Hello Friends! Gather around for #FairyTaleTuesday story time 😊.
The theme as you know is Beauty and the Beast and our tale today is from the Ronga (Mozambique).
Do you know the one about the girl Chichinguane and Chipfalamfula, the great magical fish?
The theme as you know is Beauty and the Beast and our tale today is from the Ronga (Mozambique).
Do you know the one about the girl Chichinguane and Chipfalamfula, the great magical fish?
#FairyTaleTuesday
Normally, Chipfalamfula stays in the water and minds his business. Sometimes he blocks the river and causes flooding. Every now and then he rescues the odd child from drowning.
Normally, Chipfalamfula stays in the water and minds his business. Sometimes he blocks the river and causes flooding. Every now and then he rescues the odd child from drowning.
#FairyTaleTuesday
But he is mostly content swimming around and making sure the people who live in his belly are happy and cared for.
So this one rainy day, Chipfalamfula is swimming in the river enjoying the patter of rain drops on the surface when he hears cries for help.
But he is mostly content swimming around and making sure the people who live in his belly are happy and cared for.
So this one rainy day, Chipfalamfula is swimming in the river enjoying the patter of rain drops on the surface when he hears cries for help.
#FairyTaleTuesday
He swims towards the sound and on the bank, finds a deep clay pit whose slick walls a girl was desperately trying to climb.
“What are you doing down there, little one?” Chipfalamfula asks.
Frightened, the girl screams and slides to the bottom of the pit.
He swims towards the sound and on the bank, finds a deep clay pit whose slick walls a girl was desperately trying to climb.
“What are you doing down there, little one?” Chipfalamfula asks.
Frightened, the girl screams and slides to the bottom of the pit.
#FairyTaleTuesday
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Chipfalamfula assures her. “What is your name?”
“Chichiguane…” the girl stutters, still frightened.
“Do you know who I am, Chichiguane?” the great fish asks.
Chichiguane nods.
“You’re Chipfalamfula.”
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Chipfalamfula assures her. “What is your name?”
“Chichiguane…” the girl stutters, still frightened.
“Do you know who I am, Chichiguane?” the great fish asks.
Chichiguane nods.
“You’re Chipfalamfula.”
#FairyTaleTuesday
“That’s right,” Chipfalamfula says. “So you must know I will not hurt you. What happened? How come you are down there by yourself?”
“That’s right,” Chipfalamfula says. “So you must know I will not hurt you. What happened? How come you are down there by yourself?”
#FairyTaleTuesday
And so Chichiguane tells him her story.
She is the daughter of Makenyi, a chief who has many wives and children. Her mother is Makenyi’s favorite. Her and her daughter’s beauty make all the other wives and daughters jealous.
And so Chichiguane tells him her story.
She is the daughter of Makenyi, a chief who has many wives and children. Her mother is Makenyi’s favorite. Her and her daughter’s beauty make all the other wives and daughters jealous.
#FairyTaleTuesday
The other girls are especially jealous of the many presents Makenyi gives to Chichinguane and her sister, who Chichinguane calls Little Sister. Their sisters always find ways to destroy them or otherwise make Chichiguane and Little Sister suffer.
The other girls are especially jealous of the many presents Makenyi gives to Chichinguane and her sister, who Chichinguane calls Little Sister. Their sisters always find ways to destroy them or otherwise make Chichiguane and Little Sister suffer.
#FairyTaleTuesday
That day, the girls were sent to gather clay for plaster. The older girls forced Chichinguane to climb down to the bottom of the deep pit and dig the entire day, shoveling clay into baskets that they lowered down to her.
That day, the girls were sent to gather clay for plaster. The older girls forced Chichinguane to climb down to the bottom of the deep pit and dig the entire day, shoveling clay into baskets that they lowered down to her.
#FairyTaleTuesday
But when their baskets were full, the other girls had left her there, refusing to help her climb up the slick, slimy pit.
When the rain started and the pit started filling with water, she realized they’d left her there to die so she started to call for help.
But when their baskets were full, the other girls had left her there, refusing to help her climb up the slick, slimy pit.
When the rain started and the pit started filling with water, she realized they’d left her there to die so she started to call for help.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Chipfalamfula was touched by the girl’s story and charmed by her beauty.
