07 Aug Friday Fables: The Chameleon’s Curse

There is a traditional Zulu story about the inevitability of death, usually told by grandparents to their grandchildren, that truly captivates the imagination.

After the mighty Creator had finished making all things, he took a moment to reflect on all the wonderful things he had made; from the raging rivers to each spot on a leopard’s coat he found himself please with what he had achieved.

God was particularly proud of the people he had created, they were his masterpiece yet he could not help but notice that the people kept injuring their bodies and, although the wounds would heal over time, the scars left on their bodies tainted their once flawless skin. After many years, life had taken its toll on the human’s bodies and they began to look rather dilapidated. So, the Creator decided that the time was right for a refurbishment!

The Creator sent word for the Chameleon, the swiftest (for at the time he was) and most loyal of all his creatures, to come to him at once.

“Listen, Chameleon,” said Creator, “I have a package that you must deliver to the people. It is most urgent, so do not delay!” With that he pushed the package into Chameleon’s hands and sent him on his way.

Chameleon pushed forth at lightning speed, the urgency bestowed on him by his God had not gone amiss. He sped toward Earth, the parcel neatly tucked beneath his arm. After running at top speed for over an hour Chameleon reached a great river and was suddenly overwhelmed by thirst and stopped to drink. Little did he know that alongside him in the underbrush Snake too had taken the opportunity to quench his thirst.

“Hello, Chameleon,” he hissed. “Why are you in ssssuch a great hurry?”

Chameleon looked up, “Oh Snake, I didn’t see you there! I’m on important business from the Creator and I must deliver this package to the people.”

Snake detested the people. They stood so tall above him and seemed to take no notice of the world beneath their feet. Often then would tread on Snake without even noticing and they always thought they were better that everyone – even the Creator liked them more! He had developed quite the grudge over the years. So, Snake began to scheme. How could he make sure that people did not receive this gift?

“Oh, dear cousin Chameleon,” Snake hissed, edging closer to Chameleon and the parcel. “It has been so long since you have visited us, is it that you think yourself too good to associate with your own kin!”

Now Chameleon was quite sensitive and it made him anxious to think that Snake might have something against him. “Oh no, my dear cousin, that is most certainly is not the case” pleaded Chameleon, “I would be honoured to visit you sometime!”

“Well, at this very moment my wife has prepared a magnificent lunch,” Snake answered quickly, “Why not join us now? Unless your business is more important…you always were too good for us anyway,” he emphasised, knowing that Chameleon would not be able to resist this stab.

Chameleon looked at the sun. It was only mid-day, more than enough time for a quick bite and then he would be on his way. If staying for lunch meant living guilt free for the next while, perhaps he shouldn’t be too hasty? “Wait, Snake, I really would love to have a meal with you and your wife.”

The wiley snake smiled as he led Chameleon off to his burrow. As usual, Snake’s wife had really outdone herself. The three ate and ate, the food simply too delicious to resist. Chameleon, having really been quite the glutton, started to feel his eyelids droop. It was so cosy in the burrow and he had had a very long day surely it wouldn’t hurt to close his eyes for a second? Before he knew it, he was fast asleep.

The sly Snake gently lifted the package from under Chameleon’s and quietly called to his wife.

“Look here, the Creator has sent us a gift,” he said unwrapping the parcel. “New skins! Whenever our old ones wear out, we can change into new ones!” Snake laughed, perhaps a little too loud as Chameleon jumped up in a daze! He took one look at the parcel lying in Snake’s coils and pieced together what had transpired.

“Snake, those do not belong to you! Return them at once!” Chameleon pleaded, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, but Snake had already turned and was slithering out the door. It was too late.

As the sun sat heavy on the horizon Chameleon, in shock and fear, hid away from Creator in the branches of the trees, clinging to the limbs, moving so slowly he was virtually invisible. He was so ashamed; he knew he would never be able to look the Creator in the eye ever again.

And so it was that people were cheated out of new skins by Snake. To this day, when Snake starts to feel the crippling embrace of old age, he will shed his old skin and don a new one.

While the Creator did not punish Snake for his actions, he also did not stop the people from stepping on him from time to time. And Chameleon is still skulking away in the trees, moving so slowly that he usually goes undetected.

If it weren’t for that cunning Snake and the Chameleon, people would have eternal life!

Photos top-bottom: ©Jonathan Swart, ©Jessica Oosthuyse, ©Gerhard Pieters