He killed his father, ate his father, and married his mother.

Written by: Abdo Ali Al-Fahd

He is Qahtan, son of Mani' the Lion's Tail, and his mother is Batha the Deer Leg. Mani' and Batha roamed the deserts and barren lands, with no known residence. They were always traveling in search of sustenance. Mani' met Batha in the valley of 'Afar while hunting locusts. They shared their life stories, realizing their similar circumstances and sufferings, and decided to marry away from their families, never to return. They praised their Creator and wandered His vast land. Their life was about sleeping in one place and waking up in another, struggling with the harshness of life, the nature of the land, its terrain, and its heat and cold. They slept in caves, tree huts, and abandoned ruins. One evening, a lion attacked them in a cave. Batha hid behind Mani'. The lion roared, bared its teeth, and opened its mouth wide. Mani' threw all his ground tobacco mixed with ash into the lion's mouth, causing the lion to choke, sneeze, and tear up. The lion smashed its head against the rocks. Mani' then cut off the lion's tail with an axe and carried it with him on his travels as a trophy, earning the nickname "Lion's Tail". One day, Batha was surrounded by thieves. She fled and climbed a high rock, leaving the thieves astonished below. They nicknamed her "Deer Leg" for her speed and climbing ability. During a year of drought, they were blessed with a son they named Qahtan. Batha carried Qahtan on her back, wrapped in a tightly closed leather pouch. She crossed streams and climbed trees and mountains with Qahtan on her back. Fate brought Batha and Mani' to a torrential flood. Mani' crossed the flood, but Batha stood on a rock, surrounded by the rising water. She jumped, only to collide with a large tree uprooted by the flood, which ripped Qahtan from her back and threw Batha aside. Mani' rescued her, but their infant son was carried away by the flood, leading to their misery. They settled in a wide valley, with many streams and few predators, finding solace. Tired of traveling, they built a house from stones and tree wood, making a safe home. They cultivated a farm with various fruits, finding stability. Batha became pregnant and gave birth to a son, giving them hope and joy. A fortune-teller named Rimal visited them, predicting that a returnee would kill his father, eat his brother, and marry his mother. Amazed by his words, they rewarded him generously. As for Qahtan, after being carried away by the flood, he ended up on a bend of the flood, where a shepherd found him and brought him to his wife. They raised him, naming him Barqat. He grew up shepherding, enduring hardships, and decided to leave secretly. He arrived at Mani' and Batha's door, seeking food and drink. They offered him work as a guard for their farm, which he accepted. Mani' gave him a rifle for protection, saying, "Barqat, take the weapon and be cautious." Barqat guarded the farm diligently, collecting crops and fruit. Batha brought him food. One day, Barqat gathered some fruit and asked Batha to show Mani' if it was ripe for harvesting. Batha showed the fruit to Mani', who decided to harvest it that evening. Mani' entered the farm from the opposite side of Barqat's post. Barqat, sensing movement, fired his rifle without warning, hitting Mani' in the chest, who fell, crying, "You killed me." Barqat rushed to help but found Mani' dead. Grieving, he tried to revive him, but to no avail. He stayed by Mani' that night, distraught. In the morning, Batha brought food and saw the bloodstains. She called out, "Mani', Barqat, whose blood is this?" Barqat confessed, "I have committed Qahtan's deed; I killed Uncle Mani'." He handed the rifle to Batha and asked her to kill him as punishment. Batha, overwhelmed, forgave him, recognizing her need for his support. They buried Mani' secretly near the farm's post. Barqat continued working, becoming the man of the house. Batha admired him and wished for him as a husband. One day, Batha left for some errands, and their child fell into the fire, dying. Barqat, finding no lunch, ate the roasted flesh, unaware it was the child. Batha returned, found the burnt remains, and brought food to Barqat. She told him of their child's death and asked him to help bury the remains. Barqat, realizing he had eaten the child's flesh, was horrified. Days passed, and Batha fell in love with Barqat, proposing marriage. They married, with a celebration attended by Rimal, who questioned the marriage, reminding Batha of his prophecy. Barqat, seeking his origins, learned the truth from his adoptive parents and returned to Batha, embracing her. She revealed his true identity as Qahtan, forgiving him for his deeds. Batha found a bride for Qahtan, marrying him to Rimal's daughter, enjoying the love of grandchildren after enduring hardships.