The Coconut Daughter
There was once a land in which coconut trees were everywhere. The people never went hungry, for there were always coconuts if the other crops were not yet ready for harvest. The king of that land had more coconuts than anyone else. He also had seven wives, but none of them were able to have any children. The king worried every day because he had no sons or daughters. "Who will rule my kingdom when I am gone?" He asked himself this question again and again. One year the coconut harvest was especially good. The king's servants pressed his share of the coconuts to get out the oil. They filled a large tank with the oil. The king had never seen the tank so full, but he was not happy. Each passing year's harvest reminded him that he was getting older and had no heir. Lying face down on the ground next to the tank, he prayed yet again for a child. He was surprised to hear a voice from the tank. "Father, help me get out of this tank. I am your new daughter." The king looked up and saw a young woman beautifully dressed with gentle eyes and a smile that brought joy to his heart. The oil had been turned into this young woman. Not a drop was left, but the king did not care. He named her Nyaragi, which means "The Beautiful One". Servant girls were ordered for her, to give her food to eat and to watch after her. The king's men built a house for her, but the king ordered them not to build a fireplace. Because Nyaragi had been formed from oil, he was afraid she would be destroyed if she became too warm. Nyaragi was the perfect daughter. Everyone who knew her was charmed, and the people knew that the kingdom would be in good hands even after their beloved king was gone. Winter came. The king was on a journey. The village was cold, and everyone had a fire except Nyaragi. Even Nyaragi's best robes could not keep her warm enough. Although the king had told her never to go near a fire, she thought that it would not hurt to go near a small one, just to get a little warmer. The servant girls were not watching her. They were huddled around their own fires. Nyaragi knew that the kitchen always had a small fire, even when it was empty late at night. She slipped into the kitchen. She welcomed the warmth of the fire. Telling herself that it would not hurt her, she kept inching closer to the little fire. The king awoke with a terrible feeling that his daughter was in danger. He and his men rushed back to the village as quickly as they could, but Nyaragi was never seen again.
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