Sponsor/Advertisement Voice (4:57)

But.

Amanda Weldon (4:58)

But on the other hand, if he kept his feelings a secret, she couldn't reject him. Finally, after long months of carrying his heavy heart, he made a decision. He would go and speak not to Zala, but to Mother Kamali, the village's most clever elder and healer. He went to her home and was quickly ushered inside. All around were peculiar containers of animal and plant parts. There were powders bright as spring and others dull as mud. Mother Kamali's home was full of smells, and just when Abel thought he might place one, another drifted into his nose to mystify him all over again. Abel, you've never visited me before, called Mother Kamali. She was sitting at a low table of dark wood, carefully pouring a pink liquid into a brown powder. Come and have a seat and tell me all about the girl you're in love with. Abel crossed the room slowly, afraid he'd break one of her delicate displays or that one of her delicate displays would break him. Wait. How did you know I'm here about a girl? He said, sitting on a stool across the table from the old woman. I can read the mood of an ibex clear across the plains. You think I can't see heart sickness in the face of a boy I watched grow from a sprout? She set aside the pitcher of pink liquid and sprinkled some dried black seeds into the mixture. Now tell me all about her. It was like a dam releasing. It was like the clouds breaking open with rain. All of his love and admiration and fears about Zala tumbled out of his mouth. The way her jokes could make even the crankiest babies and the grumpiest elders howl with laughter. The way she always had the best ideas and knew how to solve even the trickiest problems. The way she never seemed to get discouraged or down for very long and made him feel like he could do anything in the world. He told Mother Kamali all of it and more, and when he finally finished, he found himself red and breathless. All of that inside one little heart, mother Kamali said, shaking her head. No wonder I could see it on your face. You're in love, all right. You're in love up to your ears. Abel nodded solemnly. Well, I have just the thing for you, mother Kamali said. What is it? Is it a potion? A love potion? I think I could tell her how I feel if I knew she felt the same way. The old woman laughed. No, child. Not a potion. Just go and talk to the girl. Zala is out eating now in the shade of a tree, I'm sure. Sit with her and have a conversation. I couldn't do that, abel said, aghast. What if she rejects me? What if she hates me? What if I mess it up? He dropped to his knees and clasped his hands in front of him. Please, Mother Kamali, there must be another way. There must be some magic something you can brew for me. Please? Mother Kamali looked at the young man and sighed. One of these, I see. All right. Get up off the ground. I just swept in here. Abel hopped back into his seat. I do have one love potion. Very powerful magic. Very difficult to make, though. I don't think you'll like it. Abel's eyes lit up. Anything. Just tell me what you need, Mother Kamali stood slowly and tottered to her shelves, picking up a bottle of this and examining a dried gourd full of that. Finally, she picked up a tiny glass vial and peered inside owlishly. I have what we need, except for one thing. Abel was on his feet in a flash. What is it? I'll go right now to make the potion. A love potion to make it really something. What? Tell me.

Mother Kamali (9:17)

You bring yourself out to the mountains tall and creep along until a lion's call. Cozy on up and get a whisker without doubting. Then we'll make a batch of love potion from a lion. Pinch of purple powder and a prickly vine kick of carsana that's been pickled and brine. Add one little whisker from a great big line, throw them all together and.

Amanda Weldon (9:51)

Watch the stars align.

Mother Kamali (9:53)

Well, you've got trouble with your confidence. You're lonely and you're loveless and you're feeling tame. You're looking for a trick to get you feeling fine. So we'll make a batch of love potion from lion.

