African folk stories: hippos and volcanoes

a long time ago, there was a volcano.

there's a lake at the foot of the volcano.

a hippos live by the lake.

hippos live happily ever after.

when it's hot, swim in the lake.

if you're hungry, chew the grass and flowers by the lake.

one day, the river came to see the volcano.

the volcano told it its own troubles: "a long time ago, i had a lot of friends.

they visit me often.

it's funny, people." "but when i grew up, they wouldn't come.

leave me alone.

it's really lonely." the hippo listened to the volcano and cried, "don't be sad, i'll see you every day!" so, every day, the hippo climbs up the mountain, and walks with it, tells it a story, and sings for it.

but the hippos are not satisfied, they want to bring more happiness to the volcano.

it's got an idea.

the hippos said to the volcano, "please come to my house as a guest, and there will be lots of friends!" the volcano was afraid to say, "no! i'm afraid people will be afraid of me." you're so warm and bright that everyone must like you!" the hippo ran home with excitement, prepared a lot of fruit and food, and hung its small, round pasture with flowers.

on the day of the party, giraffes, monkeys, squirrels, rabbits, birds, elephants, and so on.

let's eat and drink! it's not here yet! the hippos are ready to go out.

and suddenly, from afar, there's a sound of whirlwind! "ah, you're finally here!" the hippo came out of the grass, and he said, "come on in! my friend! "fire, happy to enter the cabin.

in the morning, the cabin was swallowed by fire.

the animals fled, fortunately the hippo jumped into the lake and escaped the disaster.

since then, hippos have remained in the water forever and never dared to come to shore again.