The Trap by the River’s Edge
In a remote village near a deep, winding river, lived a young boy named Johannes. He was adventurous and curious, always wandering through the forests and fields. One day, while tending to his goats near the river, he heard a strange, chilling voice from across the water.
“Help me! Help me, please! I am trapped by a lion!” cried the voice.
Johannes was startled and looked around, but all he could see were tall, green grasses swaying along the riverbank. Then, from behind the grasses, a tall, ghastly figure emerged. The creature looked like a twisted, pale elf, with long, bony limbs, white as snow. It was a Khema, a giant horror that villagers whispered about in fear. He lived alone in a hut made of dirty, matted grass across the river, where few dared to go.
Johannes felt a chill run down his spine. The Khema’s hollow eyes stared at him with desperation. But something didn’t feel right. Johannes noticed footprints of animals leading toward the Khema’s hut – but none ever seemed to return.
“You’re lying,” Johannes shouted, taking a step back. “Why do all the tracks go to your house, but none come back? You just want to trick me!”
The Khema smiled a crooked smile, but Johannes quickly turned and ran back to his village, ignoring the creature’s wails.
The next day, Johannes felt curious again and wanted to check if the creature was still there. As he approached the riverbank, he saw the Khema lying on the ground, weak and trembling. Its body was thin and bony, and its eyes looked tired and hollow, as though it hadn’t eaten in days.
“Please,” it whispered in a soft, sad voice. “Help me. I haven’t eaten. I am trapped. I won’t hurt you, I promise.”
Johannes took a deep breath. He felt sorry for the creature. Against his better judgment, he crossed the river and walked toward the Khema. As he got closer, he reached out his hand to untangle it from the grass.
Suddenly, with lightning speed, the Khema grabbed him and stuffed him into a large, dark sack! Johannes screamed and kicked, but the creature tied the sack tightly and threw it over his shoulder, grinning with hunger.
“Thank you, little one,” the Khema hissed. “Now I have a meal after so many long days.”
As the creature carried Johannes through the forest, he struggled and pushed, trying to find a way to escape. With his hands free, he quickly found a small knife he had hidden in his pocket. Quietly, he began cutting a hole in the sack.
Just as they reached the creature’s hut, Johannes managed to cut the sack open. He slipped out, leaving some large stones behind. As he tiptoed away, he heard the Khema grunt with satisfaction, thinking it still had him in the sack.
The Khema hurriedly went inside its hut, eager to eat. It emptied the sack into a pot – but instead of a boy, all it saw were rocks. The creature howled in rage, realizing it had been tricked.
Johannes was already running back to the village, never to trust the creature’s cries again.
Moral: Trust your instincts. Not everyone who calls for help is truthful.
