The Magic Mirror
by Andrew Lang · from The Orange Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once there was a man. His name was Kufa. Kufa was a hunter. One day, he saw a snake. The snake was very big. It held a deer. The deer was scared. "Help me!" said the deer. "No, help me!" said the snake. "I am Python King." The deer said, "Be careful." Bad things later.
Kufa helped the snake. He pulled the deer away. The deer was very hurt. It walked away slowly. Python King was happy. "Thank you, Kufa," he said. "Come back soon. I have a gift."
Kufa came back. Python King said, "Follow me." They went down. They went under the ground. They walked for many days. Then they saw a new land. It was very pretty. Python King was a man now. He was strong and tall. "This is my home," he said.
Python King smiled at Kufa. "You saved my life," he said. "Pick any gift you want." Kufa was unsure. He talked to Wasp Friend. Wasp Friend was very wise. "Ask for the Magic Mirror," said Wasp Friend. Kufa said, "I want the Magic Mirror."
Python King was sad. "Not that!" he said. "It is my best thing." Kufa asked again. He asked again and again. Wasp Friend said, "Be brave." He gave it. He had tears in his eyes.
Kufa held the Magic Mirror. "I want to go home!" he said. He was home! "I want a big city!" he said. A big city came. It had tall houses. It had gold roofs. People lived in it. Kufa was the chief now.
Kufa was a good chief. He loved his daughter, Shasa. "Keep this safe," he said. He gave her the Magic Mirror. Shasa hid it under her bed.
Many years went by. Kufa was old now. Then strangers came from far away. They wanted Kufa's city. But the Magic Mirror was strong. It kept the city safe. The strangers went away.
But their leader, Chief Stranger, was smart. He had a plan. He sent Tricky Man. "Go find Kufa's secret," he said. Tricky Man went to the city.
Tricky Man was nice to Kufa. "I am lost," he said. "Help me." Kufa let him stay. Tricky Man was nice to Shasa too. Shasa liked Tricky Man. She told him the secret.
One night, Tricky Man took the Mirror. He ran away fast. He gave it to Chief Stranger.
The strangers came again. Kufa was scared. "Shasa! Get the Mirror!" he said. Shasa began to cry. "It is gone," she said. "Tricky Man took it. I am so sorry."
Kufa talked to Wasp Friend. "What can I do?" he asked. Wasp Friend was sad. "Remember the deer?" said Wasp Friend. "The deer said bad things would come. The bad things are here now."
The strangers took the city. Kufa and Shasa lost their home. They were very, very sad. The Magic Mirror was gone. Kufa learned a lesson. It is not good to be selfish. Bad choices can make sad things happen.
Original Story
The Magic Mirror
[Native Rhodesian Tale.]
From the Senna
A long, long while ago, before ever the White Men were seen in Senna, there lived a man called Gopani-Kufa.
One day, as he was out hunting, he came upon a strange sight. An enormous python had caught an antelope and coiled itself around it; the antelope, striking out in despair with its horns, had pinned the python’s neck to a tree, and so deeply had its horns sunk in the soft wood that neither creature could get away.
‘Help!’ cried the antelope, ‘for I was doing no harm, yet I have been caught, and would have been eaten, had I not defended myself.’
‘Help me,’ said the python, ‘for I am Insato, King of all the Reptiles, and will reward you well!’
Gopani-Kufa considered for a moment, then stabbing the antelope with his assegai, he set the python free.
‘I thank you,’ said the python; ‘come back here with the new moon, when I shall have eaten the antelope, and I will reward you as I promised.’
‘Yes,’ said the dying antelope, ‘he will reward you, and lo! your reward shall be your own undoing!’
Gopani-Kufa went back to his kraal, and with the new moon he returned again to the spot where he had saved the python.
Insato was lying upon the ground, still sleepy from the effects of his huge meal, and when he saw the man he thanked him again, and said: ‘Come with me now to Pita, which is my own country, and I will give you what you will of all my possessions.’
Gopani-Kufa at first was afraid, thinking of what the antelope had said, but finally he consented and followed Insato into the forest.
For several days they travelled, and at last they came to a hole leading deep into the earth. It was not very wide, but large enough to admit a man. ‘Hold on to my tail,’ said Insato, ‘and I will go down first, drawing you after me.’ The man did so, and Insato entered.
