Zawlpala and Tualvungi

 In a land where love and beauty flourished, there lived Tualvungi, a woman so breathtakingly beautiful that her husband Zawlpala cherished her beyond measure. Their days were filled with joy until the powerful King Phuntiha visited their village.

The king, struck by Tualvungi's enchanting allure, inquired about her. Sensing the king's intentions, Zawlpala claimed she and his sister were unmarried. When the king demanded an extravagant bride price, hoping to dissuade him, Zawlpala set an exorbitant cost - jewellery weighing down poles. These guns could line a wall, a yard filled with yaks, a towering brass bell, and a hundred trunks of clothes.

Underestimating the king's magic, Zawlpala watched helplessly as Phuntiha fulfilled all demands instantly. Realizing his error, Zawlpala confessed to the truth, but it was too late. The king claimed Tualvungi and took her away despite her forewarning to Zawlpala about the king's treacherous nature.

Days later, Zawlpala visited the king's palace and was honoured with feasts. Unheeding Tualvungi's caution, he fell victim to poisoned drinks and met his demise upon returning home.

The villagers, wishing to inform Tualvungi, needed help to send a messenger. A crab and a crow were dismissed, leaving the quail as the chosen messenger. It delivered the message to Tualvungi, who received it as she wove atop her home.

Seeking to return to her village, Tualvungi's departure was hindered by the king's deceit, who claimed a cow had birthed a foal, causing her injury. With her wound bound, she gathered her belongings and set off. Arriving at Zawlpala's grave, she encountered an old woman whom she bribed with her property, pleading to end her suffering. After much persuasion, the old woman killed her.

 In a mystical transformation, Tualvungi transformed into a splendid butterfly, joined by Zawlpala in the same ethereal form. Following them was the king, transformed into an ungainly butterfly. Whenever two enchanting butterflies grace the skies, you'll find Tualvungi and Zawlpala trailed by the lingering presence of the once-powerful yet tragic king.

Rahte-a

 In a small village nestled among hills, Rahtea lived under the tyranny of a cruel stepmother. She burdened him with the heaviest chores and withheld even the smallest morsels of food. Yet, fate had a different plan.

One day, Rahtea's brother sought him out, inviting him to the Khuangchawi celebration in his honour. Discovering Rahtea seated beneath a Thingsiri tree adorned with sweet, nectar-filled flowers, the brother implored him to return home. But Rahtea, in verse, declined:

 "Stay with me, dear brother,

The Khuangchawi awaits in your honour."

Rahtea had found solace in the sweet nectar of the Thingsiri flowers, declaring:

"Go back alone, my dear brother,

For I've found sustenance in these blossoms.

Only now can I feast to my heart's content,

Content and nourished, I shall stay."

Determined, the stepmother dispatched Rahtea's aunt to fetch him, yet she failed. Desperate, the stepmother herself ventured forth, pleading for his return. Unmoved, Rahtea expressed their fractured relationship and, in a breathtaking turn, transformed into a dragonfly, soaring away, leaving behind the trials of his past.

Why the Dog Did Not Have Horns While the Goat Had

 Once upon a time, things looked a little different in the age of ancient animals. Dogs, friendly creatures, sported impressive horns, while goats roamed without any. Despite this difference, they coexisted harmoniously, living near humans and sharing a camaraderie.

However, the goats had a slight practical advantage over their canine friends—they could easily access their food without the encumbrance of horns. One day, an idea struck the dogs. They proposed a swap: the goats could take their horns, enhancing their beauty, while the dogs could do without. Enticed by the promise of newfound grace, the goats agreed, taking on the horns of the dogs.

As the goats proudly flaunted their new adornments, something shifted. Suddenly empowered, they found themselves more capable of defending against adversaries. Meanwhile, the dogs, now stripped of their horns, felt vulnerable, akin to hunters bereft of their spears.

Realizing their grave mistake, the dogs sought to reclaim their horns from the goats. But alas, the goats, revelling in their newfound strength and protective capability, refused to yield. The dogs' attempt at reconciliation fell on deaf ears.

Thus, the rift widened between the dogs and the goats once friends became foes. The bitterness arising from an ill-fated exchange overshadowed their shared past of amity and cooperation. This resulted in the enduring enmity between these two creatures—a tale etched in history explaining why dogs and goats are now at odds.