Ep 12. Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

In the season 4 episode 12 of Reading Rainbow, titled "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters," host LeVar Burton takes viewers on a journey through the African folktale of the same name. The story follows two sisters, Manyara and Nyasha, who are both beautiful but have vastly different personalities. Manyara is selfish and rude to those around her, while Nyasha is kind and compassionate.

The sisters are both invited to King's court, where he is seeking a worthy wife. Manyara is confident that she will be chosen, while Nyasha is more humble and unsure. On their journey to the kingdom, the sisters face challenges and obstacles, which reveal their true nature and ultimately determine their fate.

Throughout the episode, Burton emphasizes the importance of character and the lesson that beauty is more than skin deep. He also highlights the cultural significance of the folktale and the importance of storytelling in African traditions.

The episode features interviews with African storyteller and author Verna Aardema, who wrote the book adaptation of "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters," as well as African musician Olu Dara, who provides the episode's musical accompaniment and discusses the importance of rhythm and storytelling in African culture.

Viewers also get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Reading Rainbow episode, including the creation of a clay animation segment that brings the story to life.

Overall, "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters" is a captivating and culturally enriching episode of Reading Rainbow that teaches valuable lessons about character and the power of storytelling. So, watch the episode to learn more about the African folktale.