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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 58900 ***
+
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+
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+
+
+                           WHERE ANIMALS TALK
+
+                      West African Folk Lore Tales
+
+                                   By
+
+                            ROBERT H. NASSAU
+
+                 Author of "Fetichism in West Africa,"
+                       "The Youngest King," etc.
+
+
+
+                           RICHARD G. BADGER
+                            THE GORHAM PRESS
+                                 BOSTON
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+The typical native African Ekano or legend is marked by repetition. The
+same incidents occur to a succession of individuals; monotony being
+prevented by a variation in the conduct of those individuals, as they
+reveal their weakness or stupidity, artifice or treachery.
+
+Narrators, while preserving the original plot and characters of a Tale,
+vary it, and make it graphic by introducing objects known and familiar
+to their audience. These inconsistencies do not interfere with belief
+or offend the taste of a people with whom even the impossible is not
+a bar to faith; rather, the inconsistency sharpens their enjoyment
+of the story.
+
+Surprise must not be felt at the impossibility of some of the
+situations; e.g., the swallowing by an animal of his wife, baggage
+and household furniture, as a means of hiding them. The absurdity of
+such situations is one of the distinctive attractions to the minds
+of the excited listeners.
+
+Variations of the same Tale, as told in different Tribes, were
+inevitable among a people whose language was not written until within
+the last hundred years; the Tales having been transmitted verbally,
+from generation to generation, for, probably, thousands of years. As to
+their antiquity, I believe these Tales to be of very ancient origin. No
+argument must be taken against them because of the internal evidence of
+allusion to modern things, or implements, or customs of known modern
+date; e.g., "cannon," "tables," "steamships," etc., etc. Narrators
+constantly embellish by novel additions; e.g., where, in the original
+story, a character used a spear, the narrator may substitute a pistol.
+
+Almost all these Tales locate themselves in supposed pre-historic
+times, when Beasts and Human Beings are asserted to have lived together
+with social relations in the same community. An unintended concession
+to the claims of some Evolutionists!
+
+The most distinctive feature of these Tales is that, while the actors
+are Beasts, they are speaking and living as Human Beings, acting as
+a beast in human environment; and, instantly, in the same sentence,
+acting as a human being in a beast's environment. This must constantly
+be borne in mind, or the action of the story will become not only
+unreasonable but utterly inexplicable.
+
+The characters in the stories relieve themselves from difficult or
+dangerous situations by invoking the aid of a powerful personal
+fetish-charm known as "Ngalo"; a fetish almost as valuable as
+Aladdin's Lamp of the Arabian Nights. And yet, with inconsistency,
+notwithstanding this aid, the actors are often suffering from many
+small evils of daily human life. These inconsistencies are another
+feature of the Ekano that the listeners enjoy as the spice of the
+story.
+
+From internal evidences, I think that the local sources of these Tales
+were Arabian, or at least under Arabic, and perhaps even Egyptian,
+influences. (Observe the prefix, Ra, a contraction of Rera equals
+father, a title of honor, as "Lord," or "Sir," or "Master," in names
+of dignitaries; e.g. Ra-Marânge, Ra-Mborakinda, Ra-Meses.)
+
+This is consistent with the fact that there is Arabic blood in the
+Bantu Negro. The invariable direction to which the southwest coast
+tribes point, as the source of their ancestors, is northeast. Such an
+ethnologist as Sir H. H. Johnston traces the Bantu stream southward on
+the east coast to the Cape of Good Hope, and then turns it northward
+on the west coast to the equator and as far as the fourth degree of
+north latitude, the very region from which I gathered these stories.
+
+Only a few men, and still fewer women, in any community, are noted
+as skilled narrators. They are the literati.
+
+The public never weary of hearing the same Tales repeated; like our
+own civilized audiences at a play running for a hundred or more
+nights. They are made attractive by the dramatic use of gesture,
+tones, and startling exclamations.
+
+The occasions selected for the renditions are nights, after
+the day's works are done, especially if there be visitors to be
+entertained. The places chosen are the open village street, or, in
+forest camps where almost all the population of a village go for a
+week's work on their cutting of new plantations; or for hunting; or
+for fishing in ponds. The time for these camps is in one of the two
+dry seasons: where the booths erected are not for protection against
+rain, but for a little privacy, for the warding off of insects, birds
+and small animals, and for the drying of meats. At such times, most
+of the adults go off during the day for fishing; or, if for hunting,
+only the men; the children being guarded at their plays in the camp
+by the older women, who are kept occupied with cooking, and with
+the drying of meats. At night, all gather around the camp-fire;
+and the Tales are told with, at intervals, accompaniment of drum;
+and parts of the plot are illustrated by an appropriate song, or by
+a short dance, the platform being only the earth, and the scenery
+the forest shadows and the moon or stars.
+
+The Bantu Language has very many dialects, having the same grammatical
+construction, but differing in their vocabulary. The name of the
+same animal therefore differs in the three typical Tribes mentioned
+in these Tales; e.g., Leopard, in Mpongwe, equals Njegâ; in Benga,
+equals Njâ; and in Fang, equals Nze.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+PRONUNCIATION
+
+
+In all the dialects of the Bantu language, consonants are pronounced,
+as in English; except that g is always hard.
+
+The vowels are pronounced as in the following English equivalent:--
+
+
+                    a   as in father  e.g., Kabala
+                    â   as in awe     e.g., Njâ.
+                    e   as in they    e.g., Ekaga.
+                    e   as in met     e.g., Njegâ.
+                    i   as in machine e.g., Njina.
+                    o   as in note    e.g., Kombe.
+                    u   as in rule    e.g., Kuba.
+
+
+A before y is pronounced ai as a diphthong, e.g., Asaya. Close every
+syllable with a vowel, e.g., Ko-ngo. Where two or more consonants
+begin a syllable, a slight vowel sound may be presupposed, e.g.,
+Ngweya, as if iNgweya.
