There was once a couple who lived on a rock island of Ulong during those ancient days. The couple was blessed with an only child, a girl who radiated in grace and beauty. They named their treasured child Bieb. Under the same stars and moon a coincidental birth took place, a male child was born at the neighboring rock island of Ngeanges, about 2 1/2 miles away. He was named Matkerumes. Matkerumes was a handsome boy. As they grew up into maturity, they became aware of each other and the attraction was mutual. Matkerumes, following the message of his heart, sailed to ask for Bieb’s hand in marriage. Beholding young and handsome Matkerumes, Bieb and her parents were overshelmed with the suitor’s looks and masculinity, and readily agreed to have him as their future son-in-law. Bieb’s parents, however, decided that the future couple should wait a little while.

As Bieb grew up and blossomed into an even more beautiful, young woman, Chief Osilek of Ulong coveted her. Osilek sent his messenger to Bieb’s parents ordering them to prepare their daughter and her possessions, and to bring her to the chief’s home as his wife. Osilek, besides being the chief, was also a very wealthy man. He had many rare and big pieve of Palauan money. Neverthless, Osilek was withered old man. When the parents conveyed the chief’s proposal to their daughter, she was appalled by the news. The parents insisted on convincing Bieb to be the chief’s wife.

As fate dictated the course of men’s lives, one day Bieb’s father became ill. While the mother and daughter nursed the sick father Osilek seized the opportunity to solicit the favor. Big turtles and sharks from Osilek’s fishing traps aat Biduul arrived at the sick man’s house daily. This services continued and Bieb’s father got worse. He finally died. And during the traditional Palauan wake were mourning and feasting took place, Osilek provided fishes in abundance. The mother was pressed to influence Bieb into marrying Osilek. She urged her daughter, “My dear child, while your father was alive we could ignore Osilek’s wishes. But now that he is dead, it would be commendable to honor his proposal because we are poor and weak. There is no man in the house. Come now, my daughter, renounce your promise to Matkerumes and accept Osilek”. When Matkerumes was told about the whole situation, he regretfully said, “Yes, go ahead and marry him. Time will tell, and I will be patient”. So Bieb and Osilek became man and wife. In reality, Bieb marrie dOsilek for his money, but within her heart, she resented and hated him unceasingly.

So one unhappy day Bieb fell ill, a victim of leprosy. This caused Osilek to stay away from her. Even her mother could not stand the sight and odor of her daughter anymore. A small house was built several yards away from the house in order to isolate Bieb due to her advanced case of leprosy. The mother attempted to discourage visitors to call on or inquire about Bieb. Neverthless the rumors of Bieb’s condition spread far and near, and finally the tragic news reached Mtkerumes’ ears. Matkerumes took the news like a real Palauan man. He took his time while getting ready to follow the beating of his heart. When he was ready, he set sail to pay his due respect to his former sweetheart.

Arriving at Ulong, Matkerumes approached the mother and asked to be granted an opportunity to see Bieb. The mother tried to change his mind due to the fact that her daughter’s illness was beyond hope, and her entire body and face had been disfigured by leprosy. But Matkerumes was insistent and at the end, prevailed and obtained his heart’s desire. The mother begged him not to linger byt have quick visit and leave for home. She showed him the isolated hut for Bieb.

Matkerumes went to pay his respect, and what he saw was a heart rendering sight. Bieb’s coveted beauty was no longer there but the curse of leprosy had taken its toll. Yet Matkerumes did not come in vam. He brought with him ditmechei (ti plant), a plant of the gods which possesses a special magic power that can cure sickness. Therefore Matkerumes carried Bieb to the water hole, and bathed her with the magical ditmechei. Out of the ugliness of leprosy emerged the original beautiful charm of Bieb. Once Bieb was cured, she and Matkerumes began discussing their plans to stop over at her house or just stand by the road and talk to her mother at the house. Bieb decided that they would do neither, but go on to the canoe and set sail. On their way the mother called them, but she was ignored. The mother got out of the house and began following them. When the sweethearts got on the canoe ready to depart, Bieb looked back and saw her mother following them right up into the water, and continued until the water reached her neck. Bieb was worried for her mother’s life, therefore asked Matkerumes to turn back to her. As they came few feet away, the mother said, “Look at me for the last time because once I dive down I will turn into clam. My dear daughter, remember never to eat clam.” Then she dove beneath the waves and turned into clam. Bieb seeing the transition taking place told Matkerumes that she would like to join her mother, and dove down into the water. Alas! Such a short happiness. The dreams and hopes of what could be theirs receded into a tragedy. Thus Matkerumes decided to become a Kerumes (randra Cochincluneusis) treat. A word of warning: If one has a bieb (fruit dove) as a pet bird, he should not eat clams or bring them into the house because they were once Bieb’s mother and the bird will die.