The Princess Who Lost Her Hair

Muoma is a beggar. He begs to help other people lighten their worry and stress. One day he runs into Mutu, the princess' attendant, but Mutu cannot linger. She must get back to the princess to help her adorn her hair before she goes to the marketplace. While fixing Princess Kalendi's hair, a weaver bird approaches and asks for a strand to weave into his nest. Kalendi refuses, and the bird, who turns out to be powerful, brings a drought upon the earth and takes the princess' hair, a symbol of prosperity to her people, from her head. Kalendi is mortified and will not show herself to anyone. Muoma witnesses the loss and offers to help, but, when the princess refuses, he decides it is his duty to help her regain her dignity and kindness. Muoma sets out on a quest to find the bird and ask his pardon. Along the way, he meets and helps some ants find food, a flower find water, and a mouse her children. The bird witnesses all this and agrees to give Muoma a special seed that must be planted and nurtured in the princess' garden. If the princess can learn to care for the plant on her own, then all will be well again. Muoma does as told, and Kalendi sees the plant and begins to care for it. It is this selfless act that restores the land and her hair. Kalendi thanks Muoma, apologizes for being rude and asks Muoma to help her lead the Akamba people.