Long ago, in a Somali village, there lived a terrifying woman who ate people. The villagers feared her. They whispered warnings to their children and told travelers to be careful when passing near her home.
In the village, there was a family. The husband had to travel for work, and before leaving, he warned his wife. “Do not open the door at night,” he said. “There is a cannibal woman in our village. She eats people. Be careful and stay inside.”
The husband traveled far to survey new land and find water and pasture for his family. When evening fell, the cannibal woman appeared at the house and knocked on the door. The woman, alone, called out, “Who is there?”
READ THIS: The Magical Head
The cannibal woman lied. “It is your husband,” she said.
Believing the voice, the woman opened the door. As soon as the cannibal entered, she attacked, devouring the woman and putting on her clothes. She disguised herself perfectly, pretending to be the wife.
When the husband returned, he thought his wife was waiting for him. He had traveled with other men of the village to examine a new settlement. Families were preparing to move. The husband ordered the woman, unaware of her true identity, to pack their belongings for the journey.
The cannibal woman, pretending to be pregnant, managed to hide the evidence of the real wife and her unborn child. She made it appear as though everything was normal, keeping the family’s routine. The household had one dog, one hen, one cat, one camel, one cow, one goat, and one sheep. But as the journey began, the animals behaved strangely. When she tried to milk the camel, it ran away. The other animals also fled whenever she approached.
The husband grew suspicious. Something was wrong. The woman did not act like his wife. Her mannerisms were strange, and the animals seemed to sense the danger. Finally, he realized the truth: the woman was the cannibal who had eaten his wife.
He quickly acted and killed the cannibal woman. Afterward, he found the remains of his wife and the child she had carried. The truth was heartbreaking, but he had saved the rest of the family and ensured the cannibal could harm no one else.
This story was told for generations, reminding villagers to stay vigilant and never trust appearances too quickly. It warned that evil often hides in plain sight and that careful observation and courage can protect those we love.
Moral Lesson
The Cannibal Woman teaches that deception can be deadly. Even when someone seems familiar and trustworthy, evil may be hiding beneath the surface. Vigilance, careful observation, and courage are essential to protect oneself and loved ones. Never ignore signs of danger, and always trust your instincts.
Knowledge Check
Who was the cannibal woman in the story?
The cannibal woman was a dangerous creature in the village who ate humans and disguised herself to trick others.Why did the husband warn his wife before leaving?
He warned her not to open the door at night because the cannibal woman could come and eat her.How did the cannibal woman deceive the husband?
She ate the wife, put on her clothes, and pretended to be her when the husband returned.What clues made the husband suspicious of the woman?
The family’s animals behaved strangely, running away from the cannibal woman, and her behavior did not match that of his real wife.What was the outcome of the story?
The husband killed the cannibal woman and discovered the remains of his wife and unborn child.What lesson does The Cannibal Woman teach?
The story teaches the importance of vigilance, trusting instincts, and recognizing deception to protect oneself and loved ones.Cultural Origin: Somalia (Eastern African Folktale)
