Wednesday, December 13, 2023

A Chief daughter and a Snake

Once nestled near a sprawling village, a colossal python dwelled within a cavern, shrouded in mysticism. The villagers regarded the snake as a being from the spiritual realm owing to its immense size. In reverence or fear, they made offerings—goats and even their infants—hoping to appease this majestic serpent.

One fateful night, a traveller from the Lai tribe happened upon the village. Instantly sensing an eerie hush and a palpable sorrow, he inquired about the cause of such desolation. The villagers revealed a grim truth—their children, offered as sacrifices, had met their fate at the jaws of the colossal snake. A single exception remained: the cherished daughter of the chief, admired by all for her beauty and melodic voice. Yet, even she faced the impending sacrifice.

Moved by this tragedy, the traveller resolved to intervene. Armed with a sharp-edged adze, he confronted the serpent within its cavernous abode. Confronted by the snake's colossal size, doubt lingered in his mind, questioning his ability to slay the creature. Despite his apprehensions, he remained resolute.

A fierce battle ensued, each strike of his adze a testament to his determination. In a decisive blow, the adze met the serpent's head, felling it. Triumph echoed through the village as the traveller emerged victorious, having liberated them from the serpent's reign of terror.

Grateful for his valour, the villagers celebrated his triumph, expecting him to claim the hand of the maiden he had saved. The girl, without objection, and the chief, in agreement, sanctioned their union. Thus, the traveller and the chief's daughter were wedded, finding joy and contentment in each other's embrace, their union heralding a happily-ever-after amidst the backdrop of a village relieved from the serpent's ominous shadow.

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