01/09/2024
THE TALE OF SIH AND THE PYTHON
Once upon a time,
The most beautiful lady in the Fondom of Great Esu was called Sih. She was so beautiful that even the Fon desired her.
As was the tradition in those days, a girl child was betrothed to her husband as early as in the days of her childhood. So, Sih was betrothed to the Fon who adorned her with necklaces of all colors, bangles and rings as he waited impatiently for Sih to reach the age of consummation.
When the time was right for consummation, the Fon sent elders and relatives to pay the dowry and bring to him his new wife. Days passed and when all the marital rites were completed, Sih prepared herself to be taken to her husband, the Fon.
Sih had a younger sister who was called Mbong, she loved her so much that on the day protocol came to take her to the palace, she took Mbong along with her because she couldn't watch Mbong cry over her going away.
To reach the palace, Sih and the es**rt had to cross a stream at the foot of the hill leading to the palace. While crossing the stream, something unusual happened; while the waters was at the feet of every other person, it was at the knees of Sih; while the waters was at the knees of every other person, it reached Sih at the waist. While the waters was at the waist of every other person, it reached Sih at the neck and while at the neck of the others, it completely submerged Sih.
This happening completely skipped the notice of the elders, guards, medicine men and women, slaves and servants, and even Mbong. But, one slave girl, the one who was appointed to serve Sih in the palace noticed at just the moment the waters completely submerged Sih. She quietly removed Sih's crown and wore it, covering her cut off ear.
Upon arrival at the palace, the slave girl was presented to the Fon as his wife and Mbong became her servant. The slave girl treated Mbong so badly that she grew pale and lost her glow. She had as task to fetch water for the queen everyday. Each day when she comes to the stream, she'll sing a song and Sih will come out of the river, glowing with gold all over her body and a python as her guard.
Sih will bring Mbong roasted plantains with red oil and Mbong will be very happy to see her. They'll stay together awhile and then Sih will help Mbong carry her water and even see her off a certain distance.
Everyday, Mbong will come and sing the song (Who wants to hear the song?☺️) One day, the Fon's friend noticed the drama at the river. He advised the Fon : "Whenever you are alone with your new queen, ask her to take off her crown." The Fon heeded his advice and did as he was told.
Upon discovering that he has been deceived by the slave girl, he ordered her ex*****on and summoned all the magicians and medicine men and women in the Land. They all gathered and plotted how to bring Sih back to the Land.
A plan was reached and a day selected for it's ex*****on. The magicians gathered, the traditional doctors came out in their numbers, and representatives of cult joined the force.
They gave Mbong her usual basin for fetching water and sent her off to the stream. Sih came out as usual and feed her sister. She carried water in the basin in a bit to see Mbong off a distance.
As he advanced, he noticed a strange aura in the air on the way and told Mbong "I smell demons!" Mbong pleaded with her to reach the spot where she used to but Sih advanced with great difficulty till she finally decided to give Mbong the basin without reaching the usual spot.
As Sih turned to return to the river, the magicians, the doctors, the healers came out from the bushes where they were hiding with peace plants to beat out the enchantments and spells on Sih.
The python returned to the river and after beating Sih awhile, the group took her to the palace and gave her to the Fon as his wife. The Fon was very happy and so he ordered for a celebration in honor of his new queen.
But alas, the celebration was brought to panic and fear all over the Land as the river crept into every compound, kitchen and home singing and asking that all its treasures that were used to adorn Sih be returned.
Sih was thoroughly searched and every gold or diamond that adorned her was returned to the river. The river went home and counted it's treasures but one was missing, it returned to the Land until the treasure was found.
The river returned to it's home and the Fon reigned happily ever after with his queen. That is the end of my story.
In the village, storytelling was the only form of teaching before the Whitman came, after a story like this one, we used to ask our grandmothers questions and they'll always answer. Some of us had very wild imaginations, that is exactly why we are now here telling these stories; dare to question, dare to wonder, dare to imagine.
ANY QUESTIONS???
