Folk Tales as Cultural Productions - Essay Example

I learned that what you reap is what you sow; this is a universal maxim that is almost true in all situations. When you plant goodness, you reap blessings and not curse. Any amateur folk tale reader would also feel the same by way of understanding only the peripheral issues and facts within the story. All I did, however, was read the stories over and over, read other literatures related to the two tales, and came up with my own understanding of the stories. Overall, the two folk tales have good stories that taught me moral lessons worthy of remembering.

Sincerely, John Smith John Smith Professor XXXXX ENGL 200 January 9, 2013 Elphinstone Dayrell’s Why the Bat Flies by Night and Why the Bat is Ashamed to be Seen in the Daytime Why the Bat Flies at Night is an African folktale written by Elphinstone Dayrell in 1910 which follows the story of two animal friends, Oyong the bush rat and Emiong the bat. The story, which involves two animals, mirrors the nature of mankind to outdo and trick the other in order to achieve one’s personal interest.

Emiong cooks sumptuous and delicious dishes for his friend Oyong and the latter always expresses his gratefulness for the bat’s cooking skills and kindness. Oyong, the bush rat, also wants to return the favor and asks Emiong of his excellent cooking taste. Unlike any genuine friend who shares their talent especially to their friends, Emiong lured and tricked his friend by saying that his dishes are absolutely tasty because he soaks himself together with the other ingredients when the water boils, and because his skin is naturally tasty, the dish turns out to be palatable.

Oyong, who is fascinated with what he learned, does what the bat told him and eventually died. This African story uses animals in order to depict nature, not only referring to the environment but also on the natural inclination of man to cheat and trick others no matter how close the relationship is in order to singly rise on top. This is what happens also in the societal malady known as crab mentality. Whoever is on top is forcibly pulled down because of selfishness and greed. Human beings have the tendency not to share what they have because they are afraid they will be outshone.

This is exemplified in the story when Emiong shared false information to Oyong regarding his kitchen secret (Dayrell par. 2). More importantly, the story also presents that evil will not rise over goodness, as Emiong was prosecuted and stayed eternally in darkness so that he will continue to live. This case also reflects the kind of society that we have today. Punishment is a method to control, stop, and teach individuals who do wrong to another. It exists because people have different moral precepts and different perception of what is right and wrong.

Another story written by Dayrell is entitled Why the Bat is Ashamed to be Seen in the Daytime which features again the bat as the villain in the story (par. 1). Basically, it almost shares the same plot with the first story but with some variations. Here, the bat’s villainess extends to depriving the lamb with the food that he deserves. The lamb agrees to go with the bat to visit his father-in-law and carries the bat’s load until they reach their destination. Once again, the bat tricked the lamb so that he alone can eat the entire food served to him.

This is a clear replica of greediness, which is clearly present in the society. Furthermore, the story also reflects the nature of man to