The Snake Chief: The Story of Five Heads

THERE WAS ONCE a man who had two beautiful daughters. He learned that the chief of a faraway village was seeking a wife.

The elder daughter told her father, "I wish to be the wife of a chief. I will go by myself to the village. I do not need anyone’s

help."

On the way, she met a mouse, a frog, a boy, and an old woman. All tried to

help her, but she did not listen to their advice. They wished her bad

luck, because she was so rude.

When she reached the village, she was told to make the chief bread

for his dinner. She did not take her time and made terrible bread – it

was hard and dry.

In the evening she heard the sound of a great wind. That wind was the coming of the chief. He

was a big snake with five heads and large eyes. The daughter was very much frightened when she

saw him. He sat down before the door and told her to bring his food. She brought the bread

which she had made. The Snake Chief was not satisfied with that bread. He said:

“This bread is terrible. You shall not be my wife," and he struck her with his tail and killed her.

Then the younger daughter set out. She too met the mouse, the frog, the

boy, and the old woman, but she listened to them. They told her to be make the chief’s bread carefully and

not to be afraid of his looks.

In the evening she heard a very strong wind, which made the hut shake. Then she saw the chief coming. She tried not to be afraid. He asked for food.

He was very much pleasedwith that bread, and said:

"You shall be my wife."

Afterwards the five-headed snake chief became a man.