Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived an elderly couple. Despite their years of hard work and kindness, they had been unable to have children. One day, the wife ventured into the forest to gather firewood. The scorching sun made her incredibly thirsty, and while searching for water, she stumbled upon a coconut shell filled with rainwater at the base of a tree. Desperate for a drink, she drank from the coconut shell, unknowingly starting a miraculous event—she became pregnant.
The Birth of the Coconut Child
When the child was born, he was unlike any other. He had the appearance of a coconut shell, round and smooth, with no arms or legs. The mother was initially shocked, but the baby spoke to her, saying, "Mother, I am a person, please do not abandon me." Touched by his words, the mother decided to raise him. She named him "Coconut Shell." Despite his unusual form, Coconut Shell had a sharp mind and a kind heart. Though he couldn’t help with physical tasks, he always wanted to ease his mother's burdens.
Coconut Shell’s Unique Talent
One day, Coconut Shell asked his mother if he could help a local wealthy man by tending to his cows. The mother, though unsure, agreed. The wealthy man was initially skeptical about a child who could not move properly, but since Coconut Shell needed little food and care, he gave him a chance. To everyone’s surprise, Coconut Shell was an excellent herder. Under his care, the cows became healthier, and the wealthy man was impressed.
The wealthy man's three daughters took turns bringing food to Coconut Shell. The two older sisters mocked him, but the youngest daughter treated him with kindness. One day, while bringing food to him, she heard the sweet sound of a flute coming from a nearby hill. Curious, she followed the sound and saw a handsome young man playing the flute. But as she turned away and then looked back, the handsome man had disappeared, leaving only Coconut Shell. She realized that the young man was actually Coconut Shell, transformed by his inner beauty, and soon fell in love with him.
The Proposal and the Challenge
As the seasons passed, Coconut Shell asked his mother to request the hand of the youngest daughter in marriage. The wealthy man laughed at the idea and set impossible conditions: a chest of gold, ten pieces of silk, ten fat pigs, and ten jars of wine.
Miraculously, on the day of the meeting, everything that had been requested was brought to the wealthy man’s house. Coconut Shell’s mother was astounded, but the wealthy man reluctantly agreed to the marriage. His two older daughters refused, mocking the idea, but the youngest daughter, who loved him for who he truly was, happily accepted his proposal.
The Transformation
On the wedding day, as the couple stood before the altar, Coconut Shell underwent a miraculous transformation. He turned into a strong, handsome young man, stunning everyone who witnessed the change. After the wedding, Coconut Shell focused on his studies and eventually passed the royal exams, becoming a respected scholar.
The Betrayal of the Sisters
However, the happiness of Coconut Shell and his wife was short-lived. The two jealous sisters plotted against the wife. They pushed her into the sea, where she was swallowed by a giant fish. With the help of a knife gifted by her husband, she escaped and washed ashore on a deserted island. There, she survived by roasting fish and keeping two eggs safe. One day, the eggs hatched into a rooster and a hen, and the rooster crowed, "It’s the scholar’s ship, come to bring my wife back!"
The Reunion
Coconut Shell, upon hearing the rooster's cry, recognized his wife and rushed to bring her back. After a joyful reunion and a celebratory feast, the two jealous sisters, ashamed of their actions, fled and were never seen again.
The Moral of the Story
The story of Coconut Shell teaches us that appearances are not everything. It reminds us that true strength lies in one’s character, and inner beauty shines brighter than outward appearances. Coconut Shell, despite his unusual form, was a true hero because of his kindness, intelligence, and perseverance. The story also emphasizes the importance of love, loyalty, and the power of transformation—both physical and emotional.
