Why Mr. Bird Chose the Air

Have you ever wondered why the bird decided to fly, or why goats grew horns? These questions and more are what some Sierra Leonean folktales answer, especially to the very inquiring child.

Inspired by folktales originally written by his Grandfather, Thomas A.L. Decker, Akindele retells stories of his Grandpa Tommy, passed on from Akindele’s Great-Great Grandfather.

Growing up, his grandfather’s book of folktales was the first book Akindele ever owned. It was his introduction to a wide imagination of making sense of the world around him.

In “Why Mr. Bird Chose the Air”, Tommy’s Grandpa T.C., shares his story of Mr. Bird to his Grandchildren, Tommy and Talabi.

In a little town in Sierra Leone, called Murray Town, cousins Tommy and Talabi learn for the first time, why Mr. Bird chose the sky.

Why all the Animals no Longer Live Together

Inspired by folktales originally written by their grandfather, Thomas A.L. Decker, Akindele and Nadine retell stories of their Grandpa Tommy, passed on from their great-great grandfather.

Growing up, their grandfather’s book of folktales was one of the first books Akindele and Nadine owned. These stories helped widen their imagination to make sense of the world around them.

In “Why All the Animals No Longer Live Together”, Tommy’s grandpa T.C., shares his story to his grandchildren. In a little town in Sierra Leone, called Murray Town, cousins Tommy and Talabi learn for the first time why all the animals no longer live together.