Story Telling is very much enjoyed by South Africa children. South Africa has many cultures, Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, British, Indian, Dutch, Shongaan, Matabele as well as a lot of other European cultures. South Africa has a smorgasbord (Swedish Table) of cultural fairy tales.

South Africa only got television in 1976 and TV was only worth watching 1 hour a day as the programmes were terrible. Children preffered to snuggle up in bed and listen to a good story told by their parents or grandparents. There are many traditional African fairy tales that have been passed down through the generation.

The stories and writers mentioned were my personal favourites as a child growing up Being an ex British Colony South Africa have adapted all the British fairy tales such as Red Riding Hood, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall, and Robin Hood is very famous.

Another great story is Robinson Crusoe who was shipwrecked on a deserted island in the Indian Ocean during the 18 century. It`s a long wonderful story of survival on this beautiful luscious island. He encounters cannibals, makes a friend from a shipwrecked cannibal and calls him `Friday`. When being a storyteller or listening to this amazing story, your imagination gently drifts away to the island.

The famous British writer Enid Blyton wrote beautiful stories like Noddy, Secret Seven, and The Famous Five, which is enjoyed by many children.

South Africa has many famous animals throughout history and children love to hear their true stories. One famous animal was Jock of the Bushveld which is the classic and much loved story, based on the true experiences of Percy Fitzpatrick and his Straffordshire bull terrier dog Jock. The story begins in the 1880`s at the time of the South African gold rush, when the young Fitzpatrick worked as an ox-wagon transport rider in the old Transvaal. There he came across a man who was in the process of drowning a puppy- the runt of a litter. Percy saved the dog and the story of his ever faithful and loving companion was born.

Another famous dog was `Just Nuisance` who lived in the Naval Base in Simonstown, near cape Town, during the 1950`s. He loved the sailors and they adored Just Nuisance who was a giant Great Dane. The dog would choose which sailor to sleep with each night. He was known to sleep on all the ships including submarines whilst in dock on Simonstown.

Simonstown is a two hour train ride along the beautiful coast to Cape Town. Just Nuisance would travel with the sailors on the train for their Friday or Saturday pub night parties. The dog would help them back to the train and finally their ship when they were drunk and unable to do it themselves.

The dog was so famous and loved that the Navy gave him official rank as an Able Seaman. Till today on his birthday the Navy celebrate his life with a huge festival in Simonstown. There are many exciting events for little people as well as for the big people. The dog had earned many a good story from the sailors and its great to hear and read about them. There is also a Great Dane God Show where about 200 dogs enter for the prestigious `Just Nuisance` Trophy.

Simonstown has a street named after the dog. There are several pubs, restaurants, lodges and hotels named `Just Nuisance`. Tourists still visit his grave and monument in Simonstown. Little People are in awe with his wonderfull stories. And so are the big people. You can check Jock of Bushveld and Just Nuisance on the Internet. Just type their names and Simonstown@google.

So in conclusion, it`s fun to be a storyteller as well as a child in South Africa, with these great wonderfull stories of animals and people. I know as a child I loved the stories and I still do.

And they all lived happily ever after.........

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