Fairy Tales and Legends
from Cappadocia

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Loss

I am an old woman now and I can say that I have experienced a lot during my long life, which was not easy by any means. There is, however, something I was not able to enjoy- - having a father.
My father had already died when I was very tiny and I cannot even remember what he looked like. My brothers, sisters and I were brought up by our mother who tried her best, but sometimes there was not enough for all of us.
When I was19 years old, I got married and left my mother's home. Although there were two helping hands missing then, there was one mouth less to be fed.
Being a young gelin, I had to live in the house of my husband's parents. I do not know what they had expected, but the sandık with my dowry was nearly empty when I arrived there. I had only brought one or two dresses and a blanket with me.
The marriage stayed childless, which was hard as well. It was not a very happy time and I often went back to see and help my mother, whenever I was able to.
Then one day my husband died and I left his family house to return to my mother’s again.
I was young, but now  widowed. My mother told me that we had to find another man for me to marry and we did. When I was called gelin a second time, I thought, “This time my life will change for the better.”
Then my mother died. I was 25 years old and had already lost both of my parents and a husband. 
Looking back, my second husband was a good and upright man and a caring father as well for our seven children. Unfortunately he also died before me, but I am not left alone. One of my four sons is living in Germany, but the others, as well as my three daughters, are always nearby if I need care.
There are four generations in my family still living and I am pleased to be healthy enough to visit them as much as possible.
But when I see my son with his children, and my grandsons with theirs, I still yearn for my own father. (The narrator was born in 1916)

Her sandık was nearly empty….
After this old lady and I sat together for a while, she took my hand, kissed my cheeks and smiling, gave me a silver ring. This ring, she told me, is from Mecca and I should take care of it….and I do!

My Promise

My baby had just been born when my husband died. Never in my 17 years of life had I felt more alone. I had to go back to my parents, and my father was not happy about this, as he would again have to find a husband for me.  This time, however, I was not alone anymore. My baby girl needed a home as well.
I was told that my father had agreed to a marriage with a man from Uçhisar, a man I had never seen before. There was no kız bakma, no kına gecesi, no düğün at all.
When it was time to leave, I said good-bye to my parent in their house, because only my aunt and a friend were to accompany me on the way to Uçhisar. I was afraid, sad and unhappy and I held my child close.
It was then that I met my forthcoming husband for the first time. He was 25 years older than me.
At that moment I said to myself, “I have the responsibility for my little baby girl and I will do my utmost to bring her up as well as I can.”
The place where we lived was nothing more than a cave. Our cow and donkey were housed in another one next to it.
There was no electricity or running tap water, but it was my husband, not me, who went to the çeşme to collect the water. I was not allowed to go out. I did not bake our bread at the fırın either, I did this at home as well.
My husband did not want to ask his family to visit; I think, he was ashamed.
After we had been living a very lonely life for nearly three years, we were able to build another room in front of the caves. From then on, things changed. Family members came to visit and it was I who now went to the public fountain. I made friends and then I did not feel so lonely any more.
Looking back, I believe I kept my promise well. I gave birth to three more children, all of them healthy and well off now. We are living in a nice house and my life is an easy one.
During the hard times, I always told myself not to give up, and now that I am old, I tell this to my children.
(The narrator was born in 1939)

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