The tales are five stories told by the sons of Pharaoh Khufu from the 4th dynasty, also known as Cheops. Recent studies indicate that these tales were likely written during the 18th century or later. The ancient Westcar Papyrus, where the tales were originally written in hieratic script and middle Egyptian, is in delicate condition, with scholars reconstructing the text from 1890 to 1988. Of the original five stories, three are completely intact.

The tales predict Cheops’ downfall and the rise of Dynasty 5. The magical royal lineage is echoed in later Egyptian, Near Eastern, and biblical writings. The storytelling method used to captivate the king is also found in other texts. The heart of the manuscript is the prophecy of the king’s birth, with other tales serving as an introduction.

First Tale
King Khufu, ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt, has decreed the provision of a hundred jugs of beer and an ox to King Djoser, along with a haunch of beef to the lector priest. I have witnessed his wisdom and the execution of his orders.

Second Tale

The son of the king, Khafre (Chephren), stood up to address His Majesty and said:
I wish to recount to Your Majesty another extraordinary event, one that occurred during the reign of your father, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebka, the justified, as he went to the temple of Ptah, Lord of Ankh Towy. When His Majesty arrived, he made a request to the chief lector, Webaoner. However, Webaoner’s wife was infatuated with a commoner. She instructed that a chest filled with clothing be brought to him, and he returned with the housemaid.

A couple of days went by. A pavilion was present on the estate of Webaoner. The commoner asked Webaoner’s wife, “Is there a pavilion?” Let us spend some time there.” Webaoner’s wife then instructed the estate’s caretaker to prepare the pavilion. She then spent the day drinking with the commoners. As evening approached, the commoner went to the lake with a housemaid.

When the sun rose on the second day, the caretaker notified Webaoner about the situation. He handed him the water. After that, he started a fire. Webaoner then requested his ebony and electrum chest, and he crafted a seven-finger-long crocodile out of wax. He recited his magical incantations, saying, “If anyone comes to bathe in my lake, the commoner.” Then he gave it to the caretaker, telling him to cast the crocodile after the townsman when he went down to the pool. The caretaker took the wax crocodile with him when he left.

The spouse of Webaoner instructed the caretaker responsible for the garden to prepare the pavilion for their guests. The pavilion was equipped with all the necessary amenities. The wife, along with her maidservant, enjoyed a delightful day with the commoner. When night fell, the commoner left as usual, and the caretaker threw a wax crocodile into the water. The wax crocodile immediately transformed into a seven-cubit crocodile and seized the commoner.


Webaoner stayed with His Majesty, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebka, the vindicated, for a period of seven days, during which time the townsman remained submerged in the lake without breathing. On the seventh day, His Majesty the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebka, the vindicated, emerged, and the chief lector, Webaoner, positioned himself in his presence and informed him of the extraordinary event that had occurred during his reign. His Majesty accompanied Webaoner as they approached the crocodile, commanding it to return the commoner. The crocodile came out of the water. The chief lector, Webaoner, then commanded it to open up, and it did.


The crocodile was truly terrifying, but Webaoner managed to catch it and it turned into a wax crocodile in his hand. Webaoner, the chief lector, informed His Majesty the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebka, the pure, about this incident involving the commoner and his wife. His Majesty commanded the crocodile to take what was rightfully its own. The crocodile then disappeared into the depths of the lake, with no one knowing its destination. His Majesty the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebka, the vindicated, ordered the wife of Webaoner to be taken to a location north of the capital, where she was set on fire and thrown into the river.it,

A remarkable event occurred during the reign of your father, the Pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebka, which was carried out by the chief lector Webaoner. The Pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt, Khufu, praised the chief lector Webaoner’s abilities and ordered offerings to be made to both Nebka and Webaoner as a sign of respect and appreciation. All the offerings were made as commanded by the Pharaoh.

