THE PRINCESS BETHA

THE PRINCESS BETHA

A very long time ago in a country called Bando there was a chief. The chief was so good that he was loved by his people. Everyday when the sun rise from the east and the shrines bell tinkled,the chief called the people for prayers.

The chief had neither daughter nor son. so all the people prayed for the chief so that he could get at least one child.Je too and his wife prayed for a child everyday.Not a day that ever passed without the people of Bando prayed for him.

Now it happened that in the village there lived an old woman who as really full of wisdom. Her name was Betha. when she was too old to walk anymore, she was too old to walk anymore,she called for the chief to come and bid her farewell.

when the chief heard that Betha was calling him, he said "oh dear old Betha, what would she be calling me for?"Let me go right now and see her".

The chief arrived at Bethas hut the next day.He found Beta lying on her bed. After she greeted him,she said,"our dear chief.I am really an old woman you have well respected all the people of my age and this cannot be forgotten.your prayer,too have been received by the gods. Now I am dying. I know you are wise and you will continue leading people with your wisdom.There is only one last thing I have for you."Do you see if on that shelf?"Betha pointed in the direction of the shelf.

Looking carefully, the chief saw nothing but a club.It was an ordinary club, about two and a half feet long, lying on the shelf close to the wall.He thought that Betha would give him more than that yet she lay there and said nothing more.

The obedient chief stood there in expectations but it was only after a long time that Betha spoke again.

"That is the only gift for you my dear chief when I die you must put in your left armpit for one whole day.Afterthat it will have a magin power which it will keep for several years.you must ty to find the words yourself".

He took the club and went home with it. Early the next day the chief went to Bethas hut,only to find her dead. He put the club in his left armpit for a whole day as she had ordered him. He now believed that the club had magic powers yet he did not know the words to use to open it's magic power.