Praise Song to the Elephant
Credo Mutwa
1921 to 2020
Track 1
Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.
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You, who are sought by those who should respect you
Be angry at the sea and the trees!
You, whose last trumpeting will herald the end of the world we know
You, whose tusks are the ploughs that showed our grandmothers the way
Be angry, great elephant
You are the elephant!
Be angry, elephant, and shout at the people of modern days who do not do anything to shield you from the murderer and the thief.
Be angry, angry one!
Be angry at the clouds and the mountains!
You, who are hunted by those who fear you
You, whose loud trumpeting heralded the birth of the world
You, whose great feet pounded the earth, the hard earth into powder in ancient times, so that green things might grow
Be angry, elephant, shout at the gods of Africa
Be angry, elephant, shout at the grey ghosts of our forefathers
Be angry at the sky and the rivers!