THE ORIGIN OF OPIUM

A KHAMTI FOLK - TALES

THE ORIGIN OF OPIUM

There was once an ugly girl, very black in colour, whose name was Kani. She was so ugly that no one could love her, and she used to weep and pray that God would have pity on her. At last he promised to send her back to the world as something which all men would love. 'No one,' he said, 'will ever be able to begin his work without kissing you first.' So she died and turned into the poppy plant which gives the opium that is loved by all men.