Beautiful Blackbird - Zambian Tale

In the well-wooded hills and valleys of Zambia in southern Africa live Ila-speaking people. Their tale brings a universal meaning of appreciating once heritage and discovering the beauty within.

A long time ago, the birds of Africa were all colors of the rainbow, except one Blackbird.

One day, Ringdove announced a bird festival in the forest. Birds flew in from all over.

When they all sat comfortably on the tree branches displaying all colors of the rainbow, Ringdove asked, “Who is the most beautiful bird?”

“Blackbird! Blackbird!” echoed around.

Ringdove asked Blackbird, “Would you color me black so I wouldn’t be so plain?”

“Color is only on the outside. What is inside is more important. But I will make a ring around your neck to go with your name,” responded Blackbird.

The next day, all birds gathered around watching Blackbird. He stirred the blackening brew in his stone bowl. Then he dipped his feather brush into the pot and brought it to Ringdove neck. With his free wing he spun Ringdove around, making a ring around his neck.

“Oh, he is just like Blackbird,” chirped all the birds. “Oh, can we have the black rings too?”

“I’ll mix the rest of my black roots for tomorrow,” responded Blackbird.

Birds rose with the first sun rays, chirping cheerfully, “Oh, it’s our turn.”

Blackbird dipped his feather brush into the pot and tapped out dots, small and large, around the necks and along the wings. He dipped his feather brush into the pot and stroke lines, short and long, around the necks and along the wings. With the last drop of black paint, he black-tapped the last small bird of the flock.

“Uh, what a small touch of black can do,” chirped the birds. “Uh, we look so grand.”

 

Source: Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan