The Magic Fiddle
by Unknown · from Indian Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once, a kind girl named Lily lived. She lived with her seven brothers. Their wives lived there too. The Unkind Wives did not like Lily. Lily cooked for them all. They wanted Lily to go.
Unkind Wives asked Water Spirit for help. They wanted the water to rise. They wanted it to take Lily away. Lily went to get water.
The water went up, up, up. Lily called her brothers. "Oh, my brother!" she cried. The water went very high. Lily was gone into the water. The Water Spirit took her.
Lily was not gone always. She changed into a bamboo plant. The bamboo grew by the water. It grew very big.
A player walked by the water. He saw the big bamboo. He wanted to cut it. It made a soft sound. He cut the bamboo. He made a magic fiddle.
The fiddle played nice music. All loved the sound. The player got much money. He would not sell his fiddle. It was very special to him.
He went to a chief's house. The chief's people tricked him. He fell fast asleep. They took his magic fiddle. They gave him an old fiddle.
Prince Leo was the chief's son. He played the magic fiddle. A girl came from the fiddle. It was Lily! She cooked food for him. She went back inside.
Prince Leo wanted to know. He hid and watched. Lily came out again. Prince Leo saw her. He talked to her.
Lily liked Prince Leo. Prince Leo liked Lily. They talked and talked. They loved each other. They got married.
Lily's brothers were not rich now. They came to the house. They did not know Lily. Lily knew her brothers.
Lily gave them food to eat. She sat with her brothers. She told them her sad story. She told them about the water. She told them about the fiddle.
Lily did not want to be angry. She chose to forgive them. Her brothers felt very sad. They were happy to see Lily.
Lily and Prince Leo lived well ever after. Her brothers learned to be kind. It is always good to forgive.
Original Story
The Magic Fiddle
nce upon a time there lived seven brothers and a sister. The brothers were married, but their wives did not do the cooking for the family. It was done by their sister, who stopped at home to cook. The wives for this reason bore their sister-in-law much ill-will, and at length they combined together to oust her from the office of cook and general provider, so that one of themselves might obtain it. They said, "She does not go out to the fields to work, but remains quietly at home, and yet she has not the meals ready at the proper time." They then called upon their Bonga, and vowing vows unto him they secured his good-will and assistance; then they said to the Bonga, "At midday when our sister-in-law goes to bring water, cause it thus to happen, that on seeing her pitcher the water shall vanish, and again slowly re-appear. In this way she will be delayed. Let the water not flow into her pitcher, and you may keep the maiden as your own."
At noon when she went to bring water, it suddenly dried up before her, and she began to weep. Then after a while the water began slowly to rise. When it reached her ankles she tried to fill her pitcher, but it would not go under the water. Being frightened she began to wail and cry to her brother:
"Oh! my brother, the water reaches to my ankles,
Still, Oh! my brother, the pitcher will not dip."
The water continued to rise until it reached her knee, when she began to wail again:
"Oh! my brother, the water reaches to my knee,
Still, Oh! my brother, the pitcher will not dip."
The water continued to rise, and when it reached her waist, she cried again:
"Oh! my brother, the water reaches to my waist,
Still, Oh! my brother, the pitcher will not dip."
The water still rose, and when it reached her neck she kept on crying:
"Oh! my brother, the water reaches to my neck,
Still, Oh! my brother, the pitcher will not dip."
At length the water became so deep that she felt herself drowning, then she cried aloud:
"Oh! my brother, the water measures a man's height,
Oh! my brother, the pitcher begins to fill."
The pitcher filled with water, and along with it she sank and was drowned. The Bonga then transformed her into a Bonga like himself, and carried her off.
After a time she re-appeared as a bamboo growing on the embankment of the tank in which she had been drowned. When the bamboo had grown to an immense size, a Jogi, who was in the habit of passing that way, seeing it, said to himself, "This will make a splendid fiddle." So one day he brought an axe to cut it down; but when he was about to begin, the bamboo called out, "Do not cut at the root, cut higher up." When he lifted his axe to cut high up the stem, the bamboo cried out, "Do not cut near the top, cut at the root." When the Jogi again prepared himself to cut at the root as requested, the bamboo said, "Do not cut at the root, cut higher up;" and when he was about to cut higher up, it again called out to him, "Do not cut high up, cut at the root." The Jogi by this time felt sure that a Bonga was trying to frighten him, so becoming angry he cut down the bamboo at the root, and taking it away made a fiddle out of it. The instrument had a superior tone and delighted all who heard it. The Jogi carried it with him when he went a-begging, and through the influence of its sweet music he returned home every evening with a full wallet.
He now and then visited, when on his rounds, the house of the Bonga girl's brothers, and the strains of the fiddle affected them greatly. Some of them were moved even to tears, for the fiddle seemed to wail as one in bitter anguish. The elder brother wished to purchase it, and offered to support the Jogi for a whole year if he would consent to part with his wonderful instrument. The Jogi, however, knew its value, and refused to sell it.
