Abadeha is a kind and hardworking young woman.Her mother died while she was still young. Abak, her
father who is a fisherman, married a mean woman who has daughters of her own. When her father died, Abadeha's wicked stepmother and stepsisters abuse her and ask her to carry out
impossible tasks. She did her best to be humble and obedient until she can't take it anymore. Abadeha asks for the help of Bathala, the creator God, her ancestors and her dead mother. She prayed a lot. She frequented quiet places to talk to the spirits. At the river, her
cries for help are heard by the Spirit of the Forest. With her guidance, Abadeha was able to accomplish
all that her step-family demands of her.
One day, a prince who is out hunting in the forest comes upon the enchanted
tree by the grave of Abadeha’s mother. He sees a ring among the branches
and puts it on. By the time he returns to the palace, his finger has
become swollen and painful. The king calls for the Babaylan, the
priest-healer of the land, but even he cannot take the ring off.
That night, the Prince learns in a dream that only a girl can remove
the ring from his finger. Upon hearing this, the king announces to his
people that any girl who can take the ring off his son’s finger will be
offered marriage to the prince.
Of all the maidens who tried, only Abadeha was successful.
And that’s how she became a princess!
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