The Cry of Waigara Lo Lo – A Folktale from the Mountains
Introduction
Folktales have always been the heartbeat of mountain cultures. They carry whispers of mystery, warnings of the unseen, and lessons hidden in everyday life. Among the rocky valleys and high meadows, people share stories of strange lights, hidden creatures, and ogres that dwell inside massive boulders. One such tale is that of a humble shepherd, his lost sheep, and the extraordinary love that bound his life to the world of ogres.
The Shepherd and His Flock
Long ago, in a quiet valley surrounded by towering cliffs, lived a shepherd who spent his days tending to his sheep. He loved his flock, but his pride was a strong and healthy ram. One afternoon, while the sheep grazed in the meadow, he noticed that his prized ram had vanished. Alarmed, he began searching every hill and hollow, calling out until his voice grew hoarse.
Exhausted, he finally sat down near a massive boulder to rest. Just then, strange movement caught his eye. To his horror, he saw monstrous creatures dragging his ram into a narrow crack in the rock.
The Hidden World of the Ogres
The shepherd’s heart pounded. These were no ordinary beings — they were ogres, the very ones spoken of in village myths. Legends said that ogres lived inside giant boulders, hidden from human eyes.
By some strange chance, the ogres could not see him, though he could see them clearly. Summoning courage, he followed them through the crack. Inside, he discovered a hidden cavern — a vast underground hall glowing with firelight. The ogres were preparing for a grand wedding feast. One of their daughters, Waigara, was to be married, and the shepherd’s ram was to be served at the celebration.
The Feast and the Secret of the Bones
Helplessly, the shepherd watched as they roasted his ram and laid the meat before their guests. He sat quietly among them, invisible but listening.
“Do not break the bones,” warned an elder ogre. “Eat only the meat. When the feast is done, we shall gather the bones, rejoin them, and breathe life into the animal again.”
Hearing this, the shepherd quickly hid one of the ram’s shoulder bones. When the feast ended, the ogres gathered the remains and chanted spells. Unable to find the missing bone, they replaced it with a piece of carved wood. Wrapping the skin over the bones, they kicked the sheep out of the boulder.
The shepherd followed and saw his ram stumbling weakly on its wooden leg. By morning, it collapsed and died.
A Forbidden Love
Yet something else had stirred in the shepherd’s heart that night. Amid the strange and terrifying creatures, his eyes had fallen on Waigara, the ogre’s daughter. Unlike the others, her face was softer, her eyes full of life.
Invisible to her, he once brushed against her hand. She cried out in pain, though no one understood why.
“She is under possession,” said the wise ogres. “A human spirit has touched her.”
They summoned a knowledgeable elder who created a figure of dough, chanting spells. Cutting off the dough figure’s ear, he declared the possession broken. At that very moment, the shepherd felt a burning pain — his own ear had vanished. Terrified, he realized the danger he was in.
Without hesitation, he seized Waigara’s hand and fled. To his surprise, she did not resist. Together they escaped the cavern and returned to his village.
Life Beyond the Mountains
Against all odds, the shepherd and Waigara were married. Though she came from a world unknown to humans, she grew into life among the villagers. In time, they had two children — a son and a daughter — who grew strong and healthy. Like their father, they helped tend to the sheep in the meadows.
Years passed, and the family lived peacefully, until one fateful day when the children ventured near the boulders.
The Call of the Mother
While watching the flock, they heard a voice — a deep, sorrowful cry echoing from within the rocks:
“Jee Waigara… lo lo… O my beloved Waigara…”
Frightened, the children rushed home and told their mother. Waigara grew pale. “Take me there,” she whispered.
When they returned to the boulder, Waigara placed her hand upon the stone. A hidden door opened, and from inside came the sound again, weeping her name. Waigara stepped forward.
The children tried to hold her back, but she turned, gave them one last look, and closed the door behind her. The boulder sealed shut. She was gone.
The Shepherd’s Grief
Weeping, the children returned to their father. “Mother is gone,” they cried.
The shepherd’s face darkened with sorrow. “I knew this day would come,” he said softly. “She belonged to them from the beginning. I brought her from the world of the ogres, but no one can escape the call of their true home.”
From that day forward, he raised the children alone, carrying in his heart the memory of Waigara — the mysterious bride he had stolen from the mountains, only to lose her to her origins.
Moral of the Story
Some bonds can be borrowed, but never owned forever. The shepherd’s love crossed the boundary between two worlds, but in the end, Waigara returned to where she truly belonged. This tale reminds us that nature has its own balance, and no love can stand against destiny.
If you enjoyed the tale of Waigara Lo Lo, you may also like exploring more mountain folklore and mythical stories from our collection
1. Fataki Aii and the Seven Kids | A Folktale from Gilgit-Baltistan
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