Storytelling; Rasta Style

For the month of November, I am traveling around Zanzibar collecting traditional folklore, environmental histories, and children's stories. At least that was my plan. After only four days in Paje, which is an idyllic beach village on Zanzibar's southeast coast, I'm hooked.

I started out collecting stories from kids and village elders, but since arriving at the beach, I have found so much more. Within the first hour of being here, I made friends with a cool Maasai guy from Ngorongoro crater in mainland Tanzania.  He proceeded to tell me five stories, sing traditional Maasai music with me, and teach me all about where he comes from.

Since I'm alone here, I pretty much have to fend for myself in terms of friend-making, food, partying, etc. I became friends with a cool group of guys who have started their own bar on the beach. We hang out, swap music, and talk, and tomorrow we're all going running together. Anyway, they think it's hilarious that I'm collecting stories and I keep asking them to tell me one. Below is a story that I got one night at the bar. Try to imagine reggae blaring in the background.

Kima (monkey) na Ganja

The monkey was sitting in a palm tree. He was smoking the weed. Then lizard, he said, "Monkey, what are you doing?"
"I"m rolling some weed, you want some?" said Monkey.
"Yes, I would like some." said Lizard. So they smoked. But Lizard, he was coughing and his throat was so dry. So he said, "I need to go get water."
Then Monkey said, "Watch out for the crocodile in the river. He will eat you." So Lizard, he went to the river, he was so high. Then Crocodile, he saw Lizard and he said, "Lizard, why do you go in my river? You are crazy man." And Lizard he said, "I am so high man. I am thirsty." And Crocodile, he replied, "Where did you get the weed?" And Lizard responded, "The monkey has weed, he is up in the palm tree." So Crocodile climbed the tree, and when Monkey saw him he said, "How much water did you drink man?"
"Crazy man," said Crocodile. "I am Crocodile, not Lizard."

Not sure if this one will make it into my project. Could add a cool twist, and definitely something to write about.