Three Sisters and the Black Snake

An Iu Mien folktale that takes place in Southeast Asia, this story tells of a father and his three daughters of varying personalities. Moung is strong-minded, Nai is unhelpful, and Fahm is kind. The family spend their days working on their farm to prepare for the rainy season. One day, the sisters and their father are confronted with a problem while clearing the land on their farm. Father lets out a cry for help, and his plea is soon answered by an unexpected savior: a black snake. In exchange for the help, the snake wishes to marry one of Father’s three daughters. Which daughter will be brave enough to marry the black snake and fulfill her father’s promise? Unbeknownst to the sisters, the black snake is hiding a surprising secret. What could it be? This story teaches us the value of kindness, dedication, and selflessness.