Bopoluchi and the False Uncle

Bopoluchi was a bright, bold village girl who had no family of her own, and oh, how she longed for one. So when a rich, well-dressed stranger came to the village one day and announced that he was her long-lost uncle, come to take her to a grand wedding with a fine family, Bopoluchi was overjoyed. She packed her things at once and set off down the road with him, happy as could be.

But as they walked, a little crow flapped down beside her and called out, “Caw! Caw! Bopoluchi, take care! That is no uncle of yours. That is a wicked robber!”

“Hush, silly bird,” said Bopoluchi, who did not want to hear it. “He is my uncle, and he is taking me to be married.” And on she went.

A little further, a parrot swooped down. “Bopoluchi, beware!” it cried. “He is not your uncle. He is a robber!” And further still, a peacock called out the very same warning. But each time, Bopoluchi shook her head and walked on, for she so wanted it all to be true.

It was only when they reached the stranger’s lonely house deep in the hills, with its piles of stolen gold and silver heaped in the corners, that Bopoluchi finally understood. The birds had been right all along. This was no uncle. This was a robber, and he meant her no good at all.

But Bopoluchi was clever, and she did not let her fright show on her face. The robber, certain she suspected nothing, left her in the care of his old mother while he went off to make ready. And Bopoluchi, sweet as honey, set about winning the old woman’s trust, chatting and helping, until at last the old mother dozed off by the fire.

Quick and quiet, Bopoluchi gathered up a great bundle of the robber’s stolen treasure, slipped out of the house, and ran. And when the robber came roaring after her, it was the crow, and the parrot, and the peacock, the very birds she had ignored, who flew at him and flapped about his head and led her safely along the hidden paths until she was home.

So Bopoluchi came back to her village richer than anyone in it, and a great deal wiser too. And ever after, when a small voice warned her that something was not quite right, no matter how sweetly a stranger smiled, Bopoluchi stopped, and listened, and looked again.