Chameleon's Curse 

A Traditional Zulu Story

When the Creator had finished making all things, he sat back, smiled and decided  it was very good, he was especially pleased with the first man and woman. They were the most like himself. "Yes," he thought, "this is good! Very good!"

But as time went man and woman kept injuring their bodies.  After many years the first man and woman's bodies were looking old and tatty! "Hmmm," thought Creator, "these bodies are wearing out! Time, for new ones!"

So Creator called Chameleon. "Listen, Chameleon," said Creator, "I have a package that I want you to deliver to man and woman. It is most urgent, so do not delay. Go straight to the people, tell them I sent you, and give them this parcel!" With that he pushed a small package into Chameleon's hands. "I trust you, Chameleon, for you are loyal and swift. Go now!"

Chameleon was fast as lightning; he sped toward Earth, with the precious parcel.  When he reached the great river he paused for a drink. But, oh dear Snake was there. "Hello, Cousin Chameleon," he hissed. "My, you are in a  hurry, why?"

Chameleon looked up. "Hello, Snake! I have a package to deliver for Creator it's  for the people."

Now Snake hated people,they walked so far above the ground, often treading on Snake and his family without even noticing and Creator seemed to pay so much more attention to them than the other animals. Snake was bitterly jealous and wondered, How could he make sure they did not get this gift?

"Oh, dear Cousin Chameleon, it is so good to see you again!  All of our other relatives come often; but you never seem to have time for us! One might think you think yourself too good to associate with your close kin!" It worried sensitive Chameleon  to think that Snake might feel upset. "Oh, no, dear cousin Nyoka," pleaded Chameleon. "I assure you that I hold you in high regard!"

"Well, why not now? My wife is making lunch, she would be so pleased to see you!"

"Oh, dear!" answered Chameleon, looking at the parcel "I really have an urgent errand for Creator at the moment. Ummmm....perhaps some other time?"

"Yes, yes," hissed Snake "Just as I thought. Too good for the likes of us! Well, run along then with your all-important business."  Chameleon looked at the sun. It was still high, he could have the mid-day meal with Snake and still plenty of time to deliver the package. Perhaps he was being too hasty. "Wait, Snake, I really would love to have a meal with you!"

Snake smiled to himself . "Oh, Chameleon," Snake replied,  "Thank you! We will be honoured by your presence, I assure you!" And  led Chameleon to his burrow.

Snake's wife had made a huge meal and truly was delighted to see Chameleon, she encouraged him to have more and it was so delicious that Chameleon helped himself until he was almost too full to move. He was having such a good time, and was enjoying Snake's utshwala (oo-chwah'-lah = a traditional Zulu beer brewed from sorghum), so he forgot all about his special mission. Snake smiled as he watched Chameleon's head nod and his eyelids droop and Snake laughed aloud as Chameleon fell asleep with a satisfied little grunt.

"What's so funny?" asked Snake's wife, it was a compliment to her as a hostess, that she had made her guest so comfortable and welcome.

"Look here," Snake hissed, as he gently lifted the package from under Chameleon's arm.

"What is that?" she asked.

"A gift for us from Creator," Snake laughed and tore open the parcel. "Look, Creator has sent us new skins so when our old ones wear out we can have new ones!" Snake laughed again,  waking his guest. Chameleon took one look at the parcel and  knew what had happened.

"No, Snake! Those are not for you! They are for people. You know that! Give them back!" Chameleon stretched out his hands toward the skins. "Please, Nyoka! Give them back!" But Snake just laughed, holding the skins beyond Chameleon's reach.

"No! These are my skins now!"

As the sun went down Chameleon was sick with sadness for the way he'd been betrayed and  the way he'd disobeyed. He hid away from Creator in the trees, clinging to the limbs, moving slowly so as not to be detected. He was too afraid to face Creator.

So that is how Snake cheated man out of his new skin and to this day snake will shed his old skin.  But the Creator did not stop the people from standing on Snake from time-to-time. As for poor Chameleon, he's still hiding away in the trees, moving so slowly that he usually goes undetected. The Creator gave the people another gift that was better than new skins!"

Can you work out what it was?