Once upon a time, in the village of Si, there lived a breathtakingly beautiful girl known as the Maiden. Her charm was the talk of the village, and as she grew, so did her attractiveness. The villagers marveled at her beauty, and it became well-known that Si was home to the most beautiful girl in the land.
The Maiden, however, was not just a beauty; she possessed a gentle spirit and a love for all creatures, big and small. Her parents, delighted by her virtues, dreamed of the day she would marry a powerful chief and bring prosperity to their tribe.
When the time for her marriage approached, the chiefs from all around came bearing gifts, as it is the tradition in Buganda. But to everyone’s surprise, the Maiden declared that she would marry Tutu, a humble peasant boy, because she loved him.
Her parents were disappointed, but before they could do anything, a messenger arrived with urgent news. The king of Buganda was going to war with Mbubi, the chief of Buvuma islands. The chiefs hurriedly left to assemble their armies, and Tutu, the peasant boy, joined them.
As the armies gathered at the shores of lake Nalubaale, a fierce battle ensued. The Maiden, worried for Tutu’s safety, called upon her animal friends for help. She first called Double-Eye, the hawk, and pleaded with him to fly to the battlefield and convey her love to Tutu.
The hawk, familiar with Tutu from their hillside play, soared high and flew towards the lake. Meanwhile, the Maiden, unable to contain her anxiety, also called upon a bumble bee to deliver her heartfelt message to Tutu.
The battle raged on, and unfortunately, Tutu fell victim to a stone from an islander’s sling. The hawk, witnessing the sad scene, decided to find out Tutu’s resting place so that he could share the news with the Maiden.
Back in the village, the Maiden, growing more and more desperate by the moment, sought consolation from a group of white butterflies. Tearfully, she begged them to visit the lake shore and ensure Tutu’s well-being.
The butterflies, deeply fond of the Maiden, immediately flew away towards the lake, their wings heavy with sorrow. Yet, their mission was not only to check on Tutu, but also to witness the soldiers preparing to bury those that died on the battlefield.
The Maiden, unaware of Tutu’s fate, stared into the distance, praying and hoping for his safe return. Overwhelmed by grief, she cried out to the Sun, calling upon him to transport her to the lake shore. In an act of kindness, the Sun extended a ray towards her, carrying her to the battlefield.
As she looked at the soldiers laying Tutu to rest, her heart broke with sorrow. She pleaded with the Sun to consume her with its fiery rays, for she could not imagine living without the love of her life. The Sun, moved by her pain, sent a scorching flame upon her that immediately reduced her to ashes. The soldiers, touched by the tragic love story, dug a grave for her next to Tutu’s.
And so, two lovers, united in death, became the roots of a magnificent Flame Tree, a symbol of their eternal love.
In the years that followed, the Flame Trees, or Kifabakazi as the locals in Buganda called them, flourished throughout the land, a testament to the enduring power of true love born from sacrifice. The people of Si, forever touched by this beautiful yet sad love story, planted these trees in their gardens as a living tribute to the Maiden and Tutu.
