This is a story about two brothers, one older and one younger. The older, Anpu, and his wife take care of the younger, Bata, and in return, Bata does many chores for them. One day, while Anpu is out in the fields with Bata, Bata returns to the house to get some seed, and comes across Anpu’s wife. She tries to seduce him, but he quickly refuses. That night, when Anpu gets home, his wife pretends that Bata was the evildoer and wanted to harm her. Now Anpu is furious.
Anpu planned to slay Bata, but the oxen gave Bata enough of a warning for him to escape. Praying to Ra, Bata asked to be saved, and between the two brothers Ra created a crocodile infested river. Then, Bata told Anpu what had happened and said he could no longer return to live with Anpu. Anpu, in rage, returned home and slayed his wife. Then he grieved for his brother.
Bata, during his travels, came across several gods who felt pity for the boy and made him a beautiful wife. He protected her as long as he could, but one day the wife gave Bata up. Once it became apparent to Anpu that his brother had died, he returned and searched for his soul for four years. Once he found it he restored his brother and they embraced. Now, Bata, disguised as a bull, is going to get his wife back with the help of Anpu.
Upon entering the kingdom, Bata told his wife who he was, and she had the Bull put to death, but where the blood spilled, two trees were grown. Then, she had the trees cut down, but a piece of wood was stuck in her throat, and not too long after that, she gave birth to Bata, who ruled over Egypt for 30 years, and when he died, Anpu took his place.
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| (Image Information: Anpu bringing Bata (the bull) to the king; Web Source: Perankhgroup) |
In this story, Nefer-ka-ptah seeks the legendary Book of Thoth. This book is supposed to hold many secrets of magic and anyone who reads it will gain amazing abilities. Nefer-ka-ptah, ignoring the advice of his wife, goes in search of it. He successfully reads the Book of Thoth and gains all the powers. Then, he brings it to his wife and she does the same. The two feast and rejoice and head for the Northern Land.
Eventually, Thoth discovered that his book was stolen and got revenge on Nefer-ka-ptah. First by killing his son, then his wife, then him. It was a very cyclic story (Part III) and was almost word for words for both the son and the wife. In the end, Nefer-ka-ptah was buried with the Book.
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