Princess Kaguya

Long, long ago, there lived an old bamboo wood-cutter. He was very poor and sad also, for no child had Heaven sent to cheer his old age, and in his heart there was no hope of rest from work till he died and was laid in the quiet grave. Every morning he went forth into the woods and hills wherever the bamboo reared its lithe green plumes against the sky. When he had made his choice, he would cut down these feathers of the forest, and splitting them lengthwise, or cutting them into joints, would carry the bamboo wood home and make it into various articles for the household, and he and his old wife gained a small livelihood by selling them.

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Ahalya

In traditional Hinduism, Ahalya is held up as the first of the panchakanya (“five virgins”), archetypes of female chastity whose names are believed to dispel sin when recited.

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Yennenga

Yennenga was a legendary princess who is considered the mother of the Mossi people of Burkina Faso.

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Althaea

Queen of Calydon, who reputedly killed her own son, Meleager, in vengeance for Meleager killing his uncles (her brothers)

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