“Kianga” Once upon a time, in a far away place, a very long time ago, there lived a king. He was a kind and honorable man. This king had many wives but not one single child. Morning and evening, day after day, for eighteen long years, he faced the hot fire on the consecrated alter and prayed for the gift of children. Finally, after many hours of prayer, a shimmering goddess rose from the flames. As she stepped through the blaze to confront the King her body was not burnt nor fazed by the heat. Instead the fire bent and bowed before her, her fiery hair and shinning skin grabbing and giving bits of the inferno. “I am Kianga, child of the sun. Because of your devotion and prayer, you have won that which you desire so, you have won a daughter of your own.” Before that year was up a daughter came to the king and his favorite wife. She was given the name Kianga, after the goddess. Exquisiteness and intelligence were the definition of princess Kianga, and her eyes shown bright and gold like the sun. So absolutely impressive was she, people thought herself to be a goddess. However, when the time finally
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came for her to be married, no man asked her for her hand. This made Kianga very sad and lonely. “Weak men turn away from radiance like yours,” her father told her. “Go out and find a man you deem worthy of you. Then I will go and arrange your marriage to this man.” Accompanied by servants and councilors, Kianga traveled from kingdom to kingdom. After many, many days she came upon a hermitage by a large running river. There lived many who had given up life in the large kingdoms and other towns to live a life of prayer, study, and simplicity. Kianga entered there great hall of worship. Three of its four walls were covered in brightly colored glass. Inside she bowed before the eldest teacher. As they spoke with one another, a young and handsome man with bright shining eyes came into the hall. He walked while guiding another man, hunched over with age, staring out of blank blind eyes. “Who is that young man?” ask Kianga softly. “That is the young Prince Kewil my lady.” said the teacher, with a sly smile. “He spends most of his days guiding his father, a King whose kingdom was conquered. It is rightfully so that his Kewil’s name means ‘Truthful Son’, for there is no man more rich with virtue.” After saying her goodbye to the eldest teacher and his Kianga
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dwelling, Kianga returned home to her father, whom she found sitting with the holy seer called Shiminege. “My loving daughter,” said the king, “does your return mean you have found a worthy man you wish to make your husband?” “Yes, yes father I have. His name is Kewil.” Shiminege shook and gasped at the sound of the name leaving Kianga’s lips. “No Kewil! Princess o no not him! My fair Princess there is no worthier man as I can see, but you must listen as I worn you to not marry him. I know his future. Kewil will die, one exact year from today.” The king said, “Do you hear daughter? You must choose a different husband!” Kianga began to tremble but replied, “I have chosen Kewil, and I will not be forced to choose a different husband!” So soon after the King rode with Kianga back to the hermitage to arrange the marriage. Kewil was thrilled to be offered such a women as his bride. But his father, the blind king, asked Kewil, “Can you bear the weight of the grueling life of the hermitage? Will you wear our simple clothes? Will you continue to eat only fruit and plants of the wild?” Kewil smiled and embraced his father and said, “I care Kianga
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not about comfort or adversity. In palace or hermitage, I swear I am content.” Later that very day, Princess Kianga and Prince Kewil walked hand in hand about the sacred fire in the hall of worshiping. In front of all the kingdom, priests, and hermits, they leaped over the large heavy broom over the hot flame and into there life as husband and wife. ***
For a year, they lived happily ever after. But Kianga could never forget Shiminege premonition of Kewil’s death as the day grew closer and closer. Finally, with only three days remaining. Kianga again entered the hall of worship and faced the sacred fire. Once there she prayed for the whole three days and nights, not eating, not sleeping. “My loving wife,” Kewil said, “prayer and fasting are good. But why, my dear, be this tough on yourself?” Kianga gave him no answer. As Kianga finally left the hall on the third day, the sun began to rise. She looked out and say Kewil heading for the forest, a large ax laid on his shoulder. Kianga ran quickly to him. “I will be joining you.” “My darling stay here,” replied Kewil, “you must rest Kianga
