Edith Rickert 
THE BOJABI TREE – An African Folktale 

In the jungles of deepest darkest Africa, the animals were hungry for there was nothing to eat. They fought for scraps and tit-bits until they came across a tree, the Bojabi tree (the mango-melon-pomegranate tree} which they smelled of apple-orange-plum-pear-banana. They wanted to rat the rich, red fruit but found they could not, because they did not know the fruit’s name.

The animals took it in turns to leave and cross the dry and dusty African plains to ask the king of the jungle, the Lion, for the answer. But somehow on the return journey they keep forgetting what they have been told. Until, all that is left is the slow Tortoise. Will he manage to make the trip and remember the all-important name?

This retelling of a traditional tale from Gabon is told using rhyme and repetition, giving it a rhythmic quality which begs to be read aloud. Edith Rickert’s text is perfectly matched by Gleb Botkin’s illustrations, bringing the African animals and scenery to life.

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