Ages ago, when rocks were still soft and trees could talk, all the animals lived on land under one big shed.
They took care of each other and protected one another from human trouble all day and night.
At sunset, the elephants trumpeted, and the birds chirped along in harmony, while the peacock danced.
One night, it was Mr. Owl’s turn to guard the animals as they slept.
He stayed up watching far and wide for any sign of humans.
Suddenly, the bush in front of him crackled and shook.
“Aww!” Mr. Owl was trapped in the hands of a small boy.
Owl hooted and ruffled his feathers. There was even a toot.
“Please don’t roast me! Take the other animals. I am too wise to be eaten – I won’t be as delicious.”
The boy shrugged, heading under the animals’ shed.
He lit a fire, waking the animals from their sleep.
“Fire!” they shouted, as they scattered all over.
The insects hid underground.
Some animals ran for the river and never came back.
The birds flew deep into the night sky.
The humans left with the cats, cows and dogs, leaving Mr Owl ashamed.
“They must never see me again.”
From that night, he vowed never to show his face in daylight … only at night to eat and stretch his wings.
Credits
Originally published by Book Dash under a Creative Commons Licensed BY 4.0. This book can be read for free on https://bookdash.org/books/why-the-owl-never-sleeps and was created by: Wandile Mathe (Writer), Gerald Bedeker (Illustrator), Nabeela Kalla (Editor), Luke Mateman (Designer)
