Who is the True Mother
Fairy tales in Romanian. Who is the True Mother?
The Journey Through the Forest
This story took place somewhere in India, a long, long time ago. A young mother had to travel with her son to a distant village. To get there, she had to cross a beautiful forest.
The mother was happy, for her little one seemed delighted by the birds' chirping. He laughed, trying to play with the butterflies fluttering by, and loved the scent of the flowers his mother gave him.
The Meeting at the Lake
The mother walked for a long time until they reached a lake. The lake's water was as blue as the sky, looking so fresh and invigorating that the mother decided to take a bath.
She left her little one on a tuft of grass by the lake's edge. And after that, she began to swim. While swimming, the mother heard something.
— Would you mind, my dear, if I played with your child until you come out of the water?
The mother saw another young woman looking fondly at her little one. She smiled.
— Of course, you can play with him.
The Missing Child
— What a beautiful baby! And how cute you are! Now that I'm here, don't worry. Enjoy your bath!
Hearing the little one laughing and playing, the mother relaxed and decided to swim a little longer.
— Why can't I hear them anymore? My baby, stop! Where are you taking him? Stop!
The mother quickly got out of the water and ran after the woman, saying:
— Wait! Where are you taking my child?
The Dispute and the Villagers' Intervention
— Your child? This is my child! Go away! — How dare you? Give me back my child! Thief, child thief! Kidnapper! Leave my child alone!
Just then, some people from a forest tribe were passing through the area. They heard the commotion and came to see what was happening.
— What's the problem? — Help me, help me, please! She's taking my child! Please help me! — She's lying. The child is mine! — She's trying to steal my baby! Please, don't believe her!
The people looked at each other, puzzled. They had no idea which woman was telling the truth and which was lying.
The Chief's Judgment
Finally, one of them spoke.
— There's only one way we can solve this problem. We'll take you to our chief. — Why? I'm telling you the baby is mine! Why won't you listen to me? You're all child thieves! — Certainly none of us are thieves. Certainly one of you is. And here, in our forest. You cannot leave until we resolve this problem. Come with me!
The people led the women along the forest paths until they reached a strange cave. There they spoke to the soldiers in a foreign language. They entered a dark cave. They couldn't see anything. Then, suddenly, from the darkness, the chief appeared and stood before them.
— Hurbina Kan Kalicini Balakang Pan! Huka! Which of you is the mother? — I am! I am! — Hmm. Shula!
The Test of Maternal Strength
— Now, in the world of the jungle, the strongest wins. The child is here. One of you take the child by the head, and the other by the feet. And both of you pull. Let's see who is stronger.
Both women knelt beside the child. The child looked at his mother and smiled. He reached out to her and squeezed her finger with his tiny hands. The mother began to cry and caressed her child. Suddenly, drums began to sound.
— Let the contest begin!
As soon as the witch heard him, she began to pull hard on the child's feet, while the true mother looked lovingly at her son. When he felt his feet being pulled, the child began to cry. The true mother was horrified.
— Stop, stop! I don't want to take part in this contest! Please, stop! — I won! I won! The child is mine!
The True Mother
— You have the child of his true mother. — But I won! — No! You only showed that you are the thief, and she is the true mother. — That's not fair! You said in the jungle the strongest wins! And I pulled the child towards me! — Yes, I said that. But I was referring to maternal strength. She gave up her child just to ensure he wouldn't be hurt anymore. Only a true mother could make such a sacrifice.
— Here is your child, my lady. — Thank you! Thank you very much! — I know who you are! If I see you here in the forest again... — Fine, Vanraj. Fine. One day I will get my revenge on you. One day.
Conclusion
We don't know if the witch ever returned to the forest. But what we know for sure is that, even if she had returned, she could never win against the power of a true mother's love.
A true mother will always make sacrifices for her child's well-being, placing their safety and happiness above all else, even above her own desire to have them by her side.
