THE MAGIC MIRROR
by Unknown · from The Orange Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Gopáni-Kúfa lived in a warm land. He was a hunter.
Gopáni-Kúfa walked in the forest. He saw a big snake. The snake was stuck. A deer was also stuck. Its horns held the snake. Gopáni-Kúfa helped the snake. The deer ran away. The snake was free.
The deer was sad. It looked at Gopáni-Kúfa. The deer spoke to him. "You helped the snake," it said. "This help will bring you trouble. Bad things will happen later." Gopáni-Kúfa heard this. He did not know what they meant.
Insáto the snake thanked Gopáni-Kúfa. Insáto said, "Come with me." Gopáni-Kúfa went. Then Insáto changed. He was not a snake. He was a strong man. He showed Gopáni-Kúfa many nice things.
Gopáni-Kúfa had a wise wasp. Its name was Zéngi-mízi. Zéngi-mízi was his father's spirit. Gopáni-Kúfa asked the wasp for help. Zéngi-mízi buzzed, "Biz-z-z." "Ask for Sipáo."
Gopáni-Kúfa asked for the mirror. Insáto did not want to give it. The mirror was very special. Insáto was sad. But Gopáni-Kúfa saved his life. So Insáto gave the mirror. "Take Sipáo," he said.
Gopáni-Kúfa had Sipáo the Magic Mirror. He wished to go home. He wished for a big town. He wished for many people. He became a big leader. His town was very nice. He was very happy.
Gopáni-Kúfa had a daughter. Her name was Shasása. He loved her very much. He gave her Sipáo the Magic Mirror. "Keep it safe," he told her. Shasása hid the mirror. She put it under her pillow.
Many years passed. Gopáni-Kúfa was old. People from far away came. They wanted his town. They fought Gopáni-Kúfa. But they could not win. Gopáni-Kúfa was strong. They went away.
The people from far away had a leader. The Leader sent a man. His name was Butou. Butou came to Gopáni-Kúfa's town. He wanted to find a secret. He came to live in the town.
Butou was kind to Gopáni-Kúfa. Gopáni-Kúfa trusted Butou. Shasása liked Butou very much. She spent time with him. Butou smiled at Shasása. Shasása felt happy. She did not know his plan.
Shasása liked Butou. She told him a secret. "My father has a magic mirror," she said. "It is Sipáo." Butou took the mirror. He ran away with it. He went to The Leader.
Gopáni-Kúfa looked for Sipáo. It was gone. He was very sad. He asked Zéngi-mízi for help. Zéngi-mízi buzzed, "Biz-z-z." "The deer's sad words are coming true," it said. "Trouble is here."
The people from far away came again. They came to the town. Gopáni-Kúfa had no mirror. He had no special power. Gopáni-Kúfa and Shasása lost their town. They were very sad.
The people from far away now had Sipáo. They took it with them. They used its power. They became very strong people. They had much land. They had many things. Sipáo made them strong.
This story tells us: Be smart what you choose. Bad choices can bring sad things.
Original Story
THE MAGIC MIRROR
From the Senna
A long, long while ago, before ever the White Men were seen in Senna, there lived a man called Gopáni-Kúfa.
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 Insáto, King of all the Reptiles, and will reward you well!’
Gopáni-Kúfa 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!’
Gopáni-Kúfa went back to his kraal, and with the new moon he returned again to the spot where he had saved the python.
Insáto 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 17] Píta, which is my own country, and I will give you what you will of all my possessions.’
Gopáni-Kúfa at first was afraid, thinking of what the antelope had said, but finally he consented and followed Insáto 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 Insáto, ‘and I will go down first, drawing you after me.’ The man did so, and Insáto 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 Gopáni-Kúfa saw a great collection of houses all square, built of stone and very tall, and their roofs were shining with gold and burnished iron.
Gopáni-Kúfa turned to Insáto, but found, in the place of the python, a man, strong and handsome, with the 18] 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 Insáto,’ said he; ‘but in my own country I take man’s shape—even as you see me—for this is Píta, the land over which I am king.’ He then took Gopáni-Kúfa 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 Gopáni-Kúfa 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 Insáto with delight, bringing also palm wine and green cocoa-nuts for refreshment, as to one returned from a long journey.
‘These are my children!’ said Insáto, waving his hand towards the people. Gopáni-Kúfa 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.
Insáto conducted Gopáni-Kúfa 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 Píta and it should be given him. Then he went away.