Amanda Weldon (10:15)

The next day, Abel set off for the mountains. In those days, the lions of Ethiopia weren't endangered, and there were plenty that prowled the foothills where the savanna met the highlands. You could recognize an Ethiopian lion by their gigantic size and their dark black manes that stood out in stark contrast to the rest of their fur, which was a sunrise gold. Abel had never hunted a lion before, never mind tried to get a whisker from one. Like most normal people, he had done everything in his power to avoid lions, but he had to have that love potion. It would solve all his problems. So with his reckless youthful bravery, he pushed into the mountains, ever alert. He was lucky and he spotted his first lion that very afternoon. Now for a quick ad break. We'll be back with the rest of the story after this. If you'd like Stories podcast and other favorite kid podcasts ad free. Subscribe to Wondery Kids on Apple Podcasts as the air turns crisp and the holidays draw near, comfort becomes the best gift of all. Quince delivers layers that last, sweaters, outerwear and everyday essentials that feel luxurious, look timeless and make holiday dressing and gifting effortless. Quince has it $50 Mongolian cashmere sweaters made for everyday wear. Denim that never goes out of style, silk tops and skirts that add polish and down outerwear built to take on the season. Perfect for gifting or upgrading your own wardrobe by working directly with ethical top tier factories, Quince skips the middlemen and offers prices 50% less than similar brands. I got a featherless quilted long puffer coat from Quince and it has become my go to fall layer. It's just the right amount of warm as the days get cooler and the verdant pine color is absolutely perfect. I love wearing it and knowing that Quince works only with factories that pay workers fairly and use sustainable materials makes me love it even more. Step into the holiday season with layers made to feel good, look polished and last from Quince, perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself. Go to quince.com stories for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q-U-I-C-E.com stories to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com stories this is an ad for Nanimals.

Sponsor/Advertisement Voice (12:55)

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Amanda Weldon (13:49)

