When you read, you see how sentences are put together.

You follow along in the rhythm the writer intended.

Reading teaches you how words work. Reading teaches you how to write.

But there are times when listening to a story is just as good, and a brand new audiobook titled “Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales” is one of those times. That’s because the telling of folktales is an oral tradition.

They’re intended to be heard. And “Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales” will be heard plenty here at Mighty Writers, where few things are valued more than a tall tale.

(Also, look for news in this space of a special Mighty Writers workshop on the life and times of Nelson Mandela, who just turned 91, coming soon.)

“Africa is the oldest spot where we stood up on two feet,” says actress Alfre Woodard, director of the Mandela folktales project. “And since we stood up there’s been the passing on of tales.”

And who better suited to narrate Nelson Mandela’s favorite folktales than those who make their living acting out stories?

Mandela’s folktales are told by a who’s who of Hollywood—including (South African born) Charlize Theron, Forest Whitaker, Matt Damon, Helen Mirren, Don Cheadle and Samuel L. Jackson, among others.

The stories in this collection emanate not just from South Africa, but from Morocco, Kenya, Swaziland and other locations on the continent.

Some of the folktales on the audiobook tell of magic and fantastic animals. Others tell of hardship and life’s hard lessons. But most are sheer fantasy.

One folktale centers on snakes with seven heads. Another features Zulu tricksters. There is a story about a Kenyan lion who teaches a hyena a lesson.

Clearly, not all the folktales in the audio collection are intended to teach a great moral lesson. Many are well told stories that simply depict the sometimes colorful absurdity of life. There’s value in that, too.

Profits from this endeavor support Nelson Mandela’s initiative to provide for children who have been orphaned and made vulnerable by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Los Angeles non-profit Artists for a New South Africa will donate 20-percent of the profits they receive from the New York-based publishing house to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Join Nic Esposito of Mighty Writers and the Urban Nutrition Initiative for a storytelling corner at the Clark Park Market in West Philadelphia beginning this Sat., 10am to 2pm.

Readers will be asked to read for 30 minutes at a time, entertaining West Philly children while giving their parents the space to shop for produce. Kids will enjoy the tales of Roald Dahl, Madeline L’Engle, Jerry Spinelli and other children’s writers. They will be able to contribute a poem or a picture to the Mighty Writers Sign-In Book, thereby becoming an official Mighty Writer!

Interested volunteers can attend the events planning meeting at the home of Dana Henry on Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30. Email for her address: danahenry65@yahoo.com.

Volunteers who cannot attend the meeting are also welcome to look for the Mighty Writers storytelling corner at Clark Park Market at 43rd and Baltimore. The Urban Nutrition Initiative (UNI Farm stand) is located toward the middle of the market, and the storytelling corner will be setting up near the statue of Charles Dickens.

Shout-out to Studio 34!

Last night Mighty Writers hosted their first Storytelling event at Studio 34 on Baltimore Avenue in West Philly.

Joined by friends, tutors, writers and readers, it was a kick-off to an exciting summer of tutoring, writing and events at our new South Philadelphia location at 15th and Christian!

The evening featured stories by students, writers and storytelling luminaries. Philadelphia was the theme and the tales of the city inspired the crowd.

CHAD students and their teacher, Melissa Donner, read a piece about a ruined marriage, a child’s place in divorce and the struggles that can make Philadelphia challenging.

Crime novelist Anthony Bruno provided the chilling back story for his book “The Iceman,” taking the audience to maximum-security prisons as he told of his research process.

Leo Koorhan, a 15-year-old magician with a quick tongue and highly developed skills, took the stage at intermission. Leo chose Mighty Writers Program Director Rachel Loeper and the two Esposito brothers to perform his final tricks. Young as he is, Leo has learned the performer’s secret: leave the audience wanting more.

For the second half, Ingrid Wiese took the mic with a candid piece on her comic affairs with local residents. Winner of the 2009 Philadelphia Story Slam, Wiese is a crowd favorite.

Nicolas Esposito closed things with a homage to South Philadelphia. His heartfelt essay ended with a call for Philadelphians to start talking about their experiences in the city. He promised more storytelling events intended to highlight such stories.

Special thanks to Eve Nikolova for our beautiful flyers, Studio 34 for their space, Barefoot Wineries for the libations, Metro Bakery and Joanna Schwartz for the tasty spread and all the volunteers who shaped the evening.

As we plan our fall programming, please stay posted for further news on this site and on our Facebook page.