As an exercise in considering point of view, the class is divided into groups and each group is asked to consider the same "artifact," in this case, an African folk tale, from a particular perspective.

 This is the tale of three young men who were known throughout the area as the King of Wrestlers, the King of Bowmen, and the King of Prayer, so did they excel in these skills. These youths lived in one village and the maidens to whom they were betrothed all lived in another village some distance away. The young men set out together to journey to the maidens' village and fetch them back. On the way they had to pass over a stream. They went over with no difficulty, for the stream was almost dry. They arrived at the village and spent some happy days feasting and dancing. Then on the fifth day they started on the return journey with the girls.

This time when they reached the stream they found it full and overflowing. They said, "When we last passed this stream, it was dry and easy to cross. Now it is too wide, too full, and too rapid to attempt a crossing with the girls. What shall we do?" One of the group said, "Let us turn back."

But the rest did not agree. "No, we will not go back." It was then decided that they would try to cross the stream each by resorting to his own particular skill. "Let the one who is strong in prayer be first." So the King of Prayer with his betrothed kneeled on the bank. He prayed mightily and then with his staff he struck the water. The water opened and a dry pathway appeared on which he and the girl quickly passed over to the opposite shore. The water returned then to where it had been.

It was then the turn of the King of Bowmen to cross the stream. He drew his arrows from his quiver without the slightest hesitation, and shot them from his bow. They fell upon the stream in a straight, strong line from one bank to the other. Lifting his maiden, he ran swiftly as a rope walker across with her upon the line of arrows. As he ran, the arrows behind him broke from their fixed position and floated away on the rapid stream.

There remained only the King of Wrestlers and his maiden. He sought for a way to cross and found none. He tried one thing and then another, and failed, until he was weary and in a rage. His anger mounted and he seized the girl for a final attempt. With a wrestling trick, he twisted his leg about hers and they leaped. They rose in the air and did not fall except on the edge of the far bank.

They had all crossed the stream, but which one of them had done it in the way which excelled over the others? Can you not tell?

Procedure: Break the students into four groups and have a representative from each group draw one of the group descriptions. Group members should not tell other groups what task they have been given. After the group presents, see if the other member of the class can arrive at an inference about what perspective has been taken.

Group 1:

You are a group of poets and novelists who have traveled to northern Nigeria. While perusing the local bookstore your group comes across a collection of folktales. Your group decides to purchase the book and spend the evening eating iyan (pounded yam), obe eja tutu (fish pepper soup), and discussing "Three Friends Cross the Water." As poets and novelists what does your group find significant or important about this folktale?

Group 2:

After a challenging but fulfilling two years as Women’s Studies majors at Punahou College your group decides to take a year abroad in Africa. After a long discussion your group finds itself at N.N.U. (Northern Nigeria University). As your first day of class is about to end, your teacher gives you a homework assignment based on "Three Friends Cross the Water" to work on in a group (who knew, N.N.U. also assigns CT Journals!?). As Women’s Studies majors what does your group find significant or important about this folktale?

Group 3:

After struggling with the realization that your group of friends aren’t going to make it as a successful 80’s cover band, you all decide to become theologians (people who study religion). In order for your group of friends to be accepted to G.A. et al. U. (God, Allah, et al. University), you must all pass an exam which consists of reading and writing about "Three Friends Cross the Water." In preparation for the exam your group of friends call out for yam pizza (the Hausa are from Northern Nigeria &emdash; do you remember your foofoo from Things Fall Apart?) and discuss the folktale. As potential theologians, what does your group find significant or important about this folktale?

Group 4:

You are a group of historians who just happen to be trekking through northern Nigeria in hopes of discovering something historical. As you stop for a lunch of dundun oniyeri (fried yam) and akara (bean balls), you notice a piece of paper sticking out of the sand. On this sheaf of paper is a story, "Three Friends Cross the Water." As historians, what does your group find significant or important about this folktale?