+
+Ng has the nasal sound of ng in "finger," as if fing-nger, (not as in
+"singer,") e.g., Mpo-ngwe.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+PART FIRST
+
+Mpongwe Tribe
+
+  TALE                                                     PAGE
+
+     1   Do not Trust your Friend                            13
+     2   Leopard's Hunting-Camp                              18
+     3   Tests of Death: 1st Version                         25
+                         2nd Version                         27
+     4   Tasks done for a Wife; and, The Giant Goat          30
+     5   A Tug-of-War                                        37
+     6   Agenda: Rat's Play on a Name                        41
+     7   "Nuts are Eaten Because of Angângwe": A Proverb     49
+     8   Who are Crocodile's Relatives?                      53
+     9   Who is King of Birds? and, Why Chickens live with
+         Mankind                                             54
+    10   "Njiwo Died of Sleep:" A Proverb                    58
+    11   Which is the Fattest:--Manatus, Hog, or Oyster?     60
+    12   Why Mosquitoes Buzz                                 62
+    13   Unkind Criticism                                    63
+    14   The Suitors of Princess Gorilla                     65
+    15   Leopard of the Fine Skin                            68
+    16   Why the Plantain-Stalk Bears but One Bunch          76
+
+
+PART SECOND
+
+Benga Tribe
+
+     1   Swine Talking                                       81
+     2   Crocodile                                           82
+     3   Origin of the Elephant                              82
+     4   Leopard's Marriage Journey                          85
+     5   Tortoise in a Race                                  95
+     6   Goat's Tournament                                   99
+     7   Why Goats Became Domestic                          100
+     8   Igwana's Forked Tongue                             103
+     9   What Caused their Deaths?                          106
+    10   A Quarrel about Seniority                          109
+    11   The Magic Drum                                     113
+    12   The Lies of Tortoise                               121
+    13   "Death Begins by Some One Person": A Proverb       126
+    14   Tortoise and the Bojabi Tree                       129
+    15   The Suitors of Njambo's Daughter                   134
+    16   Tortoise, Dog, Leopard, and the Njabi Fruit        140
+    17   A Journey for Salt                                 145
+    18   A Plea for Mercy                                   149
+    19   The Deceptions of Tortoise                         153
+    20   Leopard's Hunting Companions                       159
+    21   Is the Bat a Bird or a Beast?                      163
+    22   Dog, and his Human Speech, 1st Version             165
+                                    2nd Version             168
+    23   The Savior of the Animals                          173
+    24   Origin of the Ivory Trade, 1st Version             177
+                                    2nd Version             184
+    25   Dog and his False Friend Leopard                   189
+    26   A Trick for Vengeance                              192
+    27   Not My Fault!                                      195
+    28   Do not Impose on the Weak                          196
+    29   Borrowed Clothes                                   198
+    30   The Story of a Panic                               200
+    31   A Family Quarrel                                   201
+    32   The Giant Goat                                     202
+    33   The Fights of Mbuma-Tyetye; and, An Origin of
+         Leopard                                            208
+    34   A Snake's Skin Looks like a Snake                  226
+
+
+PART THIRD
+
+Fang Tribe
+
+     1   Candor                                             233
+     2   Which is the Better Hunter, an Eagle or a
+         Leopard?                                           234
+     3   A Lesson in Evolution                              234
+     4   Parrot Standing on One Leg                         235
+     5   A Question of Right of Inheritance                 237
+     6   Tortoise Covers His Ignorance                      238
+     7   A Question as to Age                               239
+     8   Abundance: A Play on the Meaning of a Word         240
+     9   An Oath: With a Mental Reservation                 242
+    10   The Treachery of Tortoise                          243
+    11   A Chain of Circumstances                           245
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+PART FIRST
+
+MPONGWE
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+
+The following sixteen Tales were narrated to me, many years ago, by two
+members of the Mpongwe tribe (one now dead) at the town of Libreville,
+Gaboon river, equatorial West Africa. Both of them were well-educated
+persons, a man and a woman. They chose legends that were current in
+their own tribe. They spoke in Mpongwe; and, in my English rendition,
+I have retained some of their native idioms. As far as I am aware
+none of these legends have ever been printed in English, excepting
+Tale 5, a version of which appeared in a British magazine from a
+writer in Kamerun, after I had heard it at Gaboon. Also, excepting
+Tale 14. It appeared, in another form, more than fifty years ago,
+in Rev. Dr. J. L. Wilson's "Western Africa." But my narrator was not
+aware of that, when he told it to me.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 1
+
+DO NOT TRUST YOUR FRIEND
+
+
+Place
+
+    Country of the Animals
+
+Persons
+
+    Njegâ (Leopard)
+    Ntori (Wild Rat)
+    Ra-Marânge (Medicine Man)
+    Nyare (Ox)
+    Ngowa (Hog)
+    Nkambi (Antelope)
+    Leopard's Wife; and others
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+A story of the treachery of the Leopard as matched by the duplicity
+of the Rat.
+
+In public mourning for the dead, it is the custom for the nearest
+relative or dearest friend to claim the privilege of sitting closest
+to the corpse, and nursing the head on his or her lap.
+
+
+
+At a time long ago, the Animals were living in the Forest
+together. Most of them were at peace with each other. But Leopard
+was discovered to be a bad person. All the other animals refused to
+be friendly with him. Also, Wild Rat, a small animal, was found out
+to be a deceiver.
+
+One day, Rat went to visit Leopard, who politely gave him a chair, and
+Rat sat down. "Mbolo!" "Ai, Mbolo!" each saluted to the other. Leopard
+said to his visitor, "What's the news?" Rat replied, "Njegâ! news is
+bad. In all the villages I passed through, in coming today, your name
+is only ill-spoken of, people saying, 'Njegâ is bad! Njegâ is bad!'"
+
+Leopard replies, "Yes, you do not lie. People say truly that Njegâ is
+bad. But, look you, Ntori, I, Njegâ, am an evil one: but my badness
+comes from other animals. Because, when I go out to visit, there is no
+one who salutes me. When anyone sees me, he flees with fear. But, for
+what does he fear me? I have not vexed him. So, I pursue the one that
+fears me. I want to ask him, 'Why do you fear me?' But, when I pursue
+it, it goes on fleeing more rapidly. So, I become angry, wrath rises
+in my heart, and if I overtake it, I kill it on the spot. One reason
+why I am bad is that. If the animals would speak to me properly, and
+did not flee from me, then, Ntori, I would not kill them. See! you,
+Ntori, have I seized you?" Rat replied, "No." Then Leopard said,
+"Then, Ntori, come near to this table, that we may talk well."
+
+Rat, because of his subtlety and caution, when he took the chair
+given him on his arrival, had placed it near the door.
+
+Leopard repeated, "Come near to the table." Rat excused himself,
+"Never mind; I am comfortable here; and I came here today to tell
+you that it is not well for a person to be without friends; and, I,
+Ntori, I say to you, let us be friends." Leopard said, "Very good!"
+
+But now, even after this compact of friendship, Rat told falsehoods
+about Leopard; who, not knowing this, often had conversations with him,
+and would confide to him all the thoughts of his heart. For example,
+Leopard would tell to Rat, "Tomorrow I am going to hunt Ngowa, and next
+day I will go to hunt Nkambi," or whatever the animal was. And Rat,
+at night, would go to Hog or to Antelope or the other animal, and say,
+"Give me pay, and I will tell you a secret." They would lay down to him
+his price. And then he would tell them, "Be careful tomorrow. I heard
+that Njegâ was coming to kill you." The same night, Rat would secretly
+return to his own house, and lie down as if he had not been out.
+
+Then, next day, when Leopard would go out hunting, the Animals were
+prepared and full of caution, to watch his coming. There was none of
+them that he could find; they were all hidden. Leopard thus often went
+to the forest, and came back empty-handed. There was no meat for him to
+eat, and he had to eat only leaves of the trees. He said to himself,
+"I will not sit down and look for explanation to come to me. I will
+myself find out the reason of this. For, I, Njegâ, I should eat flesh
+and drink blood; and here I have come down to eating the food of goats,
+grass and leaves."