Down, down, down they went for days, all the while getting deeper and deeper into the earth, until at last the darkness ended and they dropped into a beautiful country; around them grew short green grass, on which browsed herds of cattle and sheep and goats. In the distance Gopani-Kufa saw a great collection of houses all square, built of stone and very tall, and their roofs were shining with gold and burnished iron.
Gopani-Kufa turned to Insato, but found, in the place of the python, a man, strong and handsome, with the great snake’s skin wrapped round him for covering; and on his arms and neck were rings of pure gold.
The man smiled. ‘I am Insato,’ said he, ‘but in my own country I take man’s shape—even as you see me—for this is Pita, the land over which I am king.’ He then took Gopani-Kufa by the hand and led him towards the town.
On the way they passed rivers in which men and women were bathing and fishing and boating; and farther on they came to gardens covered with heavy crops of rice and maize, and many other grains which Gopani-Kufa did not even know the name of. And as they passed, the people who were singing at their work in the fields, abandoned their labours and saluted Insato with delight, bringing also palm wine and green cocoanuts for refreshment, as to one returned from a long journey.
‘These are my children!’ said Insato, waving his hand towards the people. Gopani-Kufa was much astonished at all that he saw, but he said nothing. Presently they came to the town; everything here, too, was beautiful, and everything that a man might desire he could obtain. Even the grains of dust in the streets were of gold and silver.
Insato conducted Gopani-Kufa to the palace, and showing him his rooms, and the maidens who would wait upon him, told him that they would have a great feast that night, and on the morrow he might name his choice of the riches of Pita and it should be given him. Then he was away.
Now Gopani-Kufa had a wasp called Zengi-mizi. Zengi-mizi was not an ordinary wasp, for the spirit of the father of Gopani-Kufa had entered it, so that it was exceedingly wise. In times of doubt Gopani-Kufa always consulted the wasp as to what had better be done, so on this occasion he took it out of the little rush basket in which he carried it, saying: ‘Zengi-mizi, what gift shall I ask of Insato to-morrow when he would know the reward he shall bestow on me for saving his life?’
‘Biz-z-z,’ hummed Zengi-mizi, ‘ask him for Sipao the Mirror.’ And it flew back into its basket.
Gopani-Kufa was astonished at this answer; but knowing that the words of Zengi-mizi were true words, he determined to make the request. So that night they feasted, and on the morrow Insato came to Gopani-Kufa and, giving him greeting joyfully, he said:
‘Now, O my friend, name your choice amongst my possessions and you shall have it!’
‘O king!’ answered Gopani-Kufa, ‘out of all your possessions I will have the Mirror, Sipao.’
The king started. ‘O friend, Gopani-Kufa,’ he said, ‘ask anything but that! I did not think that you would request that which is most precious to me.’
‘Let me think over it again then, O king,’ said Gopani-Kufa, ‘and to-morrow I will let you know if I change my mind.’
But the king was still much troubled, fearing the loss of Sipao, for the mirror had magic powers, so that he who owned it had but to ask and his wish would be fulfilled; to it Insato owed all that he possessed.
As soon as the king left him, Gopani-Kufa again took Zengi-mizi, out of his basket. ‘Zengi-mizi,’ he said, ‘the king seems loth to grant my request for the Mirror—is there not some other thing of equal value for which I might ask?’
And the wasp answered: ‘There is nothing in the world, O Gopani-Kufa, which is of such value as this Mirror, for it is a Wishing Mirror, and accomplishes the desires of him who owns it. If the king hesitates, go to him the next day, and the day after, and in the end he will bestow the Mirror upon you, for you saved his life.’
And it was even so. For three days Gopani-Kufa returned the same answer to the king, and, at last, with tears in his eyes, Insato gave him the Mirror, which was of polished iron, saying: ‘Take Sipao, then, O Gopani-Kufa, and may thy wishes come true. Go back now to thine own country; Sipao will show you the way.’
Gopani-Kufa was greatly rejoiced, and, taking farewell of the king, said to the Mirror:
‘Sipao, Sipao, I wish to be back upon the Earth again!’
Instantly he found himself standing upon the upper earth; but, not knowing the spot, he said again to the Mirror:
‘Sipao, Sipao, I want the path to my own kraal!’
And behold! right before him lay the path!
When he arrived home he found his wife and daughter mourning for him, for they thought that he had been eaten by lions; but he comforted them, saying that while following a wounded antelope he had missed his way and had wandered for a long time before he had found the path again.
That night he asked Zengi-mizi, in whom sat the spirit of his father, what he had better ask Sipao for next?
