SUNY New Paltz 

Memorandum  

DATE:         5 April 2020 

TO:              Professor Hach 

FROM:        Vishwaja Maheshwaram 

SUBJECT:   Comparison of “The Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” and The Importance of Fantasy in a Child’s Life

 

The main intention of this memorandum is to analyze, draw comparisons, and relate how fantasies play a key role in a child’s life through the plot of the folktale, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. Our purpose is also to be able to find how fantasy can help children get the necessary cognitive development. We will further analyze instances in the story to show fantasy can teach a lot of values, morals, and skills for the children.  

  

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughter

John Steptoe’s folktale, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, is very much like a Cinderella tale. The story is based in Africa where a man from a village has two beautiful daughters named Nyasha and Manyara. Nyasha’s characterization is very kind, well mannered, and compassionate for others. Manyara’s character in the story is of a jealous sister, who is mean and rude to Nyasha and always teases her that she would become the maid while she becomes the Queen herself. Then, one day the king orders his messenger to find the wealthiest and beautiful girl to marry and make her the Queen. Mufaro believes that both his daughters would fit the requirements and thus asks them to go. Meanwhile, Nyasha makes a new friend in the garden, a snake called Nyoka, and treats it like her personal pet with care and love. Manyara then one day silently slips out of bed and without telling anybody and leaves to the city to become the Queen. On her way, she meets a poor hungry boy asking for some food, but she replies in a mean way and rushes off in her path. She then meets an old lady who gives her a couple of advice to follow and in the same manner, Manyara ignores it.  Later the next day when Nyasha wakes up to the shock of her sister missing, she heads towards the city with the wedding party. On her way she comes across the same set of characters as Manyara did but this time Nyasha is very polite, helping and caring for them. She even follows the advice. Upon reaching the castle, Manyara tells Nyasha that they are in danger and that there is a snake instead of the king. Nyasha heads inside to check and indeed she gets surprised to find her pet Nyoka there. The snake then takes the form of a king and explains to them that he was in disguise of the snake as well as the other characters they had met in their path. Nyasha and the king agree to get married and live happily ever after.  

 

How fantasy is important in children’s literature 

Fantasy is very crucial for the child during his developing years. Children learn a lot from fantasy/fiction and they build their cognitive skills based on that initial learning. Children have the ability to understand stories and analyze the values and morals it puts out through its plot. Children often relate to fantasy and apply their understanding in real life. This may lead to certain ambiguities as well, as discussed in the research essay. Fantasy/fiction can also teach words, languages, problem-solving skills, creative skills, and so on. The concept of Fantasy play develops mental abilities that help them in concentration, planning, and keep their emotional levels in balance. 

 

Fantasy in Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters

In this story, there is plenty of evidence as to how fantasy is clearly shown. The way the king disguises himself to be the snake and other characters in the story is completely “magical” under any child’s imagination. Another instance of portraying only the wealthiest and most beautiful women worthy of becoming the Queen I feel is a fantasy. Children when reading fantasy may get inspired to become further writers, film-makers, storytellers, and other creative artists as well. Reading fantasy early in their childhood also develops good habits, morals, and general principles. This story teaches how being kind, caring, and compassionate for the society and people around us will bring us good luck and fortune in return.  

 

Other positive elements in the story

There is a lot to take from the story. It teaches how being selfish and egoistic can bring bad luck to you. It introduces important feelings to the kids in terms of jealousy and rudeness and how not to be like Manyara. Nyasha’s character has a lot of positive morals and principles to learn from. 

  

Conclusion

Children should be exposed to fantasy/fiction early in their childhood. Fantasy can shape the cognitive abilities of a child in order to be more creative and imaginative. It teaches them to solve problems and much more. It is important to expose children to stories with good storylines and morals. It is important that children learn good habits and ethical values at a young age. Therefore, fantasy is very crucial and necessary for a child to develop. Fantasy is important in every child’s life. 

 

References

 

Dewar, Gwen. “The Benefits of Fantasy Fiction and Imaginative Play.” Parenting 

Science – The 

Science of Child-Rearing and Child Development, www.parentingscience.com/benefits-of-fantasy-fiction.html.Accessed 3 April 2020.

Steptoe, John. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: an African Tale. Scholastic, 1987.