“Come,” he says. “I’ll take you somewhere safe where no one will ever hurt you again.”
Chipfalamfula was touched by the girl’s story and charmed by her beauty.
“Come,” he says. “I’ll take you somewhere safe where no one will ever hurt you again.”
#FairyTaleTuesday
“Promise?” Chichinguane asks.
“I swear it to you,” he replies opening his mouth wide and extending his tongue into the pit.
Chichiguane takes a deep breath and steps onto the fish’s tongue. He rolls it up, swallows and she slides down into his belly.
“Promise?” Chichinguane asks.
“I swear it to you,” he replies opening his mouth wide and extending his tongue into the pit.
Chichiguane takes a deep breath and steps onto the fish’s tongue. He rolls it up, swallows and she slides down into his belly.
#FairyTaleTuesday
To her surprise, she enters a world of light and beauty, teeming with life of all kinds.
There are villages of people tending fields of maize and pumpkin. Others catch the little fish that Chipfalamfula swallows.
To her surprise, she enters a world of light and beauty, teeming with life of all kinds.
There are villages of people tending fields of maize and pumpkin. Others catch the little fish that Chipfalamfula swallows.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Everyone welcomes Chichinguane with kindness. She was taken into a home, offered a bath, clean clothes and warm food. She sleeps soundly that night and the next day, the people include her in their activities as if she’s always been one of them.
Everyone welcomes Chichinguane with kindness. She was taken into a home, offered a bath, clean clothes and warm food. She sleeps soundly that night and the next day, the people include her in their activities as if she’s always been one of them.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Time passes and Chichinguane settles into her new community. For the first time in her life, she feels happy and part of a family.
But back in the village, Chichinguane’s mother and Little Sister search for her in vain.
Time passes and Chichinguane settles into her new community. For the first time in her life, she feels happy and part of a family.
But back in the village, Chichinguane’s mother and Little Sister search for her in vain.
#FairyTaleTuesday
The cruel older girls laugh and say Chichinguane has run away. The cruel mothers say the stupid girl has drowned.
Little Sister now has to take Chichinguane’s place to go fetch water and clay down by the river.
The cruel older girls laugh and say Chichinguane has run away. The cruel mothers say the stupid girl has drowned.
Little Sister now has to take Chichinguane’s place to go fetch water and clay down by the river.
#FairyTaleTuesday
But Little Sister can barely carry the water jar down to the river and once filled, she cannot lift it back onto her head. The other girls tease Little Sister and leave her crying on the bank of the river.
But Little Sister can barely carry the water jar down to the river and once filled, she cannot lift it back onto her head. The other girls tease Little Sister and leave her crying on the bank of the river.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Once again, the great fish Chipfalamfula hears the cries, comes to the bank to investigate. From his belly, Chichinguane hears the cries and recognizes her sister’s voice. She asks the great fish for permission to help her sister and he agrees.
Once again, the great fish Chipfalamfula hears the cries, comes to the bank to investigate. From his belly, Chichinguane hears the cries and recognizes her sister’s voice. She asks the great fish for permission to help her sister and he agrees.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Little Sister is overjoyed to see Chichinguane alive. Chichinguane comforts her, helps her lift the heavy water jug onto and accompanies her back to the village.
Little Sister is overjoyed to see Chichinguane alive. Chichinguane comforts her, helps her lift the heavy water jug onto and accompanies her back to the village.
#FairyTaleTuesday
At the edge of the clearing, Chichinguane warns her sister not to tell anyone what she has seen and promises to always come if Little Sister needs her. She then runs back to the river and into Chipfalamfula’s mouth.
At the edge of the clearing, Chichinguane warns her sister not to tell anyone what she has seen and promises to always come if Little Sister needs her. She then runs back to the river and into Chipfalamfula’s mouth.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Each day after that, Chichinguane would come help her sister but only after all the other girls were gone.
But then one night, their mother asks Little Sister to take some fresh-brewed beer to the chief.
Little Sister could not lift the heavy pot.
Each day after that, Chichinguane would come help her sister but only after all the other girls were gone.
But then one night, their mother asks Little Sister to take some fresh-brewed beer to the chief.
Little Sister could not lift the heavy pot.
