Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

Mufaro's beautiful daughters, an African tale by John Steptoe. A long time ago, in a certain place in Africa, a small village lay across a river and half a day's journey from a city where a great king lives. A man named Muharo lived in this village with his two daughters, who were called manyara and Miyasha. Everyone agreed that Manyara and Miyasha were very beautiful. Manyara was almost always in a bad temper. She teased her sister whenever their father's back was turned, and she had been heard to say, some day miyasha, I will be a queen, and you will be a servent in my household. If that should come to pass Miyasha responded, I will be pleased to serve you. But why do you say such things? You are clever and strong and beautiful. Why are you so unhappy? Because everyone talks about how kind you are and they please everything you do. Manyara Replied. I'm certain that father loves you best. But when I am a queen, everyone will know that you're feeling kindness is only weakness. Miyasha was sad that manyara felt this way, but she'd noticed her sister's words and went about her chores. Yasa kept a small plot of land on which she grew millet, sunflowers, yums, and vegetables. She always sang as she worked, and some said it was her singing that made her crops more bountiful than anyone else's. One day, Miyasha noticed a small garden snake resting beneath a yarn vine. Good day little Miyoka. She called to him, you are welcome here. You will keep away any creatures who might spoil my vegetables. She bent forward, gave the little snake a loving pet on the head, and then returned to her work. From that day on, Miyoka was always at me as a side when she tended her garden. It was said that she sang all the most sweetly when he was there. Mufaro did know nothing of how Minyara treated Miyasha. Miyasha was too considerate of her father's feelings to complain, and manyara was always careful to behave herself when Mufaro was around. Early one morning, a messenger from the city arrive. The great king wanted a wife. The most worthy and beautiful daughters in the land are invited to appear before the king. And he will choose one to become queen. The messenger proclaim. Mufaro called manyara and miyasha to him. It would be a great honor to have one of your chosen, he said. Prepare yourselves to journey to the city. I will call together all our Friends to make a wedding party. We believe tomorrow as the sun rises. But my father, manyara, said sweetly. It would be playing full for either of us to live you even even to be wife to their king. I know nyasha would grieve to death if she were parted from you. I am strong. Send me to the city and let poor nyasha be happy here with you. mufaro Beamed with pride. The king has asked for the most worthy and the most beautiful. No, Manyara, I can not send you alone. Only a king can choose between two such worthy daughters. Both of you must go. That night when everyone was asleep. Manyara stole quietly out of the village. She had never been in the forest at night before. And she was frightened. But her greed to be their first to appear before the king drove her on. In her hurry, she almost stumbled over a small boy who suddenly appeared standing in the path. Please said the boy. I am hungry. Will you give me something to eat? I have brought only enough for my self. Manyara replied. But please said the boy, I am so very hungry. Out of my way, boy, tomorrow I will become your queen. How dare you stand in my path? After traveling for what seemed to be a great distance. Manyara came to a small keening, there silhouetted against the moonlight, was an old woman seated on a large stone. The old woman spoke. I will give you some advice manyara, soon after you pass the place where two path cross. you will see a grove of trees. They will laugh at you. You must not laugh in return. Later, you will meet a man with his head under his arm. You'll must be polite to him. How do you know my name? How dare you advise your future queen? Stand aside. You ugly old woman. Manyara scolded and then rushed on her way without looking back. Just as the old woman had foretold, manara came to a grove of trees. And they did indeed seem to be laughing at her. I must be calm. manyara thought. I will not be frightened. She looked up at the trees and laughed out loud. I laugh at you crazy, she sounded. And she heard it on. It was not yet done when manara heard the sound of rushing water. The river must be up ahead she thought the great city is just on the other side. But there on the rise, she saw a man with his head tucked under his arm. Manara ran past him without speaking. A queen acknowledges only those who please her. She said to herself, I will be queen. I will be queen. She chanted as she heard it on towards the city. Niyasha woke at the first light of dawn. As she put on her finest garment, she thought how her life might be changed forever beyond this day. I'd much prefer to live here as she admitted to herself. I hate to leave this village and never see my father or seem too little Niyoka again. Her thought we were interrupted by loud shouts and a commotion from the wedding party assembled outside. Manyara was missing. Everyone bustled about searching and calling for her. When they found her footprints and the path that led to the city, they decided to go on as planned. As a wedding party moved through the forest, brightly pulled birds dotted about in the cool green shadows beneath the trees. Though anxious about her sister, Nyasha bassoon filled with excitement about all there was to see. They were deep in the forest when she saw the small boys standing by the side of the path. You must be hungry, she said. And handed him a jam, she had brought for her lunch. The boy smiled and disappeared as quietly as he had come. Later, as they were approaching the place where the two paths crossed, the old woman appeared and silently pointed the way to the city. Nyasha thank her and gave her a small pouch, filled with sunflower seeds. The sun was high in the sky when the party came to the grove of towering trees. Their uppermost branches seemed to bow down to the Nyasha as she passed beneath them. At last, someone announced that they were near their destination. Nyasha run ahead and topped the rise before the others could catch up with her. She stood transfixed at her first sight of the city. Oh my father she called a great spirit must stand guard here. Just look at what lies before us. I never in all my life dreamed that there could be anything so beautiful. On in on, Nyasha and her father descended the hill, crossed the river and approached the city gate. Just as they entered through the great doors, the air was rent by piercing cries. And Manara ran wildly out of a chamber at the center of the enclosure. When she saw Myasha, she fell upon her sobbing. Do not go to the king, my sister. Oh please Father, do not let her go. She cried hysterically. There's a great monster there. A snake with 5 heads. He said that he knew all my faults and that I displeased him. He would have swallowed me alive if I had not run. Oh my sister. Please do not go inside that place. It frightened Miyasha to see her sister so upset. But leaving her father to comfort manara. She bravely made her way to the chamber and opened the door. On the seat of the great kiss tool. Need a little garden sneak. Miyasha laughed with relief and joy. My little friend, she exclaimed. It's such a pleasure to see you, but why are you here? I am the king. Your little friend. And there before Miiyasha's eyes. The garden snake changed a shape. I am the king. I'm also the hungry boy with all new shared a yum in the forest. And the old woman to whom you made a gift of sunflower seeds. But you know me best as Niyoka. Because I've been all of these, I know you could be the most worthy and most beautiful daughter in the land. It would make me very happy if you would be my wife. And so it was that a long time ago, Nyasha agreed to be married. The king's mother and sisters took Nyasha me to their house and the wedding preparations began. Their best weavers in the land laid out their finest cloth for her wedding garments. Villagers from all around were invited to the celebration and a great feast was held. Nyasha prepared the bread for the wedding feast for a minute that had been brought from her village. Mufaro proclaimed to all who would share him that he was the happiest father in all the land for he was blessed with two beautiful and worthy daughters. Nyasha the quenn and manara, a servant in the queen's household.