A ZULU TALE
by Sarah F. Bourhill · from Fairy tales from South Africa
Adapted Version
Once, two sisters lived with Mama. They had a small house. Their father was gone far away. They had little food. They were very hungry.
"Come, my girls," said Mama. "We will walk to Grandmother." Grandmother had food. The sisters were happy. They loved to walk.
They walked on a long path. Then a big, scary snake was there. It sat on the road. "Run!" said Mama. "Run and hide!" The two girls ran fast. They hid in the trees. But Mama was gone.
The girls were alone. They were sad and scared. They cried and cried.
Then a kind old woman came. She had a warm smile. She saw the two girls. "Do not cry," she said. "I will be your grandmother now. You are safe."
The kind Grandmother had magic. She turned them all into birds! They had bright, pretty feathers. They flew into the trees. They sang in the sun. They were safe and happy.
The girls grew big. Grandmother said, "It is time now. Fly to new home." They flew over hills. They flew over rivers. They flew to a big town.
Grandmother used magic. They were people again. They were tall and strong. Grandmother talked to the leader. He said they could stay.
They got a piece of land. They built a house fast. It was like magic.
Grandmother said, "Work hard. Do not look back." The big sister and the little sister dug. They planted seeds. Food grew big and fast.
The King saw their garden. "How did it grow so much?" he asked. He was very surprised.
The King met the girls. He met Grandmother. He was happy. "You are good workers!" he said.
The King had two sons. The girls became friends with them. They all lived in a big house. They were a new family.
There was a big party. Everyone was happy. Grandmother gave them gifts. There was much food and dancing.
Grandmother smiled. "I must go," she said. She gave them a big hug. Then she was gone. It was like magic. The big sister and the little sister smiled. They had a home. They had food. They were happy.
Original Story
A ZULU TALE
At the foot of the great hills which lie on the borders of Swaziland a river flows among wide grassy plains. Trees line its banks throughout its course, and great herds of buck come down to the water to drink at night. It is a rich and beautiful country, and there, long years ago, lived a young Chief and his wife. They were very happy, and had everything they wanted. Two lovely little girls were born to them, and then, one sad day, the father died, and his wife was left all alone. Her husband had no brother who would take her to his kraal and provide for her, so she was thrown on her own resources, and had nothing but what she could find herself. For a while she worked hard, and tilled her lands with the help of the two little girls, but when autumn came her crops were poor. There was not enough grain to last till the next harvest.
So when the spring rains fell and the seed was set, she turned to her children and said, “There will soon be no more corn for us to eat. We must leave the kraal and go to grandmother. She will give us corn and mealies to last till harvest-time.”
The little girls were delighted, for they loved a journey, and all set forth along the path which led towards the mountains. It was very narrow, so they went one behind another, the mother leading the way.
It was a beautiful spring morning. Great white clouds shone in the blue sky, the grass was getting greener every day, and the plain was carpeted with clusters of the most lovely flowers. First came whole companies of scarlet lynx-ear, then followed great patches of a tiny bright blue flower, and then again nothing but white blossoms, which turned inky-black as they faded. The little girls laughed and chattered, and sometimes sang a song of travel, for it was a holiday, and they were happy.
Then they left the flat plains and began to ascend the course of a tiny stream which came down from the hills. The path led in and out among huge rocks and tall trees hung with creepers. Little ferns were beginning to show their fronds, and here and there nodded a brilliant scarlet daisy. The mother still walked first, and the bushes grew thicker and thicker.
The path gave a sharp turn, and there, right before them, lay an enormous snake. He was coiled in the very middle of the narrow road, and his wicked head was poised ready to attack them. In truth, he was an ogre in disguise, for he looked at the mother and said at once in a deep voice, “Where are you going to?”
The poor mother fled shrieking into the thorny bush, but the snake was much quicker than she. He threw himself round her in great folds, and in a few minutes he had eaten her up. The two little girls ran on as hard as ever they could and plunged in among the bushes till they came to a great rock. There they hid themselves, shaking in every limb, and not daring even to look for food.
Many hours passed by and the sun was getting low. The children were faint with hunger, and began to cry bitterly at the thought of their mother. Then they heard footsteps coming through the grass. They sat up and listened; this was no snake. Presently an old woman came in sight carrying a little pot of food on her head. She had a kind face, and directly she saw the little girls she stopped and said, “Why do you hide right under the rock, and why are you crying?”
“Our father and mother are both dead,” said the little girls, “and we don’t know where our grandmother lives.”
“Wipe away your tears,” said the old woman. “I will be your grandmother.”