#FairyTaleTuesday
“Ha!” the woman exclaims in frustration. “How have you been carrying the water pot then?”
“Chichiguane helps me!” Little Sister responds.
Shocked, their mother insists that Little Sister take her to where she and Chichiguane meet.
“Ha!” the woman exclaims in frustration. “How have you been carrying the water pot then?”
“Chichiguane helps me!” Little Sister responds.
Shocked, their mother insists that Little Sister take her to where she and Chichiguane meet.
#FairyTaleTuesday
And so the next day, she follows Little Sister and hides nearby. When Chichiguane comes walking out of Chipfalamfula’s mouth, their mother races over and holds her tight.
“Where have you been?” she cries. “We’ve been so worried!”
And so the next day, she follows Little Sister and hides nearby. When Chichiguane comes walking out of Chipfalamfula’s mouth, their mother races over and holds her tight.
“Where have you been?” she cries. “We’ve been so worried!”
#FairyTaleTuesday
Chichiguane explains what happened and how Chipfalamfula saved her. Their mother insists that she comes home with them but Chichiguane explains that her time in the water has changed her. She is now more fish than human.
Chichiguane explains what happened and how Chipfalamfula saved her. Their mother insists that she comes home with them but Chichiguane explains that her time in the water has changed her. She is now more fish than human.
#FairyTaleTuesday
She takes a deep breath, exhales and her mother and sister watch in awe as her form wavers and her legs morph into a fish tail. The older woman starts wailing but Chichiguane comforts her and assures her that she is safe and happy with Chipfalamfula’s people.
She takes a deep breath, exhales and her mother and sister watch in awe as her form wavers and her legs morph into a fish tail. The older woman starts wailing but Chichiguane comforts her and assures her that she is safe and happy with Chipfalamfula’s people.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Her mother begins to cry as Chichiguane bids them farewell and goes back into the water.
Her mother’s heartbreak and Little Sister’s suffering weigh on her though so she asks the great fish if he would let her return to her family.
Her mother begins to cry as Chichiguane bids them farewell and goes back into the water.
Her mother’s heartbreak and Little Sister’s suffering weigh on her though so she asks the great fish if he would let her return to her family.
#FairyTaleTuesday
To her surprise Chipfalamfula agrees. He gives her a magic rain stick and instructs her in its use. The first thing she does is touch her tail with the stick and the silvery scales fall off and become coins.
To her surprise Chipfalamfula agrees. He gives her a magic rain stick and instructs her in its use. The first thing she does is touch her tail with the stick and the silvery scales fall off and become coins.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Ecstatic, she gathers them up and runs home, past the incredulous co-wives and their children, into her mother’s hut.
Her mother is overjoyed to see her and uses some of the money to host a big party to welcome her daughter back home.
Ecstatic, she gathers them up and runs home, past the incredulous co-wives and their children, into her mother’s hut.
Her mother is overjoyed to see her and uses some of the money to host a big party to welcome her daughter back home.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Needless to say, Makenyi loves Chichiguane, her mother and her sister even more for the added wealth. This enrages the others even more and so they plot against the sisters and their mother.
Needless to say, Makenyi loves Chichiguane, her mother and her sister even more for the added wealth. This enrages the others even more and so they plot against the sisters and their mother.
(Need to go back to work, friends. Sorry ❤️ We will finish this later today. )
(OK, back for a bit. Let’s go!)
#FairyTaleTuesday
The next time the chief sends the girls to the forest to collect firewood, the oldest and most jealous of the girls gang up on Chichinguane and Little Sister and make them climb a tall tree, cut off the branches, and toss them down.
The next time the chief sends the girls to the forest to collect firewood, the oldest and most jealous of the girls gang up on Chichinguane and Little Sister and make them climb a tall tree, cut off the branches, and toss them down.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Of course, the girls take all of the branches and leave the sisters to climb down the tree as best they can.
As they sit there trying to figure it out, a family of one-legged ogres arrive, attracted by the sound of their voices.
Of course, the girls take all of the branches and leave the sisters to climb down the tree as best they can.
As they sit there trying to figure it out, a family of one-legged ogres arrive, attracted by the sound of their voices.
#FairyTaleTuesday
These ogres were of the cannibalistic kind and they especially like to eat young, healthy humans. They also love to play with shiny gold jewelry and bright beads, such as what Chichinguane and Little Sister were wearing.
