Long ago, in a remote coastal village of Papua New Guinea, there stood a dark cliff known as Black Rock. Fishermen said its shadow swallowed the sea beneath it, and children whispered that no one who climbed it ever returned. At the edge of this lonely place lived a woman named Marea, shunned by her people because of her strange ways.
Marea was a master of magic. She could weave spells into the tide so that fish would leap willingly into her baskets, and she could summon rainbows on cloudless days. But her gifts frightened the villagers. When storms struck or gardens failed, they blamed her, saying her magic was a curse. So Marea withdrew, living alone in a cave high above the shore, speaking only to the wind and the waves.
Black Rock magic
One year, a sickness swept the village, leaving fields untended and nets empty. The chief sent for Marea, humbly asking for her help. She came down from Black Rock with healing herbs and chanted over the sick, and within days they recovered. Yet as soon as the danger passed, old suspicions returned. A group of jealous women spread a rumor that Marea had caused the illness in the first place to make herself seem powerful.
The chief believed them. Soldiers climbed the path to Black Rock to drive her away. Marea met them at the cliff’s edge, her eyes dark with anger. She lifted her hands, and the sea below began to churn. The waves struck the base of the cliff with such force that the ground trembled. In the chaos, a bolt of lightning split the sky and struck the sand, leaving a blackened scar that never faded.
From that day on, the villagers kept their distance. Crops grew less, fish became scarce, and storms visited often. Some said it was the wrath of Marea’s magic, still watching from the shadows of Black Rock. Others said she had taken her gifts far away, leaving the people to fend for themselves.
The cliff still stands, its dark face unmoved by wind or rain, and fishermen swear they see a figure watching from its heights when the moon is full.
Moral / Life Lesson:
This tale warns that fear and mistrust can drive away the very help a community needs. Magic, like any gift, must be respected, and those who wield it deserve gratitude rather than suspicion.
Knowledge Check:
- What is Black Rock in the story?
A dark cliff by the sea where the sorceress Marea lived in isolation. - Why did the villagers fear Marea?
Because she practiced magic that they did not understand. - How did Marea help the village during the sickness?
She used healing herbs and chants to cure the sick. - What happened when the villagers turned on Marea?
She summoned the sea and lightning in anger, leaving a permanent scar on the shore. - What lasting change did Marea’s anger cause?
The village faced poor harvests, scarce fish, and frequent storms. - What is the story’s main message?
It warns against mistrusting or mistreating those with unique gifts.
Cultural Origin: This folktale comes from Papua New Guinea’s coastal traditions.
