THE HEALING TONGUE Part 1
 

Many years ago a great chief lived with his wife and son and daughter in great wealth and comfort. But the chief’s two children were unhappy. They wandered through the village, yawning and weeping, and they never smiled or played with other children. They grew so thin, they almost looked like skeletons. Their eyes, so dark and haunted, frightened the small children and old people.

In the village there also lived a poor man whose two children were always glad. All day long they sang songs and played joyfully with their friends. They smile day and night, and their skin was soft and smooth, their limbs plump and strong. Their eyes gleamed with light, and everyone who knew them loved them.

When the chief saw how healthy and happy these poor children were, he called upon their father. “Tell me why your son and daughter are so happy and healthy. Mine are sad and weak, though I give them everything they wish”. “Chief”, said the poor man,” I feed my children with the meet of the tongue and this fills them health and happiness.” The chief was delighted at this simple solution. He hurried home and ordered his servants to fetch him tongues of every beast. He instructed his cooks to prepare tongue roasts, tongue stew, tongue soups, tongue fried and boiled and grilled. These treats he fed to his children day and night.

Still the chief’s children would not smile. They grew thinner and more pale, and their eyes filled with tears. The chief was at his wit’s end. Once again he called upon the poor man.” You have given me bad advice,” the chief said angrily.” You must give me your children, and I will give you mine in exchange.” In the village the chief’s word was law, and the poor man, though he was sad, could not argue. He gave up his beloved son and daughter, and the chief’s unhappy children moved into the poor man’s home. Time passed, and the chief’s new children began to grow sad and thin and pale. The offered them toys and games and jewels, and still they would not smile. The chief ordered marvelous birds in golden cages to sing to the children, but the children would not listen or sing. No matter how he tried, he could not bring happiness to his new children, and he watched in horror as they grew more and more listless.