+
+So, in the morning, Leopard went to the great doctor Ra-Marânge, and
+said, "I have come to you, I, Njegâ. For these five or six months I
+have been unable to kill an animal. But, cause me to know the reason of
+this." Ra-Marânge took his looking-glass and his harp, and struck the
+harp, and looked at the glass. Then he laughed aloud, "Ke, ke, ke--"
+
+Leopard asked, "Ra-Marânge, for what reason do you laugh?" He replied,
+"I laugh, because this matter is a small affair. You, Njegâ, so big
+and strong, you do not know this little thing!" Leopard acknowledged,
+"Yes: I have not been able to find it out." Ra-Marânge said, "Tell me
+the names of your friends." Leopard answered "I have no friends. Nkambi
+dislikes me, Nyare refuses me, Ngowa the same. Of all animals, none
+are friendly to me." Ra-Marânge said, "Not so; think exactly; think
+again." Leopard was silent and thought; and then said, "Yes, truly,
+I have one friend, Ntori." The Doctor said, "But, look! If you find a
+friend, it is not well to tell him all the thoughts of your heart. If
+you tell him two or three, leave the rest. Do not tell him all. But,
+you, Njegâ, you consider that Ntori is your friend, and you show him
+all the thoughts of your heart. But, do you know the heart of Ntori,
+how it is inside? Look what he does! If you let him know that you are
+going next day to kill this and that, then he starts out at night,
+and goes to inform those animals, 'So-and-so, said Njegâ; but, be
+you on your guard.' Now, look! if you wish to be able to kill other
+animals, first kill Ntori." Leopard was surprised, "Ngâ! (actually)
+Ntori lies to me?" Ra-Marânge said, "Yes."
+
+So, Leopard returned to his town. And he sent a child to call
+Rat. Rat came.
+
+Leopard said, "Ntori! these days you have not come to see me. Where
+have you been?" Rat replies, "I was sick." Leopard says, "I called you
+today to sit at my table to eat." Rat excused himself, "Thanks! but
+the sickness is still in my body; I will not be able to eat." And he
+went away.
+
+Whenever Rat visited or spoke to Leopard, he did not enter the house,
+but sat on a chair by the door. Leopard daily sent for him; he came;
+but constantly refrained from entering the house.
+
+Leopard says in his heart, "Ntori does not approach near to me,
+but sits by the door. How shall I catch him?" Thinking and thinking,
+he called his wife, and said, "I have found a plan by which to kill
+Ntori. Tomorrow, I will lie down in the street, and you cover my body
+with a cloth as corpses are covered. Wear an old ragged cloth, and take
+ashes and mark your body, as in mourning; and go you out on the road
+wailing, 'Njegâ is dead! Njegâ, the friend of Ntori is dead!' And,
+for Ntori, when he shall come as a friend to the mourning, put his
+chair by me, and say, 'Sit there near your friend.' When he sits on
+that chair, I will jump up and kill him there." His wife replies,
+"Very good!"
+
+Next morning, Leopard, lying down in the street, pretended that he
+was dead. His wife dressed herself in worn-out clothes, and smeared
+her face, and went clear on to Rat's village, wailing "Ah! Njegâ is
+dead! Ntori's friend is dead!" Rat asked her, "But, Njegâ died of
+what disease? Yesterday, I saw him looking well, and today comes word
+that he is dead!" The wife answered, "Yes: Njegâ died without disease;
+just cut off! I wonder at the matter--I came to call you; for you were
+his friend. So, as is your duty as a man, go there and help bury the
+corpse in the jungle." Rat went, he and Leopard's wife together. And,
+behold, there was Leopard stretched out as a corpse! Rat asked the
+wife, "What is this matter? Njegâ! is he really dead?" She replied,
+"Yes: I told you so. Here is a chair for you to sit near your friend."
+
+Rat, having his caution, had not sat on the chair, but stood off,
+as he wailed, "Ah! Njegâ is dead! Ah! my friend is dead!"
+
+Rat called out, "Wife of Njegâ! Njegâ, he was a great person: but
+did he not tell you any sign by which it might be known, according to
+custom, that he was really dead?" She replied, "No, he did not tell
+me." (Rat, when he thus spoke, was deceiving the woman.) Rat went
+on to speak, "You, Njegâ, when you were living and we were friends,
+you told me in confidence, saying, 'When I, Njegâ, shall die, I will
+lift my arm upward, and you will know that I am really dead.' But,
+let us cease the wailing and stop crying. I will try the test on Njegâ,
+whether he is dead! Lift your arm!"
+
+Leopard lifted his arm. Rat, in his heart, laughed, "Ah! Njegâ is not
+dead!" But, he proceeded, "Njegâ! Njegâ! you said, if really dead,
+you would shake your body. Shake! if it is so!" Leopard shook his
+whole body. Rat said openly, "Ah! Njegâ is dead indeed! He shook
+his body!" The wife said, "But, as you say he is dead, here is the
+chair for you, as chief friend, to sit on by him." Rat said, "Yes:
+wait for me; I will go off a little while, and will come." Leopard,
+lying on the ground, and hearing this, knew in his heart, "Ah! Ntori
+wants to flee from me! I will wait no longer!" Up he jumps to seize
+Rat, who, being too quick for him, fled away. Leopard pursued him
+with leaps and jumps so rapidly that he almost caught him. Rat got
+to his hole in the ground just in time to rush into it. But his tail
+was sticking out; and Leopard, looking down the hole, seized the tail.
+
+Rat called out, "You have not caught me, as you think! What you are
+holding is a rootlet of a tree." Leopard let go of the tail. Rat
+switched it in after him, and jeered at Leopard, "You had hold of my
+tail! And you have let it go! You will not catch me again!" Leopard,
+in a rage, said, "You will have to show me the way by which you will
+emerge from this hole; for, you will never come out of it alive!"
+
+
+
+Some narrators carry the story on, with the ending of Tale No. 6,
+the story of Rat, Leopard, Frog and Crab.
+
+Leopard's pretence of death appears also in Tale No. 3.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 2
+
+LEOPARD'S HUNTING CAMP
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Ntori (A very large forest Rat)
+    Njegâ (Leopard)
+    And other Animals
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Besides the words for "hunger" and "famine," the Bantu languages have
+a third word meaning, "longing for meat." In this story, Leopard's
+greed is matched by the artifice of Rat:--It was a practice of African
+natives to hide their ivory tusks in streams of water until a time
+convenient for selling them.
+
+Polite natives will neither sit uninvited in the presence of their
+superiors, nor watch them while eating. If need be, to secure privacy,
+a temporary curtain will be put up, and the host will retire, leaving
+the guest alone. Rude or uncivilized tribes are offensive in their
+persistent effort to see a white foreigner's mode of eating.
+
+One of the tricks of native sorcerers is to jump into a fire.
+
+
+
+It was a time of ngwamba (meat-hunger) among the Animals in Njambi's
+Kingdom.
+
+Leopard, being the eldest in his tribe, said to Rat,
+"Ntori! child! this is a hard time for meat. I think we better go
+to the forest, and make a olako (camp) for hunting." Rat replied
+"Good! come on!"
+
+So they began to arrange for the journey. The preparation of food,
+nets, baskets, and so forth, occupied several days. When all was
+ready, they started. Having come to a proper place in the forest, they
+selected a site where they would build up their booths. Leopard was
+to have his own separate camp with his wives and his children and his
+people; and Rat his, with his wives and his children, and his people.
+
+So they began to make two camps. Leopard said, "Ntori! child! I
+have mine here. You go there yonder." So they built their booths
+for sleeping-places; and rested another day; and then built their
+arala (drying frames) over their fire-places for smoke-drying the
+meat that they hoped to obtain. Next day, they prepared their guns,
+and started out on the hunt. On that very first day, they met game,
+and, ku! (bang) went their guns, killing an Elephant, and, ku! a wild
+Ox. Then Leopard said, "Ntori! child! we are successful! Let us begin
+the work of cutting up!"