It was sunning itself on a large, flat rock. One paw the size of Abel's head was casually dipped into a nearby stream. The great beast seemed to be sleeping. Abel watched the gentle rise and fall of its chest until he was convinced it wasn't about to wake up and gobble him whole. Finally, he made his move. He stepped up to the lion, leaned down, and then the beast's eyelids fluttered open. It peered up at Abel with one eye of molten gold and then growled, showing its big white teeth. Whoa. Sorry. Abel turned and ran all the way back down the mountain. He didn't stop until he was back at Mother Kamali's house. He told her the story, and she said to him, abel, if you want a whisker, you can't be a thief. A lion is too clever and strong for that. Even if you steal one without him seeing you, he'll feel the pinch and you won't get far. Try Finding a way to befriend the lion and asking permission to take a whisker. Now go. And don't come back until you've got it. Abel returned to the highlands, where the mountains met the savanna. This time, he climbed a tree and watched the lion. After several days, he learned the lion liked meat and he liked the sun. He kept to the same area of the highlands and always, always returned to the large, sunny rock in the afternoon. One afternoon, when the lion returned, it found Abel waiting with a piece of meat in hand. Abel dropped the meat in the lion's favorite spot and then went back to his tree. The lion gobbled up the meat and then, satisfied, stretched out for his catnap. Abel repeated this the next day and the next. And then finally, he dropped the meat, but only retreated a few steps. The lion eyed him curiously but still ate the meat and stretched in the sun. Feeling emboldened, Abel approached the lion and reached for a whisker. Roar. Roared the lion, and Abel was so scared, he fell backwards with a thump. The lion roared again, and Abel scampered away, not stopping until he was sure the lion wasn't following. It seemed this wasn't the right lion after all. Still, there were plenty of lions in the highlands, and Abel was determined. He continued his search and found another rock with another lion many miles away. He began his process anew, leaving the meat and watching closely. This patience did not come naturally to Abel, but so strong was his love for Zala that he found it easy to wait. Finally, after another week, Abel approached the new lion as he ate. This time he did so slowly, carefully, and he spoke gently as he neared. Uh, I just need a whisker. Just one. Is that okay, Mr. Lion? At first he thought perhaps the lion hadn't heard him. But then the beautiful beast looked up at Abel and offered him a small and almost imperceptible nod. Abel's eyes widened. He took a deep breath and then reached for a whisker. His hand was shaky, but he managed to grab a hold of one and pull it gently free. A wide, grateful smile spread across his face. Thank you, Mr. Lion. Thank you. The lion offered the same tiny nod and went back to his meal. Abel turned and ran down the mountain, whisker clutched in his fist like it was a diamond. He soon burst into mother Kamali's home. Mother Kamali. Mother Kamali. I got the whisker. He held it up for her to see. It gleamed silver in the light. You what? She sat down at her table and began to laugh. She laughed and laughed and laughed so hard her bottles and potions rattled on the shelves. What? What's so funny? Abel demanded. Mother Kamali dabbed at her eyes. There's no potion, Abel. What? What do you mean? I just got this whisker. And how did you get it? Well, I thought it would be really hard and scary. And it was at first, but I was trying to move too fast and it was the wrong lion. Anyway, the next time I realized I needed to take my time and make sure the lion trusted me so it would know I wasn't trying to hurt it. And then obviously I needed to ask before I took the whisker. I was really nervous the lion would get mad and say no, but it worked out okay. What would you have done if the lion had said no? Mother Kamali asked. Well, I mean, I would have been disappointed because I invested all that time, but I can't make the lion give me its whiskers. That doesn't work. I guess I would have just had to start over with another lion. Ah, yes. I think you are ready to go and have your conversation with Zala, mother Kamali said, smiling gently. Abel looked back at her, stunned. Abel, a lion is not so different than a person. You have learned that you can be patient and kind and win the trust of another. Take a big risk when you truly care about something and survive if someone tells you no. Abel sat, mouth agape. Abel, does that make sense? Yes, Mother Kamali, he said, thinking and stroking his chin. Mother Kamali, even if there was a potion to make someone fall in love, it wouldn't be right to use it, would it? It's like taking the whisker without asking. Mother Kamali smiled all the wider and patted Abel on the cheek. See how wise you've grown. Now go. You know what to do. Abel kissed her on the cheek and ran from the room. Mother Kamali laughed and sat back at her table. She picked up the lion's whisker and turned it in her hands. Usually they figure out the lesson before they get the whisker, she said to herself, shaking her head. Maybe next time I'll switch to an alligator's tooth. She put the lion's whisker in a small glass bottle and placed it on the shelf. Then, still smiling, she returned to her work. Abel looked and found Zala finishing her lunch in the shade of a moringa tree. He felt his heart start to quicken in his chest and his stomach flutter with nervous butterflies. At least Zala's not a lion, he said to himself. As he walked up and sat down next to her. Hey, Zala, he said. I brought you a tamarind. I. I know they're your favorite. Zala's face lit up. Thanks, Abel. That was really nice of you. Is something on your mind? Actually, yes, abel said with a deep breath. Would you want to take a walk together tomorrow night? Like just me and you? Maybe we could go down to the Karsada tree by the river. Abel blushed and held his breath. The Karsada tree was famous locally as the spot for young couples. Zala would know what it meant, what he meant. I'm actually busy tomorrow night, zala said, and Abel felt his heart sink in his chest. He wasn't as sad as he thought he'd be, though just asking had relieved much of the weight in his chest. Actually, he felt better than he had in months. No problem, he said with a smile. Hope you have a good day. Abel turned to walk away, but Zala called out, wait. Yeah. He turned. I just. I promised my mom I'd help with my baby sister at night, that's all. Maybe we could have lunch tomorrow instead. Meet me here at noon and we can walk to the Karsada together for a picnic. Sure, sounds good, abel said, and his heart soared, soared, soared into the sky like a beautiful bird disappearing into the sun. What had he ever been afraid of? He'd never needed a love potion. He just needed to be himself. He walked away grinning like a fool, and he and Zala had lunch together the next day and the day after that, and the day after that. He told her the story of the lion's whisker and she laughed and laughed, long and loud. It was the most beautiful sound that Abel had ever heard. The End Today's story, the Love Potion, was an adaptation of a traditional Ethiopian fable written for you by Daniel Hines and performed for you by me, Amanda Weldon, with a song by us both. If you would like to support Stories podcast, you can leave us a five star review on iTunes. 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