The Serpent, the Chameleon, and the Gift of Magic

When Mawu-Lisa finished creating the world, two spirits came forth to claim the gift of magic (dzo). They were Dan, the Serpent, and Agemo, the Chameleon. Mawu decided to give them a test. "Go out into the world for one year," Mawu said. "The one who returns having created the most wonder and confusion among my creations will be the master of magic." Dan the Serpent slithered away and used his power to create poisons and their antidotes, to hypnotize other animals, and to shed his skin, creating the illusion of rebirth. Agemo the Chameleon moved slowly and deliberately. He did not perform great feats. Instead, he simply changed his own form, his skin taking on the color of the leaf, the stone, or the earth he touched. When they returned, Mawu judged them. "Serpent," Mawu said, "you have created powerful magic, but it is a magic of action and opposition. Chameleon, you have become magic itself. Your power is not in what you do, but in what you are. It is subtle and profound." Mawu gave the mastery of aggressive, tangible magic to the Serpent, but gave the mastery of illusion, transformation, and adaptability to the Chameleon, declaring its quiet power to be the greater of the two.