The Wonderful Pearl

Once upon a time there was an orphan girl called Wa, who lived near the Nirma River. Since she had been a little girl and could carry a basketful of rice upon her back, she had worked for the village chief . She worked long and hard and was given very little to eat in return. But she was kind, and used her great knowledge of wild plants to heal people.

One evening she was putting herbs on her hands, which had become blistered from the day's hard work , when the chief's rice house , wich was filled with rice . she'd never seen so much rice, and wanted so much to eat some, but she remembered what the chief had told her:

"An evil spirit protects my rice. If you eat even one grain , you will die?" and so , weak with hunger , Wa fell asleep in the dark.

Suddenly she was woken up by the chief's son . "You lazy girl! " he shouted. " Fill this pail with water by the time I return ! " Wa jumped up in fear, quickly took the pail and ran to the river to fill it up.

When she had reched the river,she bent down to fill the pail . Suddenly, a strange sound filled the air. Out of the river appeared a tall maiden wearing a long dress.

She told Wa that the water spirit's daughter was very ill because a scorpion had stung her while she was playing by the river. "Wa", she said, "you are wise with herbs and can cure her, come with me. You will be safe under the water ."