Welcome to Brown Girl Bloom's series of African folk tales to guide you into a peaceful sleep.
I invite you to create an environment that supports you in feeling more calm and relaxed.
You can dim or turn off your light,
Snuggle underneath your favorite blanket,
Or whatever brings you a deep sense of peace.
Welcome this time of slowing down as you prepare to rest.
Feel free to press pause until you're completely ready to go to sleep.
Now that you're comfortable,
Join me in taking in three deep breaths to release any tension that you may still be carrying with you from the day or the week.
This is your time to allow all of your worries and thoughts to gently drift away with each breath.
Breathe in.
Hold.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Hold.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Hold.
Breathe out.
And follow the natural flow of your breath.
Enjoy this story,
And may you have the most blissful night's rest this evening.
Be well.
Why the Flies Bother the Cows,
A Nigerian folktale.
When Ariya Umo was queen of Calabar,
Being very rich and hospitable,
She used to give big feasts to all the domestic animals,
But never invited the wild beasts as she was afraid of them.
At one feast she gave,
There were three large tables,
And she told the cow to sit at the head of the table,
As she was the biggest animal present,
And share out food.
The cow was quite ready to do this,
And the first course was passed,
Which the cow shared out amongst the people,
But forgot the fly,
Because he was so small.
When the fly saw this,
He called out to the cow to give him his share,
But the cow said,
Be quiet,
My friend,
You must have patience.
When the second course arrived,
The fly again called out to the cow,
But the cow merely pointed to her eye,
And told the fly to look there,
And he could get food later.
At last all the dishes were finished,
And the fly,
Having been given no food by the cow,
Went supless to bed.
The next day the fly complained to the queen,
Who decided that,
As the cow had proceeded at the feast,
And had not given the fly his share,
He had pointed to her eye.
For the future the fly could always get his food from the cow's eye,
Wherever she went,
And even at the present time,
Wherever the cows are,
The flies can always be seen,
Feeding off their eyes,
In accordance with the queen's orders.
If you feel yourself starting to fall asleep,
Feel free to float away into a peaceful rest.
If you're still awake,
Feel free to listen to another story.
Be well.
