We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is “Fantastic Females in Folk & Fairy Tales.”
About the Egyptian Goddess Unut:
Unut was the rabbit and snake goddess of Egypt representing fertility and new birth. Unut was worshipped along with the god Thoth at the city of Hermopolis. Modern-day Hermopolis is known as el-Ashmunein and located in Mallawi, Minya Governorate, Egypt. Not much else is known about this goddess, though it felt fitting to have the princess in the featured story named after Unut. The story itself has the princess unnamed. Though, this princess helped the prince navigate and process the three fates by which he could die: by dog, snake, or crocodile. This princess allowed a “new birth” for this prince.
50-word-or-less summary
Prince prophesied to die by one of these: dog, snake, or crocodile. Parents kept him away from all three. Prince found dog. Kept to protect. Married princess. Shared prophecy. Snake! Princess used milk and mirror. Crocodile! Sand hole and 13-petaled flower. Dog drowning! Prince jumped. Rope! Dog died. Prince lived.
Finding the Story:
Book – “The Prince and the Three Fates” in Folktales for Fearless Girls: the stories we were never told – here
Wikipedia – “Tale of the Doomed Prince” – here
Audio/Transcript – “Living your heart’s desire: The Tale of the Doomed Prince” – here
Finding the “Fantastic”:
The princess, whom we are calling “Unut,” observed the prince and respected his cleverness and ability to be cautious. She did not know at the time of the prophecy. The prince was quick to share this important prediction. Rather than moving on to another suitor, she held onto their budding relationship.
With much encouragement and understanding from the princess, they were alert yet lived a remarkable life together.
Yes, there was a snake. The princess lured the snake in their bedroom with a bowl of milk. Then, used a mirror to confuse and exhaust the snake. Genius! The crocodile gave the prince a year to figure out how to defeat him. The princess searched with much effort for a 13-petaled flower…and did! This flower combined with a sand hole allowed the prince to live. Finally, the dog that the prince had since a puppy had grown old. The dog went into a fast-moving river and was drowning. The prince naturally jumped in to save the dog. The princess had to make a hard choice. She had a rope and could only save one: the prince. She comforted the prince on the death of the dog.
She could also point out the relief that those three fates had been shattered. The two of them could live the rest of their long lives in peace. Fantastic! What a woman! What a couple!
Recommended Article:
With such a heavy death prophecy, there would be grief such as dreams that may not come to pass. As the prince and princess had to process the possibility of the prince’s early death, explore this article/vlog called “How to Walk Through Grief as a Couple” written by Tom Philp, LPC, CEO of Stonebridge Couples Therapy.
Thoughts?
Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See our popular links and upcoming events at our One-Stop.
As for our past A to Z Challenges…
Story Crossroads celebrates the hybrid Summit & Festival on May 13-16, 2024 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival
Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; and people like you.