The Tale of Shamuli Gus and the River Giant
Introduction
.png)
Once upon a time, in a quiet village surrounded by forests and rivers, lived a girl named Shamuli Gus. She was the only sister of three loving brothers who cared for her deeply. Every day, the brothers went hunting in the jungle, leaving their sister at home with careful instructions to keep her safe.
But one fateful day, curiosity got the better of Shamuli Gus—and her decision led to a dangerous encounter with a terrifying giant from the river.
The Brothers’ Precautions
Before leaving for the jungle, the brothers always reminded their sister:
-
“Don’t comb your hair on the rooftop.”
-
“Don’t wash your head in the river.”
-
“Keep the dog with you for protection.”
.png)
Shamuli Gus obeyed most of the time. But one day, she wondered why her brothers always forbade her from washing her head in the river. Determined to find out, she ignored their warning.
The Bubbling in the River
Shamuli Gus went to the riverbank, bent down, and began pouring cool water onto her head. Suddenly, she heard a strange bubbling sound from the water:
“Budoo budoo… gomai kulo atatuk begas!”
(I have grown equal to a grain of wheat.)
.png)
Startled, she poured water again. The bubbling voice returned:
“Budoo budoo… wejo ga bado begas!”
(I have grown even larger.)
Each time she poured water, the voice grew louder, and the presence stronger—until a giant emerged from the river.
The giant bellowed:
“Shamuli Gus, you have grown me into a monster by washing your head. Now, I will gobble you up!”
The Giant’s Demand
Terrified, Shamuli Gus pleaded with the giant. She confessed that her brothers had warned her not to wash her head, but she was curious.
The giant sneered:
“Then I will eat your brothers instead!”
.png)
Shamuli Gus begged for mercy and tricked the giant:
“Please don’t harm them. Stay hidden in our house, and I will secretly give you bago (a family portion of meat) whenever my brothers cook.”
The giant agreed, and she hid him inside the house.
The Suspicion of the Youngest Brother
When her brothers returned from hunting, they noticed that Shamuli Gus looked frightened and uneasy. She asked for fatty meat in her bago, which she had never liked before.
The youngest brother grew suspicious but said nothing.
.png)
Days passed. The giant became restless and told Shamuli Gus:
“I cannot live on meat portions alone. Tomorrow, I will eat your brothers. When they call their dogs for protection, you must beat the drum loudly so the dogs cannot hear their calls.”
Shamuli Gus, trembling with fear, agreed.
The Battle in the Jungle
.png)
The next day, as the brothers hunted, the giant appeared suddenly to attack them. In desperation, the brothers shouted their dogs’ names:
“Zok ga Zokani! Bao ga Baweni! Da da daaa!”
But back at home, Shamuli Gus was beating the drum so loudly that the dogs could barely hear. Still, faintly, the loyal animals sensed their masters’ cries. They broke free from their ropes and dashed into the jungle.
Together—the three brothers and their two brave dogs—they fought fiercely against the river giant. After a long struggle, they defeated the monster once and for all.
The Truth Revealed
When the brothers returned home, Shamuli Gus confessed everything—the warnings, her curiosity, the bubbling sounds, and how the giant had forced her to betray them.
.png)
The brothers forgave her, reminding her that their instructions had been for her safety. From then on, Shamuli Gus never disobeyed their words again.
Moral of the Story
The tale of Shamuli Gus and the River Giant teaches us:
-
Curiosity without caution can be dangerous.
-
Elders’ advice often carries wisdom and protection.
-
Courage, loyalty, and unity—like the bond between the brothers and their dogs—can overcome even the greatest of threats.
✨ This timeless folktale from the mountains reminds us that love and cleverness can defeat even the darkest dangers.
Did you enjoy this story? Here are more you’ll love 👇
1. The Clever Trick of Khosa Musha
2. The Tale of King Qubat Shahriyar and the Wise Queen: A Funny Folktale of Wisdom and Fortune
Comments