Now Gopáni-Kúfa had a wasp called Zéngi-mízi. Zéngi-mízi was not an ordinary wasp, for the spirit of the father of Gopáni-Kúfa had entered it, so that it was exceedingly wise. In times of doubt Gopáni-Kúfa 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: ‘Zéngi-mízi, what gift shall 19] I ask of Insáto to-morrow when he would know the reward he shall bestow on me for saving his life?’
‘Biz-z-z,’ hummed Zéngi-mízi, ‘ask him for Sipáo the Mirror.’ And it flew back into its basket.
Gopáni-Kúfa was astonished at this answer; but knowing that the words of Zéngi-mízi were true words, he determined to make the request. So that night they feasted, and on the morrow Insáto came to Gopáni-Kúfa 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 Gopáni-Kúfa, ‘out of all your possessions I will have the Mirror, Sipáo.’
The king started. ‘O friend, Gopáni-Kúfa,’ 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 Gopáni-Kúfa, ‘and to-morrow I will let you know if I change my mind.’
But the king was still much troubled, fearing the loss of Sipáo, for the Mirror had magic powers, so that he who owned it had but to ask and his wish would be fulfilled; to it Insáto owed all that he possessed.
As soon as the king left him, Gopáni-Kúfa again took Zéngi-mízi out of his basket. ‘Zéngi-mízi,’ 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 Gopáni-Kúfa, 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 Gopáni-Kúfa returned the same answer to the king, and, at last, with tears in his eyes, Insáto gave him the Mirror, which was 20] of polished iron, saying: ‘Take Sipáo, then, O Gopáni-Kúfa, and may thy wishes come true. Go back now to thine own country; Sipáo will show you the way.’
Gopáni-Kúfa was greatly rejoiced, and, taking farewell of the king, said to the Mirror:
‘Sipáo, Sipáo, 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:
‘Sipáo, Sipáo, 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 Zéngi-mízi, in whom sat the spirit of his father, what he had better ask Sipáo for next?
‘Biz-z-z,’ said the wasp, ‘would you not like to be as great a chief as Insáto?’
And Gopáni-Kúfa smiled, and took the Mirror and said to it:
‘Sipáo, Sipáo, I want a town as great as that of Insáto, the King of Píta; 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 Píta; 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 21] of the new town beheld Gopáni-Kúfa they rejoiced greatly and hailed him as chief.
Gopáni-Kúfa was now as powerful as Insáto 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 Shasása kept begging him to tell her how he had suddenly become so great; so at last he revealed 22] the whole secret, and even entrusted Sipáo 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 Shasása took the Magic Mirror and hid it beneath her pillow, and after that for many years Gopáni-Kúfa ruled his people both well and wisely, so that all men loved him, and never once did he need to ask Sipáo to grant him a wish.
Now it happened that, after many years, when the hair of Gopáni-Kúfa was turning grey with age, there came white men to that country. Up the Zambesi they came, and they fought long and fiercely with Gopáni-Kúfa; 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 Gopáni-Kúfa’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 Gopáni-Kúfa’s town he asked for the chief; and the people took him into the presence of Gopáni-Kúfa. 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 Gopáni-Kúfa 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 Shasása, the daughter of Gopáni-Kúfa, went forth to Butou the 23] 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 Gopáni-Kúfa was gazing 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.
‘Shasása! 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 Sipáo from me!’
Then Gopáni-Kúfa calmed himself, and drew out Zéngi-mízi from its rush basket.
‘O spirit of my father!’ he said, ‘what now shall I do?’
‘O Gopáni-Kúfa!’ 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 own undoing—they are being fulfilled!’
Then the white men fell upon the people of Gopáni-Kúfa and slew them together with the chief and his daughter Shasása; and since then all the power of the Earth has rested in the hands of the white men, for they have in their possession Sipáo, the Magic Mirror.
24]
Story DNA
Moral
Be wary of the consequences of your choices, especially when they involve harming the innocent, as fate may eventually bring about your undoing.
Plot Summary
Gopáni-Kúfa saves a python by killing an antelope, earning a magical wishing mirror, Sipáo, but also a curse from the dying antelope. Guided by his wise wasp, he uses Sipáo to become a powerful chief, building a grand town and entrusting the mirror to his daughter, Shasása. Years later, cunning white men arrive, and their spy, Butou, seduces Shasása, steals Sipáo, and delivers it to his chief. Without the mirror, Gopáni-Kúfa and his people are defeated and killed, fulfilling the antelope's prophecy that his reward would be his undoing, and the white men gain ultimate power.
Themes
Emotional Arc
triumph to tragedy
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects the impact of European colonization in Africa, particularly the loss of indigenous power and resources to 'white men' through cunning and superior technology (symbolized by the mirror).
