The Singular Case of the Man Transformed into an Elephant
There existed a gentleman of advanced years, whose infirmity rendered him incapable of diligent labour. Consequently, the local populace conveyed him to a humble dwelling situated within a wooded area. They bore with them four mortars, a pestle of considerable size, and a pair of winnowing-fans.
They proceeded to insert one of his pedal extremities into a mortar, followed by the other.
Subsequently, they placed one of his manual appendages into a mortar, and thereafter the remaining one.
The aforementioned pestle was then inserted into his oral cavity, and the two winnowing-fans were securely affixed to his auricular appendages.
Thereupon, they absented themselves from the premises.
After a temporal interval of indeterminate duration, they returned to the aforementioned dwelling, only to discover his absence.
They observed the presence of elephantine footprints emanating from the aforementioned hut.
It was thusly surmised that the aforementioned gentleman had undergone a metamorphosis into an elephantine creature.
The Ballad of the Simian
In days of yore, there existed two maidens who ventured forth to procure firewood.
They did overhear a monkey, perched aloft in a arboreal setting, emitting a melodious vocalization.
Quoth one maiden to the other, “Pray, lend not thine ear to the simian's ditty.”
Yet, the second maiden found herself quite unable to resist its allure, and forthwith commenced to chant the selfsame tune… whereupon she was transmogrified into an elephantine beast!
The first maiden, seized by trepidation, did hasten back to the village and imparted the occurrence to all and sundry.
They exclaimed, “Such a happening is altogether beyond the pale of credence!”
She averred, “Mine own eyes did witness the transformation.” Whereupon, the maiden did embark upon the singing of the simian's song, and lo, she too was transformed into an elephant.
Thus, did the villagers comprehend the veracity of her account.
The Woman Who Became a Lion
A gentleman and his female companion, whilst traversing a desolate expanse, espied a herd of feral equines in the far distance.
Cognisant of the woman's peculiar capabilities, the gentleman entreated her, 'Pray, transmogrify thyself into a lioness and procure for us a horse, that we might sate our hunger.'
'I am reluctant to inspire trepidation within thee,' she demurred.
'Verily, I am afflicted by famine!' he exclaimed. 'Fear shall not grip my heart.'
Thereupon, the woman underwent a metamorphosis, assuming the form of a lioness.
Overcome by dread, the gentleman ascended a nearby arboreal specimen.
The lioness pursued the equine quarry, dispatching one with dispatch, and conveyed the cadaver back to the vicinity of the tree.
'I implore thee, spare my life!' the gentleman beseeched.
The lioness emitted a fierce roar, whereafter she reassumed her corporeal human state.
The gentleman, henceforth, abstained from soliciting her to engage in the chase.
The Woman and Her Suitors
A woman of considerable beauty did steadfastly refuse the advances of each and every suitor who presented himself.
Thereafter, did arrive two strangers of handsome mien; the lady, in short order, did plight her troth to one of these gentlemen and become his wife.
Little did she suspect that these men were, in truth, lions in human guise!
In the depths of the woodlands, the men underwent a transformation, reverting to their leonine forms. They did engage in the chase, consuming raw flesh, and conveying the bones of their quarry back to their abode.
The woman, in her domestic capacity, prepared a stew.
“We partake not of stew,” they declared with considerable finality.
The woman's brother, harbouring grave concerns, did caution her that these men were of ill repute. He shadowed them and witnessed their transformation into lions.
The woman, alas, remained unconvinced by his warnings.
In the stillness of the night, her husband, reassuming his leonine form, did slay her and consume her flesh.
Subsequently, the two strangers did abscond into the forest; their return was never to be.
The Mother and Her Daughter
A mother, it is recounted, did bid her daughter procure a melon.
En route, the maiden, being subject to the flatteries of sundry admirers, did bestow upon them the aforementioned melon.
Whereupon the mother, in a fit of pique, exclaimed, 'Thou art an accursed girl, with eyes of verdant hue!'
Thenceforth, the girl did utter a song:
My mother doth curse me, alas!
She doth curse mine eyes, of a colour akin to the crocodile.
Thereafter, the mother, in a most lamentable fashion, did beat her daughter unto death, grinding her corporeal form into naught but dust.
The winds, capricious as they are, did carry this dust into the watery domain wherein the Crocodile did reside.
The Crocodile, with a purpose known but to itself, did shape this dust into the semblance of a woman of surpassing beauty, dwelling beneath the waves.
She then arose from the water, intoning a song to her sister:
Our mother did slay me, grinding me to dust.
The Crocodile hath preserved me, Sister! Behold, I am here!