These ogres were of the cannibalistic kind and they especially like to eat young, healthy humans. They also love to play with shiny gold jewelry and bright beads, such as what Chichinguane and Little Sister were wearing.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Grunting with anticipation, the ogres begin to hack at the tree with their axes. Little Sister screams, terrified, but Chichinguane tels her not to worry. She touches her magic rain stick to the tree. The axe cuts disappear and the tree stands strong as ever.
Grunting with anticipation, the ogres begin to hack at the tree with their axes. Little Sister screams, terrified, but Chichinguane tels her not to worry. She touches her magic rain stick to the tree. The axe cuts disappear and the tree stands strong as ever.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Undeterred, the ogres keep hacking at the tree and Chichinguane keeps healing the cuts. This continues until darkness falls.
Eventually the ogres get tired and fall asleep, their snores ringing out in the night.
Undeterred, the ogres keep hacking at the tree and Chichinguane keeps healing the cuts. This continues until darkness falls.
Eventually the ogres get tired and fall asleep, their snores ringing out in the night.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Seeing her chance, Chichinguane takes Little Sister’s hand and they scamper down the tree and run off. Their movements wake the ogres who start to chase them. The sisters run as fast as they can, but the ogres keep right behind them.
Seeing her chance, Chichinguane takes Little Sister’s hand and they scamper down the tree and run off. Their movements wake the ogres who start to chase them. The sisters run as fast as they can, but the ogres keep right behind them.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Chichiguane leads Little Sister towards the river, holding her magic rain stick up so Chipfalamfula will see the light.
He sees it and swims close to the bank.
“Help us cross!” Chichiguane screams when she seems him waiting.
Chichiguane leads Little Sister towards the river, holding her magic rain stick up so Chipfalamfula will see the light.
He sees it and swims close to the bank.
“Help us cross!” Chichiguane screams when she seems him waiting.
#FairyTaleTuesday
The great fish opens his mouth and sucks in all the water leaving dry ground for the sisters to cross.
Safe on the other side, Chichiguane touches the stick to the ground and Chipfalamfula lets the water flow, drowning the ogres who had also started crossing.
The great fish opens his mouth and sucks in all the water leaving dry ground for the sisters to cross.
Safe on the other side, Chichiguane touches the stick to the ground and Chipfalamfula lets the water flow, drowning the ogres who had also started crossing.
(That’s all for now! More later 😊)
(OK. Final installment)
#FairyTaleTuesday
The girls try to find their way back to their village but they are lost deep in the forest on the other side of the river. Also, it starts to rain. Cold, wet and miserable, they duck into a nearby cave.
The girls try to find their way back to their village but they are lost deep in the forest on the other side of the river. Also, it starts to rain. Cold, wet and miserable, they duck into a nearby cave.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Chichiguane holds up the magic stick to illuminate the space and they are stunned to see necklaces made of beads and corals, gold bracelets, headpieces and many other jeweled items. They also see skeletons. Lots of skeletons.
Chichiguane holds up the magic stick to illuminate the space and they are stunned to see necklaces made of beads and corals, gold bracelets, headpieces and many other jeweled items. They also see skeletons. Lots of skeletons.
#FairyTaleTuesday
“We can’t stay here,” Chichiguane whispers to Little Sister.
“I know,” Little Sister whispers back. “This is the ogre’s lair. There might be more of them coming back.”
Chichiguane nods in agreement. The girls fall silent for a few minutes.
“We can’t stay here,” Chichiguane whispers to Little Sister.
“I know,” Little Sister whispers back. “This is the ogre’s lair. There might be more of them coming back.”
Chichiguane nods in agreement. The girls fall silent for a few minutes.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Overwhelmed, Little Sister starts crying.
“I don’t want to go back to the village,” she sniffles. “I cannot bear any more of the other’s cruelty and mother just does not care as long as she’s father’s favorite.”
Overwhelmed, Little Sister starts crying.
“I don’t want to go back to the village,” she sniffles. “I cannot bear any more of the other’s cruelty and mother just does not care as long as she’s father’s favorite.”
