King Mamadou

Kings Mamadou the First, Second and Third are the center of this collection of legends. These kings are open to criticism and are always willing to listen to a good idea. King Mamadou the First loved to sing and was proud of his voice, until he dreamed that there was one bird in the royal garden with a voice finer and sweeter than his. “Out with the birds!” said the king. And there were no more birds in Mamadou before the king had time to realize that his decision was bad for public relations. The story also features a red rag that dreams of its bygone days of glory as a gown at court, and a wolf who cannot get on with its shadow.

Shlomit Cohen-Assif tells intriguing modern legends that carry a whiff of ancient times. Each fable has a moral message tucked away, wrapped in humor and irreverence.