A princess once set out on a journey with her husband, their young prince, and their children. They were travelling through a strange land where ordinary things seemed to behave in extraordinary ways. Before they entered this unfamiliar place, her husband gave her an important warning. He told her not to comment on anything unusual they might see along the way. The journey could be dangerous, and he wanted her to remain quiet until they had safely passed through the strange land.
The princess, however, was known for talking about everything she saw. Her curiosity was difficult for her to control, especially when something appeared completely different from what she knew. As they travelled, they came upon a field where sheep were working like human beings. The animals were busy cultivating the land as though farming were their ordinary occupation. The princess was amazed by the sight and immediately spoke about it. Her husband reminded her of his warning, but they continued their journey.
A little farther ahead, they encountered something even stranger. A human head appeared to be moving by itself. The sight surprised the princess, and once again she could not keep silent. She commented on what she had seen. Her husband again reminded her that she had been warned not to speak about the strange things they encountered. Still, the journey continued, and the family moved deeper into the mysterious land.
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Soon, they came across a coconut palm that appeared to be cultivating a field. The sight was so unusual that the princess spoke about it again. The strange palm reacted violently and attacked her. Her husband immediately stepped in and protected her from the danger. Afterward, they continued their journey, but the princess still struggled to keep her observations to herself.
Not long afterward, they saw an ox sowing seeds in a field as though it were a farmer. Again, the princess commented on what she was seeing. The ox became aggressive and attacked her. Once more, her husband intervened and protected her. By this point, the repeated dangers should have made the princess more careful, but her curiosity remained stronger than her fear.
The family continued until they reached a well. Beside it stood a lion drawing water. Unlike the other strange sights they had encountered, this one presented an immediate and obvious danger. The princess had become thirsty during the journey, so she stopped to drink from the well. Her husband and children continued ahead, expecting her to follow them shortly.
The princess approached the well and drank. She did not realize that the lion was still nearby. Suddenly, the animal attacked and swallowed her whole. The family had already moved ahead, leaving her alone at the well. For a moment, it seemed that the princess had reached the end of her journey.
A hunter happened to be nearby and witnessed what had happened. He understood that something had to be done quickly. The hunter attacked the lion and killed it. He then opened the animal’s belly, where he discovered the princess alive inside. He carefully rescued her from the lion and helped her escape from the terrible situation.
After surviving such a frightening experience, the princess was finally reunited with her husband and children. She told them about everything she had witnessed during their journey and explained how the lion had swallowed her before the hunter rescued her. Her words revealed that even after all the warnings and dangers she had experienced, she still remembered every strange sight along the road.
When the princess returned safely, her husband reminded her of the warning he had given her before they entered the mysterious land. He had told her not to comment on the strange things they encountered, yet her inability to remain silent had repeatedly placed her in danger. Still, she had survived the journey and returned to her family because a hunter happened to witness what happened at the well.
The hunter was thanked for saving the princess. His courage and quick action had made the difference between life and death. Without his intervention, the princess might never have returned to her family. The strange journey therefore ended not only as a tale of danger and survival, but also as a reminder that unexpected help can appear when someone is in great need.
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Moral Lesson
Curiosity can lead us into situations we do not fully understand, so wisdom sometimes requires knowing when to remain silent and when to observe carefully. The story also shows the value of courage and timely assistance, as the hunter’s quick action saved the princess from a terrible fate.
Knowledge Check
1. Who was swallowed by the lion?
The princess was swallowed by the lion.
2. Why did the princess stop at the well?
She stopped because she was thirsty and wanted to drink water.
3. What warning did the princess’s husband give her?
He warned her not to comment on the strange things they saw during their journey.
4. What happened when the princess encountered the strange animals and plants?
Some of them became aggressive after she commented on their unusual behavior, and her husband had to protect her.
5. Who rescued the princess from the lion?
A hunter who witnessed the lion swallow her rescued her.
6. What helped the princess survive the journey?
The hunter’s courage and quick action saved her after the lion swallowed her.
Source
Adapted from Wie ein Jäger eine Prinzessin rettete, die knapp dem Tod entkam, Story 8, p. 63, in Mensah Wekenon Tokponto’s doctoral dissertation, Deutsch beninische Märchenforschung am Beispiel von Märchen in der Fon Sprache.
