Segab was eleven years old when his mother died. His father married another woman named Bizunesh. Segab did not like her. On the other hand, she loved Segab very much and tried to be a good mother to him. She made good food for him at every meal. But he never ate it. She bought him many good clothes. But he never even looked at them. Whenever she tried to talk to him, he ran away. One day, the poor woman said to Segab, “I always wanted a son and now I have you, Segab. I love you very much, my dear boy!” But Segab said angrily, “You are not my mother. I am not your son. My mother died long ago.” Bizunesh was very upset and cried all night. In the morning, she went to visit a wise old man. She told him about Segab and how he hated her.
Three Hairs of A Lion
The wise old man agreed to help Bizunesh. But he kept a condition that first Bizunesh had to get him three hairs of a lion. So, Bizunesh went out to try to get the three hairs. At first, she was afraid of the lion and ran away quickly. The next day, she brought some meat for the lion. She kept the meat at a little distance from him. Quickly, the lion ate it all up. Every day, the woman brought some meat for the lion. Soon, the lion understood that she was his friend. After a few days, Bizunesh gave him the meat from her hand. At the same time, she pulled out three hairs from his back. Bizunesh quickly rushed to the old man and showed him the hair. Then, she asked him what she should do with the hair now. “Nothing,” he answered. He continued, “Now, you know how to go near a lion, little by little, step by step. Use the same technique with Segab. And I am sure that‑ he will start loving you.”