‘Biz-z-z,’ said the wasp, ‘would you not like to be as great a chief as Insato?’
And Gopani-Kufa smiled, and took the Mirror and said to it:
‘Sipao, Sipao, I want a town as great as that of Insato, the King of Pita; and I wish to be chief over it!’
Then all along the banks of the Zambesi river, which flowed near by, sprang up streets of stone buildings, and their roofs shone with gold and burnished iron like those in Pita; and in the streets men and women were walking, and young boys were driving out the sheep and cattle to pasture; and from the river came shouts and laughter from the young men and maidens who had launched their canoes and were fishing. And when the people of the new town beheld Gopani-Kufa they rejoiced greatly and hailed him as chief.
Gopani-Kufa was now as powerful as Insato the King of the Reptiles had been, and he and his family moved into the palace that stood high above the other buildings right in the middle of the town. His wife was too astonished at all these wonders to ask any questions, but his daughter Shasasa kept begging him to tell her how he had suddenly become so great; so at last he revealed the whole secret, and even entrusted Sipao the Mirror to her care, saying:
‘It will be safer with you, my daughter, for you dwell apart; whereas men come to consult me on affairs of state, and the Mirror might be stolen.’
Then Shasasa took the Magic Mirror and hid it beneath her pillow, and after that for many years Gopani-Kufa ruled his people both well and wisely, so that all men loved him, and never once did he need to ask Sipao to grant him a wish.
Now it happened that, after many years, when the hair of Gopani-Kufa was turning grey with age, there came white men to that country. Up the Zambesi they came, and they fought long and fiercely with Gopani-Kufa; but, because of the power of the Magic Mirror, he beat them, and they fled to the sea-coast. Chief among them was one Rei, a man of much cunning, who sought to discover whence sprang Gopani-Kufa’s power. So one day he called to him a trusty servant named Butou, and said: ‘Go you to the town and find out for me what is the secret of its greatness.’
And Butou, dressing himself in rags, set out, and when he came to Gopani-Kufa’s town he asked for the chief; and the people took him into the presence of Gopani-Kufa. When the white man saw him he humbled himself, and said: ‘O Chief! take pity on me, for I have no home! When Rei marched against you I alone stood apart, for I knew that all the strength of the Zambesi lay in your hands, and because I would not fight against you he turned me forth into the forest to starve!’
And Gopani-Kufa believed the white man’s story, and he took him in and feasted him, and gave him a house.
In this way the end came. For the heart of Shasasa, the daughter of Gopani-Kufa, went forth to Butou the traitor, and from her he learnt the secret of the Magic Mirror. One night, when all the town slept, he felt beneath her pillow and, finding the Mirror, he stole it and fled back with it to Rei, the chief of the white men.
So it befell that, one day, as Gopani-Kufa was gazing up at the river from a window of the palace he again saw the war-canoes of the white men; and at the sight his spirit misgave him.
‘Shasasa! my daughter!’ he cried wildly, ‘go fetch me the mirror, for the white men are at hand.’
‘Woe is me, my father!’ she sobbed. ‘The Mirror is gone! For I loved Butou the traitor, and he has stolen Sipao from me!’
Then Gopani-Kufa calmed himself, and drew out Zengi-mizi from its rush basket.
‘O spirit of my father!’ he said, ‘what now shall I do?’
‘O Gopani-Kufa!’ hummed the wasp, ‘there is nothing now that can be done, for the words of the antelope which you slew are being fulfilled.’
‘Alas! I am an old man—I had forgotten!’ cried the chief. ‘The words of the antelope were true words—my reward shall be my undoing—they are being fulfilled!’
Then the white men fell upon the people of Gopani-Kufa and slew them together with the chief and his daughter Shasasa; and since then all the power of the Earth has rested in the hands of the white men, for they have in their possession Sipao, the Magic Mirror.
Story DNA
Moral
Be wary of the rewards of selfish acts, as they may lead to your undoing.
Plot Summary
Gopani-Kufa saves a python by killing an antelope, which curses him. The python rewards him with a magic wishing mirror, Sipao, which Gopani-Kufa uses to become a powerful chief. He entrusts the mirror to his daughter, Shasasa. Years later, white men attack, and their cunning servant, Butou, seduces Shasasa and steals Sipao. Without the mirror's power, Gopani-Kufa's kingdom falls, fulfilling the antelope's curse, and he and his daughter are killed as the white men seize all power.
