Students find themes in folktales. In this folktale instructional activity, students read different folktales from Africa to find what message the author wants the reader to learn. They read "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears" by Verna Aardema, "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters" by John Steptoe, and "Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock" retold by Eric A. Kimmel.