambi-on-Earth, fulfilling the impossible task. As promised, Nzambi offered him her beautiful daughter in marriage.
But harmony did not last.
The woodpecker protested, “Surely the maiden is mine! Without my beak, you would never have pierced the roof of heaven.”
The rat squeaked angrily, “No! It was I who risked my life beneath the burning bamboo. The reward belongs to me!”
The sandfly buzzed, “Fools! Without my spying, none of you would have discovered the fire’s hiding place. I alone deserve her hand.”
Nzambi-on-Earth listened, then raised her hand for silence. “Spider brought me the fire, and by right the girl is his. Yet I know your envy would poison her life. I cannot give her to one without angering the others. Nor can I give her to you all.”
She turned to them solemnly. “Instead, I will reward each of you with riches, and my daughter shall remain by my side.”
So she paid each of them fifty lengths of cloth and one case of gin. The beautiful daughter of Nzambi never wed, but lived with her mother, serving faithfully until the end of her days.
Moral Lesson
This Gabonese folktale shows that ambition alone is not enough; cooperation is vital, but so is justice. Each animal contributed, yet envy and pride prevented harmony. Nzambi-on-Earth chose fairness over favoritism, teaching that true wisdom lies in balance. The story also warns against selfishness: when each claims the prize, all may lose.
Knowledge Check
Who set the challenge for marriage?
Nzambi-on-Earth demanded heavenly fire before her daughter could wed.
Which animal led the journey into the heavens?
The spider organized the mission and guided the group.
What test proved the animals’ sincerity?
The rat survived unscathed under burning bamboo.
How did the sandfly help the group?
He spied on Nzambi Mpungu, discovering the location of the fire.
Why did Nzambi-on-Earth refuse to give her daughter in marriage?
She feared jealousy among the animals would make her daughter’s life miserable.
What cultural value does this story highlight?
It emphasizes teamwork, fairness, and the dangers of envy in Gabonese tradition.
Source: Traditional Gabonese folktale, Central Africa.
