Saturday, February 17, 2007

A Tale From Uncle

The Devil Complains


Well, the Devil said to someone said, no matter what good he did people, he did not have a good name. The Devil said, "All right, I will let you see this."

Now the Devil went to God, and he said to God let God put a big stone on the path, and he would put a sack of money, then they should see who would get the credit. Well, when they did this, then one day someone came by and he struck his fooot on the stone. At once he said, "The Devil put the stone on the path and made me strike my foot!" Now another came by and he saw the money. He took the money, and at once he said, "Praise God! I say to you 'Many thanks,'[that] I found the money."

At once the Devil said, "You see, it is I who put down the money, but the man gives God thanks. And the person who put down the stone, he curses. So me he cursed, and he thanked God. So did I not tell you that I get no justice on earth?"

Proverb: Look where you stub your foot, but do not look where you fall down.
A.E. Roman ~ Writer's revised version:
The Devil Complains
The Devil said to one of his disciples: "No matter what good I do the people, I do not have a good name. I will let you see this.
"The Devil went to God, and he said to God: "You put a big stone on the path of man, and I will put a sack of money, and we'll see who gets the credit."That day, God put a stone on the path and someone came along the path and struck his fooot on the stone. At once he said, "The Devil put the stone on the path and made me strike my foot!" The next day, the devil put some money down on the path, and someone else came along. She took the money, and at once she said, "Praise God!"At once the Devil said,
"You see, it is I who put down the money, but the woman gives God thanks. And God puts down the stone, and it's the devil the man curses! Did I not tell you that I get no justice on earth?
"Proverb: Look to the devil when you stub your foot, look to God when you find the good.


[This story was collected in the country of Surinam, but it is closely related to a story told in West Africa. It's just more evidence of the survival of African culture and folklore in the Americas.]



8 comments:

Professor Zero said...

OK, it is deep. I am supposed to know how to interpret text (LOL), but I have not figured out the proverb.

Cergie said...

An other story for you from France :
The Devil and a farmer do a deal : the Devil would have all which will be gathered on the ground and the farmer in the ground
The farmer grows potatoes

Next year, the devil : I prefer to have all which will grow in the ground
The farmer : OKay
And then he grows corn

Writing on Board said...

I was confused by this proverb. Don't know if I got it. I tried to understand by doing a rewrite. I'm not sure if this is it:

The Devil Complains

The Devil said to one of his disciples: "No matter what good I do the people, I do not have a good name. I will let you see this."

The Devil went to God, and he said to God: "You put a big stone on the path of man, and I will put a sack of money, and we'll see who gets the credit."

That day, God put a stone on the path and someone came along the path and struck his fooot on the stone. At once he said, "The Devil put the stone on the path and made me strike my foot!"

The next day, the devil put some money down on the path, and someone else came along. She took the money, and at once she said, "Praise God!"

At once the Devil said, "You see, it is I who put down the money, but the woman gives God thanks. And God puts down the stone, and it's the devil the man curses! Did I not tell you that I get no justice on earth?"

Proverb: Look to the devil when you stub your foot, look to God when you find the good.

Stephen A. Bess said...

ProfessorZero-
Ha ha! It is a bit confusing the way it is printed. I printed just the way I found it. I Think that A.E. Roman's version did great justice. :)

Cergie-
Ah ha! See the connections. :)Thanks for that.

Roman-
Thanks for that. If you don't mind. I will add your rewrite to the post so that all can grasp it. Thanks again.

Writing on Board said...

De nada, bro. Always.

Writing on Board said...

If you come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because
your liberation is bound with mine, then let us work together.

- Lilla Watson, Aboriginal elder

Thami Mhlanga said...

Im still confused of this proverb: maybe its the Christian in me, just cant feel shame for the devil

Stephen A. Bess said...

Roman-
Definitely, always! I love that quote. :)

Thami-
This proverb is written to make fun of the devil. In other words, no matter what happens in our lives good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant we should always give thanks to the Father. Always! So, from one Christian to the next...it's all good. :)

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