It so happened that the Jogi some time after went to the house of a village chief, and after playing a tune or two on his fiddle asked for something to eat. They offered to buy his fiddle and promised a high price for it, but he refused to sell it, as his fiddle brought to him his means of livelihood. When they saw that he was not to be prevailed upon, they gave him food and a plentiful supply of liquor. Of the latter he drank so freely that he presently became intoxicated. While he was in this condition, they took away his fiddle, and substituted their own old one for it. When the Jogi recovered, he missed his instrument, and suspecting that it had been stolen asked them to return it to him. They denied having taken it, so he had to depart, leaving his fiddle behind him. The chief's son, being a musician, used to play on the Jogi's fiddle, and in his hands the music it gave forth delighted the ears of all who heard it.
When all the household were absent at their labours in the fields, the Bonga girl used to come out of the bamboo fiddle, and prepared the family meal. Having eaten her own share, she placed that of the chief's son under his bed, and covering it up to keep off the dust, re-entered the fiddle. This happening every day, the other members of the household thought that some girl friend of theirs was in this manner showing her interest in the young man, so they did not trouble themselves to find out how it came about. The young chief, however, was determined to watch, and see which of his girl friends was so attentive to his comfort. He said in his own mind, "I will catch her to-day, and give her a sound beating; she is causing me to be ashamed before the others." So saying, he hid himself in a corner in a pile of firewood. In a short time the girl came out of the bamboo fiddle, and began to dress her hair. Having completed her toilet, she cooked the meal of rice as usual, and having eaten some herself, she placed the young man's portion under his bed, as before, and was about to enter the fiddle again, when he, running out from his hiding-place, caught her in his arms. The Bonga girl exclaimed, "Fie! Fie! you may be a Dom, or you may be a Hadi of some other caste with whom I cannot marry." He said, "No. But from to-day, you and I are one." So they began lovingly to hold converse with each other. When the others returned home in the evening, they saw that she was both a human being and a Bonga, and they rejoiced exceedingly.
Now in course of time the Bonga girl's family became very poor, and her brothers on one occasion came to the chief's house on a visit.
The Bonga girl recognised them at once, but they did not know who she was. She brought them water on their arrival, and afterwards set cooked rice before them. Then sitting down near them, she began in wailing tones to upbraid them on account of the treatment she had been subjected to by their wives. She related all that had befallen her, and wound up by saying, "You must have known it all, and yet you did not interfere to save me." And that was all the revenge she took.
Story DNA
Moral
The consequences of ill-will and jealousy can be profound, but forgiveness can ultimately lead to peace.
Plot Summary
Resentful sisters-in-law conspire with a Bonga to drown their sister-in-law, who cooks for the family. She drowns, transforms into a Bonga, then a bamboo, which a Jogi turns into a magic fiddle. The fiddle is later stolen by a chief's son, who discovers the Bonga girl emerging from it to cook for him. They marry, and she eventually confronts her now-poor brothers, recounting her suffering but offering forgiveness rather than revenge.
Themes
Emotional Arc
betrayal to suffering to rebirth to reconciliation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale likely originates from the Santhal people, an indigenous ethnic group of India and Bangladesh, reflecting their animistic beliefs and social structures.
Plot Beats (13)
- Seven brothers' wives resent their sister-in-law, who cooks for the family, and conspire to get rid of her.
- The wives invoke a Bonga to cause the water in the tank to rise and drown the sister when she goes to fetch water.
- The sister drowns, repeatedly crying out to her brothers as the water rises, and is taken by the Bonga.
- She is reborn as a bamboo plant by the tank where she drowned.
- A Jogi finds the bamboo, cuts it despite its warnings, and fashions it into a magic fiddle.
- The fiddle's music is exceptionally beautiful and brings the Jogi wealth, but he refuses to sell it, even to the sister's brothers.
- The Jogi is tricked into drinking too much liquor by a village chief's family, who then steal his magic fiddle and replace it with an old one.
- The chief's son plays the fiddle, and the Bonga girl emerges from it daily to cook meals for him while the family is away.
- The chief's son, curious, hides and catches the Bonga girl as she emerges from the fiddle.
- The Bonga girl, initially hesitant about his caste, accepts him, and they marry.
- Her brothers, now poor, visit the chief's house and do not recognize their sister.
- The Bonga girl serves them and then reveals her identity, recounting her betrayal and suffering.
- She concludes by stating that her story is her only revenge, implying forgiveness.
Characters
The Sister (Bonga Girl)
Slender build, likely of South Asian descent given the story's context (Santal/Indian folklore). Her appearance is not explicitly detailed as human, but her transformation implies a graceful, perhaps ethereal form as a Bonga.