+
+After all the carcasses had been cut up, came the time to divide the
+meat between the two companies. So, Leopard said, "As I am your Uncle,
+I precede; I will choose first, and will give you the remainder." So
+Leopard chose, taking out all the best pieces. When Rat saw that most
+of the meat was going to Leopard's side, he thought it time to begin to
+get his share. But when Rat laid hold of a nice piece, Leopard would
+say, "No! child! do not take the best: that belongs to your Uncle"--
+and Leopard would claim the piece, and hand it over to his women. So it
+went on in the same way; to every nice piece that Rat chose, Leopard
+objected that it belonged to him. After Leopard had taken all he
+wanted, there were left only the bowels and the heads and legs for Rat.
+
+Then they each went to their own camping-place, to spread the meat
+on their arala, and to cook their dinner. But, all the while that
+Rat was spreading bones and bowels on his orala, he was vexed; for,
+there was very little meat on those bones; while Leopard's people's
+arala were full of meat, and savory portions were simmering on their
+fires tied in bundles (agewu) of plantain leaves. At the noon meal,
+Leopard sat down with his family, and Rat with his. But Rat had only
+poor food; while Leopard and his people were rejoicing with rich meat.
+
+The second day was very much the same as the first. It was Rat who
+did most of the hunting. With him it was, ku! (bang!), and some beast
+was down; and, ku! and some other beast was down. Whenever Rat fired,
+Leopard would shout out, "Ntori! child! what have you got?" And it was
+Rat who would shout in reply, "Nyare" (ox), or "Njâku" (elephant),
+or "Nkambi!" (antelope), or whatever the game might be. And it was
+Leopard who offensively patronized him, saying, "That is a good boy,
+Tata! (Little Father); bring it here to your Uncle." Then Rat and
+all the servants would carry the carcass to Leopard. So that day,
+the cutting and dividing was just like the first day; Leopard claiming
+and taking the best, and leaving the skeleton and scraggy pieces and
+the bowels for Rat.
+
+After that second day's hunt, Rat was tired of this way of dividing,
+in which he got only the worthless pieces. So he decided to get back
+some of Leopard's meat by artifice, for his own table, even if he
+had to take it from Leopard's orala itself. He began to devise what
+he should do. As he was out walking, he came to a brook in which were
+sunken logs of hard heavy wood. They had lain there a long time, and
+were black with outside decay. With his machete in hand, he dived;
+and remaining under the water, he scraped the logs till he had removed
+the dark outside, and exposed the white inner wood. He kept on at
+the job scraping and scraping until the logs appeared white like
+ivory. Then he went back to Leopard's camp, and, with pretence of
+excitement, exclaimed, "Mwe Njegâ! I think we will be going to be
+rich. You don't know what I've found! Such a big ivory-tusk hidden
+in the water! I think we better leave off hunting meat, and go to
+get this fine ivory." Leopard replied, "Good! come on!"
+
+The next day, they first arranged their fires so that the smoke-drying
+of their meat might continue during their absence; and then started
+for the ivory. They all prepared themselves, for diving, by taking
+off their good clothing, and wearing only a small loin-cloth. Their
+entire companies went, men, women, and children, leaving not a single
+person in the camps.
+
+Leopard says, "You, Ntori, go first, as you know where the place
+is." Rat says, "Good! come on!" And they went on their way.
+
+Arrived at the brook, Rat says, "You all come on, and dive." Leopard
+asks, "My son! is it still there?" Rat, pointing, answers, "Yes! my
+ivory is there." Leopard, looking down in the water says, "I see no
+ivory!" Rat, still pointing, replies, "There! Those white things! Don't
+you see them?" Leopard says, "I never saw ivory look like logs." Rat
+answered, "No? But this is a new kind. I assure you they are ivory! I
+have been down there, and I cleaned the mud off of them." Leopard
+was satisfied, and said, "Good! come on!" And they all dived. They
+laid hold of the supposed ivory, and pulled, and pushed, and lifted,
+and worked. But it was stuck fast, and they could not move it.
+
+While they were thus working, Rat suddenly cried out, "Njegâ! O! I
+forgot something! I must go quickly back to the olako. I will not be
+gone long. I shall return soon."
+
+Rat came out of the brook; ran to the camp; took of his own bundles of
+bones and scraggy pieces, and put them on Leopard's drying-frames,
+and took the same number of bundles of good meat from Leopard's
+frames. Then he ran back to the brook, to continue the work at the
+so-called ivory.
+
+Soon after that, Rat says, "Mwe Njegâ! it is time to return to the
+olako; we have worked long; I am hungry." Leopard says, "Good! come
+on!" So they returned to the camp to eat.
+
+Rat says, "Njegâ! as I am so hungry, I will not wait with you, but
+will go to my own olako at once. And I will put up a curtain between
+us, as it is a shame for one to eat in the presence of his elder."
+
+So Rat put up a curtain; and opened a bundle of nice meat; and he
+and his people began to eat.
+
+When Leopard took down one of his bundles, and opened it to share
+with his women, he was amazed, and said, "See! only bones and mean
+pieces! Ah! what is this matter!" And he called out to the other camp,
+"Ntori! Tata!" Rat responds, "Eh! Mwe Njegâ?" Leopard inquires,
+"What kind of meat are you eating?" Rat answers, "My own, from
+my own bundles. But what kind have you, Mwe Njegâ?" Leopard says,
+"My women prepared meat that was nice; but now I have only bones. I
+am surprised at that."
+
+The next, the fourth day, Rat said to Leopard, "I think we better
+change from the hard work on the ivory. Let us go hunting today;
+and tomorrow we will resume the ivory." Leopard assented "Good! come
+on!" And they started out to hunt. They were successful again as on
+the previous days. At the time of the division of the meat, Rat showed
+no displeasure at Leopard's taking the best pieces; as he had now his
+own artifice to get them back. And the meats of the day were placed
+on their owners' respective drying-frames. By this day's doings,
+many of Leopard's baskets were full, ready to be taken to town,
+while most of Rat's were still empty.
+
+On the fifth day, they went to the brook again, to their fruitless
+work of pulling at the so-called ivory. The same things happened as
+before; Rat remembers that he has forgotten something; has to go in
+haste to the camp; rapidly changes the bundles on his and Leopard's
+frames; returns to the brook; they all come back to the camp to eat;
+and there were repeated Leopard's surprise, and his questions to
+Rat about the kinds of meat they were eating. Thus they continued;
+on alternate days hunting, and working at the ivory that was stuck
+immovably fast in the mud; and Rat stealing; and Leopard complaining.
+
+Finally, Leopard became tired of his losses; and, one day, without
+letting anyone know what he intended doing, he said, "I will take a
+little walk." Rat says, "You go alone? May I accompany you?" Leopard
+said, "No! I go alone; I won't be long away; and I do not go far."
+
+So Leopard went to the wizard Ra-Marânge, whom as soon as he saw him,
+exclaimed, "What are you come for? Are you in trouble?" Leopard told
+him the matter of the losses of the meat. Then Ra-Marânge jumped into
+his fire, and emerged powerful and wise. And he said, "I will make
+for you something that will find out for you who it is that takes
+your meat."
+
+So Ra-Marânge made a little image of a man, and conferred on it
+wisdom and power, and gave it to Leopard, who took it to his camp,
+and hid it in his hut.
