The Egg (L'œuf)

THE EGG

I'm going to tell you my story.

Up until then, my father had only had daughters.

He was desperate for an heir

and awaited my birth impatiently.

He paced up and down the courtyard until dawn.

He could rejoice at not having another daughter,

yet he did not have '(he son he wanted.

He decided to hide me.

He pretended all was well.

The queen gave birth to an egg.

How do I announce something like that'?

Your queen has given birth!

He is as big as an egg.

As big as an ostrich egg.

Your queen has given birth to her child.

He is big, he is fat and he is beautiful!

Daughters, I have to go away.

I'm going to find a fiancée

for the future king, your brother.

I'll be back soon.

Our father has gone crazy.

This is a first.

What do we do'?

Let's get back to work.

My friend Wamba must be thirsty.

Give him a gourd of millet beer.

Thank you.

Do you know that girl who is dancing?

You have taste, Majesty. She's the prettiest in the village.

Her name is Beloré.

She's very beautiful.

She's also very sweet and very kind.

Perfect.

I'd like to meet her father.

- Where is he'? - That's him there.

I'll see him tomorrow morning.

Look! It's the king.

The king is coming to the house. What for?

Maybe he's seeing Dad.

I'm very honored by your visit, Majesty.

Please, take a seat.

I'm all ears.

It's like this... You have a lovely daughter.

Yes, it's true.

My humble family has never been so honored!

There's a start to everything.

Your family is known to be intelligent and shrewd.

Ours has strength.

It is a good union.

When can our two children meet'?

With us, marriage is arranged by the parents.

The future spouses only meet later.

Much later.

Beloré will adapt to her new life until my son returns

from his initiation trip around our beautiful country.

I hope the harvest will be better this year.

If the grasshoppers return, all is lost.

We'll still have half.

Are you okay, Beloré'? Not too tired'?

No, I'm used to it.

At home, I work in the fields all day.

We're short of seeds. My gourd is nearly empty.

We have to find some.

I'll go. Stay here. I know Where they are.

Finish planting the seeds you have left.

I'll bring others. I Won't be long.

She's a good girl, that Beloré.

When my father the king decided to find me a fiancee...

His father, the king'?

9 no longer had to hide.

When he went to get supplies, I went for a walk.

What's she doing'? She's taking forever!

Lucky she said she'd be back soon.

Back to work. I found a full bag.

My head hurts! I'm going home to rest.

Can I let go of the branch now'?

Wait, I haven't finished.

I'm all itchy. Aren't you'?

Dad, I want to come home!

I don't want to marry an egg.

An egg'? What are you talking about, dear child?

I joined the lion's family, as far as I know,

not the roosters

I was surprised that the lion chose us.

Now I understand.

He tricked us.

How sad!

Let's visit your great aunt up on the hill.

She knows many secrets. Animals come from afar to see her.

I can't find the roots. Bad luck!

Let's go. The road is long. We have to act fast.

I'm sure she'll be able to help us.

I've heard of cases like this.

I had never come across one.

You're lucky. I know the potion that cures it.

But beware. Do exactly as I say.

Do you understand?

Here's the potion.

Thank you, great aunt.

This is what you do...

And now, the potion.

One paw grows,

then another.

One arm grows, '(hen another.

I have a head, eyes, a mane, a nose.

There, ifs finished.

You're so handsome!

Your mane is so soft and silky.

Then pick up all the pieces of eggshell.

Put them away carefully

and above all,

make sure your husband never touches them.