Themes
Emotional Arc
triumph to tragedy
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects the historical period of European colonization in Africa, where indigenous power was often supplanted by foreign forces, sometimes through deception or superior technology/knowledge (symbolized by the mirror).
Plot Beats (14)
- Gopani-Kufa finds a python and an antelope trapped together; the python offers reward, the antelope warns of undoing.
- Gopani-Kufa kills the antelope to free the python, Insato, who promises a reward.
- Gopani-Kufa travels with Insato deep underground to Pita, Insato's beautiful kingdom, where Insato takes human form.
- Insato offers Gopani-Kufa any possession; Gopani-Kufa consults his wise wasp, Zengi-mizi, who advises him to ask for Sipao the Magic Mirror.
- Insato is reluctant to give up Sipao, but Gopani-Kufa's persistence, as advised by Zengi-mizi, eventually convinces him.
- Gopani-Kufa uses Sipao to return to Earth and then to create a grand city and become a powerful chief, rivaling Insato.
- Gopani-Kufa entrusts Sipao to his daughter, Shasasa, for safekeeping.
- Years later, white men, led by Rei, attack Gopani-Kufa's city but are repelled by the Mirror's power.
- Rei sends a cunning servant, Butou, to infiltrate Gopani-Kufa's city and discover the source of his power.
- Butou gains Gopani-Kufa's trust and seduces Shasasa, learning the secret of Sipao.
- Butou steals Sipao from Shasasa and returns it to Rei.
- The white men attack again; Gopani-Kufa asks for the Mirror, but Shasasa confesses its theft.
- Gopani-Kufa consults Zengi-mizi, who confirms that the antelope's prophecy of his undoing is being fulfilled.
- The white men conquer Gopani-Kufa's city, killing him and Shasasa, and gain all power through the Magic Mirror.
Characters
Gopani-Kufa
A man of the Senna region, likely of medium height and build, with a strong, weathered appearance from a life of hunting. His skin tone would be dark, consistent with the indigenous people of Rhodesia. As the story progresses, his hair turns grey with age.
Attire: Initially, simple hunting attire typical of the Senna region, likely made of animal hides or woven plant fibers. As chief, he would wear more elaborate, but still culturally appropriate, garments, possibly with some gold adornments, reflecting his status, though the story doesn't detail them. He carries an assegai.
Wants: To survive, to gain power and prosperity for himself and his family, and to rule his people well.
Flaw: His trusting nature, which leads him to believe Butou's lies and entrust the Mirror to his daughter, and his initial pragmatic choice to save the python over the antelope, which the antelope prophesies will be his undoing.
Transforms from a simple hunter to a powerful and beloved chief, then falls from grace due to betrayal, ultimately losing everything and dying, fulfilling the antelope's prophecy.
Resourceful, initially pragmatic (choosing the python over the antelope), trusting (believes Insato and later Butou), wise (consults Zengi-mizi), loving (cares for his family), and ultimately, regretful.
Insato
As a python: Enormous, powerful, with scales that might shimmer with an iridescent quality. As a man: Strong and handsome, with a physique that suggests power and grace. His skin tone would be dark, consistent with the people of Pita, his underground kingdom.
Attire: As a python: His own skin. As a man: The great python's skin wrapped around him as a covering, symbolizing his true form. He wears rings of pure gold on his arms and neck, indicating his royalty and wealth.
Wants: To rule his prosperous kingdom, to maintain his power, and to fulfill his promises.
Flaw: His attachment to Sipao, which is the source of all his power and wealth.
Remains largely unchanged, serving as a catalyst for Gopani-Kufa's rise and fall. He fulfills his promise despite personal cost.
Grateful (for being saved), generous (offers any possession), initially reluctant (to give up Sipao), but ultimately honorable (keeps his promise).
Antelope
A graceful, wild antelope, likely with slender legs, a sleek coat (perhaps reddish-brown or tawny), and sharp, defensive horns. It is depicted in a moment of struggle and injury.
Attire: None, its natural coat.
Wants: To escape death.
Flaw: Its vulnerability to predators.
Dies, but its dying words serve as a crucial prophecy that frames Gopani-Kufa's entire story.
Fearful, defensive, and prophetic.
Zengi-mizi
A small, ordinary wasp, but imbued with the wisdom of a human spirit. It would have the typical black and yellow striped body, delicate wings, and segmented body of a wasp.
Attire: None, its natural body.
