Fresh Fish: A Tale from Tanzania

by John Kilaka, John Kilake

Sokwe the Chimp has been fishing since early morning and has come home with a load of fish. He can already imagine the price his catch will fetch at the market the next day. As he pulls up to the riverbank, he sees that his friends – the other animals – are having a party. He can’t resist joining in. But as he carries the fish up to stow them away, Dog catches sight of the mouth-watering catch.

The next day Sokwe loads his truck with his catch along with his other friends who are bringing produce or goods to market. Dog joins them. Sure enough he is soon sniffing at the baskets of fish. And he comes up with a devilish scheme to steal them.

Despite many twists and turns in the plot (including Lion breaking his leg as he tries to pursue Dog, visits to the hospital and a very exciting soccer match) justice finally catches up with Dog and he is put on trial. His punishment—to plant a field full of trees on Tree Planting Day –- is quickly carried out, and finally Dog and Chimp are reconciled. Even Lion is forgiving.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 2001

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids liked this book a lot. I was not a fan but it did spark a conversation about responsibility and "who is at fault" when there is an accident.
I maintain that Dog was not "at fault" for Lion's broken leg - Lion broke his leg due to an accident not the direct action of Dog. The kids agree with Elephant and believe he is guilty of all three charges:
1. punture the back tires of the truck
2. stolen and eathen his friend Sokwe's fish
3. because of dog's actions, Lion had broken his leg.

Might be fun to revisit this book when we are talking about laws.

[Lea Kielsholm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Den af Kilakas bøger jeg mindst kan lide, men det er også hans første, så måske derfor. Ikke desto mindre er det en fin historie og fine billeder uanset.