The hero is called to adventure by some external event or messenger. The Hero may accept the call willingly or reluctantly.

• The young prince Sunjata has grown so popular in Niani that Queen Sassouma is jealous and fears that the people will prefer him as king to her own son, Dankaran Touman. Determined to rid herself of the young prince, Sassouma orders the nine great witches of Mali to deceive and murder him. However, when they actually encounter Sunjata, they are so impressed with his kindness and generosity that they reveal the queen's plot and promise to protect him. 

• The myth of Yamato Takeru takes place during the semi-historical period of national consolidation under the rulers of the main Yamato clan. Emperor Keikô (legendary or semi-historical 12th emperor, reigned 71-130 A.D. [present emperor is the 125th]) is on the throne. According to the myths and records, Emperor Keikô is said to have lived to the age of 106 and to have fathered 80 children. Among these children were two sons, Prince Oh-usu and his younger brother Prince O-usu. This younger brother will become our hero,

Yamato Takeru. 

One day, Emperor Keikô learns that two beautiful sisters live nearby, and he sends Prince Oh-usu to bring them to him at the palace. When Oh-usu finds them, he decides to marry both sisters himself and then sends two other girls back to his father. Emperor Keikô sees through his son's ruse and refuses to marry the two imposters. After this episode, Prince Oh-usu stops joining his father at mealtime, suggesting a lapse in the prince's loyalty to his father, the emperor. Thus Emperor Keikô asks his other son, Prince O-usu, to find out why his brother has stopped coming to meals and to remind him of his duties. But days later, Prince Oh-usu has still not shown up at mealtime. Finally, Emperor Keikô asks O-usu if he did indeed talk to his brother and warn him that he should not disobey the emperor. O-usu replies that he did not fail to teach his older brother his duty. In fact, O-usu tells his father that he surprised his brother one morning and then crushed and dismembered him. Not surprisingly, Emperor Keikô is horrified by his 15-year-old son's acts and cool demeanor. Quickly, he decides to send Prince O-usu to Kumaso to subdue the two leaders of the clan there. The clan of Kumaso was one of several that at this time still had not submitted to the central rule of the Yamato clan.  

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