#FairyTaleTuesday
“I don’t want to go back either,” Chichiguane replies, wrapping her arms around her sister to comfort her. “We don’t have to go back. We can go live with Chipfalamfula’s people. They are very kind. We will be fine with them.”
“I don’t want to go back either,” Chichiguane replies, wrapping her arms around her sister to comfort her. “We don’t have to go back. We can go live with Chipfalamfula’s people. They are very kind. We will be fine with them.”
#FairyTaleTuesday
“But I don’t want to live in a fish’s belly either, Chichi.” Little Sister wails. “Can’t we just go find another village to live in?”
“We have no possessions,” Chichiguane replies.
“But I don’t want to live in a fish’s belly either, Chichi.” Little Sister wails. “Can’t we just go find another village to live in?”
“We have no possessions,” Chichiguane replies.
#FairyTaleTuesday
The magic stick pulses in her hand when she speaks, casting bright light around the room and its contents.
She looks around and understands what Chipfalamfula is trying to tell her.
The magic stick pulses in her hand when she speaks, casting bright light around the room and its contents.
She looks around and understands what Chipfalamfula is trying to tell her.
#FairyTaleTuesday
With a whispered prayer of thanks, she tells Little Sister to put on as many of the jewels as she can carry. She does same.
“Hurry! We must leave soon!”
The girls grab what they can and leave the cave behind, heading deeper into the forest, away from home.
With a whispered prayer of thanks, she tells Little Sister to put on as many of the jewels as she can carry. She does same.
“Hurry! We must leave soon!”
The girls grab what they can and leave the cave behind, heading deeper into the forest, away from home.
#FairyTaleTuesday
They walk and walk but soon realize they are lost. Chichiguane closes her eyes and asks Chipfalamfula for help. The magic stick begins to pulse light, in the direction of a path in the forest and so the sisters follow it.
They walk and walk but soon realize they are lost. Chichiguane closes her eyes and asks Chipfalamfula for help. The magic stick begins to pulse light, in the direction of a path in the forest and so the sisters follow it.
#FairyTaleTuesday
They walk for hours, finally emerging into a clearing with a great palace surrounded by a fence and guards who seemed like they were waiting for someone.
The guards gasp in wonder and kneel when they see the girls.
They walk for hours, finally emerging into a clearing with a great palace surrounded by a fence and guards who seemed like they were waiting for someone.
The guards gasp in wonder and kneel when they see the girls.
#FairyTaleTuesday
Whispers spread across their ranks.
“It is just as the king said Chipfalamfula told him! The princesses have come!”
Whispers spread across their ranks.
“It is just as the king said Chipfalamfula told him! The princesses have come!”
#FairyTaleTuesday
With great deference, the guards lead the girls into the palace and offer them a meal and a place to rest. Then they rush to inform the king that his prayers had been answered.
With great deference, the guards lead the girls into the palace and offer them a meal and a place to rest. Then they rush to inform the king that his prayers had been answered.
#FairyTaleTuesday
The next day, the King, the Queen and their two sons welcome Chichiguane and Little Sister, explaining to them that Chipfalamfula is also their friend and had promised to send them two good hearted princesses for their sons to marry.
The next day, the King, the Queen and their two sons welcome Chichiguane and Little Sister, explaining to them that Chipfalamfula is also their friend and had promised to send them two good hearted princesses for their sons to marry.
#FairyTaleTuesday
The girls agree to stay and are taken in by the royal family who treat them as one of their own, and prepare them to rule the land with their sons.
Fin!
The girls agree to stay and are taken in by the royal family who treat them as one of their own, and prepare them to rule the land with their sons.
Fin!
#FairyTaleTuesday
(In another version, they make their way back home and despite Chichiguane’s pleas for mercy, Makenyi, in a fit of rage, decapitates the eldest daughter who instigates the other girls to maltreat Chichiguane and Little Sister.)
(In another version, they make their way back home and despite Chichiguane’s pleas for mercy, Makenyi, in a fit of rage, decapitates the eldest daughter who instigates the other girls to maltreat Chichiguane and Little Sister.)
#FairyTaleTuesday
I adapted and retold this version, from Jan Knappert’s African Mythology A-Z .
Thank you for sticking it out!
I adapted and retold this version, from Jan Knappert’s African Mythology A-Z .
Thank you for sticking it out!
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