THIRD TALE

Bauefre stood up to address the King, saying: May Your Majesty listen to a remarkable event that occurred during the reign of your esteemed father, King Snefru, the justified. This event was orchestrated by the esteemed chief lector, Djadjaemonkh, and had never happened before. His Majesty had thoroughly searched all the chambers of the palace to find some entertainment, and then he commanded: Hurry, bring me the chief lector and scribe, Djadjaemonkh! The chief lector was promptly brought before him. His Majesty expressed his disappointment in not finding any refreshing matter in the palace chambers. Djadjaemonkh suggested that His Majesty should go to the palace lake and prepare a boat with all the beauties from the palace chamber. Witnessing their rowing back and forth on the lake would surely refresh His Majesty’s heart. The King would be able to admire the beautiful fish pools and the lush fields surrounding the lake, finding solace in the serene beauty of the surroundings.

His Majesty declared: I shall indeed prepare for my rowing expedition. Bring me twenty ebony oars, adorned with gold, and with sandalwood handles tipped with electrum. Bring me twenty women, the most beautiful in appearance, with firm breasts, well-braided hair, and who have not yet borne children. Provide twenty nets for these women to use after disrobing. All was carried out as His Majesty ordered, and they rowed back and forth. His Majesty’s heart was delighted by the sight of their rowing.

One of the oars brushed against her hair, causing a fish-shaped turquoise charm to slip into the water. She fell silent and stopped rowing, as did her companion on the boat. The King inquired, “Why are you not rowing?” They replied, “Our oar is silent and does not row.” The King then asked her, “Why are you not rowing?” She explained, “A fish-shaped turquoise charm fell into the water.” The King offered to replace it, but she declined, saying she preferred her own charm. Finally, the King ordered for the chief to be brought back.


The chief lector Djadjaemonkh, and he was brought at once. His Majesty said:
Djadjaemonkh, my brother, I have done as you have said, and the heart of
His Majesty was refreshed at the sight of their rowing. However, a fish shaped
A new turquoise charm owned by one of the leaders fell into the water.
She was silent and did not speak. She ended up ruining her side.
I asked her why she stopped rowing. She told me it was a fish-shaped new turquoise charm that had fallen into the water. I told them to
Row, she exclaimed. I am going to replace it! She stated that she preferred her own over the look-alike.
Then Djadjaemonkh, the chief lector, spoke his magical sayings. He placed one.
One side of the lake’s water is on top of the other, lying on a potsherd.

THE FOURTH TALE

The son of the king, Hardedef, stood up to address His Majesty, saying: You have heard of the accomplishments of those who have passed away, but it is impossible to distinguish truth from falsehood in those accounts. However, in your own time, there is someone unknown to you… His Majesty inquired: What is this, Hardedef, my son? To which Hardedef replied: There is commoner named Dedi. He resides in Ded-Snefru, the vindicated. He is a 110-year-old commoner who consumes 500 loaves, a shoulder of beef, and 100 jugs of drink every day. He possesses the knowledge to reattach a severed head and to lead a lion behind him with its rope on the ground. He is aware of the count of the 4 shrines within the enclosure of Thot. Now the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Khufu, the justified, had dedicated a significant amount of time searching for these shrines of the enclosure of Thot in order to replicate them for his horizon. The King declared: Hardedef, my son, you will bring them to me. Vessels were ready for the king’s son, Hardedef, and he journeyed south to Ded-Snefru, the justified.


