The Smell Thief

Jul 17, 2026

Uploaded by Aria

The Smell Thief is an English story book, retold as a folktale by Joanne Bloch and illustrated by Rebecca Riley and Nalibali. The story centers around Mr. Shabangu, a talented baker renowned for his delicious buns, cakes, and biscuits. Each morning, his bakery fills the town with enticing aromas, drawing in customers eager for a taste of his fresh treats. However, the story highlights a contrast between those who can afford to buy these baked goods and the poorer members of the community who can only savor the delightful smells. Mr. Shabangu, proud of his creations, becomes possessive of the scents, believing they too should be paid for, a sentiment that stirs conflict with those less fortunate. The narrative follows the experiences of these individuals, particularly an old woman named Ma Shange, who finds solace in the bakery's fragrant offerings. The book is available for commercial use and adaptation under a Creative Commons license, encouraging sharing and creativity while requiring attribution to the original authors and illustrators. The tale explores themes of pride, wealth disparity, and the value of simple pleasures in everyday life, as experienced through the sensory experience of smell.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time32 min

AccessFree to download

The Smell Thief

Mr. Shabangu, the Baker

The Poor People and the Smells

Ma Shange

FAQs

Who is the author and illustrator of The Smell Thief?

The Smell Thief is written by Joanne Bloch, who retold a folktale, and illustrated by Rebecca Riley and Nalibali.

What is Mr. Shabangu known for?

Mr. Shabangu is known as the best baker in town, famous for his delicious buns, cakes, and biscuits that fill the town with enticing smells every morning.

What is the central conflict in The Smell Thief?

The central conflict arises because while Mr. Shabangu bakes delicious goods, poorer people who cannot afford to buy them can only enjoy the smells. Mr. Shabangu believes the smells, like his bakes, should be paid for.

Jul 17, 2026

Uploaded by Aria