Yonwabela Amakhulu eeNtsomi

Once upon a time, a tiny mouse fell from a bird's beak and landed in the hands of a kind-hearted holy man who happened to be passing by. Seeing the helpless creature, the holy man felt a surge of compassion. With a wave of his staff, he transformed the tiny mouse into a beautiful girl.

The holy man raised the girl as his own, providing her with love, guidance, and education. She grew into a remarkable young woman, both exceptionally beautiful and intelligent. As time went by, the holy man started feeling the weight of responsibility. It was time to find her a suitable husband.

One day, he spoke to the girl, saying, "I have been thinking about your future. I believe I have found the perfect husband for you. It's the sun. The sun is incredibly powerful, providing light and warmth to everything."

The girl listened attentively but responded, "Father, the sun is too hot and strong. It can burn things. I don't want to marry the sun."

Understanding her concerns, the holy man said, "Alright, what about the cloud? It covers the sun and brings rain, helping plants grow."

Pondering for a moment, the girl replied, "The cloud is helpful, but it moves with the wind and disappears when the sun is too bright. I don't want to marry the cloud."

Respecting her decision, the holy man suggested another option, "How about the wind? It is powerful and can travel anywhere."

Shaking her head, the girl explained, "The wind is strong, but it is also unpredictable and can cause damage. I don't want to marry the wind."

Finally, the holy man thought of the mountain. He said, "The mountain is strong, stable, and unyielding. It can shield you from the wind, cloud, and sun."

The girl smiled and replied, "Yes, the mountain is strong and safe, but there is someone who can make holes in it, someone even stronger than the mountain. I want to marry a mouse."

Surprised by her choice, the holy man understood her wisdom. He used his powers once again and transformed the girl back into a mouse. They lived happily together for the rest of their lives, reminding everyone that sometimes, what we truly desire is closer to who we are inside.