It was a small village famous for its fishing thanks to a freshwater lake nestled within a green oasis in the heart of the desert. The villagers were simple folk who knew each other intimately as the population was small. They relied on visits and exchanging food to stay connected. No one in the village ever went to bed hungry. If someone fell ill all the men would contribute a portion of their earnings from fishing to help the sick person upon their return. The women would take turns caring for the sick persons family until they recovered.
The village girls were all beautiful despite their diverse appearances. No one knew why they were so different. Some had dark hair and olive skin while others had golden hair and fair skin and still others had red hair and bronze or wheatcolored skin. It was as if the women of the village had come from all corners of the world.
The village had lived in peace and tranquility for so long that foxes would sleep beside the sheep without harming them. That was until a stranger arrived. His presence shattered their peace after only a day. The women started to fear for their daughters and refused to let them go out after dark or before dawn especially after the village elders daughter disappeared and her body was never found.
Rumors spread among the fishermen that the girl would appear on the lake shore after sunset weeping and wailing. She would call out to the other girls to come play with her and if one of them got too close she would drag them into the lake and drown them. In the morning they would find the girls lifeless body with scratch marks and various wounds but no man ever saw her. Only the fishermen heard her moans and cries.
Every morning as the first rays of sunlight touched the village a resonant voice would fill the streets. It was the voice of Samar the village elders daughter who would wander through the oasis her melodious singing awakening the villagers. The men would go fishing while the women divided their time between the markets sewing and caring for their children. Everyone in the village knew their role and there was no discord among them.
Samar was beloved by all young and old alike. She was kindhearted generous quickwitted and had an unlimited capacity for giving. But her most remarkable talent was her ability to heal with herbs. She was also a voracious reader and loved learning. She dreamed of traveling the world and exploring different lands.
Visitors from all over the world came to the village to buy rare and valuable fish and to seek healing from Samar. She was not called the village beauty because of her features but because of her character and beautiful voice. She was a darkskinned girl with long wavy hair and a full figure but she was also graceful and lighthearted and she loved to laugh.
One day after the men had gone
