In a village in Africa, there was a Chief with a very pretty daughter. He wanted the bravest warrior of the village to marry his daughter as he would be chief someday too.
So, Chief decided to test the young men before deciding which of them was suitable.
“Each of you must travel to the Popolakat Mountain. In a waterfall, there is a golden fish that is said to grant strange powers to anyone who owns it. Get me the golden fish. Remember to bring it alive.”
The Popolakat Mountain was guarded by two fierce lions and the waterfall was enchanted. If anyone went into it, he would hear strange music that would drive him mad. Everyone knew this and feared going there.
Finally, a brave warrior from the clan decided to make the attempt.
“Chief, if I bring the golden fish, will you give me your daughter in marriage?” he asked. When the Chief had promised him, he began to make preparations for his dangerous mission.
The brave warrior’s mother was a very sensible woman. She gave him two goats and a thick scarf.
“Throw the goats to the lions, son, when they attack you,” she instructed, “Then tie the scarf tightly around your head, covering your ears, so that you may not hear the music. Take this pail and, filling it with water, put the fish into it. Then you can bring it back alive to the village.”
With all the things his mother gave him, the warrior began the long walk to the mountain of Popolakat. He could hear the lions roaring as he reached there. The warrior tethered the two goats outside the cave where the river flowed and hid himself behind a boulder. The lions came out roaring but, seeing the goats, they were distracted.
While they attacked the goats, the warrior slipped into the cave where the river ran to the waterfall. He ran towards it, tying the scarf tightly over his ears. He dived into the waterfall and in a few minutes he had found the golden fish. He took it carefully to the cave and put it in the pail of water.
Coming out, he saw that the two lions had turned into two soldiers. They bowed and followed him home.
The Chief was delighted to have found the bravest warrior in his village. There were three days of wedding celebrations. Now it is known as the Village of the Golden Fish!
