There lived three friends: Tamme, Dombeu and Cambeu. Tamme was from the Tesugu tribe, Dombeu was a Guindo, and Cambeu was a Togolese from Kani-Bonso. And although they came from different tribes, this did not interfere with their friendship. And somehow, without saying a word, they wooed the same girl. Her name was Yelle. Yelle was a hard-working girl, and her dowry was large; anyone would be happy to marry her. They began to visit Yella and bring her gifts. Tamme always brought her a basket full of breadfruit. Dombeu - a basket of groundnuts. And Cambeu brought her a basket of cowrie shells every time. Much time passed in this way, but none of them managed to gain Yelle’s favor.
One day her mother told her:
“All three are nice men.” Every day they bring you rich gifts. They want to marry you. Choose one of them. Anyone will be a wonderful husband for you.
Yelle replied:
“I can’t decide which one is better.” Choose for yourself.
“This is not my business, but yours,” answered the mother. “I don’t want you to tell me later that I chose a bad husband for you.”
The daughter said:
- But I can't choose. You decide.
Then the mother went to one wise old woman and asked her:
-Can you give me some advice? There are three young men, and each of them wants to marry my daughter. Everyone comes and gives rich gifts. But we can't decide which one to choose. Can you give us some advice?
“This matter is not difficult,” said the old woman. “When the suitors come next time, hide your daughter and tell them that she is dead.” After that, offer to return their gifts to them. And you will immediately know the price of all three.
“Okay,” answered the mother, “I will do so.”
She hid her daughter and sent messengers to Tamma to the Tesugu tribe, to Gindo to Dombeu, and to that to Cambeu. “Come to me,” she told them to tell them. “My daughter died, and I want to return to you what you gave her.”
All three came. Tamme lowered his head and said:
- I agree, give me back my gifts. Yelle died, but there are still fifty girls I can woo. I will need gifts for them.
Having said this, he took his gifts and left.
Dombeu lowered his head low and also said:
- I agree. Give me back my gifts. Yelle died, but there are still fifty girls I can woo. I will need gifts for them.
With that he left.
Cambeu stood with his head bowed low.
- Well, what about you? - asked his mother Jelle.
- What do I get from these cowrie shells? Cambeu replied. - Yelle was alone. I could woo another girl. But I only needed Yelle.
And he left.
Four months have passed. And so Mother Yelle again called all three and said to them:
- Yelle is not dead. Yelle is alive!
She showed them the girl and said to Dombeu and Tamme:
“You did not love my daughter Jelle, but the rich dowry that I promised for her.” That's what you were interested in.
And she said to Cambeu:
“To you, Yelle was truly more valuable than your shells.” I give you my daughter.
So the Togolese got Yelle as his wife.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru