For as long as anyone could remember, the tribe cherished the statue of Golden Eagle, given to them by god Ches for their goodness and wisdom. They were told to guard it well for it had magical powers but there would come a time when they would have to give it back. For generations the god’s gift brought victory and good fortune to the tribe. Then, a ruler died leaving no sons to rule. According to their law, a daughter could become the ruler. Because the young woman was wise and kind, she was accepted by the tribe who loved her gentle ways. She had not ruled for many moons when she became ill, so ill that nothing the tribe and their healers did—making medicines, creating brews, doing sacrifices, painting their bodies, performing special dances—cured the princess. One morning, she woke early and spoke to her dearest friend and companion. “Mistafa, god Ches appeared in my sleep. He asks that Golden Eagle be returned to his temple on the mountain peak. Only then will I be well.” Mistafa told the princess it was only a dream, but the princess was clear. “I am too weak to go. You must go in my place.” Mistafa was besieged with doubts and fears. “Who am I to approach a temple only chieftains visit? How will I find the way? What if I am not strong enough to carry Golden Eagle all the way?” The princess told her, “Do not be afraid for god Ches will support and protect you. He will show you the way. When you reach the peak of the mountain bury Golden Eagle at the side of the temple. Call out to god Ches three times. He will hear you. Listen well to what he says.” Mistafa wrapped Golden Eagle in a soft cloth and began her journey. Her arms ached from carrying the sacred sculpture. Her feet ached from the miles she walked. Seeing the mountain peak gave her new strength and energy. Using a sharp rock, she dug a hole deep enough to bury Golden Eagle, then cried out to god Ches three times. All was quiet. She fell asleep nestled in the cloth in which she had carried the sacred statue made of gold. When she woke the next morning, she saw what she had not seen before. Where she had buried Golden Eagle there was now a lovely bush covered with green leaves and purple blossoms. A voice commanded. “Gather leaves in the cloth and bring them to the healers. Tell them to brew a strong tea and serve it to the princess.” Mistafa did as she was told, then made her way back without stopping to eat or drink or rest. She brought the leaves to the healers who prepared the tea. With each sip of the strong brew the princess regained her strength and ruled wisely for many years.
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Little Parrot loved the jungle. Every morning she would fly over the greenery, look at what lay below, and count herself fortunate to live in such a place. Only when she was sure that all was well did she fly back to earth and eat her breakfast. One morning, while flying overhead, she saw nothing but thick, dark smoke. The jungle was on fire! Little Parrot flew over to the river as fast as her small wings permitted, took a huge gulp of water, flew back to the fire, and spit out the water, trying to quench the massive flames. Back and forth she went, from the river to the fire, from the fire to the river, trying her best to put out the fire though she was very little and could only take tiny gulps each time. She soon became exhausted but kept on going. Her beloved jungle was at risk. As she was flying for the umpteenth time to the river, worried that the jungle would burn before she could put out the fire, she heard a loud laugh. Then she heard a cackling voice say, "You’re a silly parrot. You’re too little to put out such a big fire." Little Parrot looked up and saw Eagle, the largest bird in the jungle. “I don't need advice” she said. “I need help,” then continued flying to the river. The next thing Little Parrot knew, a huge stream of water poured from the skies dousing part of the fire. Little Parrot did not stop to see who was helping her, she just kept flying to the river and back, hoping that with help the fire would soon be put out. When there were no more flames, Little Parrot looked around to see if she could find the source of the help for which she was so grateful. Surprised, she saw that it was Eagle. Though she was utterly depleted, she flew up to Eagle and said, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Were it not for you, the fire would still be burning.” “No,” said Eagle, “it is I who must thank you.” Maui Muri noticed that no matter how hard people worked they never had enough daylight to finish their tasks. The Sun-God, Ra, moved too quickly across the sky. He decided he needed to find a way to make Ra move more slowly. Maui Muri and his brothers made a tough rope out of coconut fibers. Then, Maui Muri lay in wait for Ra. When he saw Ra, he threw the rope around Ra but the rope broke and Ra flew across the sky as quickly as ever. Maui Muri made a second, stronger cord out of coconut husks which he braided into an even stronger rope, but for the second time, Ra escaped. After much thought, Maui Muri asked his sister Hina to give him some of her hair. He cut off long strands and braided them into a very strong rope. When Ra appeared, Maui Muri threw the noose around Ra’s neck and held tight. When Ra realized there could be no escape, he asked Maui Muri what he wanted. “You