Legend From Milne Bay
"Sineboila" (The legend of Sineboila) Long long ago, in a far away island called Papua New Guinea, there was a Province, called the Milne Bay Province. Filled with its beautiful scenery and countless animals, there was also a bad side to that island. Way at the top of the hill lived a very huge lady, who was the size of two cars. She was a lonely old woman who ate people who wondered into her land. Many villages did not know about this lady, and they didn't know she was real, but the legend sad that her name was Sineboila, and she lived on top of the mountain and ate anyone who passed through her land. It was also known by the villagers that when their husbands and sons go hunting on top of that mountain, they would never return. Many of them started to worry and fear the worst for their fathers, uncles, brothers and sons. The people couldn't go on living like that anymore. As the male population started to decrease, this particular hunter and his son decided to climb the mountain and find out if the legend was true and also to look for food. The very next day, the sky was blue, the sun had already came out, and the lovely birds sang sweet songs by the window. The hunter (Ben) and his son (John) geared up their equipment for the hunt. They had knifes, spears, arrows, ropes and their blankets to rest on the hill. They fare-welled their mother, siblings and the villagers and headed into the woods. As everyone cried and waved goodbye they knew they had a good reason to find out what was happening and bring back food to the village. It took Mr.Ben and his son John three days to reach the top of the mountain. Once they reached the top, they decided to take some rest by the tree. Eventually, both the father and the son fell asleep. When they woke up, the sun had gone down, and what appeared to be seen in the distant was a small cottage. Due to the tiredness, cold and hunger they were feeling, they forgot all about the legend and decided to head to the house and find out if people were living there and if they could help them with food and shelter. When they knocked on the door, an old fat woman answered the door in a very sweet voice. "Oh Hello there, what brings you to this side of the mountains?" Than Mr. Ben replied, "Hello Mam, my name is Ben, this is my son John, we have both traveled so far from our village to get here to look for food. The old lady responded, "oh, okay, my name is Sineboila and this is my land. I do not allow people hunting in my land, but seems you came and asked me in a good manner, I will allow you and your son to hunt whatever you like and leave when you are satisfied. "This sounded like a fabulous idea"... Mr. Ben and his son were so excited, they said thanks to the old woman. She than invited them into the house and prepared dinner for three of them. She gave them so much food, they were so full and went to bed early. To the sound of the chickens in the early hours of the morning, both father and son woke up. To their surprise, they were both tied up by the old woman. They both started to yell, "help! Help, help!" But no one came. After some hours passed, the old lady returned to the cottage with some vegetables... She opened the door and laughed at both the father and son. "How stupid can you be to trust an old lady like me?" She laughed and went into the kitchen, than the boy's father remembered the legend that the villagers told him.. He was so angry with himself for letting his guard down and placing his son in danger. They both asked the old lady what the vegetables was for and why she was cooking so early. She replied, " I'm preparing a big meal for me tonight, and you and your boy will be going in soon. In fear and anticipation, they both struggled to get the ropes cut open.... While Sineboila was busy mixing her ingredients, the father and son cut open the ropes on their hands and feet. He lifted up the axe that was hanging on the wall. As he walked towards her, his son followed behind his father. The old lady was facing the huge boiling water when the Mr. Ben gave her a big whack on the back with the axe. She fell to the floor in a huge bang! The father and son decided to show the whole village of their heroic actions, so they gathered enough food, packed in bags and the pushed Sineboila down the hill for all to see. The old Sineboila rolled all the way down the mountain and when she reached the bottom , she made a huge hole in the ground, which after awhile filled up with clean water. All the villagers were so happy with the bravery of the father and son, and not only that, providing fresh water with the help of Sineboila's body... Until today, the big round fresh water creek is still there and is a known legend to the village people. They named the well, Sineboila, and have been drinking fresh water from the well ever since... The End