Come, come, my children, and you shall hear
A story about a Mamba Snake--don't fear!
This is the reason it's cranky and mean
Why one is Black and the other is Green

One day, when the African plains were new,
This was before the World saw me and you,
There was a Mamba Snake, gentle was he,
He stayed beside Engai, his destiny.

Engai and Mamba, always together.
('Less Mamba was playing in the feathers...
He kept a nest of the large, softest ones,
He would roll in them when his day was done!)

Mamba Snake never lost his temper or
Let anyone know he was feeling sore
The most even-tempered snake ever seen
How in the world did Mamba become mean?

THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED, JUST THIS WAY!
LISTEN CLOSELY TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY...

One day, while out in the Savannah grass,
Mamba cut his tail on a piece of glass,
Hissing, and when getting out of the way,
Stepped on by several animals that day.

They didn't see him, or so they all said...
Perhaps they were jealous of him instead?
Just because he was special to Engai,
No reason to look with hate in their eyes!

OUCH!!! Who else was going to step on him now??
Great! Maasai warriors and their herd of cows!!
Madder and madder the Mamba Snake got,
His lost his temper and really got hot.

He chased a Cheetah, a Lion, Gazelle,
An Ostrich, a Zebra, Leopard as well...
Monkey was surprised when he climbed the trees,
Mamba was MAD!! Full of anger, you see.

Then what made the Mamba Snake go crazy?
Talk by animals that he was lazy--
Then his eyes turned green with an evil light,
Skin darkened by power of hatred's might.

So much turmoil was inside that bad Snake,
Engai caused poor Mamba in two to break!
One half black, to show his dangerous side,
And one half green, to show his jealous side

The reason, dear children, that anger kills
That's why it's best to stay clear of the hills
Where Mamba lives now, away from Engai,
Now you know the story, the reasons why.
__________________________________________________

ADUI MPENDE (Love
your enemies).
KISWAHILI PROVERB