Plot Beats (14)
- Gopáni-Kúfa finds a python and an antelope trapped together; he kills the antelope to free the python, Insáto.
- The dying antelope curses Gopáni-Kúfa, prophesying his reward will be his undoing.
- Gopáni-Kúfa returns to Insáto, who takes him to his hidden, wealthy kingdom of Píta, where Insáto appears as a man.
- Gopáni-Kúfa consults his wise wasp, Zéngi-mízi, who advises him to ask for the magical Wishing Mirror, Sipáo.
- Insáto is reluctant to give up Sipáo, but after three days, he relents and bestows the mirror upon Gopáni-Kúfa.
- Gopáni-Kúfa uses Sipáo to return home and then to create a grand town and become a powerful chief, rivaling Insáto.
- He entrusts Sipáo to his daughter, Shasása, for safekeeping.
- Years later, white men arrive and are initially repelled by Gopáni-Kúfa's power.
- Their cunning leader, Rei, sends a spy named Butou to infiltrate Gopáni-Kúfa's town and discover his secret.
- Butou gains Gopáni-Kúfa's trust and falls in love with Shasása.
- Shasása reveals the secret of Sipáo to Butou, who then steals the mirror and returns it to Rei.
- Gopáni-Kúfa discovers the theft and consults Zéngi-mízi, who confirms the antelope's prophecy is being fulfilled.
- The white men attack, and without Sipáo, Gopáni-Kúfa and his people are defeated and killed.
- The white men gain all power on Earth by possessing Sipáo.
Characters
Gopáni-Kúfa
A man of the Senna region, likely of Bantu ethnicity, with a strong build from a life of hunting. His skin is dark brown, and his features are typical of the region. He ages throughout the story, eventually showing signs of advanced age.
Attire: Simple, practical hunting attire at the beginning, likely made of animal hides or woven plant fibers, possibly a loincloth or short tunic. As a chief, he would wear more elaborate garments, perhaps a patterned cloth wrap (like a kanga or kitenge) and some simple beadwork or metal armbands, but still practical for his role.
Wants: Survival, then power and prosperity for himself and his people, driven by the desire to be a great chief.
Flaw: Over-trusting of strangers (Butou), susceptible to flattery, and perhaps a touch of hubris in believing his power was unassailable.
Transforms from a simple hunter to a powerful chief, creating a thriving town. His arc is tragic, as his initial act of 'help' (killing the antelope) leads to his eventual downfall, fulfilling the antelope's prophecy. He learns that even great power can be lost through misplaced trust.
Resourceful, trusting (to a fault), ambitious, wise (when consulting Zéngi-mízi), loving (towards his family and people).
Insáto
As a python: enormous, powerful, with scales that might shimmer with an iridescent quality. As a man: strong and handsome, with dark skin, muscular physique, and an imposing presence. He is adorned with gold.
Attire: As a python: its own skin. As a man: the great snake's skin wrapped around him as a covering, likely draped regally. He wears rings of pure gold on his arms and neck, indicating his wealth and status.
Wants: To reward Gopáni-Kúfa for saving his life, to protect his most valuable possession (Sipáo).
Flaw: His reluctance to part with Sipáo, which nearly makes him break his promise.
Remains largely static, serving as a catalyst for Gopáni-Kúfa's journey and power. He is forced to part with his most prized possession.
Grateful, generous (initially), possessive (of Sipáo), powerful, wise (in his own domain).
Zéngi-mízi
An ordinary-looking wasp, small and agile, with a segmented body, two pairs of membranous wings, and six legs. Its coloring would be typical for a wasp, likely black and yellow stripes.
Attire: None, as it is an insect.
Wants: To guide Gopáni-Kúfa towards his destiny and to fulfill the spirit of his father's wishes.
Flaw: Limited to giving advice, cannot directly intervene.
Remains static, serving as a constant source of wisdom and a reminder of ancestral guidance. Its final message confirms the tragic fulfillment of the antelope's prophecy.
Wise, prescient, direct, loyal (to Gopáni-Kúfa and his father's spirit).
Shasása
A young woman of the Senna region, likely of Bantu ethnicity, with dark brown skin and features similar to her father. She is described as dwelling apart, suggesting a certain independence or perhaps a dedicated space within the palace.
Attire: As the daughter of a chief, she would wear fine, culturally appropriate attire, perhaps a colorful wrap dress (like a kanga or kitenge) made of patterned fabric, possibly adorned with beadwork or simple jewelry. Her clothing would be elegant but not overly ostentatious.
Wants: To understand her father's sudden greatness, to find love, to protect the Mirror (initially).