must move more slowly across the sky so we have more time to do our work. Promise me this and I will let you go.” Ra promised, but just to make sure he kept his word, Maui Muri left a few strands of Hina’s hair hanging from the sun. You can still see them when the sun is going down and the last rays of light fill the sky. *Maui Muri is a trickster figure commonly found in Polynesian mythology One day, when Rabbit returned home, he noticed strange tracks in front of the door to where he lived. He shouted, “Who’s in my house?” A loud voice roared back, “I am all powerful. I eat elephants for breakfast. I turn rhinoceroses into dust. I am invincible.” Terrified, Rabbit ran away. What could a small animal like himself do against one who was so powerful? As he ran, he saw Jackal, who agreed to go to Rabbit’s house to help him get rid of the mighty creature. Jackal called out, “Who’s in Rabbit’s House?” The loud voice roared back. “I am all powerful. I eat elephants for breakfast. I turn rhinoceroses into dust. I am invincible.” Jackal turned and left, saying he could do nothing against one so formidable. Rabbit continued asking bigger, stronger animals to help. But after hearing the fearsome words of the powerful stranger, Leopard said he had a toothache. Tiger said he had a prior appointment. Lion said he was too busy. Privately, they all admitted that whoever was in Rabbit’s house was too fierce for them. Discouraged, Rabbit met Frog and told him of his troubles. Frog agreed to see what he could do. When they reached Rabbit’s house, Frog shouted, “Who is here in Rabbit’s house?” The voice roared, “I am all powerful. I eat elephants for breakfast. I turn rhinoceroses into dust. I am invincible.” Frog gulped. Took a deep breath. Shouted back. “I am the strongest of all living creatures. I leap over mountains. I fly over rivers. I fear no one. Whosoever arouses my wrath will live to regret it.” Suddenly, out crawled Caterpillar. “Please, don’t hurt me. I’m only a tiny caterpillar.” When Frog and Rabbit saw Caterpillar shaking with fear, they all had a good laugh at the trick Caterpillar had played. Ngāti Awa chief, Te Keepa Toihau, had a daughter, Mereaira. She married a young Whakatõhea chief, known as Kape Tautini who came from the Õhakana Island. Even though Kape Tautini’s people were known to be enemies of the Ngāti Awa, the couple lived happily with her father. In time, a child was born. After a while, Kape Tautini became restless among his wife’s people. He longed to be with his own people. One night, without letting anyone know he was leaving, he made his way back to his Whakatõhea people. Mereaira missed her husband. Each day she grew sadder and more unhappy. She worried. Questioning why he had gone. Fearful of what might happen. Not long after he left, a fleet of Whakatõhea war canoes was seen approaching with Kape Tautini leading the way. Mereaira and her people were unprepared for an attack and grew more afraid as the warriors shouted their grievances of past insults and wounds. Filled with love and dread, Mereaira was determined to do what she could to prevent a war. Before the warriors had a chance to begin their assault she ran to edge of the cliff and stood there, holding her baby above her head. She cried out. “This child I hold is born of the marriage between our two peoples. Why create a child if the price is continuing bloodshed? Why not choose peace?” She held the baby out in front of her. “If this violence does not end, I will throw my child against the rocks. His life is in your hands. His death will haunt you forever.” Kape Tautini and his warriors stopped their attack, their hearts filled with shame and respect for Mereaira. They put away their war spears. Peace was made. Kape Tautini walked to Mereaira. She moved toward him. They embraced, tenderly holding their child between them. December 2023 Stories (Click to read)
There was once an old woman who loved to dance. People called her the Dancing Granny. All day long, no matter what she was doing, she managed to sing out the beat and dance to the rhythm. She sang and danced as she planted her vegetable garden, as her seeds sprouted, as they grew into plants. One day Spider Ananse came walking by and saw the luscious vegetables growing in the old woman’s garden. He noticed how much she liked to sing and dance so he started to sing. Once she was singing, she began to dance. Though she was old, she sang and danced like a young girl. Her pleasure in hopping and skipping led her out of her garden and into the village. Spider Ananse watched her leave. When he could no longer see her, he helped himself to all the corn he could carry. That evening the family had a fine meal. When Granny returned and saw her corn was gone, she knew whose voice she had heard. “That Spider Ananse, he stole my corn. But, the next time he comes I won’t listen to his music. I’ll catch him and give him what he deserves.” But the next day, when Spider Ananse returned, she could not resist his singing and soon she was dancing her way out of her garden and into the village. Spider Ananse took all the peas and beans he could carry and took them home. Once again his family had a delicious meal. When Granny returned and saw all her peas and beans were gone she sat on a stone and thought. “What am I going to do? I can’t resist that thieving rascal’s song. At this rate, I’ll have no food for all my work.” Granny was so upset she picked all the crops that were left so there was nothing more for him to steal yet she knew he would be back. Sure enough, the next day, Spider Ananse returned singing the song Granny couldn’t resist. But this time, instead of dancing by herself she grabbed Spider Ananse and began to dance. “Let go of me,” he cried. But the Dancing Granny held on. She whirled and twirled with Spider Ananse holding on as best he could. Soon, he couldn’t resist Dancing Granny’s joy. Together they whirled and twirled and hopped and skipped until the sun was ready to say good night. Dancing Granny never had a better partner and Spider Ananse never had more fun. November 2023 Stories (Click to read)
