Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young maiden in a village. She was known far and wide for her incredible beauty, and many suitors came from different corners of the world to ask for her hand in marriage. Despite the many wonderful offers, the maiden was very picky. No matter how handsome, rich, or well-spoken the suitors were, she found fault in every one of them. She never seemed satisfied and always rejected their proposals.
One day, a demon from the spirit world, who had been observing her, decided to take action. This demon, however, did not appear in a form that any mortal would recognize. He appeared as a mere skull. But this demon was not just any ordinary demon; he was clever and powerful. He began going around different villages, collecting body parts, and using his magical powers to put these parts together. Slowly, the skull transformed into a handsome and charismatic man.
When the maiden saw the demon’s new form, she was immediately taken by his charm and good looks. All her previous pickiness vanished. The demon wooed her, and she agreed to marry him without hesitation, believing him to be a perfect match. But she was unaware of the true nature of her new husband.
After the marriage, the demon took her to the spirit world, a place where humans were not meant to tread. In the spirit world, the maiden’s life was difficult and harsh. She suffered greatly under her new circumstances, but she remained kind-hearted and helpful. She treated the demon’s mother with the utmost respect and helped her with all her tasks despite her hardship.
The demon’s mother, recognizing the maiden’s kindness, decided to repay her. She revealed the secret to her escape and sent the maiden back to the human world, where she had come from. The maiden, now back at her parents’ home, was grateful but deeply changed by her experience.
Her father, still concerned about her future, asked her to marry a trusted friend of his, someone whom he believed would be a good match for her. The maiden, now wiser and humbled by her previous experiences, agreed to marry the man, and she lived a happy, content life with him. Together, they had many children, and the maiden found peace and fulfilment.
Moral of the Story:
The story teaches a valuable lesson about contentment and the dangers of greed. It also emphasizes the importance of humility and the rewards of kindness. The maiden’s initial disobedience and dissatisfaction led her to suffer, but in the end, her kindness and willingness to help others brought her a happy and fulfilling life.
Reference
- UIU Los Angeles. (2018, February 3). Igbo folklore.
- Achebe, C. (1958). Things Fall Apart. Heinemann.
