The story of the Mantis is a well known story in Southern Africa
It comes from the Bushmen of the Kalahari. These people held the Mantis in awe and is a magical creature in their mythology, indeed the Mantis Man is part of their creation Myth.

The Story takes place long before the dawn of man, but some time after the time of the great lizards (dinosaurs).

The place is the area that would one day be known as the Kalahari desert .

The speaker is that of a wise Shaman, recounting for the youth of today the myths of times long gone.

There is in many cultures a special wisdom that state that we must know who we are and where we fit in the scheme of things before we can enjoy our world and what it has to offer us.

In this case it is about a Mantis that thought he could be a god above all others and in particular  the Moon.

More images: Camelthorn, Waterhole