How the Mongolian people came by their tales

It is told, that many years ago the black plaque spread out among the Mongolian people killing hundreds, no thousands of people. Those who were still healthy ran away to save their own lives leaving behind the ill ones to let fate decide their futures.

Among those left behind there was also a fifteen year old boy called  the blind Tarvaa. When he lost consciousness, his soul left his body and came to the khaan (1) of hell. The khaan of hell was astonished upon seeing the soul and said: "Why have you came here? You're body isn't dead yet."

"They left me behind because they thought my body was already dead," the soul answered, "And so I didn't wait any longer but came right here."

The obedience and the patience of the soul pleased the khaan and he said: "Your time hasn't come yet. You have to return to your master. But before you go, you shall make a wish."

The khaan lead the soul through hell and there were all the things which a human can encounter in his life: wealth, fortune and contentment, sorrow and grief, happiness and pleasure, songs and music, dance, tales and legends. The soul of the blind Tarvaa looked at everything and finally asked for the tales. The khaan gave them to him and sent him back to earth.

The soul went back to the body which was showing no signs of life. A crow had already picked out the body's eyes. The soul was very sad to see ist body he ahd been born in like that but he didn't dare not to follow the khaan's order. And so the soul had to slip back into the body.

After that the blind Tarvaa lead a very long life and knew all the magic and tales being in the world. Although he was blind, he could still see what would happen in the future. He went throughout Mongolia, told his tales and with them he taught the people. And since that time, it is told, there are tales being told by the Mongolians.

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(1) The title of the khaan is the Mongolian equivalent to the English king. (back to the text)