+
+The next day they all resumed the work at the brook, with the
+ivory. There was the same diving, the same fruitless pulling,
+Rat's same need of going back to the camp, and his same attempts at
+stealing. While he was doing this, he sees something like a little
+man standing near him. Rat puts out his hand to take from Leopard's
+bundles as usual, and the image catches him by the wrist of that
+hand. Rat indignantly says, "You! this little fool! leave me! What do
+you catch me for?" But the image was silent; nor did it let go its
+hold. So Rat struck at it with his other hand. And the image caught
+that hand with its other hand. Then Rat was angry and kicked with one
+foot at a leg of the image. And that foot was retained by that leg of
+the image. Rat kicked with his remaining foot; it also was retained
+by the image's other leg. He was thus held in the power of the image.
+
+Rat, in desperation, said, "Let me go!" The image spoke, and simply
+said, "No!" Rat felt he was in a bad situation; but he put on a bold
+face. He knew that, by his long delay, the others must have given up
+the work at the brook, and would by now be returning to the camp;
+and, in a little while, he would be discovered. To forestall that
+discovery, he shouted out, "Mwe Nejgâ, come quickly! I've found
+the person who changes your bundles!" Leopard, on the path, heard
+his voice, and replied, "My child, is that so? Hold him fast!" Rat
+still daringly said, "Come quickly! He wants to get away from my
+grasp!" Leopard replied, "Hold fast! I am coming!" They all came
+hastily, both of Rat's people, and of Leopard's people; and there they
+saw Rat held fast by the hands and legs of the image. Leopard asked,
+"Where is he?" Rat, daring to the last, said, "This little man here
+that I am holding." Leopard said, "Now that I am here, let go of him,
+for I will take charge of him." Rat struggled, but in vain. Leopard
+several times repeated his direction to Rat, "Let go of him!" But
+Rat was utterly unable to withdraw his limbs from the power of the
+image. And he gave up the effort, in shame. Then Leopard had to help
+release Rat; the conferred power of the image being subservient to
+him. He did not strike Rat, he being his relative. But rebuked him,
+"Ah! Ntori! now I know it was you who made all the trouble about my
+meat!" And he took back all his fine bundles, and returned Rat his
+poor bundles. Rat went to his own camp ashamed, but still angry at
+the unjust division of the meat.
+
+As Leopard's baskets were now full, he announced that they should
+prepare to break camp, and return to town. Rat's women murmured,
+"Ah! all going away, and our baskets almost empty!" Rat comforted them,
+"Yes; it is so; but, we will find a way to fill them!"
+
+So, the next day, while the others were gone to get leaves and vines
+with which to tie up their baskets, Rat took his empty ones to the
+brook and filled them with stones, and tied them up with leaves,
+as if they contained meat.
+
+On the following day, as they were about to start on their journey,
+Rat said to Leopard, "As you are the elder, go you first, and I will
+follow." Leopard said, "Good! come on!" And they went on the path,
+Rat keeping close behind Leopard's people. (Baskets being carried
+tied on the back with a strap over the forehead, the bearer leans
+heavily forward, and cannot see what is happening behind.) Rat had
+prepared a hook with a handle. From time to time, as they came to
+narrow places in the path where thorny branches met, he would strike
+the hook into some basket before him, and in pretence, would say,
+"Wait! a thorn on this branch has caught your basket! Let me unfasten
+it." While the carrier would stand still for Rat to release the branch,
+the latter seized the chance to take pieces of meat from the basket,
+and substitute stones from his own baskets. The way was long; and,
+at every obstructed place, Rat kept on at his pretence of helping
+to free some basket of Leopard's from the thorns that caught it,
+and changed pieces of good meat for his stones.
+
+Before they reached Leopard's town, darkness began to fall, and
+both companies were very tired, especially that of Leopard; for,
+their baskets seemed to have grown heavier. Rat said, "Njegâ! All
+this hard day's walk! Hide our baskets, yours in one place, and mine
+in another, and let us go on to town and sleep; and we will send
+back our women for the baskets in the morning." Leopard assented,
+"Good! come on!" So they left their baskets, and all went to town.
+
+The next morning, Rat sent his people very, very early. Leopard sent
+his later, at the usual time of morning business. When his people
+were going they met Rat's people coming back with their loads, and
+exclaimed, "You are loaded already!"
+
+When Leopard's people brought their baskets to the town, and opened
+them, they were amazed to find that they had little else than stones
+and bones. Leopard was very angry; and, going to Rat, he began to
+scold, "You have taken away my meat!" "No I have my own. Look! these
+baskets, you know them, they are mine! Perhaps some one stole your meat
+in the night and put the stones in place. But, as you are in such a
+trouble, I will share with you of mine." So he called to his women,
+"Give Njegâ a few pieces of meat." Leopard took the meat, and Rat
+and his people went away to their own town.
+
+But Leopard was not satisfied. He was sure that Rat had played him
+a trick. He had forgiven Rat his stealing at the camp; but, for this
+last trick, he meditated revenge.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 3
+
+TESTS OF DEATH--1ST VERSION
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njegâ (Leopard)
+    Ntori (Wild-Rat)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+It is the proper and most friendly mode, that relatives and friends
+should hasten to visit their sick, on the very first information,
+without waiting to be invited or summoned.
+
+
+
+Leopard told his head-wife, "Ntori has taken our meat and deceived
+me in all these ways; I will kill him and eat him."
+
+So he pretended to be sick.
+
+The next day, news was sent to Rat that his Uncle Leopard was sick
+of a fever.
+
+The following day, word was again sent that he was very sick indeed,
+and that he wanted a parting word with Rat. Rat sent back a message,
+"I hear; and I will come tomorrow."
+
+Rat suspected some evil, and did not believe that Leopard was sick. So
+he went to the forest, and collected all kinds of insects that sting,
+and tied them into five little bundles.
+
+Next day, word came to him, "Njegâ is dead." Rat went quickly, taking
+the five little bundles with him.
+
+When he reached Leopard's town, he joined the crowd of mourners in
+the street, and lifted up his voice in wailing. Leopard's head-wife
+went to him, and said, "Come into the house, and mourn with me, at
+your Uncle's bed-side." Rat went with her; but he did not take the
+seat that was offered him, as a near relative, at the supposed dead
+man's head. He first explained, "After a person is reported dead,
+it is proper to make five tests to prove whether he is really dead,
+before we bury him."
+
+So he stood by the bed, at a point safe from Leopard's hands, and
+opened a bundle, and lifting the shroud, quickly laid the bundle on
+Leopard's naked body. The insects, infuriated by their imprisonment,
+flew out and attacked Leopard's body, as it was the object nearest
+to them, and they were confined under the shroud. Leopard endured,
+and did not move.
+
+Rat opened a second bundle, and thrust it also on another part of
+Leopard's body. Leopard could scarcely refrain from wincing.
+
+Rat opened a third, and laid it in the same way on another
+part. Leopard's face began to twitch with the torture. Rat opening a
+fourth, used it in the same way; and Leopard in pain began to twist
+his body; but, when Rat opened the fifth bundle, Leopard could endure
+the stings no longer. He started up from the bed, holding a dagger
+he had hidden under the bed-clothing.
