Long ago, in a small village along the Volta River, there lived a gentle and kind-hearted girl. She loved the land, the trees, and the river that flowed gracefully beside her home. The river was more than a body of water; it was believed to be the home of a powerful river spirit who watched over the village, ensuring abundance for those who treated it with care and respect. The girl often whispered greetings to the river, sprinkled offerings of flowers and fruits along its banks, and spoke softly to it, asking for guidance in her daily tasks.
The villagers admired her kindness and often saw the river responding in small but meaningful ways. Fish would swim closer when she approached, the water would sparkle in unusual patterns, and the crops near the riverbank grew greener and healthier than those further away. The girl understood that her respectful relationship with the river brought harmony to her life and to her family. She shared generously with neighbors, offering vegetables, fish, and fruits to those in need. Her kindness flowed like the river itself, spreading abundance wherever she went.
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One day, a neighbor watched her carefully from afar. This neighbor was greedy and impatient, always wanting more than his share. He saw the girl speaking to the river and receiving blessings and thought, If she can get wealth and abundance by honoring the river, so can I. Without understanding the spirit’s rules or the importance of respect, he decided to imitate her actions. He went to the river, splashed offerings carelessly, shouted demands, and attempted to take more than necessary. He wanted wealth and power instantly, not realizing that the river spirit valued humility, patience, and genuine kindness above all.
At first, the greedy neighbor noticed nothing unusual. He waited by the river for abundance to come, but days passed without a single fish approaching or crop thriving near his home. The river remained calm but distant, as if it had turned away from him. He grew angry and frustrated, blaming the girl for being lucky while he suffered. Desperate, he returned to the river again, this time speaking harshly and demanding that it give him what he wanted. The water churned and darkened, and a voice echoed softly yet firmly, reminding him that the river’s gifts were not for those who acted selfishly.
Meanwhile, the kind girl continued her daily visits, speaking gently and offering respect. The river responded as it always had, providing food for her family, nourishing the crops, and maintaining the balance between the village and nature. Her humility and generosity ensured that her community thrived, while the greedy neighbor faced the consequences of his actions. He learned that the river’s power could not be forced or tricked and that abundance came only to those who honored its spirit with sincerity and care.
The villagers witnessed both the girl’s blessings and the neighbor’s misfortune, and the lesson spread throughout the community. Children were taught to treat nature and spirits with respect, to be generous, and to seek harmony rather than selfish gain. They understood that greed disrupted balance, while kindness nurtured it. The river, as ever, remained a symbol of guidance, abundance, and the consequences of human behavior. It flowed steadily, reflecting the lessons it had shared with those who lived alongside it.
From that time onward, the story of the girl who spoke with the river became a cherished tale in the Volta Region. People remembered that wealth and blessings are not earned through selfishness or impatience, but through respect, generosity, and harmony with the forces of nature. The river’s gentle murmur continued to remind villagers that every action has a consequence, and that true abundance is the reward of a kind heart and a humble spirit.
Moral Lesson: The story of the girl who spoke with the river teaches that kindness, respect, and generosity bring blessings, while greed and selfishness lead to misfortune. True harmony with nature comes from honoring its spirits and acting with sincerity.
Knowledge Check
How did the girl show respect to the river spirit?
Answer: She spoke to the river gently, offered flowers and fruits, and treated it with care and humility every day.What did the river do in response to the girl’s kindness?
Answer: The river provided fish, nourished crops, and maintained harmony for her family and community.How did the greedy neighbor try to get blessings from the river?
Answer: He imitated the girl but acted selfishly, splashing offerings carelessly, shouting demands, and taking more than necessary.What happened to the greedy neighbor as a result of his actions?
Answer: The river did not respond to him, and he faced misfortune because the spirit rejected his selfish behavior.What lesson did the villagers learn from these events?
Answer: They learned that kindness, respect, and generosity bring rewards, while greed and selfishness lead to negative consequences.What is the main theme of The Girl Who Spoke with the River?
Answer: The main theme is that harmony with nature and blessings come from sincerity, humility, and respect, not from selfishness or greed.
Source: Ewe folktale, Volta Region. Recorded in Once Upon a Time in Ghana (2013).
