The Four Brothers

In the heart of the jungle stood an ancient tree, older and wiser than all the others. It had witnessed countless wonders and held many secrets. Each spring, the tree blossomed with fresh green leaves and delicate white flowers. But one year, among the blossoms, a particular bud stood out. It gleamed like a silver globe on a low branch, larger and more brilliant than the rest.

"I wonder why that bud is so different," mused the curious rose-apple tree.

"It holds a secret," whispered the fig tree, who loved to gossip.

"When will we discover the secret?" the rose apple asked eagerly.

"During the midnight thunderstorm," replied the fig tree. "When the lightning strikes, the bud will open."

That night, as thunder roared and lightning lit the sky, the rose-apple tree cowered in fear, unable to look up. But the fig tree watched in awe as the mighty old tree stretched its branches toward the storm. In the midst of the tempest, the glowing bud burst open, revealing a small flower. As the third bough lowered it gently to the ground, a tiny baby appeared nestled within the blossom.

The baby was the most beautiful sight, sleeping peacefully, his little body as lovely as the flower that held him. His eyes fluttered open, and he smiled at the flashing lightning, watching it dance across the sky.

When the morning sun brought calm and stillness to the jungle, the baby reached out to play with the flowers.

"He must be special," said the fig tree. "Look at his little white silk shirt, matching the flower he was born in. And he has a diamond shining on his forehead!"

"Maybe it’s a star, not a diamond," wondered the rose-apple tree, unable to decide because of its dazzling brightness.

Soon, all the jungle creatures—hummingbirds, parrots, monkeys, and jackals—came to see the baby. "He’d be better with wings like mine," said the hummingbird.

"Or with plumage like mine," added the parrot.

"Fur would suit him more," growled the jackal. Despite their differences, they all agreed that the baby was extraordinary, especially with a star shining on his forehead.

When the baby began to cry softly from hunger, the fig tree bent down and dropped sweet honey into his mouth, making him smile once more.

As evening approached, a tigress crept toward the baby, thinking, "I’ll take him to feed my cubs." But the flowers and grasses wrapped themselves protectively around him, hiding him from the tigress’s eyes.

"He is our baby," they whispered. "We will not let any harm come to him."

"What should we call him?" the other trees asked.

The ancient tree, the one that had borne the magical bud, said, "His name is Nazim, and it is up to all of us to protect him and teach him the jungle’s secrets."

Nazim grew up learning from the trees, flowers, and animals of the jungle. The monkeys taught him how to climb, while Dame, the great turtle, showed him how to swim. The hummingbirds guided him to the wild fruits and honey-filled blossoms, and he learned the healing powers of herbs and how to charm the jungle snakes.

Each morning, Nazim bathed in the river, hanging his white silk shirt to dry on a tree. At night, he slept in a hammock made by the flowers, woven from their delicate tendrils.

As he grew into a tall and handsome boy, Nazim was gentle yet strong, loved by all the jungle creatures—even the tigress who once eyed him for her cubs. His white silk shirt grew with him, never tearing or wearing out.

One day, Nazim asked the ancient tree, "Are there others like me? Am I the only one?"

"Why do you ask?" inquired the wise old tree.

"I wish to see others like myself," Nazim replied wistfully.

The tree told him, "Climb to my highest branch and tell me what you see."

Nazim obeyed and called out from the treetop, "I see a hill with a sharp peak!"

"At the top of that hill grows a tree covered in pink blossoms. It is called Kidsadita," said the old tree. "Go to it and ask for the Four Brothers."

Nazim sprinted through the jungle, reaching the hill and finding the pink-blossomed Kidsadita. "Where are the Four Brothers?" he asked.

"They are on the other side of the hill, preparing their meal," replied the tree.

Nazim circled the hill and found four tall men cutting up a deer. They stared at Nazim in wonder, for they had never seen anyone as beautiful. Dressed in white with a glowing star in his forehead, Nazim greeted them.

"We are the Four Brothers," they said. "Will you be our fifth?"

"I came here to find brothers," Nazim answered joyfully. "All the jungle creatures have siblings, and I had none."

The youngest brother, Chimo, said they desired two things: fire to cook their food, as they ate their meat raw, and wives for each of them.

The eldest brother added, "The giant Rikal Gouree has both—fire on his hearth and four daughters ready for marriage—but we’ve never been able to find his home."

Nazim thought for a moment. "Give me a bulrush, and I will lead you to his house."

Chimo fetched a bulrush, and Nazim fitted it to his bow, sending the reed flying through the air. "Follow my arrow," Nazim called, "and you will find your way."

Chimo, the fastest runner, arrived first at the giant’s palace. Inside, Rikal Gouree was napping beside an enormous fire. Seizing the moment, Chimo snatched a firebrand, but a spark landed on the giant’s hand, waking him. Roaring with pain, the giant chased Chimo, but he escaped, though empty-handed and shaken.

The Four Brothers discouraged, returned without fire or brides.

Meanwhile, Rikal Gouree complained to his family, and his youngest daughter, who had seen Chimo running away, scolded her father for driving him off. Just then, beautiful music filled the air, drifting from a tree outside the palace. Rikal Gouree found Nazim sitting in its branches, playing a lute. The music was so enchanting that even the animals gathered to listen. Soon, Rikal Gouree and his wife began dancing merrily beneath the tree.

"Come down, young man," called the giant. "Ask for anything, and I will grant it!"

"I ask for your four daughters," said Nazim. "Each of my brothers seeks a wife, and we need a firebrand to cook our food."

The giant’s wife agreed at once, and the daughters eagerly followed Nazim, carrying their belongings. At the foot of the needle-shaped hill, they met the Four Brothers, who married the daughters, and they all lived happily together.

Nazim, however, chose not to marry. Admired for his wisdom and goodness, the Four Brothers made him their king, crowning him with jewels—though none shone brighter than the star on his forehead.