+
+But Rat was too agile for him, and ran out before Leopard could fully
+rise from his supposed death-bed, and escaped to his own place. The
+mourners fled from the furious insects, and Leopard was left in agony
+under the poison of their stings.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 3
+
+TESTS OF DEATH--SECOND VERSION
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njegâ (Leopard)
+    Ibâbâ (Jackal)
+    With Ngomba (Porcupine)
+    Nkambi (Antelope)
+    Njâgu (Elephant)
+    Iheli (Gazelle)
+    Ekaga (Tortoise)
+    With Ndongo (Pepper)
+    Hako (Ants)
+    And Nyoi (Bees)
+    And Others
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+All of a neighborhood go to a mourning for a dead person. Failure to
+go would have been regarded, formerly, as a sign of a sense of guilt
+as the cause of the death. Formerly, at funerals, there was great
+destruction. Some of a man's wives and slaves were buried with him,
+with a large quantity of his goods; and his fruit trees adjacent to
+the houses were ruthlessly cut down. All, as signs of grief; as much
+as to say, "If the beloved dead cannot longer enjoy these things,
+no one else shall."
+
+The ancestor of the leopards never forgave the ancestor of the
+gazelles, but nursed his wrath at the trick which the latter had
+played on him with the insects. Unable to catch gazelles, because of
+their adroitness, the leopard wrecks his anger on all other beasts
+by killing them at any opportunity.
+
+These two beasts, Leopard and Jackal, were living together in the same
+town. Leopard said to Jackal, "My friend! I do not eat all sorts of
+food; I eat only animals." So, one day, Leopard went to search for
+some beast in the forest. He wandered many hours, but could not find
+any for his food.
+
+
+
+On another day, Leopard said to Jackal, "My friend! let us arrange
+some plan, by which we can kill some animal. For, I've wandered into
+the forest again and again, and have found nothing." Leopard made
+these remarks to his friend in the dark of the evening. So they sat
+that night and planned and, after their conversation, they went to
+lie down in their houses. And they slept their sleep.
+
+
+
+Then soon, the daylight broke. And Leopard, carrying out their plan,
+said to Jackal, "Take up your bedding, and put it out in the open air
+of the street." Jackal did so. Leopard laid down on that mattress,
+in accordance with their plan, and stretched out like a corpse lying
+still, as if he could not move a muscle. He said to Jackal, "Call
+Ngomba, and let him come to me." So Jackal shouted, "Come! Ngomba,
+come! That Beast that kills animals is dead! Come!"
+
+So Porcupine came to the mourning, weeping, and wailing, as if he
+was really sorry for the death of his enemy. He approached near the
+supposed corpse. And he jeered at it. "This was the person who wasted
+us people; and this is his body!" Leopard heard this derision. Suddenly
+he leaped up. And Porcupine went down under his paw, dead. Then Leopard
+said to his friend Jackal, "Well! cut it up! and let us eat it." And
+they finished eating it.
+
+On another day, Leopard, again in the street, stretched himself on the
+bedding. At his direction, Jackal called for Antelope. Antelope came;
+and Leopard killed him, as he had done to Porcupine.
+
+On another day, Ox was called. And Leopard did to Ox the same as he
+had done to the others.
+
+On another day, Elephant was called in the same way; and he died in
+the same way.
+
+In the same way, Leopard killed some of almost all the other beasts
+one after another, until there were left only two.
+
+Then Jackal said, "Njegâ! my friend! there are left, of all the beasts,
+only two, Iheli and Ekaga. But, what can you do with Iheli? for,
+he has many artifices. What, also, can you do against Ekaga? for,
+he too, has many devices." Leopard replied, "I will do as I usually
+have done; so, tomorrow, I will lie down again, as if I were a corpse."
+
+That day darkened into night.
+
+And another daylight broke.
+
+And Leopard went out of the house to lie down on the bedding in the
+street. Each limb was extended out as if dead; and his mouth open,
+with lower jaw fallen, like that of a dead person.
+
+Then Jackal called, "Iheli! come here! That person who wastes the
+lives of the beasts is dead! He's dead!"
+
+Gazelle said to himself, "I hear! So! Njegâ is dead? I go to the
+mourning!" Gazelle lived in a town distant about three miles. He
+started on the journey, taking with him his spear and bag; but, he
+said to himself, "Before I go to the mourning, I will stop on the
+way at the town of Ekaga."
+
+He came to the town of Tortoise, and he said to him, "Chum! have you
+heard the news? That person who kills Beasts and Mankind is dead!" But
+Tortoise answered, "No! go back to your town! that person is not
+dead. Go back!" Gazelle said, "No! For, before I go back to my town,
+I will first go to Njegâ's to see." So Tortoise said, "If you are
+determined to go there, I will tell you something." Gazelle exclaimed,
+"Yes! Uncle, speak!"
+
+Then Tortoise directed him, "Take ndongo." Gazelle took some. Tortoise
+said, "Take also Hako, and take also Nyoi. Tie them all up in a bundle
+of plantain leaves." (He told Gazelle to do all these things, as a
+warning.) And Tortoise added, "You will find Njegâ with limbs stretched
+out like a corpse. Take a machete with you in your hands. When you
+arrive there, begin to cut down the plantain-stalks. And you must cry
+out 'Who killed my Uncle? who killed my uncle?' If he does not move,
+then you sit down and watch him."
+
+So Gazelle went, journeyed and came to that town of mourning. He
+asked Jackal, "Ibâbâ! This person, how did he die?" Jackal replied,
+"Yesterday afternoon this person was seized with a fever; and today,
+he is a corpse." Gazelle looked at Leopard from a distance, his eyes
+fixed on him, even while he was slashing down the plantains, as he
+was told to do. But, Leopard made no sign, though he heard the noise
+of the plantain-stalk falling to the ground. Presently, Jackal said
+to Gazelle, "Go near to your Uncle's bed, and look at the corpse."
+
+Leopard began in his heart to arrange for a spring, being ready
+to fight, and thinking, "What time Iheli shall be near me, I will
+kill him."
+
+Gazelle approached, but carefully stood off a rod distant from the body
+of Leopard. Then Gazelle drew the bundle of Ants out of his bag, and
+said to himself, "Is this person, really dead? I will test him!" But,
+Gazelle stood warily ready to flee at the slightest sign. He quickly
+opened the bundle of insects; and he joined the three, the Ants,
+the Bees, and the Pepper, all in one hand; and, standing with care,
+he threw them at Leopard.
+
+The bundle of leaves, as it struck Leopard, flew open. Being released,
+the Bees rejoiced, saying, "So! I sting Njegâ!" Pepper also was glad,
+saying, "So! I will make him perspire!" Ants also spitefully exclaimed,
+"I've bitten you!"
+
+The pain of all these made Leopard jump up in wrath; and he leaped
+toward Gazelle. But he dashed away into the forest, shouting as
+he disappeared, "I'm not an Iheli of the open prairie, but of the
+forest wilderness!"
+
+So, he fled and came to the town of Tortoise. There he told Tortoise,
+"You are justified! Njegâ indeed is not dead! He was only pretending,
+in order to kill."
+
+And Tortoise, remarked, "I am the doyen of Beasts. Being the eldest,
+if I tell any one a thing, he should not contradict me."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 4
+
+TASKS DONE FOR A WIFE
+
+
+Place
+
+    In Njambi's Kingdom
+
+Persons
+
+    A Rich Merchant and his Daughter
+    Njâgu (Elephant)
+    Njegâ (Leopard)
+    Njina (Gorilla)
+    Nguvu (Hippopotamus)
+    Ekaga (Tortoise)
+    Mbodi (An Enormous Goat)
+    Servants, and Townspeople
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+The artifices of Tortoise compete with the strength of Leopard. The
+story of the Giant Goat is a separate Tale in No. 32, of Part Second.
