Bold and resolute, Gendefli quarrelled bitterly with his family, unable to endure their disputes and challenges. With a heavy heart, he gathered all his possessions, took his devoted wife, and left the familiarity of his village. He journeyed to the summit of a towering mountain, where the wind whispered through jagged rocks and sparse trees, and there he made his home.
On that high and lonely peak, Gendefli and his wife built a modest dwelling, crafting a life of quiet self-sufficiency. Seasons changed, and the couple welcomed children who grew strong and curious under their father’s guidance. Gendefli taught them to respect the mountain, to cherish its untrodden paths, and to honor the life they had carved from the rugged landscape.
Time passed, and Gendefli’s hair silvered, his strength waned, and wisdom deepened in his eyes. One day, as his children gathered around him, he spoke with the weight of generations behind his words:
“Live on this mountain. Stand together as a family. Guard its paths, and let its wood never be cut. Be proud, be wise, and be strong.”
But his children, young and brash, scorned his guidance. They laughed at his words and challenged his authority: “What do you truly possess, father? Your mountain, your words, are these enough to shape our destiny?”
Gendefli lifted his gaze to the horizon, where the clouds brushed the peaks and the valleys stretched like silver ribbons below. He spoke with measured calm, a voice that carried both warning and pride:
“A chief is Gendefli, high upon the throne of this mountain. Its wood is never cut, its paths are never trod upon. Pshaw, children, you shall not become like him unless you honor what you have been given.”
After delivering this final counsel, Gendefli passed away, leaving behind the legacy of a solitary, proud life. The children, unheeding of their father’s wisdom, descended from the mountain and joined another family, seeking a life among others rather than the discipline of solitude.
Yet the mountain remained, its summit silent and majestic, and even to this day it bears the name of Gendefli. Travelers, villagers, and descendants speak of it with reverence, recalling the man who sought a life of honor and taught, even in absence, the importance of respect, unity, and the stewardship of what is entrusted to one.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that respect for elders and their wisdom is the foundation of a strong family and community. Gendefli’s life illustrates that pride and legacy are not merely personal achievements but responsibilities to be honored by those who follow. Ignoring guidance can lead to fragmentation, while heeding it fosters continuity, unity, and reverence for the past.
Knowledge Check
Who was Gendefli?
Gendefli was a man who quarrelled with his family and established a solitary life on a mountain.
Why did Gendefli leave his family and village?
He left due to quarrels and disagreements, seeking solitude and peace.
What lesson did Gendefli give his children?
To live together as a family, respect the mountain, and preserve its paths and wood.
What did the children do after Gendefli’s death?
They descended the mountain and joined another family, disregarding his advice.
What does the mountain of Gendefli symbolize?
It symbolizes pride, legacy, and the importance of respecting guidance and tradition.
Where does this folktale originate?
This is a Tigrean folktale from Eritrea.
Source: Tigrean Folktale, Eritrea
