Master Man

Master Man is a Hausa folktale from Nigeria about a man so obsessed with his own strength that he ignores his wife's warnings about others being stronger. He sets out to prove his dominance, encountering a series of increasingly massive 'Master Men'. The escalating competition leads all the way to the clouds, providing a mythological explanation for the sound of thunder. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with ego and physical competition in a secular, folkloric manner. While there is 'cartoonish' physical posturing and the threat of battle, the resolution is mythological and metaphorical rather than violent. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story starts with high-energy arrogance and builds through a series of humorous, humbling encounters. It moves from boastfulness to a sense of cosmic wonder and a final, quiet realization of one's place in the world. IDEAL READER: An elementary student who is struggling with 'good sportsmanship' or who frequently boasts about being the best at sports or games. It is perfect for a child who enjoys 'tall tales' and larger-than-life characters but needs a gentle nudge toward humility. PARENT TRIGGER: The parent has likely just witnessed their child being a 'sore winner' or putting down a peer's abilities to make themselves look better. PARENT PREP: The book can be read cold, though checking the pronunciation guide for Hausa names (if provided) or discussing where Nigeria is located can add depth. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger children (6-7) will delight in the absurdity of the strength feats and the 'why' story of thunder. Older children (8-10) will better grasp the irony of the protagonist's ego and the social consequences of his arrogance. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many 'humility' books that are somber, this uses West African storytelling traditions to make the lesson loud, funny, and physically expansive.