Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
Long ago, in a small village in Zimbabwe, there lived a kind and respected man named Mufaro. He had two daughters, Manyara and Nyasha, who were known throughout the land for their beauty. However, the two sisters were very different in character.
Manyara, the older daughter, was proud and selfish. She believed that her beauty made her superior to others and often treated people with disdain. She dreamed of becoming a queen and looked down on her younger sister, Nyasha.
Nyasha, on the other hand, was gentle, kind, and humble. She loved tending to her garden and was beloved by everyone in the village for her generosity and compassion. Despite Manyara’s harsh words, Nyasha always treated her sister with patience and kindness.
One day, news spread that the Great King, who lived in a distant city, was searching for a wife. He had invited the most beautiful and worthy women in the land to come before him so he could choose a queen. Mufaro, proud of his daughters, decided that both Manyara and Nyasha would make the journey to the city.
Manyara was thrilled. "Finally, my chance to become queen!" she thought. She was so eager to claim the title that she decided to sneak out of the village early, without telling her father or sister. "I will be the first to reach the king, and he will surely choose me," she said to herself.
As Manyara journeyed through the forest, she encountered a hungry boy who asked her for food. "I have no time for beggars," she snapped, brushing him aside. Later, she met an old woman who offered her advice for the journey. "I don’t need your help," Manyara said rudely, ignoring the woman’s words. Her arrogance and selfishness grew with every step.
Meanwhile, Nyasha prepared for the journey with a pure heart. When the day came, she set out with her father, grateful for the opportunity. Along the way, she encountered the same hungry boy. Without hesitation, she shared her food with him, smiling warmly. Later, she met the old woman, who offered her advice. Nyasha listened respectfully and thanked the woman for her kindness.
When Nyasha and Mufaro arrived at the city, they were greeted by the king’s servants, who led them to the palace. To their surprise, they found Manyara there, trembling and weeping. She had already met the king, but her encounter had not gone as she had hoped. "The king is a monster!" she cried. "He is not what I expected!"
Nyasha, concerned for her sister, approached the throne. But instead of a monster, she saw the same hungry boy and the old woman she had met on her journey. The boy transformed into the Great King, and the old woman revealed herself as his advisor.
The king explained that he had disguised himself to test the character of those who sought to become queen. "Manyara was cruel and selfish," he said, "but you, Nyasha, showed kindness and humility. You treated everyone with respect, no matter their appearance. These are the qualities of a true queen."
Nyasha was crowned queen, and she ruled with wisdom and compassion. Manyara, humbled by her experience, returned home to reflect on her actions. Though she had not become queen, she learned an important lesson about the true nature of beauty and worth.