Flaw: Her naivety and susceptibility to romantic affection, which leads her to betray her father's trust.
Transforms from a curious daughter to a tragic figure whose misplaced love leads to the downfall of her family and people. She learns the devastating consequences of betrayal.
Curious, loving (towards her father), naive, trusting (to a fault), emotional, ultimately tragic.
Butou
A white man, likely of European descent, with features typical of a Portuguese explorer or trader of the era. He is cunning and deceptive, capable of feigning humility.
Attire: Initially dressed in rags to feign poverty and distress, likely tattered European-style clothing. Later, he would wear more typical European attire, perhaps a simple linen shirt and trousers, but nothing too grand to maintain his disguise.
Wants: To discover the source of Gopáni-Kúfa's power for Rei, to gain favor and power for himself.
Flaw: His ambition and willingness to betray trust.
Remains static as a villain, successfully executing his mission of betrayal.
Cunning, deceitful, manipulative, treacherous, ambitious.
Rei
A white man, likely of European descent, described as a chief among the white men. He would have a commanding presence, possibly a robust build, and features typical of a leader or explorer of the era.
Attire: As a chief among the white men, he would wear more formal European attire, perhaps a doublet and breeches made of sturdy wool or linen, possibly with a simple cloak. His clothing would be practical for travel and warfare but also denote his authority.
Wants: To conquer the land, to discover and seize the source of Gopáni-Kúfa's power.
Flaw: His initial inability to defeat Gopáni-Kúfa through direct force.
Remains static as the primary antagonist, ultimately achieving his goal through deception.
Cunning, ambitious, persistent, ruthless.
The Antelope
A typical antelope, likely a species native to the Senna region, such as a kudu or impala. It would have slender legs, a graceful body, and distinctive horns. Its coat would be a natural, earthy color, providing camouflage.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To escape death, to warn Gopáni-Kúfa of the consequences of his choice.
Flaw: Its physical vulnerability to predators.
Dies early in the story, but its prophecy drives the narrative's tragic conclusion.
Desperate, prophetic, vengeful (through its prophecy).
Sipáo the Mirror
A mirror made of polished iron. Its size is not specified, but it must be portable enough for Gopáni-Kúfa to carry and for Shasása to hide under her pillow. It would have a dark, reflective surface, perhaps with a simple, unadorned frame or no frame at all, emphasizing its raw magical power rather than ornate beauty.
Attire: None, as it is an object.
Wants: None, it grants wishes passively.
Flaw: Can be stolen, its power can be misused.
Remains static as a powerful artifact, changing hands and thus changing the fate of its owners and the land.
None, as it is an object, but it embodies immense power.
Locations
Hunting Ground in Senna
A wild, untamed area in Senna where Gopáni-Kúfa hunts. The ground is likely covered with native grasses and shrubs, with trees large enough for an antelope to pin a python against. The air is probably warm and humid, typical of a sub-Saharan African environment.
Mood: Wild, dangerous, fateful
Gopáni-Kúfa encounters the python and antelope, making the fateful decision to save the python.
Underground Land of Píta
Accessed through a narrow hole in the earth, this is a subterranean country. It is surprisingly beautiful, with short green grass, herds of cattle, sheep, and goats. In the distance, a collection of square, tall stone houses with roofs shining with gold and burnished iron can be seen. Rivers flow through it, where people bathe, fish, and boat, and gardens are filled with rice, maize, and unknown grains. The streets of the town are paved with gold and silver dust.
Mood: Magical, prosperous, hidden, utopian
Gopáni-Kúfa is led by Insáto into his hidden kingdom, where he discovers its wonders and learns of the Magic Mirror.
Gopáni-Kúfa's New Town on the Zambesi
A newly created town along the banks of the Zambesi river. It features streets of stone buildings with roofs shining with gold and burnished iron, mirroring those in Píta. Men and women walk the streets, and boys drive sheep and cattle to pasture. The river is alive with young people in canoes, fishing and laughing. A grand palace stands high above the other buildings in the center of the town.
Mood: Prosperous, vibrant, newly established, powerful
Gopáni-Kúfa uses the Magic Mirror to create his own kingdom, becoming a powerful chief.
Gopáni-Kúfa's Palace Window
A specific window within Gopáni-Kúfa's palace, which stands high above the other buildings in the center of his town. From this vantage point, the chief can gaze out at the Zambesi river and the surrounding landscape.
Mood: Vulnerable, foreboding, reflective
Gopáni-Kúfa sees the white men's war-canoes returning, signaling the loss of his power and the fulfillment of the antelope's prophecy.