The Most Beautiful Maiden in the World

ONCE there were seven brothers. They were all tall and strong and handsome, but Ruru, the youngest, was the handsomest of the seven. For this he was hated by his brothers. They forced him to act as a slave to them, giving him the roughest work to do and the oldest clothes to wear. They even beat him. Indeed, they treated him so cruelly that his life was most unhappy. His mother's heart ached for him, but his father was too old to notice.

The brothers heard of a maiden who lived across the sea. Her name is Roronga. She is the most beautiful maiden in the world," the people said.

"I will go and ask her to be my wife," said the eldest brother.

"So will I," said the next.

"She may prefer me," said the third.

"Let us all go and see who can win the beautiful maiden," said the fourth.

They gathered together their finest clothes and a number of handsome presents. These they packed away in their big canoe with the sleeping- places below the deck.

"Is not Ruru to voyage with you?"asked their mother.

Certainly. He must come to cook and carry for us. He need not think he will see Roronga, however. She would not look at a man who has no fine clothes." The eldest brother said this loudly, for he loved to tease poor Ruru.

They set off. In a few days they reached the land across the sea. The people met them and welcomed them, and prepared a feast in their honour.

The six brothers went to the feast, leaving Ruru behind to carry all their things from the boat to their lodgings.

After the feast there was a dance. As they were dancing each brother asked his partner,Which is Roronga ? and each partner, wish- ing to be thought beautiful, whispered: "I am Roronga. Tell nobody." Each brother, delighted to think he was dancing with the real Roronga, asked: Will you be my wife and come with me across the sea to live "

And each partner answered, Yes." So they were all married quietly during the next few days, and not one of the brothers found out that he had been deceived.

But what about Ruru On the first night of their stay, after carrying their belongings, he had to lay fires, buy food, bring in water. Step- ping out of the house with a calabash in his hand, he asked a child: "Where shall I find water "

"The child pointed. By Roronga's house there is a spring," she said.

"Roronga's house ! thought Ruru. She is sure to be away at the dance. It cannot matter if I peep in to see her home."

But Roronga was not at the dance. She sat quietly in her house. When Ruru peeped in she saw him. She liked him, though he had no handsome feather cloak. Come in ! she said, and smiled.

Ruru came shyly in. Never had he dreamt of any one so lovely as this maiden with the great dark eyes and sunny smile. She talked and made him welcome, and drew him on to tell her all his life. So she learnt of the harsh treatment he received.

When it was time for him to go she said: Come back to-morrow night. Another dance will be given for your brothers, but I shall not go."

Next night he came again, and the next. While the elder brothers danced with the false Rorongas Ruru and the real Roronga sat talking in her house. They loved each other and were married, and Roronga promised to cross the sea with Ruru. But I must hide you," he said, "for if my brothers see you they will try to take you from me."

When the six elder brothers, with their six wives, came laughing and chattering to the boat the next day, they had no idea that the most beautiful maiden in the world was hidden in Ruru's cabin. Nor did they find it out through all the voyage.

As soon as the boat touched the shore the elder brothers sprang to land to lead their wives to their mother's home. "Mother," the eldest said as he drew near. "Roronga is my wife. Welcome the most beautiful maiden in the world."

"It is not true ! cried the next brother. I have Roronga."

Then there was confusion, for every brother maintained that he had the real Roronga, shouting loudly and working himself into a rage, while each false Roronga looked under her eyelids at the others.

The mother called for silence. There are not six Rorongas," she said. Besides, not one of your wives is handsome enough to be called the most beautiful maiden in the world.'"

"That is true," said Ruru's voice. He had quietly followed his brothers to the house. Mother, none of these is Roronga. She lies in my cabin in the boat. Come and see !

The elder brothers roared with laughter. Ruru marrying Roronga they shouted.

Absurd ! The wives were ill at ease. It might really be Roronga.

Let us go to the boat," said the mother. On the way their friends gathered and accompanied them. By the time they reached the boat all the village stood about to see Roronga.

Look in my cabin, mother," said Ruru. His mother stooped. It is true she cried. It is Roronga."

She took her hand and led her out. At once everybody saw that this was the most beautiful maiden in the world. Roronga Roronga !" they shouted. "Welcome! Welcome! Ruru has won the great prize. Let us make a feast. The brothers were enraged at the trick that had been played on them. You lied they said to their wives. They were ready to beat them but their mother said, Leave them alone. You well deserved what you got for your cruelty to Ruru."

The people made a great feast. The happy Ruru and Roronga danced, and were admired by everybody. Ruru's friends gave him fine clothes, and in them he looked far handsomer than ever.

The cruel elder brothers and their deceiving wives were punished by being left out of the feast. Never again were they allowed to make a servant of their brother, nor treat him harshly, for by marrying Roronga he had become a great man. Now everybody looked up to him and treated him respectfully. And all his life he lived happily with Roronga-the most beautiful maiden in the world.