Upon the arrival of the boats at the riverbank, he traveled by land. Seated in a carrying chair crafted from ebony with poles of sesnedjem wood covered in gold leaf. Upon reaching Dedi, the chair was set down, and he began to speak to him. He found him lying on a mat at the entrance of his home, with a servant massaging his head and another wiping his feet. The king’s son Hardedef remarked on his good health, despite his age, and the peacefulness of his sleep. He greeted him respectfully and explained that he had come on behalf of his father, King Khufu, to invite him to partake in the king’s offerings and be sent off to join his ancestors in the cemetery. And Dedi spoke: In tranquility, in tranquility, Hardedef, son of the king, cherished by his father! May your father King Khufu, the justified, smile upon you! May he elevate your status among the esteemed. May your spirit battle your adversary, and may your soul grasp the paths leading to the Gate of the One Who Clothes the Weary One. Greetings, O son of the king! The prince Hardedef reached out his hands to him and lifted him up. He accompanied him to the riverbank, supporting him with his arm. Dedi requested, “Provide me with a kakau-boat so that it can transport my students and my writings.” Two boats and their crews were assigned to him.

Dedi traveled northward on the barge with the king’s son, Hardedef. Upon arriving at the capital, Hardedef went to inform His Majesty the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Khufu, the justified. Hardedef addressed the king, saying: Sovereign, l.p.h., my lord, I have brought Dedi. The King replied: Hurry, bring him to me. His Majesty then went to the pillared hall of the palace, l.p.h., where Dedi was brought before him. The King asked Dedi: Why have I not seen you before? Dedi replied: Only those who are summoned come, Sovereign. I have been called and have arrived. His Majesty inquired if it was true that I knew how to reattach a severed head. I assured him that I did indeed know how to do so, but I also pointed out that this was not something that should be done to a human being. Instead, a goose was brought to me, and I was able to reattach its head using magic words. The same was done with a waterfowl. Then an ox was brought, and I was able to make it stand up again after its head had been severed.

Then King Khufu, the exonerated, stated: Now, regarding the speculation that you are aware of the number of the 4 shrines of the enclosure of Thot? Dedi replied: By your grace, I am not aware of their four numbers, Sovereign, l.p.h., my lord, but I do know the location where they are. His Majesty inquired: Where are they? And Dedi responded: There is a chest for flint knives in a chamber called the Inventory in Heliopolis. His Majesty said: Hasten, Bring it to me! Dedi said: Sovereign, l.p.h., my lord, it is not I who can bring it to you. His Majesty asked: Who then can bring it to me? Dedi replied: It is the eldest of the three children who are in the womb of Reddedet; he will bring it to you. His Majesty said: I desire this indeed. But as for what you say, who is this Reddedet? Dedi said: She is the wife of a wab-priest of Re, Lord of Sakhbu, giving birth to three children of Re, Lord of Sakhbu, of whom it is said that they shall exercise this magisterial office in the entire land. The eldest of them will be chief seer in Heliopolis.

His Majesty was deeply saddened by this, and Dedi inquired about his mood, addressing him as Sovereign, l.p.h., my lord. He asked if it was because of the three children. His Majesty then asked about the timing of the birth, to which Dedi replied that it would be in the month of Proyet on the fifteenth day. His Majesty mentioned his desire to visit the temple of Re, Lord of Sakhbu, once the sandbanks of the Two Fishes Canal were cut off. Dedi assured him that he would ensure there was water four cubits deep on the sandbanks. His Majesty then ordered Dedi to go to the house of the king’s son Harde-9,20 def to live with him, providing him with rations of one thousand loaves of bread, one hundred jugs of beer, an ox, and one hundred bundles of greens. All of His Majesty’s commands were carried out accordingly.

The Fifth Tale

One day, Reddedet fell ill and faced challenges during childbirth. The Majesty of Re, Lord of Sakhbu, instructed Isis, Nephthys, Meskhenet, Heket, and Khnum to assist in delivering Reddedet’s three children. These children were destined to hold important roles throughout the land, building shrines, providing for altars, renewing offering tables, and increasing divine offerings. The goddesses transformed into musicians, led by Khnum who carried the birthing stool. Upon arriving at Rewosre’s house, they found him unprepared but offered their assistance. However, Rewosre informed them of a woman in labor who needed immediate attention.

