A long time ago, in a small town in West Africa, there lived two powerful magicians. Each of them was famous for performing astonishing feats of magic, and people often marveled at their skills. Yet, although they lived in the same town, neither wanted to be thought of as weaker than the other. Their rivalry grew silently, and the people wondered which of the two truly possessed the greater power.
One day, during a grand celebration in the town, the chief announced that the time had come to settle the matter once and for all. As part of the festivities, the two magicians were invited to hold a contest of magic before the entire community. The air was thick with excitement. Everyone gathered in the town square, eager to see wonders that no ordinary person could ever imagine.
The First Magician’s Display
The first magician stepped forward confidently. With sweeping gestures, he called upon his powers. Before the astonished crowd, he made all the eggs in the market vanish. In a blink, he caused every vegetable to disappear as well. Soon, all the beautiful and precious things that had been brought to the celebration were gone.
The townspeople gasped. Women clutched at their baskets, now empty. Children pointed in amazement at the bare ground where food had once been piled high. It seemed as though the magician’s power was limitless, for nothing he wished to vanish remained in sight.
But he was not finished yet. The magician smiled proudly, waiting for his rival to attempt something greater.
The Song of the Second Magician
The second magician was calm and did not boast. He began to sing softly, and his voice carried across the hushed crowd. The song was strange melancholy, almost sorrowful but it held such power that all eyes turned toward him.
As he sang, something extraordinary began to happen. His daughter, who stood nearby, slowly started sinking into the ground. At first, she was only ankle-deep, but as the song continued, she sank deeper and deeper. Soon she was waist-deep in the earth, yet she showed no fear, only trust in her father’s magic.
The crowd watched in stunned silence. Then she sank further, until only her neck was visible. Her mother, horrified, began to weep and shout. She begged her daughter not to go away. She promised to give her many delicious things eggs, vegetables, all the nice foods she could find if only she would return. But the daughter did not stop sinking.
A Mother’s Plea
The mother’s cries grew louder. She fell to her knees, her tears falling on the ground where her daughter was vanishing. She pleaded with the magician to stop, but he continued to sing, his voice now fainter and more sorrowful.
“Please, my child, come back to me,” the mother cried. “I will give you all the rinds, all the skins, everything I can find if only you will stay with me!”
Her grief pierced the hearts of the townspeople. Some wept with her; others turned away, unable to bear the sight of the child slipping away.
At last, when the daughter was almost completely gone, the ground cracked open suddenly. From the earth, the little girl rose again and ran into her mother’s arms. The people erupted in cheers and relief.
The Verdict of the Contest
Both magicians had shown incredible power. The first had made all the food vanish, leaving behind nothing but bare earth. The second had sung his own daughter into the ground and then brought her back again.
The townspeople murmured among themselves. Which was the greater feat? Some said the first magician, who could make all things disappear, was the stronger. Others declared the second magician, who had command over life and the earth itself, was far more powerful.
In the end, the people realized that both magicians were masters of their craft. Each had astonished them with wonders beyond human reach. The contest was remembered for generations as a time when magic filled the air, and even the gods seemed to take notice.
Moral of the Story
This folktale reminds us that power comes in many forms, and true greatness is not always in what you can take away, but also in what you can restore. The magic of destruction may amaze, but the magic of compassion and renewal touches hearts forever.
Knowledge Check
1: Who were the main characters in “The Magic Contest”?
The story features two powerful magicians living in the same West African town.
2: What magical feat did the first magician perform?
He made all the eggs, vegetables, and valuable foods at the celebration disappear.
3: What did the second magician do during the contest?
He sang a song that caused his daughter to sink into the ground and then return.
4: How did the mother react as her daughter sank into the earth?
She wept, begged her not to leave, and promised her many good things if she returned.
5: What lesson does the story teach about power?
True greatness lies not only in destruction but also in restoration and compassion.
6: Where does this folktale originate?
It is a traditional folktale from West Africa.
Source: West African Folktale
