The story takes place during the reign of Pharaoh Nebka, a time when magic, law, and divine order were closely connected. In the royal court lived Webaoner, a powerful priest and master magician who served as the keeper of sacred texts and rituals. While Webaoner devoted his life to religious duties and palace ceremonies, his wife secretly betrayed him. During his absences, she began an affair with a common man from the town. She ordered her servants to prepare a quiet garden and a small lakeside pavilion, where she met her lover again and again, believing her actions would never be discovered.
The truth eventually reached Webaoner through a loyal gardener, who revealed everything. Instead of reacting with anger or public shame, Webaoner chose a calculated response rooted in magic and justice. Using beeswax, a material believed to hold strong spiritual power, he carefully shaped a small wax crocodile, no longer than a handspan. Standing alone, he spoke powerful spells over the figure, filling it with intention and authority. He then handed the wax crocodile to the gardener and gave clear instructions: when the adulterer entered the water to bathe, the figure was to be thrown into the lake behind him.
Days later, the plan was set in motion. After another secret meeting, the man stepped into the lake to wash. At that moment, the gardener threw the wax crocodile into the water. As soon as it touched the surface, the magic awakened. The small wax figure transformed instantly into a massive living crocodile, stretching seven cubits long. It seized the man and dragged him beneath the water, holding him alive at the bottom of the lake for seven days and seven nights, exactly as Webaoner had commanded.
On the seventh day, Webaoner invited Pharaoh Nebka to the lake to witness the outcome. Before the king, Webaoner called the crocodile to the surface. The beast rose from the water and released the terrified man, who stood shaking before the ruler. The pharaoh watched in astonishment as Webaoner reached down and touched the crocodile, which immediately shrank back into a harmless piece of wax in his hand. The power of magic, discipline, and control was undeniable.
Pharaoh Nebka then delivered judgment. He declared that such crimes could not go unpunished. At his command, Webaoner threw the wax crocodile back into the water. It transformed once more into a living monster, seized the man, and vanished forever into the depths of the Nile. The unfaithful wife faced an equally severe fate. She was taken north of the palace, executed by fire, and her ashes were scattered into the river, ensuring she left no trace behind.
This story reflects several core values of Egyptian thought. Words and spoken spells were believed to shape reality, giving trained magicians immense authority. The tale also reinforces Ma’at, the principle of moral order and balance, showing that betrayal and corruption inevitably lead to punishment. Finally, it highlights the importance of wax as a magical material, valued for its ability to carry intention and spiritual force. Through this narrative, the story delivers a clear message: order must be preserved, and no act that disrupts it goes unanswered.