The dead branch

On an island stood a high mountain whose sides were covered with a thick forest. At the top of the mountain, a sumptuous residence sheltered devils who, when they walked into the forest, chased away the men they encountered.

A long time ago, nine of these devils went down the mountain and explored the seaside. They saw a boat on the beach and decided to go to sea.
There were fishing rods in the boat, and they managed to catch fish. Since then, every night they returned to fish at sea. The owner of the boat noticed that, when he took it out each morning, it was dirty and full of dead fish.
I was intrigued and decided to hide one night to see who was borrowing it. Fearing that the wait would be long, he had brought coconuts to eat.
VSHe had been hiding behind some trees on the beach for an hour when he saw the nine devils approaching his boat.
He was terrified when they approached him because they had smelled the odor of human flesh. To try to coax them, he offered them his coconuts. They accepted and enjoyed themselves. They told the fisherman that they had never eaten anything so good. They all went fishing together and, on their return, they shared the fish.
But the devils still wanted coconuts! The fisherman took them to his house, where he had a supply, and they ate a large quantity of coconuts again.
To thank the fisherman, they offered to accompany them to their house, at the top of the mountain. The fisherman replied that it was too far, that he was too tired to go that far, and that, if he came, he would not be able to return to fishing the next day.
“The path that leads to our house,” they told him, “is not a path like that which men take. You won't be tired after coming to us. »
They reached the forest and, in front of a large tree, they stopped. One of the devils made a sign, and a door opened. Once everyone was back inside, the door closed.
The dead branch - illustration 1
“Here we are at home,” said one of the devils. You might meet our mother. Above all, don't accept anything she offers you, except a dead branch, because she has the gift of healing all ills. »
Indeed, a few moments later, the fisherman met the mother of devils. She was a very old giantess, but very kind.
When it was time to leave, the mother of devils offered the fisherman a golden cup that never emptied. Of course, he refused it. She then offered him a rooster, with the head of a man, who gave as much money as he was asked for. He refused again and said: “Give me what is in this big chest instead!” »
The old woman opened the chest and took out a branch which she handed to the fisherman saying:
“It's a dead branch. Keep it carefully. »
After thanking his hosts, he left as he had come. Once he arrived at his cabin, he carefully hid the dead branch.
A few days later, he saw a woman passing by in tears. He asked them for explanations. They replied that they were going to fetch water to give the last bath to the son of the chief of the tribe, who was dying. He told them that maybe he could cure him. Reporting these words to the child's father, the latter asked that the fisherman be brought as quickly as possible. He arrived, but too late. The chief's son had just died. Everyone started to cry.
The fisherman approached and placed the dead branch on the child's chest. Immediately, the latter got up and was very surprised to see everyone around him crying. The fisherman was congratulated and pampered.
As news of this miraculous healing spread throughout the country, many people became envious and wanted to grab the dead branch. Several times, people tried to steal it from him.
The dead branch - illustration 2
But one day, while returning from fishing, he saw flames and smoke heading toward his house. It was burning, and he saw at the top of the roof, which was still untouched by the fire, its dead branch. The fisherman managed to save it from the flames, but the envious people still tried to steal his branch.
The dead branch - illustration 3
One day, exasperated, he said to them: “Why do you want to take this branch from me that ensures you stay in good health? If you persist, I will throw it away, and no one will be able to find it. »
They did not heed his warnings and continued to bother him. So he went to get rid of the branch in the forest.
This is why men must die while the trees of the forest are immortal.
WW

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