Lions Whisker

By: Skywalker Storyteller

Haile was a happy little boy living with his mother and father in their
home in Ethiopia. But, one day his mother died and Haile was so hurt,
and so confused, and so angry. A year passed and his father decided to
remarry. But, Haile remained so hurt, and so confused, and so angry. So
when Zeynab met him and hugged him he pulled away from her. When
she fixed him his favorite foods for dinner he didnt eat. When she made
him a play suit out of fine cloth he ran through the woods and played so
roughly he tore the clothes up. Whenever she spoke to him he ignored
her.

One day when her husband was gone hunting, Zeynab went to Hailes
bedroom to talk to him.

"Haile, I love you so much and I really need you to love. . ."

Before she could finish Haile jumped up and said, "I hate you, you arent
my mother. Im running away."

Haile ran past Zayneb and out of the house. Zayneb sat down and cried
and cried. When her husband returned she told him what had happened.
He told her to go on and cook dinner and not to worry that he would find
Haile. Haile was at the river in his favorite spot. The two walked home
and ate dinner without a word.

That night, as the other two slept, Zayneb got out and walked deep into
the forest to the home of the witch doctor. The witch doctor was a very
wise woman who knew the ways of peoples minds and hearts.

"I need you to make me a love potion so my step-son will love me," said
Zayneb.

"Well," the old woman said slowly, "Before I can give you a love potion,
you must bring me the whisker from a ferocious lion."

Zeynabs eyes grew large as she said, "How am I supposed to do that?"

"Use your imagination," said the witch doctor.