They informed him: Allow us to witness the childbirth, as we are experienced in this matter. He then granted them permission. They entered the presence of Reddedet. Subsequently, they sealed the room with her and themselves inside. Isis positioned herself in front of her, Nephthys behind her, and Hekert expedited the childbirth. Isis then advised: Do not be forceful in her womb in the name of Wosref. The child emerged, one cubit long, with sturdy bones, limbs covered in gold, and a headdress made of genuine lapis lazuli. After washing him and cutting the umbilical cord, they placed him on a cushion on bricks. Meskhenet approached and proclaimed: A king who will rule over this entire land! Khnum caused the child’s limbs to move. Following this, Isis positioned herself in front of Reddedet, Nephthys behind her, and Heket hastened the childbirth. Isis cautioned: Do not struggle in her womb in the name of Sahure. The child was born, one cubit long, with strong bones, limbs adorned in gold, and a headdress of real lapis lazuli. They washed him, cut the umbilical cord, and placed him on a cushion on bricks. Meskhenet approached and declared: A king who will reign over this entire land! Khnum caused the child’s limbs to move.

Isis positioned herself in front of her, Nephthys stood behind her, and Heket assisted in the childbirth. Isis instructed: Let there be no darkness in her womb, your name shall be Keku. The child emerged, one cubit long, with strong bones, limbs covered in gold, and a headdress made of genuine lapis lazuli. Meskhenet approached and proclaimed: A king who will rule over this entire land! Khnum made his limbs move. After washing him and cutting his umbilical cord, he was placed on a cushion on bricks.


After delivering the Reddedet of the three children, the goddesses approached Rewosre and informed him of the birth of his children. In response, Rewosre offered them corn as payment for making beer. Khnum then carried the sack of corn on his back as they left. However, Isis suggested that they should perform a marvel for the children before returning. They fashioned three royal crowns and placed them in the corn, causing a storm and rain. They then asked for the corn to be placed in a locked room until their return.

Reddedet underwent a purification process lasting fourteen days, and inquired of her maidservant whether the house was ready. The maidservant responded that everything was prepared except for the jars needed for beer-making, as they had not yet been brought. Reddedet questioned why the jars had not been brought, to which the servant explained that there was nothing available for beer-making except for some corn belonging to the musicians, which was stored in a room with their seal. Reddedet instructed the servant to retrieve some of the corn, as Rewosre would compensate the musicians upon his return. The servant obeyed, opened the room, and heard sounds of singing, music, dancing, and celebrations fit for a king. After reporting back to Reddedet, they searched the room but could not locate where the activities were taking place. Eventually, they found the corn hidden in a bin, which Reddedet then secured in a chest placed inside another sealed box tied with leather thongs. The chest was stored in a room with other supplies and sealed off. Upon Rewosre’s return from the fields, Reddedet informed him of the situation, greatly pleasing his heart. They then sat down together and celebrated.

After a few days, Reddedet had a dispute with the maidservant, resulting in her being punished with a beating. The maidservant then addressed the people in the house, questioning whether such treatment was fair, considering she had given birth to three kings. She declared her intention to inform His Majesty about the situation. The goddesses left magical symbols of kingship for the children in the sack of grain, using the storm as an excuse to come back.

King Khufu of Upper and Lower Egypt, the justified ruler! Thus, she embarked on her journey and encountered her eldest brother from her mother’s side, who was busy tying flax yarn on the threshing floor. He inquired about her destination, to which she explained her purpose. Her brother questioned the validity of her actions and whether he should support her in this accusation. Subsequently, he disciplined her with a flax whip, causing her distress. A maidservant rushed to fetch water but was seized by a crocodile. The brother informed Reddedet about the incident, finding her in a sorrowful state. Reddedet expressed her sadness over the departure of the girl who had grown up in their household, mentioning her intention to make accusations. The brother, feeling remorseful, recounted how he had punished the girl, leading to the unfortunate encounter with the crocodile.