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and eat.” “My heart is set on going with you, I will not leave your side my love.” With that the discussion was over. Hand in hand, Kianga and Kewil walked over wooded hill, over flowing river, through dense forest. They smelled the sweet scent of blooming flowers and growing saplings. They paused at a clear, cool stream. The cries of sparrows echoing in their ears. As Kianga rested, Kewil chopped an old fallen tree into firewood. Then, Suddenly, Kewil dropped his ax with a loud *Thud* on the earth. “My head, hurts.” Kianga ran to him. She helped him lay in the shade of a tree, his head resting on the smooth cotton of her skirt. “My body is burning! O what is wrong with me?!” Kewil closed his eyes, his breathing slowed. Kianga began to weep. Then Kianga looked up and saw a figure coming through the woods. It was a princely looking man, the shown though his skin was darker than the darkest part of the night. His eyes and his robe were the crimson color of fresh blood. Trembling, Kianga asked the creature, “Who are you?” A deep, gentle, commanding voice replied. “Young Princess, you see me simple by the power of your prayer and Kianga
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fasting. I am Lefu, god of Death. I am here for Kewil’s spirit. Lefu took a tiny rope, wrapped it into a noose, and passed it straight through Kewil’s chest as if it was simply passing through air. He drew out a small likeness of the Prince, no bigger than Kianga’s thumb. Kewil’s breathing stopped all together. Lefu placed the double in the pocket of his robe. “Joy and happiness waits for your husband in my kingdom do to Kewil’s great virtue. Then Lefu turned and started south, back to his dwelling. Kianga stood and quickly began to follow the being. Lefu strode swiftly and smoothly through the dense wood, while Kianga
greatly struggled to keep up. At last,
he stopped and turned to face the Princess. “Kianga! You cannot follow me to the land of the dead!” “Lord Lefu, I understand your duty is to take my darling husband. But is it not my duty as his wife to stay by his side?” “Stupid Princess, the duty you speak of has ended. Still, I truly admire your loyalty. It is because of this I will grant you one favor, anything but the life of your Kianga
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husband.” Kianga replied,
“I ask that you please return my
father-in-law’s sight and kingdom.” “This King’s sight and kingdom shall be restored.” Lefu once again began his journey south. Running along the bank of the river lay thorns and tall sharp grass. Lefu passed untouched. They tore and slashed, however, at Kianga’s skin and clothes. “Kianga! You have come quit far enough!” Lefu spoke sternly. “Lord Lefu, I know it to be true that my dear husband will find pure happiness in your kingdom. But can you not see that you carry away my own happiness!” “Princess, even the truest love must bow to fate. Still, I truly admire your devotion. It is because of this I will grant you another favor, anything but the life of your husband.” Kianga replied, “I ask that you please grant many more children to my father.” “Your father shall have many more children.” Lefu once again began to his journey south. Up the steepest hill Lefu glided up with ease. While Kianga huffed, puffed, and clambered after him. Once reaching the top, he suddenly halted. Kianga
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“Kianga! I FORBID you to come any farther!” “Lord Lefu, you are feared and respected by all. Yet, no matter what may come from your hand, I will remain with Kewil!” “Princess, I tell you for the last time, you will not follow and remain! Still, I can only admire your stubborn courage. It is because of this that I grant you one last favor, anything but the life of your husband.” “I ask that you grant many children to me. And let them be children of Kewil!” Lefu’s eyes grew dark and wide with rage. “You did not ask for the return of your husband to your world, yet I cannot grant your request without returning his soul to his body. Princess! Your wit and will is matched only by your beauty.” Lefu took Kewil’s spirit from his pocket and removed it from the noose. The spirit caught a ride from the wind and flew north, vanishing quickly from sight. “Return, clever Princess, you have won back your husbands spirit. The sun was just beginning to set as Kianga lifted Kewil’s head back into her lap. His chest rose and fell again. His eyes opened. “Is the day really gone? I have slept longer then Kianga
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assumed. What’s wrong my love? You smile, yet you cry as well!” “Let us return home my love,” said Kianga.
***
Lefu was true to all he had guaranteed. Kianga’s father was blessed with many more children. Kewil’s father gained both kingdom and sight. Over time, Kewil became a King himself and Kianga was his Queen. They lived happy and long and were blessed with many many children. So they had no tears and were not filled with fear when Lefu came again to carry them to his kingdom, hand in hand.
The End
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