There was once an old couple who lived their lives spending much of their time growing food to eat and flowers for their beauty. Although they were poor, and had little money or goods, working in their garden was a source of joy that made up for what they didn’t have. One day, while planting vegetables, the woman said to her husband, “Look! This would be a lovely place to plant a fig tree.” He dug his fingers into the earth and said, “You are right. That is a good idea. Let us go and find a tree to plant.” Each time they asked people if they knew where to find a small fig tree, people laughed. “You’re too old. Why plant a tree now? You’ll never live long enough to eat any figs.” “That is true,” said the old woman, “but our grandchildren are young. They will harvest figs for as long as they live.” “And,” said the old man, “their children will enjoy figs as will their children.” They found a tree and planted it, enjoying every new sprout of green. October 2023 Stories (Click to read.)
One morning, a woman gathering herbs saw an injured bird. She carefully picked it up and took it home. Her father made a box for the bird. Her blind mother tucked soft cloth into the box. Her husband brought food for the bird. The woman gave it water to drink.
In time, the bird gained strength and its injury healed. There came a day when the woman opened the door and the bird flew out. She was happy to see the bird fly yet missed its cheerful chirping. The next morning, when the woman walked outside, the bird flew on to her shoulder and said, “Because you cared for me, I grant you one wish.” The woman thanked the bird but wasn’t sure what to ask for. “May I have a day to think about it.” “I will come to you tomorrow. Be prepared to tell me what you wish for.” That night, the woman told her mother, father, and husband about the gift of a wish from the bird. Her father said, “Wish for gold.” Her mother said, “Wish for my eyesight to be restored.” The husband said, “We have been yearning to have a child. Wish for a child.” In the morning, as the woman worked in her garden, the bird flew on to her shoulder and asked, “Have you decided what to wish for?” “Yes,” said the woman. “I wish for my mother to see her grandchild lying in a golden cradle.” The bird said, “So it shall be.” And it was. The village was suffering from a devastating plague. None of the people’s prayers, rituals, or medicines was powerful enough to stop the illness. A young man, Nekumonta, having watched helplessly as loved ones died, now saw his wife struggle to breathe. He knew her only chance to survive lay in his finding the water that nourished the healing herbs the Great Manitou had planted. He left on a cold morning, walking as fast as he could, taking no time to eat or drink. Every time he encountered an animal he asked, “Can you tell me where to find the water nourished by the healing herbs planted by the Great Manitou.” Each animal reluctantly said no. Three days and nights passed. Too tired to go any further he lay down on the frozen earth. While he slept, animals gathered around him, warming him with their breaths, remembering how kind he’d been to them. They begged the Great Manitou to help him. As Nekumonta slept he dreamed his wife was alive, singing a sweet song that sounded like water falling. When he woke, he continued to hear the sound and looked everywhere but could find no water. Suddenly he realized the sound was coming from beneath him. Digging frantically with a strong branch, he uncovered a spring. He jumped into the hole he’d dug and soon felt refreshed and energized after bathing in the water. He made a small jar out of clay and baked it in the fire until it was hard enough to hold the healing water. Moving as fast as he could, without spilling any of the precious water, he arrived to find his wife barely breathing. Dipping his finger into the water, he wet her lips, then washed her face until she fell into a peaceful sleep. When she awoke she had fully recovered. Other members of Nekumonta’s tribe followed in his footsteps, bringing back the healing water, eventually riding the village of the plague. For the rest of his life, Nekumonta was known as the Chief of the Healing Water. August 2023 Stories (click to read)
Catherine was a lovely, intelligent, kind, gentle young woman, with wealthy parents and an adoring fiancé, living in a beautiful mansion surrounded by gardens, one of which she regarded as her special place. When she saw the strange woman she asked, “Who are you? What are you doing in my garden?” The woman did not move or speak. Catherine said, “Please, go. Now!”
