The Dancing Palm Tree

By Barbara K. Walker, Helen Siegl (Illustrator)

Discover timeless truths through captivating Nigerian tales shared under moonlit skies.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 16 ratings

112 pages

$19.95Save 7%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Gather under the moonlit skies of Western Nigeria, where an elder's voice weaves tales of wisdom and wonder. These stories, shared by Olawale Idewu, a homesick Nigerian student, reveal universal truths that transcend borders. Each tale, rich with moral lessons, invites you to explore the heart of Nigerian culture and its enduring impact on the world. Will these ancient narratives change how you see your own life? Dive into a world where storytelling is both a cherished tradition and a guide to living well.

From the publisher

Imagine yourself for a moment in Western Nigeria on a moonlit evening. The day’s work has been done, and friends and neighbors have gathered. Suddenly one among the group turns to an older man sitting at the edge of the piazza. “Tell us a story,” he begs. And he knows what he is asking. Many in the group can tell stories and very well indeed, for storytelling has been a tradition in Nigeria for hundreds of years. The old man rises and usually begins, “Far away and long ago in a small village…”

Somewhat in each story there is likely to be a moral, a human truth that is taught through what happens in the story, for an important purpose of storytelling in Nigeria has always been to teach as well as to entertain. But you will find that the truths taught in these stories prevail not only in Nigeria but all over the world, truths that people must learn to live by, no matter what country they call home.

Earlier versions of these eleven tales were told to Barbara K. Walker by Olawale Idewu, a Nigerian student in a midwestern American college who was lonesome for his homeland and its culture and who was willing to share some of the tales from that culture. Now, young Americans can enjoy a sampling of the tales still told on moonlit evenings in Nigeria.