“But because of this, the mosquito has a guilty conscience. To this day she goes about whining in people’s ears. ‘Zeeee! Is everyone still angry at me?’ When she does that, she gets an honest answer.”
‘Why mosquitoes buzz in people’s ears’, the acclaimed work of celebrated American writer Verna Aardema, tenderly sheds light on the rich African storytelling culture. Born on 6th June 1911; Aardema was a hugely respected name for her significant contribution to the modern-day version of folktales retold with vivid imagination and cultural sensitivity.
Aardema spent her early young adulthood teaching children at elementary school, where she grew fond of children’s stories and more precisely storytelling as an impactful form of children’s education. The natural extension of it all resulted in her passionate writing characterized with strong influences of African folktales.
Folktale adaptations or retellings are never a cakewalk. The oral tradition of storytelling dates back to as long as humans existed. It’s a task to understand the nuances of these passed-on stories – mythologies, legends, real accounts, and everything in between.
“From that day on, Mosquito has been buzzing and itching, whispering in the ears of people, reminding them of the consequences of heedless actions.”
‘Why mosquitoes buzz in people’s ears’ deals with a weird timeline of eventful happenings where a mosquito creates havoc leading to absolute confusion and mayhem in the animal kingdom. The book was immensely rooted in the African storytelling tradition, blending in seamlessly with the childlike simplicity and an innocent worldview.
The pitch-perfect illustrations elevated Aardema’s text manifold. Her writings were tagged along with some creatively realistic bunch of illustrations brought to life by the amazing Dillons. The imagery provided a sensorially stimulating experience for young readers when paired with Aardema’s prolific writings.
‘Bringing the rain to Kapiti Plain’, ‘Borreguita and the Coyote’, ‘Who’s in rabbit’s house?’, ‘Anansi does the impossible!’, ‘Tales from the story hat’, ‘Misoso’, ‘The lonely lioness and the ostrich chicks’, ‘Behind the Back of the Mountain’, ‘The Riddle of the Drum’, and many more titles constitute the illustrious bibliography of Verna Aardema.
These stories taught young readers to empathize with the world at large, especially with people representing diverse cultural backgrounds. It instilled within them a sense of kindness, righteousness, and love.
“So, the next time you hear that faint buzzing in your ear, take a moment to reflect on the tale of the Mosquito and the power of our choices.”
To experiences, learnings, and the power of our choices – until the next time a mosquito buzzes!
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