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How would a storyteller share “The Big Fire”?

The version of the story that you read was written by Fred Koehler, based on his memory of its details, along with any notes he took while listening to Esso. But there’s a good chance that Esso heard the story from a parent or grandparent or one of the village elders. And that telling of the story might have been more dramatic.

When adults tell stories to children, they usually do more than simply describe the details. An element of performance keeps children listening and entertained while “sneaking in” a life lesson. Listen to this version of “The Big Fire,” as performed by a professional actor.

The Big Fire

How was this version of the story different? Did it make a bigger impression on you than Fred’s written version? Use the slides below to take a closer look at the differences between reading a story and hearing it performed.

Portrait of a thinking African child, outside.

Two brothers went off toward the river to catch the small fish that dart between the rocks when the water is low. While there, they became bored because there was nothing to catch, so they started a small fire to amuse themselves. Now, one of the brothers was quite mean, and a wicked thought crossed his mind. He said to his brother, "Rest here a while, and I will be back in a few minutes." He pulled a burning stick from the fire and walked off.

Half an hour later, he returned, without the flaming stick. A great cloud of smoke was beginning to rise in the direction from which he had come. "A fire!" exclaimed the brother who had stayed there. "Let us go and see what is happening." Off they went toward the smoke, and they came upon a farmer's field. All his crops were burning. Minutes later, the good farmer arrived, having seen the smoke from far away.

Question

What does the storyteller do to make the story’s beginning more entertaining?

CLose up of a brush fire.

"Who started this fire?" he asked.

"We did not see," said one brother honestly, for indeed he had not seen. The other brother remained silent.

"I do not believe you," said the farmer. "Do you not see that all my yams are burned? What shall I eat?" The farmer then took the brothers to their parents' house and stood them before their mother and father. "These two children started a fire in my field and have ruined my yams!" he said.

Question

How is the farmer’s language different in the performance, compared to the written version?

African woman holding a child while standing outside.

"It is not possible," said the mother. "I sent my children to the river to catch fish, and that's where they've been the whole time."

"I do not believe it," said the farmer. "I will take them to the chief. He will punish them."

"Please, no!" cried the honest boy. "In truth, we went to the river to catch fish. Only when we saw the smoke did we go to see what had happened, and that is when we came upon your field all ablaze." His brother said nothing.

The good farmer saw that the boy was not lying. "I will let you go, then. But if ever you do anything wrong in the future, I will make sure that you are severely punished."

The wicked boy never did anything wrong again.

Question

What figure of speech does the storyteller add to the story?