Origin of Death Myth of The Chameleon and the Lizard
Origin of Death Myth of The Chameleon and the Lizard
When God had finished creation he wanted to send people an important message. He called the chameleon to go and tell them that after death they will return to life. The lizard had eavesdropped. However, she had misunderstood what the chameleon was told. She ran quickly to tell people what she thought she had heard God say: “After death there is no return.” The agile lizard had long reached the people when the chameleon was still on his way. People thought the lizard’s message natural and a matter of fact. When at last the chameleon arrived and delivered God’s message, people ridiculed him and said: “You stupid chameleon, we already know that we are all going to die and that death is the end of everything.” (Yao, Malawi/Mozambique/Tanzania Myth)