Then she sat down and spoke kindly to them till they felt comforted and happy. “Now,” said she, “I will provide for you. I will change both you and myself into beautiful birds. We will live in the forest, and no one shall have any power to harm us.”
And immediately all happened as the old woman said, for she was a great and powerful Fairy and no old woman at all. And they flew far away into a big forest where no man ever came. There they lived in perfect ease, twittering gaily all day long, bathing in the clear streams, and flying in and out among green ferns and many-coloured lilies.
But one day the Fairy said to the girls, “You are grown up now, and can no longer live carelessly like birds. Now we must travel and seek our fortune.”
So they left the forest and flew for many days till they came to a big city, where a famous Chief ruled. There they stopped. The Fairy became an old woman once more, and she changed the two girls back into their original form. Only now they were women grown, and as pretty as they could be.
The next morning she asked to see the King’s chief councillor. As soon as she entered the hut she saluted him respectfully, saying:
“I see you, Chief.”
“I see you,” answered the Induna.
“I am come here to ask if I and my two grand-daughters may live here under the protection of the great King.”
“Why do you want to come?” asked the Induna. “Have you no kindred to whom you belong?”
“The girls have lost both father and mother by witchcraft,” said the old Fairy. “I am their only living relation, and I want to find them a home, for I am old.”
“They are beautiful girls,” said the Induna. “I will give you lands which you may cultivate, and space within the city on which to build your hut.”
The Induna then appointed men who should show them the land for their hut and help them to set the framework. A Kafir hut, you know, is round and thatched with grass, very like an old-fashioned bee-hive. Men set the framework with strong supple boughs; then the women come and thatch from top to bottom with their clever fingers. As soon as the King’s men had gone, the old Fairy and the two girls set to work. It often takes many days to complete a hut, but so well did they work that by sundown the hut was finished, even to a beautiful little screen before the door to keep off the wind. Not only had they been quicker than any women before known, but the thatch was also finer than any in the whole city. The marvel of their neighbours may be imagined. The next day they cleared away the grass before the entrance and put up the neatest and most beautiful fence in the whole country-side.
Then when their home was ready, they set out to hoe their lands. These lay at some distance from the kraal, at the outermost border of the lands already tilled.
“Now,” said the Fairy, “I am too old to wield a hoe, but you, my daughters, are strong. Each of you must take your pick and work straight ahead without looking behind you. I will follow behind, gather the weeds, and clear everything up.”
It was early morning, and the mists had barely risen from the hills. The wide veld lay before them, and stretched in long golden lines to the sharp blue mountain peaks on the horizon. The girls did as they were bid. They worked steadily till mid-day, singing gaily all the while; nor did they once look behind them. When the sun was at its height they stopped to rest. They were amazed to see the extent of ground they had cleared, and could not believe it possible. The old Fairy smiled and said, “We will come again to-morrow and do yet better.”
They came the next day, and yet many days. Their lands grew and grew till at length they had hoed more land than the King himself, who could have as many workers as he wished. Their neighbours began to notice them. “These girls are not only beautiful,” said they, “they are strong and willing, and work like no one we have ever seen. Their lands are better than those of the King himself.”
That year the rains came early. The golden hues of winter changed as the young grass sprang up, and hundreds of flowers appeared to delight the eye. Every one had good crops that summer, but the Fairy’s mealies were taller and greener than those of any one in the King’s dominions.
It was not long before the King was told of these wonderful strangers. “I must see for myself,” said the King. “No doubt it is not so wonderful as they say. People talk so much.”
But when he walked out himself and saw the land hoed by the Fairy and her maidens, he was astonished beyond belief; the field was far larger even than he had heard, and the mealies taller than himself or any of his men. The next day he commanded the old woman and her grand-daughters to appear before him. An Induna brought them into the King’s presence.
“How is it,” said the King, “that you have been able to hoe such enormous lands? Your mealies and corn are better than mine, though I can have hundreds of men to work for me.”
“King of Kings,” said the wise old Fairy, “I am the daughter of a very mighty King, and these girls are my daughter’s children. A mighty King, as you know, has great power, and can do more than other men.”
“I am indeed pleased,” said the King, “to see that your daughters are such beautiful girls. I am too old to marry them myself, but I have two fine young Princes who are just of an age to wed. I should not like your daughters to marry any one else, for such maidens are the ones who should marry great Chiefs. They are not only beautiful, but industrious and strong beyond all other women.”
So the marriages were arranged, and the two maidens, who had lost both father and mother, became the wives of the bravest and finest of all the King’s sons. Many hundreds of cattle were given to the Fairy grandmother in exchange for her daughters, and great were the rejoicings throughout the whole city.