Attire: As a cook, she would have worn simple, practical clothing, likely a sari or a similar traditional garment of plain cotton or linen, possibly in muted colors. After her transformation and return, she would wear the attire of a chief's wife, which would be more elaborate, perhaps a finely woven sari with some embroidery or a traditional blouse and skirt (ghagra choli) of silk or fine cotton.
Wants: Initially, to fulfill her duties and survive. After her transformation, to find peace and perhaps understanding, and eventually to reveal her truth to her family.
Flaw: Her initial passivity and inability to defend herself against her sisters-in-law's machinations.
She transforms from a victimized human sister into a Bonga, then into a bamboo, then a magical fiddle, and finally back into a human/Bonga who finds love and reveals her identity, choosing forgiveness over revenge.
Diligent, long-suffering, sorrowful, forgiving, observant, resourceful.
The Bonga
Not explicitly described, but as a spirit or deity in Santal folklore, a Bonga would likely be depicted as an ethereal or powerful being, possibly with a human-like form but imbued with supernatural characteristics. It could have a slightly imposing or mysterious presence.
Attire: As a spirit, it would not wear conventional clothing, but might be depicted with flowing, translucent drapery or a form composed of natural elements like mist or light, reflecting its connection to the environment.
Wants: To claim the sister as his own, to exert his power.
Flaw: None explicitly stated, but his actions are driven by a desire for possession.
Acts as a catalyst for the sister's transformation, then fades into the background as she develops her own agency.
Powerful, manipulative (initially), possessive, capable of transformation.
The Jogi
Lean and weathered from a life of wandering. As a Jogi (a Hindu ascetic or yogi), he would likely be thin, perhaps with a slightly stooped posture from carrying his belongings and walking long distances. His skin would be tanned and leathery from exposure to the elements.
Attire: Simple, saffron-colored or earth-toned robes, possibly a dhoti and an upper cloth (angavastram). He might carry a small bag or satchel for alms. His clothing would be practical and worn, reflecting his ascetic lifestyle.
Wants: To make a living through his music, to find good instruments.
Flaw: Vulnerable to intoxication, which leads to the loss of his prized possession.
Discovers the magic fiddle, benefits from it, loses it due to a lapse in judgment, and then disappears from the narrative.
Perceptive, persistent, easily angered (initially), appreciative of beauty (music), somewhat naive (regarding the liquor).
The Chief's Son
Likely well-built and healthy, as the son of a village chief, he would be accustomed to a comfortable life but also potentially involved in community activities. His physique would be typical of a young man of South Asian descent.
Attire: As a chief's son, he would wear finer clothing than a peasant, perhaps a well-made kurta and dhoti or pajamas, possibly of silk or fine cotton, in richer colors. He might wear a simple turban or head covering.
Wants: To discover the source of the mysterious meals, to find a partner.
Flaw: His initial suspicion and plan to 'beat' the mysterious cook, though this is quickly overcome by love.
From a curious and slightly aggressive observer, he transforms into a loving and accepting husband to the Bonga girl.
Curious, determined, musical, initially suspicious, ultimately loving and accepting.
The Sisters-in-law
Not explicitly described, but as wives of brothers in a rural setting, they would likely be sturdy and accustomed to physical labor. Their appearance would be typical of women of South Asian descent.
Attire: Simple, practical saris or other traditional garments of cotton, suitable for daily chores and field work, likely in muted or earthy tones.
Wants: To oust their sister-in-law from her position as cook and provider, driven by envy and a desire for one of them to take her place.
Flaw: Their envy and malice, which leads them to commit a terrible act.
They initiate the tragic events but face no direct consequences within the story's narrative, only being confronted by the Bonga girl's recounting of her suffering.
Jealous, malicious, manipulative, resentful, ungrateful.
Locations
Village Tank Embankment
A muddy or earthen embankment bordering a village tank (pond or reservoir), likely surrounded by tropical vegetation. The water itself is still and deep, reflecting the sky. The ground near the water's edge would be damp earth, possibly with reeds or other water plants.
Mood: Initially eerie and tragic due to the drowning, later becomes a place of transformation and natural growth.
The sister is drowned and transformed into a Bonga, then later reappears as a bamboo stalk on this embankment. A Jogi cuts the bamboo here to make a fiddle.
Village Chief's House
A traditional South Asian village chief's house, likely a substantial dwelling made of mud, timber, or possibly brick, with a thatched or tiled roof. It would feature a central courtyard or a main living area, with smaller rooms branching off. The interior would be simple but well-maintained, with woven mats on the floor and perhaps some carved wooden elements. A pile of firewood would be stored in a corner of a room or an adjacent lean-to.
Mood: Initially hospitable, then deceptive and later becomes a place of domesticity, mystery, and eventual reunion.
The Jogi is tricked and his fiddle stolen here. The Bonga girl emerges from the fiddle to cook meals for the chief's son, and is eventually discovered and reunited with her human form here. Her brothers later visit this house.