Wants: To guide Gopani-Kufa, fulfilling its role as the spirit of his father.
Flaw: Its physical vulnerability as a small insect.
Remains a constant source of wisdom, its advice always proving correct, even in the face of inevitable doom.
Exceedingly wise, direct, and truthful.
Sipao the Mirror
A mirror of polished iron. Its size is not specified but must be portable enough to be hidden under a pillow. Its surface would be dark and reflective, perhaps with a slight sheen.
Attire: None.
Wants: To fulfill the wishes of its owner.
Flaw: Can be stolen, and its power can be used for ill.
Transfers ownership from Insato to Gopani-Kufa, then to Rei, symbolizing the transfer of power.
None, it is an object, but its power is absolute.
Shasasa
A young African woman of the Senna region, likely slender and graceful. Her skin tone would be dark, consistent with her people.
Attire: As the daughter of a chief, she would wear culturally appropriate garments, perhaps made of finely woven fabrics, possibly adorned with some simple jewelry, though not explicitly described. She would not wear European-style clothing.
Wants: To understand her father's power, to find love, and to protect the Mirror (though she fails).
Flaw: Her naivety and her love for Butou, which blinds her to his treachery.
Transforms from a curious daughter into a tragic figure whose actions lead to her family's downfall and her own death.
Curious, loving (towards her father and later Butou), naive, and ultimately regretful.
Rei
A white man, likely of European descent, with features typical of explorers or colonizers of the era. His build would be strong, indicative of a military leader. His skin tone would be fair.
Attire: Military attire typical of European explorers or soldiers of the period, likely made of sturdy fabrics like canvas or wool, possibly with a hat and boots. Colors would be practical, like khaki, brown, or dark blue.
Wants: To conquer and gain power, specifically to discover and seize the source of Gopani-Kufa's strength.
Flaw: His reliance on deception and betrayal.
Remains a consistent antagonist, ultimately achieving his goal of seizing the Magic Mirror and thus all power.
Cunning, persistent, ruthless, and power-hungry.
Butou
A white man, likely of European descent, similar to Rei. He initially disguises himself in rags, but his true appearance would be that of a European soldier or servant. His build would be average, allowing him to blend in.
Attire: Initially, tattered rags to appear as a destitute wanderer. His true clothing would be practical European attire, perhaps simpler than Rei's military uniform, befitting a servant or spy.
Wants: To serve Rei and steal the Magic Mirror.
Flaw: His lack of loyalty and moral compass.
Transforms from a humble supplicant to a successful traitor, directly causing the downfall of Gopani-Kufa.
Cunning, treacherous, deceptive, and manipulative.
Locations
Hunting Ground in Senna
A wild, untamed area in the region of Senna, likely characterized by dense bush or forest, where an enormous python has captured an antelope. The ground is soft enough for antelope horns to sink deeply into a tree.
Mood: Tense, dangerous, pivotal moment of decision.
Gopani-Kufa encounters the python and antelope, makes a fateful choice to save the python, and receives the prophecy of his undoing.
Underground Land of Pita
A beautiful, hidden country deep within the earth, accessed through a narrow hole. It features short green grass, herds of cattle, sheep, and goats, and a collection of tall, square stone houses with roofs shining with gold and burnished iron. Rivers flow through, where people bathe, fish, and boat. Lush gardens are filled with rice, maize, and unknown grains.
Mood: Magical, prosperous, astonishing, otherworldly.
Gopani-Kufa is led to Insato's hidden kingdom, witnesses its prosperity, and is offered a reward.
Insato's Palace in Pita
A grand palace within the town of Pita, where even the street dust is gold and silver. It contains luxurious rooms and maidens to attend to guests. The architecture is consistent with the square stone buildings with gold and burnished iron roofs seen throughout Pita.
Mood: Opulent, regal, a place of power and decision.
Gopani-Kufa is feasted and then asks for Sipao, the Magic Mirror, from Insato.
Gopani-Kufa's New Town by the Zambezi
A newly created town along the banks of the Zambezi river, featuring streets of stone buildings with roofs shining with gold and burnished iron, mirroring those in Pita. People walk the streets, drive sheep and cattle to pasture, and young men and maidens fish and boat in canoes on the river. A palace stands high above the other buildings in the town's center.
Mood: Prosperous, bustling, joyful, a symbol of Gopani-Kufa's newfound power.
Gopani-Kufa uses Sipao to create his own kingdom, becoming a powerful chief, and later loses it to the white men.