The Fairy stayed till she saw that both her adopted children were happy and well-beloved. Then one day she divided her cattle between them, kissed them farewell, and disappeared.
Story DNA
Moral
With hard work, kindness, and a bit of magic, even the most unfortunate can find happiness and prosperity.
Plot Summary
After their Chief father dies, two young girls and their mother are left impoverished. On a journey to find their grandmother, an ogre disguised as a snake devours their mother, leaving the girls orphaned and terrified. A powerful Fairy, disguised as an old woman, finds and adopts them, transforming them into birds for safety. Years later, they transform back into women and settle in a new city, where their extraordinary industriousness in farming catches the King's eye. Impressed by their beauty and hard work, the King arranges for them to marry his two sons, securing their happiness and prosperity before the Fairy departs.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects traditional Zulu social structures, agricultural practices, and the importance of community and family, even when supernatural elements are present.
Plot Beats (15)
- A Chief's wife and her two young daughters are left impoverished after the Chief's death, facing poor harvests.
- The mother decides they must travel to their grandmother for food, and they set out on a journey.
- On the path, an enormous snake (an ogre in disguise) confronts them and devours the mother.
- The two little girls flee and hide, terrified and hungry.
- An old woman, who is secretly a powerful Fairy, discovers the crying girls and offers to be their grandmother.
- The Fairy transforms herself and the girls into birds, and they live safely and happily in a forest for many years.
- When the girls are grown, the Fairy decides they must seek their fortune, and they fly to a big city.
- The Fairy transforms them back into beautiful women and seeks protection from the city's Chief.
- The Induna grants them land for a hut and fields, and they build an exceptionally fine hut with magical speed.
- The Fairy instructs the girls to hoe their lands without looking back, and they cultivate an enormous, fertile field in record time.
- Their extraordinary farming success, producing better crops than the King's, draws the King's attention.
- The King summons them, is astonished by their achievements, and learns of the Fairy's royal lineage.
- Impressed by their beauty and industry, the King arranges for the two maidens to marry his two brave and fine sons.
- The marriages take place with great celebration, and the Fairy divides her cattle between the girls.
- The Fairy, seeing her adopted granddaughters happy and beloved, bids them farewell and disappears.
Characters
The Mother (of the two girls) ◆ supporting
A woman of the Zulu people, likely of average height and strong build from years of tilling land. Her skin would be a rich, deep brown, accustomed to the African sun.
Attire: Simple, practical Zulu attire suitable for farming and travel: perhaps a leather or cloth skirt (isishweshwe or similar), a modest top, and possibly a headwrap (doek) to protect from the sun.
Wants: To provide for her daughters and ensure their survival after her husband's death.
Flaw: Her fear, which leads to her immediate demise when confronted by the snake.
Her arc is tragically cut short. She begins as a struggling but hopeful mother and ends as a victim of the ogre-snake.
Hardworking, responsible, protective, fearful, resourceful (initially).
Image Prompt & Upload
A Zulu woman of adult age, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has deep brown skin, a strong build, and dark hair styled in short, neat braids. She wears a practical, earth-toned cloth skirt and a simple top, with a patterned headwrap. Her expression is one of weary determination. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Ogre-Snake ⚔ antagonist
An enormous snake, coiled in the middle of a narrow road. Its scales would be dark and possibly iridescent, reflecting the light. Its body would be thick and powerful, capable of coiling around a human.
Attire: None, as it is a snake.
Wants: To consume and harm travelers.
Flaw: None explicitly stated, as it successfully achieves its goal.
Remains a static villain, fulfilling its role as an obstacle.
Predatory, cunning, cruel, deceptive (as an ogre in disguise).
Image Prompt & Upload
An enormous, thick-bodied snake, coiled tightly in the center of a narrow dirt path. Its scales are dark, almost black, with a subtle iridescent sheen. Its head is raised high, poised to strike, with sharp, predatory yellow eyes and slit pupils. Its mouth is slightly agape, revealing fangs. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Fairy (as Old Woman) ○ protagonist | supporting
In her disguise, she appears as an old Zulu woman, likely with a slightly stooped posture, but with an underlying strength. Her skin would be wrinkled and dark brown, showing the wisdom of age.
Attire: Simple, traditional Zulu attire for an elderly woman: a modest, earth-toned skirt and top, possibly a shawl, and a practical headwrap. Her clothing, though simple, would appear well-maintained and clean.
Wants: To protect and provide for the orphaned girls, guiding them to a prosperous future.
Flaw: None explicitly stated; she is portrayed as immensely powerful and wise.
