Benabab and The Basket Makers
Benabab was the king of Manapani, the Kingdom of Basket Makers .
He was looking for a wife to be his queen.
He walked about in many villages. One day, he came upon ten lovely young women.
They were weaving baskets. They worked carefully.
Benabab examined the baskets and saw that they were well made, strong and
useful for many things.
Benabab asked the young women to empty the baskets.
One by one, he invited each young woman to throw her basket in the air.
The first young woman tossed her basket high and caught it gracefully.
The second young woman tossed her basket and caught it gracefully.
Again, Benabab smiled and thanked her
Each young woman took her turn. Each one caught her basket gracefully, until
the last young woman took her turn.
Benabab had smiled and thanked each one.
Each young woman was certain he was going to invite her to be his queen.
Then, the last young woman tossed her basket into the air.
She did not catch her basket.
All the young women gasped.
That basket bounced high in the air and Benabab caught it.
Benabab bowed to the young woman.
“Will you be my queen,” he pleaded.
The young woman bowed deeply happy to be chosen by her king.
Benabab said, “My queen was not afraid to trust me to catch her basket. So, we too, must trust in God to carry us when life tosses us about.