+
+
+
+In the time when Mankind and all other Animals lived together, to all
+the Beasts the news came that there was a Merchant in a far country,
+who had a daughter, for whom he was seeking a marriage. And he had
+said, "I do not want money to be the dowry that shall be paid by a
+suitor for my daughter. But, whosoever shall do some difficult works,
+which I shall assign him, to him I will give her."
+
+All the Beasts were competing for the prize.
+
+First, Elephant went on that errand. The merchant said to him, "Do
+such-and-such tasks, and you shall have my daughter. More than that,
+I will give you wealth also." Elephant went at the tasks, tried,
+and failed; and came back saying he could not succeed.
+
+Next, Gorilla stood up; he went. And the merchant told him, in the
+same way as to Elephant, that he was to do certain tasks. Gorilla
+tried, and failed, and came back disgusted.
+
+Then, Hippopotamus advanced, and said he would attempt to win the
+woman. His companions encouraged him with hopes of success, because
+of his size and strength. He went, tried, and failed.
+
+Thus, almost all beasts attempted, one after another; they tried to
+do the tasks, and failed.
+
+At last there were left as contestants, only Leopard and
+Tortoise. Neither was disheartened by the failure of the others; each
+asserted that he would succeed in marrying that rich daughter. Tortoise
+said, "I'm going now!" But Leopard said, "No! I first!" Tortoise
+yielded, "Well, go; you are the elder. I will not compete with you. Go
+you, first!" Leopard went, and made his application. The merchant
+said to him, "Good! that you have come. But, the others came, and
+failed. Try you." Leopard said, "Very well." He tried, and failed,
+and went back angry.
+
+Tortoise then went. He saluted the merchant, and told him he had come
+to take his daughter. The merchant said, "Do so; but try to do the
+tasks first."
+
+Tortoise tried all the tasks, and did them all. The first was that of
+a calabash dipper that was cracked. The merchant said to him, "You take
+this cracked calabash and bring it to me full of water all the way from
+the spring to this town." Tortoise looking and examining, objected,
+"This calabash! cracked! how can it carry water?" The merchant replied,
+"You yourself must find out. If you succeed, you marry my daughter."
+
+Tortoise took the calabash to the spring. Putting it into the water,
+he lifted it. But the water all ran out before he had gone a few
+steps. Again he did this, five times; and the water was always
+running out. Sitting, he meditated, "What is this? How can it
+be done?" Thinking again, he said, "I'll do it! I know the art
+how!" He went to the forest, took gum of the Okume (mahogany tree)
+lighted a fire, melted the gum, smeared it over the crack, and made
+it water-tight; then, dipping the calabash into the spring, it did
+not leak. He took it full to the father-in-law, and called out,
+"Father-in-law! this is the calabash of water." The merchant asked,
+"But what did you do to it?" He answered "I mended it with gum." The
+father said, "Good for you! The others did not think of that easy
+simple solution. You have sense!"
+
+Tortoise then said, "I have finished this one task; today has
+passed. Tomorrow I will begin on the other four."
+
+The next morning, he came to receive his direction from the merchant,
+who said, "Ekaga! you see that tall tree far away? At the top are
+fruits. If you want my daughter, pluck the fruits from the top,
+and you shall marry her."
+
+Tortoise went and stood watching and looking and examining the
+tree. Its trunk was all covered with soap, and impossible to be
+climbed. He returned to the merchant, and asked, "That fruit you
+wish, may it be obtained in any way, even if one does not climb the
+tree?" He was answered, "Yes, in any way, except cutting down the
+tree. Only so that I get the fruit, I am satisfied."
+
+Tortoise had already tried from morning to afternoon to climb
+that tree, but could not. So, after he had asked the merchant his
+question, he went back to the tree; and from evening, all night and
+until morning, he dug about the roots till they were all free. And
+the tree fell, without his having "cut" the trunk at all. So he took
+the fruit to the Merchant, and told him that he had not "cut down"
+the tree, but that he had it "dug up." The merchant said, "You have
+done well. People who came before you failed to think of that. Good
+for you!"
+
+On the third day, the merchant said to the spectators, "I will not
+name the other three tasks. You, my assistants, may name them." So
+they thought of one task after another. But one and another said, "No,
+that is not hard; let us search for a harder." Finally, they found
+three hard tasks. Tortoise was ready for and accomplished them all.
+
+Then the merchant announced, "Now, you may marry my daughter; and
+tomorrow you shall make your journey." They made a great feast;
+an ox was killed; and they had songs and music all night, clear on
+till morning.
+
+But, while all this was going on, Leopard, who was left at his town,
+was saying to himself, "This Ekaga! He has stayed five days! Had he
+failed, he would not have stayed so long! So! he has been able to do
+the tasks! Is that a good thing?" (On the day that Tortoise started
+on the journey to seek the merchant's daughter, Leopard had been
+heard to say, "If Ekaga succeeds in getting that wife, I will take
+her from him by force.")
+
+When Tortoise was ready to start on his return journey with his wife,
+the father-in-law gave him very many things, slaves and goats and a
+variety of goods, and said, "Go, you and your wife and these things. I
+send people to escort you part of the way. They are not to go clear
+on to your town, but are to turn back on the way."
+
+Tortoise and company journeyed. When the escort were about to turn
+back, Tortoise said, "Day is past. Make an olako (camp) here. We sleep
+here; and, in the morning, you shall go back." That night he thought,
+"Njegâ said he would rob me of my wife. Perhaps he may come to meet me
+on the way!" So, he swallowed all of the things, to hide them,--wife,
+servants, and all.
+
+While Tortoise was thus on the way, Leopard had planned not to wait his
+return to town, but had set out to meet him. So, in the morning, the
+two, journeying in opposite directions, met. Tortoise gave Leopard a
+respectful "Mbolo!" and Leopard returned the salutation. Leopard asked,
+"What news? That woman, have you married her?" Tortoise answered,
+"That woman! Not at all!" Leopard looking at Tortoise's style and
+manner as of one proud of success, said, "Surely you have married;
+for you look happy, and show signs of success." But Tortoise swore
+he had not married.
+
+Leopard only said, "Good." Then Tortoise asked, "But, where are you
+going?" Leopard answered, "I am going out walking and hunting. But
+you, where are you going?" Tortoise replied, "I did not succeed in
+marrying the woman; so I am going back to town. I tried, but I failed."
+
+"But," said Leopard, "what then makes your belly so big?" Tortoise
+replied, "On the way I found an abundance of mushrooms, and I ate
+heartily of them. If you do not believe it, I can show you them by
+vomiting them up." Leopard said, "Never mind to vomit. Go on your
+journey."
+
+And Leopard went on his way. But, soon he thought, "Ah! Ekaga has lied
+to me!" So he ran around back, and came forward to meet Tortoise again.
