The Widow and the Frog
- Lukhrabi Amadi Hangoi -
- Animal Fables-

Fungawari Singbul by B. Jayantakumar Sharma *

Art Work - Phurailatpam Banti

Animal Fables:
Funga Wari Singbul: Page 41
Lukhrabi Amadi Hangoi

Once upon a time in some place, there lived a widow with no one to look after her. She was a very hardworking woman so the surroundings of her house were very clean.

There also lived a frog in her property that has the ability to talk and supernatural power. Every time she goes to fetch water, they used to talk. One day the frog suggests to the widow that as both of them had no one to look after them, they should live together as mother and son to which the woman agreed.

One day, the frog told his mother, "Mother, after hearing your stories, I now know that our Princess is very beautiful. Please go and ask her hand for me." The widow did not agree at first as he was not even human. However, as her son kept on telling her again and again, she had to go to ask the Princess's hand for marriage.

Now, hearing the widow's proposal, the King advice her to take anything she want from the treasury but not to come back for the same purpose again. The widow came back home embarrassed.

The widow narrated the whole incident to her son however, her son insisted her to go back again. This time the King was so angry with the widow that he ordered his guard to beat her black and blue and show her the gate.

The widow came back home with bloods on her face to which the son thought that his mother was very happy and had eaten 'kwa' on her way.

The son asked his mother if the King was fine with the proposal but the mother narrated him the whole story again and cried. The frog was very angry and swore to give justice to his mother.

After a few days, he asked his mother to go to the King again and tell the King to ask for anything he wants and if he is not able to fulfill it he will accept any kind of punishment, but the Princess should be his. The widow did not agree at first but as usual for the love of her son went to the palace again.

The King did not show any angriness this time. He thought there must be something special about this people. So he agreed for the marriage of the two but gave her certain conditions.

As the princess was the only child of the King, she cannot live in an ordinary house.

The widow and her son should build a palace as big as the King's by the next day. Gardens should surround the palace and there should be golden porch and silver path from the gate to the door. There should be servants in the counts of hundreds.

If they can provide this, he will give the hand of his daughter in marriage to the frog. However, if they cannot fulfill this, both of them will be put to death. Hearing this, the widow was so worried she almost lost her mind and came back home.

Reaching home, the widow narrated the whole story to her son and cried. The frog told her to relax as it was a very easy task. He also advice her to have food and then go to bed.

When the mother was asleep, the frog took out the pearls and jewels from his stomach and prayed to give everything the King wants them to have.

As he open his eyes, everything was in front of him. The story now spreads like wild fire. The King was happy and they were wed with great pomp and show.

On the night of the wedding, the princess saw her walking in the garden with a prince on her dream. As she woke up, she did not find the frog but only his skin.

When she burnt the frog's skin, the handsome prince from her dream came out and they live happily ever after.