She acts as a mentor and guardian, guiding the girls from helplessness to prosperity, then departs once her task is complete.
Kind, wise, powerful, protective, resourceful, strategic, patient.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly Zulu woman, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has deep brown, wrinkled skin, a kind and wise expression, and soft, dark eyes. Her grey hair is neatly covered by a patterned headwrap. She wears a simple, earth-toned cloth skirt and a loose-fitting top, with a shawl draped over her shoulders. She carries a small, unadorned clay pot balanced gracefully on her head. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Eldest Girl (later Princess) ★ protagonist
Initially a small Zulu child, growing into a beautiful young woman. Her skin would be a rich, warm brown, and she would have a strong, healthy build from her work.
Attire: Initially, simple child's attire. As a young woman, practical but well-made Zulu clothing for working the land (e.g., a cloth skirt and top). Later, as a princess, she would wear more elaborate Zulu royal attire, perhaps with beadwork and fine fabrics like patterned cotton or woven grass.
Wants: To survive and find a secure home, later to work diligently and make a good life for herself and her sister.
Flaw: Initially vulnerable and dependent.
Transforms from a frightened, orphaned child into a hardworking, respected young woman, and finally into a princess, finding security and happiness.
Playful (as a child), resilient, hardworking, obedient, beautiful, industrious.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Zulu woman, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has warm brown skin, a strong and graceful build, and a beautiful, expressive face with bright, dark eyes. Her dark hair is styled in neat, intricate braids. She wears a practical, patterned cloth skirt and a fitted top, with simple beadwork around her neck. She holds a traditional wooden hoe in her hands, poised as if working. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Younger Girl (later Princess) ★ protagonist
Initially a small Zulu child, growing into a beautiful young woman. Her skin would be a rich, warm brown, and she would have a strong, healthy build from her work.
Attire: Initially, simple child's attire. As a young woman, practical but well-made Zulu clothing for working the land (e.g., a cloth skirt and top). Later, as a princess, she would wear more elaborate Zulu royal attire, perhaps with beadwork and fine fabrics like patterned cotton or woven grass.
Wants: To survive and find a secure home, later to work diligently and make a good life for herself and her sister.
Flaw: Initially vulnerable and dependent.
Transforms from a frightened, orphaned child into a hardworking, respected young woman, and finally into a princess, finding security and happiness.
Playful (as a child), resilient, hardworking, obedient, beautiful, industrious.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Zulu woman, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has warm brown skin, a strong and graceful build, and a beautiful, expressive face with bright, dark eyes. Her dark hair is styled in neat, intricate braids. She wears a practical, patterned cloth skirt and a fitted top, with simple beadwork around her neck. She holds a traditional wooden hoe in her hands, poised as if working. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The King ◆ supporting
A powerful Zulu King, likely of a mature age, with a commanding presence. His build would be strong and regal, reflecting his status. His skin would be a deep, rich brown.
Attire: Elaborate and regal Zulu attire: a finely woven or animal-skin loincloth (umutsha), possibly a cape or cloak adorned with animal skins (e.g., leopard), intricate beadwork, and a distinctive headpiece (isicholo or similar) or feathered crown signifying his royalty. He might carry a staff or scepter.
Wants: To rule his kingdom effectively, to find suitable wives for his sons, and to understand the source of the girls' extraordinary success.
Flaw: Initially prone to skepticism and underestimating others.
Begins as a skeptical ruler, then is astonished by the girls' achievements, and ultimately becomes a generous benefactor, arranging their marriages to his sons.
Skeptical (initially), observant, just, appreciative of hard work, wise, generous.
Image Prompt & Upload
A mature Zulu King, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has deep brown skin, a strong, regal build, and a dignified face with wise, dark eyes. His dark hair is neatly styled, and he has a short, well-maintained beard. He wears an elaborate, patterned loincloth, a cape made of leopard skin draped over one shoulder, and intricate beadwork around his neck and wrists. A distinctive feathered headpiece adorns his head. He holds a carved wooden staff in one hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Induna (Chief Councillor) ○ minor
A respected Zulu chief councillor, likely of mature age, with a distinguished bearing. His skin would be a deep brown, and his build would suggest authority and experience.
Attire: Formal Zulu attire suitable for a chief councillor: a well-made loincloth (umutsha), possibly a simple animal-skin cloak or a finely woven cloth, and significant beadwork or armbands indicating his status. He might wear a simple headring (isicoco) or a modest headwrap.
Wants: To serve the King and uphold the laws and customs of the kraal.
Flaw: None explicitly stated.
