Mma Ramotswe reads the foreword she has written to these tales, then goes on to narrate them all herself, passing them on to us verbally as did her father's aunt to her.

From animal fables to mysterious forces residing in the landscape, this collection demonstrates the wealth and variety of African folk tales and the particular magic of Africa's spiritual roots.

Simple, surprising and humorous, these beautifully rendered tales demonstrate McCall Smith's renowned storytelling skill and his love of Africa, and remain as fresh and vital as in the original idiom.