JUNGLE DRUMS

The old saying "be careful what you wish for" is an appropriate warning for this tale of Ngiri, the smallest warthog in Africa. Wanting to become something else, he wishes on a set of magic drums and causes all the warthogs to be transformed into more striking creatures while the other jungle animals lose their distinctive markings and features. The author performs two versions of this classic tale. The first reading is accompanied by the beating of drums, the screeching of jungle birds, and the sounds of falling rain. While evocative and energizing, they become distracting and detract from the story. No sound effects are included in the second version; the author presents his work with enthusiasm, enlivening the story with his expressiveness. M.H.N. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]