The Child with the Star on His Forehead (Khosi, the Chosen Son)
Sesotho folktale · ditšomo
Kwesukasukela... A chief had many wives, and among them one was scorned and ill-treated by the others. This neglected wife gave birth to a special child marked with a shining star, a moon, or a sun upon his forehead and brow, a sign that he was destined to be the heir and a great chief. The jealous co-wives, fearing the child would surpass their own sons, plotted against him. They stole the newborn away, hid or abandoned him in the wilderness, by a river or in tall grass, and told the chief his wife had borne only an animal or nothing at all. The innocent mother was disgraced and cast out. But the marked child was found and secretly raised, by an old woman, by animals, or by kindly strangers, and the star upon his brow could not be hidden forever. In time the truth came out: the boy was recognised by his shining mark, the plotting wives were exposed and punished, the wronged mother was restored to honour, and the child took his rightful place as heir. This tale of co-wife jealousy and a destined child teaches that truth and rightful inheritance cannot be hidden away forever. Cosu cosu iyaphela.
The lesson: Jealousy and deceit cannot bury the truth forever; what is rightful will be revealed and restored.