Remains a static character, fulfilling his role as the King's representative.
Observant, respectful, dutiful, discerning, practical.
Image Prompt & Upload
A mature Zulu man, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has deep brown skin, a dignified build, and a serious, observant face with dark, intelligent eyes. His dark hair is neatly kept, and he has a short, well-trimmed beard. He wears a finely woven loincloth, a simple patterned cloth draped over one shoulder, and intricate beadwork armbands. He holds a short, carved wooden staff. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
River Plains at the Foot of the Great Hills
Wide grassy plains at the base of large hills, with a river flowing through them. The river banks are lined with trees. It's a rich and beautiful country.
Mood: Initially peaceful and abundant, later becomes a place of sorrow and hardship.
The initial setting where the Chief and his wife lived, and where the wife later struggled to cultivate her lands after her husband's death.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, verdant plain stretches towards a range of majestic, rolling hills under a clear blue sky. A winding river, its banks densely lined with indigenous trees like acacia and marula, cuts through the grassland. The ground is covered in short, vibrant green grass, with patches of wildflowers. In the distance, the hills rise gently, their slopes covered in a mix of grass and scattered trees. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Narrow Path Leading to the Mountains
A very narrow path that first crosses flat plains carpeted with colorful spring flowers, then ascends along a tiny stream. It winds among huge rocks and tall trees draped with creepers, with ferns and scarlet daisies appearing.
Mood: Initially joyful and adventurous, quickly turns terrifying and dangerous.
The journey of the mother and her daughters to their grandmother's kraal, where they encounter the ogre-snake and the mother is eaten.
Image Prompt & Upload
A winding, narrow dirt path meanders through a vibrant spring landscape. On the flat plains, the ground is a tapestry of short green grass interspersed with clusters of scarlet lynx-ear, bright blue, and white blossoms. As the path begins to ascend, it weaves between massive, weathered sandstone boulders and tall, indigenous trees like fever trees and wild figs, their branches draped with thick, woody creepers. Small, delicate ferns unfurl their fronds near the stream, and brilliant scarlet daisies dot the edges of the path. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Great Rock Hiding Place
A large, imposing rock where the two little girls hid after their mother's death. It is surrounded by bushes.
Mood: Fearful, desolate, then comforting and hopeful.
The girls hide here after the ogre-snake eats their mother, and where they are found by the Fairy disguised as an old woman.
Image Prompt & Upload
A massive, ancient granite boulder, its surface weathered and grey, dominates the foreground. Dense, thorny scrub and low-lying bushes with dark green leaves grow tightly around its base, providing a natural hiding place. The ground immediately around the rock is sparse, dry earth, transitioning to taller, wild grasses further out. The late afternoon sun casts long shadows, giving the scene a somber, yet subtly hopeful, glow. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Zulu City Kraal
A bustling Zulu city, home to a famous Chief. It contains numerous round, thatched 'Kafir huts' (Zulu beehive huts) with frameworks of strong, supple boughs and finely woven grass thatch. The huts have small screens before their doors. There are also cleared areas and neat fences around the huts.
Mood: Lively, communal, later a place of wonder and celebration.
The Fairy and the girls arrive here, build their hut, and later the girls are married to the King's sons.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vibrant Zulu kraal settlement, with numerous traditional beehive huts scattered across a gently sloping landscape. Each hut is perfectly round, constructed with a framework of strong, dark boughs and meticulously thatched from top to bottom with golden-brown grass, creating a smooth, domed surface. Small, woven screens stand before the low entrances. The ground between the huts is cleared earth, transitioning to short, well-maintained grass, and neat, woven fences delineate individual homesteads. In the background, other huts and the daily life of the community are visible under a bright, clear sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Cultivated Lands on the Veld
Wide veld (grassland) at some distance from the kraal, at the outermost border of already tilled lands. It stretches in long golden lines to sharp blue mountain peaks on the horizon. The land is cultivated with mealies (corn) that grow taller and greener than any others.
Mood: Industrious, productive, awe-inspiring due to the girls' magical work.
The Fairy and the girls cultivate an enormous amount of land with exceptional crops, drawing the King's attention.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, open veld stretches under an expansive sky, transitioning from the soft, diffused light of early morning mist to the bright clarity of mid-day. The foreground is meticulously hoed earth, planted with rows of impossibly tall and vibrant green mealie stalks, standing much higher than a person. Beyond the cultivated fields, the natural grassland extends in long, undulating golden lines, dotted with patches of young, emerald grass and hundreds of colorful wildflowers. In the far distance, sharp, jagged blue mountain peaks rise dramatically against the horizon. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
