The Leopard Man

The Leopard Man, an African folktale

Once long ago, a handsome stranger was seen in a village, strolling about among the people in mysterious silence. All the maidens admired him and wished that he would choose one of them for his bride

The stranger said nothing to any of them, however, and at last walked away into the forest and disappeared from sight

Next month the stranger returned but this time, one of the maidens fell so deeply in love with him that she resolved to follow him back into the forest, as she could not bear to be apart from him

When the stranger looked back and saw her behind him, he stopped and begged her to return home. She refused, exclaiming "I will never leave you, and wherever you go, I will follow"

"Beautiful maiden, you will regret it," replied the stranger sadly, as he turned away and hurried on ever deeper into the dark forest

After a while he stopped again and begged her once more to retrace her steps, but her reply was the same, so again the handsome stranger said in sorrowful tones, "Beautiful maiden, you will regret it"

They walked far into the depths of the forest, finally reaching a tall tree at the foot of which there lay the skin of a leopard. Standing under the tree, the stranger sang her a melancholy song...

"Oh beautiful maiden, the great spirits have allowed me to wander through villages and towns like a man but in truth, I am a savage leopard who will rend you in pieces when I regain my natural form"

He then flung himself upon the ground and immediately become a snarling leopard, who began to pursue the terrified girl! But fear gave such speed to her feet that he could not overtake her

Still he pursued her, singing out that he would tear her in pieces; she sang in reply that he would never catch her. For a great distance they ran, until suddenly the maiden came to a roaring river

It seemed as if the leopard would catch her after all, but a tree which stood on the riverbank took pity on her and fell across the river so she could cross... and her snarling pursuer crossed as well

At last, nearly exhausted, she came to the forest's edge and safely entered her village. The disconsolate leopard slunk back into the forest, and the handsome stranger was never seen again

(adapted, via World of Tales)

(images via IndiaTV and FictionMachine)