SOYUZMULTFILM
THE SPHINX'S RIDDLE
Once, in Ancient Egypt, there lived a man of royal blood
who was called Amanekht
Amanekht read in a secret papyrus
that in Nephert Ptah's tomb a book is hidden
in which all that would happen to Amanekht
and everyone living under the sun is written.
And said Amanekht to himself
"Those who sow and reap wheat
and on having reaped their harvest rejoice and dance
do not know what is to happen to them tomorrow.
But I will know that and become like the Gods!"
To get into the tomb Amanekht said the spell: "Get away, Ptah! Disappear, Ptah!
Mighty Ra is coming!
Let me see the holy book!"
Suddenly, the Sphinx's voice was heard
saying: "when the black will have become white
and the white become gold
and the one who asked will have got the answer
the tomb door will open
and you will see the holy book again.
If you solve the riddle, the secret will reveal itself.
Otherwise, do not dare even approach Nephert Ptah's tomb!"
Ra floated in his barque many times,
casting His rays upon the earth He created.
Amanekht's father died, and Amanekht became the Pharaoh.
"The black Nubian priests were caught
in the white net thrown by Isida
I was crowned by the Gods with a golden neckpiece put on me
I've got the meaning of the ritual!"
whispered the young Pharaoh and rejoiced
"I've made it! The riddle is solved!
I just have to notify the Sphinx of the answer!"
Then Amanekht realized that he was terribly mistaken
and to divert himself he went hunting
"The black tree branches bloomed white in the Spring
and in the Summer, they were laden with golden fruit!"
So concluded Amanekht and thought with joy
"I've made it! The riddle is solved!
I just have to notify the Sphinx of the answer!"
The Pharaoh sat somber, trying to solve the Sphinx's riddle
People came and cried in despair:
"A terrible plague has come! The young and the old are dying!"
"My black foe has been defeated,
the white griffons hasten to taste his blood
and Ra himself, the Lord of Life and the cause of the same
is reaching out to me with his golden hands and hailing my deed!"
So concluded Amanekht and joyfully acclaimed
"I've made it!"
In anger the Pharaoh galloped away from the tomb.
He was mistaken again,
but his people, not knowing this, were celebrating his victory.
"Have you solved the riddle of the Sphinx?"
a disciple asked Amanekht.
"Yes" answered the old man.
"The Sphinx wanted me to live my life
as a man should!"
"My head has become white
my three greatest deeds are marked with gold in the book
and the answer is now known to that disciple
whom I love with all my heart", said Amanekht
and added with grief
"I've made it: I've lived my life through..."
Night came
and Lord Ra invited Amanekht to his golden barque for a talk.
This is the end of the story
of the man who solved the Sphinx's riddle.
THE END subtitled by Noiseemitter (2011 or earlier), trancribed & edited by Niffiwan (2021)