The Origin of the Snake

A long time ago, there was a very wealthy and respected man who had a terrible secret: he was a leper. He kept his condition hidden from everyone. One of his slaves, a beautiful young woman, discovered his secret. To ensure her silence, the man married her, lavishing her with gifts but keeping her isolated. One day, the woman, full of despair, ran away into the wilderness. She lay down to die when a magnificent, shining creature appeared before her. It had no arms or legs and was covered in beautiful scales. "Do not be afraid," the creature said. "I am a spirit of the earth. I will cure your husband, but you must make a promise." The creature gave her three magic nuts. "Give these to your husband. The first will make his leprosy worse. The second will make it even more terrible. But the third will cure him completely. In return, your people must promise never to harm me or my children." The woman returned and did as she was told. Her husband was cured, and their lives were filled with joy. The creature she met was the first Snake, and because of the promise she made, the Hausa have a traditional respect for snakes and believe that killing one without reason brings terrible luck.