FOLKWAYS by Ann MacGregor

Ann MacGregor

The Summer Solstice campfire was built and lit. Our chairs snug around the fire ring, we sat in silence with the flames, honoring the longest day and the beginning of the slow journey to autumn and winter. The loons occasionally laughed at their own jokes, and the nine-member goose family paddled against the river current to their home for the night. The reeds at river’s edge moved with the snuffling and splashing of the wee folk going for a solstice swim. It was a glorious Solstice night as we offered our reflections, blessing, and intents for the coming months. In commentary to our thoughts, a distant owl hooted her final words on the matter of the Solstice.

We closed our Solstice ceremony, and began to prepare the additional fire ritual, which we perform at any quarter or cross-quarter, and often, in-between. But, we realized we had closed our ritual too soon. Late as always, the Mosquito family flew in. All of them, Mr. Mosquito and his lovely bride Mrs. Mosquito, and their 12 children. They were delighted to see us, and were thankful they had arrived in time for the SMORES ritual. Immediately, we began flailing about in irritation, as they flew around us with joy and happiness. Mr. Mosquito landed on my piece of Hershey chocolate and announced he had a story of his ancestors he would like to tell in honor of the Solstice. This is what he said.

In the time of Long-ago, in Njambi’s Town (In far away Africa), Mosquito and Ear went out to take a bath together. After taking her bath, Ear began to rub an oil substance over herself, while Mosquito did not. So Ear said to Mosquito, ‘Why do you leave your skin so rough? It is better to rub on a little oil.’ Mosquito replied, ‘I have none.’ So Ear said, ‘Indeed! I did not know that. I will give you part of mine, as I have plenty.’ Mosquito had to wait the while that Ear was rubbing the soft wax over herself. But, as soon as Ear had finished, she put back the wax into her ear where she usually kept it, and did not fulfill her promise to Mosquito.

When Mosquito saw this, that the oil was put away, he came near to the door, and said, ‘I want the oil you promised for rubbing on my body.’ But Ear took no notice of him, except to call on Hands to drive Mosquito away. So, to this day, Mosquito is not willing to cease making his claim for the unfulfilled promise; and is always coming to our ears, and buzzing and crying. Always Mosquito comes and says, ‘ I want my oil, Bz-z-z-z-z-z-.’ But Ear remains silent, and givens no answer. And Mosquito keeps on grumbling and complaining, and gets angry and bites.

From Where Animals Talk; West African Folklore Tales, by Richard Badger, published 1912.

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