There was a fraught silence before the strange woman said, “I am your Fate. It is your time of choosing—whether to be happy when young and unhappy when old, or unhappy when young and happy when old. Do not say you will not choose, for if you do not, I will choose for you. Decide now!” Catherine wished she were dreaming, knowing she was not. “Wrinkles and age make poor companions. I choose to be unhappy when I am young and happy when I am old.” With that, there was a fierce wind. The strange woman disappeared. Catherine was alone. All she’d known was gone. She decided to walk until she came to a town where she might find work that would give her a place to stay and food to eat. When she passed a house and saw a woman looking out the window, Catherine told her she was looking for work. The woman replied, “I have need of a servant. I think you will do well. Come in.” Catherine learned quickly and the woman became fond of her, each day trusting her more. One day, she told Catherine she had to leave for a few hours, to take good care of the house. Once the woman left Fate appeared. “So, Catherine, did you think you could escape me?” With that, Fate began to wreck the house. Catherine was horrified and begged Fate to stop. “My mistress will be furious. Please, go.” When Fate refused to stop, Catherine gathered her few belongings and fled. Unbeknownst to her, as soon as Catherine had gone, Fate restored order and left. So it was for seven years. Every time Catherine found a place to live and work, Fate followed her, destroying the interior, forcing her to leave. In time, Catherine traveled to a city far from where she’d ever been. Tired, hungry, and discouraged, she walked by a house where a woman was watering flowers. “Please, Ma’am, might you be so kind as to give me something to eat and a place to rest. I am willing to work.” “You have come at the right time. I will feed and give you lodgings, but every morning you must climb the mountain with bread and cheese and leave it in front of the cave at the top.” After a few days, surprised that Fate had not appeared, Catherine worked up her courage to ask about the strange task. The woman said, “I must feed my Fate to keep her content. I cannot bear to think what she might do were I to stop.” When Catherine heard this she began to weep. She told the woman how she had spent the last seven years, how she had lost everything. The woman said, “Do not despair. When you go up to the mountain in the morning with my Fate’s bread and cheese, ask her to have a word with your Fate. Perhaps she can help.” The next morning, after giving the woman’s Fate the food, Catherine asked if she might help her make peace with her Fate. “Your Fate is sleeping. I will not wake her. Tomorrow, when you come with my bread and cheese, bring her a gift. If she is pleased, she will give you something. Thank her graciously and leave.” Before climbing the mountain at dawn, Catherine made a bouquet of flowers to give to her Fate. After her mistress’s Fate received the bread and cheese, she took Catherine to her Fate and asked her to stop tormenting Catherine. An arm appeared, took the bouquet, gave Catherine a skein of purple thread, then disappeared. Puzzled, Catherine showed her mistress the curious gift. She told Catherine, “Keep it safe. There might come a time when it will be of use.” Sometime later, the king of the country discovered his royal robe had ripped. None of the country’s tailors had the right color thread. “Issue a proclamation,” he ordered. “Whoever has silk of this color must bring it to the court.” That afternoon, Catherine went to the palace. She showed the skein of purple silk to the guards who immediately took her to the king. He thanked her for the silk and put it on one side of a scale. On the other side, his advisor placed gold, but no matter how much gold he put on the scale, the skein weighed more. Exasperated, the king placed his crown on the scale and the scales balanced. ‘Who are you?” he asked. Catherine told the king about her meeting with Fate and what had happened since. “It is clear,” he said, “Fate has brought us together.” As was the custom, they married. For the rest of her life, Catherine continued to bring gifts to her Fate. |
World TalesAge old stories of wit and wisdom from around the world. Tales retold by Nancy King. Archives
February 2024
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