+
+Tortoise looked and saw Leopard coming, and observed that his face
+was full of wrath. He feared, but said to himself, "If I flee,
+Njegâ will catch me. I will go forward and try artifice." As he
+approached Leopard, the latter was very angry, and said, "You play
+with me! You say you have not married the woman I wanted. Tell me
+the truth!" Tortoise again swore an oath, "No! I have not married
+the woman! I told you I ate mushrooms, and offered to show you;
+and you refused." So Leopard said, "Well, then, vomit." Tortoise
+bent over, and vomited and vomited mushrooms and mushrooms; and then
+said triumphantly, "So! Njegâ you see!" Leopard looked, and said,
+"But, Ekaga, your belly is still full,--go on vomiting." Tortoise
+tried to excuse himself, "I have done vomiting." Leopard persisted,
+"No! keep on at it." Tortoise went on retching; and a box of goods fell
+out of his mouth. Leopard still said, "Go on!" and Tortoise vomited
+in succession a table and other furniture. He was compelled to go on
+retching; and slaves came out. And at last, up was vomited the woman!
+
+Leopard shouted, "Ah! Ekaga! you lied! You said you had not married! I
+will take this woman!" And he took her, sarcastically saying, "Ekaga,
+you have done me a good work! You have brought me all these things,
+these goods, and slaves, and a wife! Thank you!"
+
+Tortoise thought to himself, "I have no strength for war." So, though
+anger was in his heart, he showed no displeasure in his face. And they
+all went on together toward their town. With wrath still in his heart,
+he went clear on to the town, and then made his complaint to each of
+the townspeople. But they all were afraid of Leopard, and said nothing,
+nor dared to give Tortoise even sympathy.
+
+There was in that country among the mountains, an enormous Goat. The
+other beasts, all except Leopard, were accustomed to go to that Goat,
+when hungry, and say, "We have no meat to eat." And the Goat allowed
+them to cut pieces of flesh from his body. He could let any part of
+the interior of his body be taken except his heart. All the Animals
+had agreed among themselves not to tell Leopard where they got their
+meat, lest he, in his greediness, would go and take the heart. So
+they had told him they got their meat as he did, hunting.
+
+Tortoise, angry because Leopard has taken his wife, said to himself,
+"I will make a cause of complaint against Njegâ that shall bring
+punishment upon him from our King. I will cause Njegâ to kill that
+Goat." On another day, Tortoise went and got meat from the Goat, and
+came back to town, and did not hide it from Leopard. Leopard said to
+him, "Ekaga! where did you get this meat?" Tortoise whispered, "Come
+to my house, and I will tell you." They went. And Tortoise divided
+the meat with him, and said, "Do not tell on me: but, we get the meat
+off at a great Goat. Tomorrow, I go; and you, follow behind me."
+
+So, the next day, they went, Tortoise as if by himself, and Leopard
+following, off to the great Goat. Arrived there, Leopard wondered
+at the sight, "O! this great Goat! But, from where do you take its
+meat?" Tortoise replied, "Wait for me! You will see!" He went, and
+Leopard followed. Tortoise said to the Goat, "We have meat-hunger:
+we come to seek meat from you." The Goat's mouth was open as usual;
+Tortoise entered, and Leopard followed, to get flesh from inside. In
+the Goat's interior was a house, full of meat; and they entered
+it. Leopard wondered at its size; and Tortoise told him, "Cut where
+you please, but not from the heart, lest the Goat die." And they began
+to take meat. Leopard, with greediness, coveting the forbidden heart,
+went with knife near to it.
+
+Tortoise exclaimed, "There! there! be careful." But Leopard, though he
+had enough other flesh, longed for the heart, and was not satisfied. He
+again approached with the knife near it: and Tortoise warned and
+protested. These very prohibitions caused Leopard to have his own
+way, and his greediness overcame him. He cut the heart: and the Goat
+fell dying.
+
+Tortoise exclaimed, "Eh! Njegâ! I told you not to touch the
+heart! Because of this matter I will inform on you." And he added,
+"Since it is so, let us go."
+
+But Leopard said, "Goat's mouth is shut. How shall we get out? Let us
+hide in this house." And he asked, "Where will you hide?" Tortoise
+replied, "In the stomach." Leopard said, "Stomach! It is the very
+thing for me, Njegâ, myself!" So Ekaga consented, "Well! take it! I
+will hide in the gall-bladder." So they hid, each in his place.
+
+Soon, as they listened, they heard voices shouting, "The Goat is
+dead! A fearful thing! The Goat is dead!"
+
+That news spread, and all who had been accustomed to get flesh there,
+came to see what was the matter. They all said that, as the Goat was
+dead, it was best to cut and divide him. They slit open the belly,
+and said, "Lay aside this big stomach; it is good; but throw away the
+bitter gall-sac." They looked for the heart; but there was none! A
+child, to whom had been handed the gall-bladder to throw it away,
+was flinging it into some bushes. As he did so, out jumped something
+from among the bushes; and the child asked, "Who are you?" The thing
+replied, pretending to be vexed, "I am Ekaga; I come here with the
+others to get meat, and you, just as I arrived, throw that dirty thing
+in my face!" The other people pacified him, "Do not get angry. Excuse
+the child. He did not see you. You shall have your share."
+
+Then Tortoise called out, "Silence! silence! silence!"
+
+They all stood ready to listen, and he said, "Do not cut up the Goat
+till we first know who killed it. That stomach there! What makes
+it so big?" Leopard, in the stomach, heard; but he did not believe
+that Tortoise meant it, and thought to himself, "What a fool is this
+Ekaga, in pretending to inform on me, by directing attention to the
+stomach!" Tortoise ordered, "All you, take your spears, and stick
+that stomach! For the one who killed Goat is in it!" And they all
+got their spears ready.
+
+Leopard did not speak or move; for, he still thought Tortoise
+was only joking. Tortoise began with his spear, and the others all
+thrust in. And Leopard holding the heart, was seen dying! All shouted,
+"Ah! Njegâ killed our Goat! Ah! he's the one who killed it." Tortoise
+taunted Leopard, "Asai! (shame for you) you took my wife; and now
+you are dead!" Leopard died. They divided the Goat, and returned
+to town. Tortoise took again his wife and all his goods, now that
+Leopard was dead. And he was satisfied that his artifice had surpassed
+Leopard's strength.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 5
+
+A TUG-OF-WAR
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Ekaga (Tortoise)
+    Njâgu (Elephant)
+    Ngubu (Hippopotamus)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+African natives are sensitive about questions of equality and
+seniority. A certain term, "Mwera" (chum) may be addressed to other
+than an equal, only at risk of a quarrel.
+
+A story of the trick by which Tortoise apparently proved himself the
+equal of both Elephant and Hippopotamus.
+
+Observe the preposterous size of Elephant's trunk! But everything,
+to the native African mind, was enormous in the pre-historic times.
+
+
+
+Leopard was dead, after the accusation against him by Tortoise for
+killing the great Goat. The children of Leopard were still young;
+they had not grown to take their father's power and place. And
+Tortoise considered himself now a great personage. He said to people,
+"We three who are left,--I and Njâgu and Ngubu, are of equal power;
+we eat at the same table, and have the same authority." Every day
+he made these boasts; and people went to Elephant and Hippopotamus,
+reporting, "So-and-so says Ekaga." Elephant and Hippopotamus laughed,
+and disregarded the report, and said, "That's nothing, he's only to
+be despised."
+
+One day Hippopotamus met Elephant in the forest; salutations were made,
+"Mbolo!" "Ai, mbolo!" each to the other. Hippopotamus asked Elephant
+about a new boast that Tortoise had been making, "Have you, or have
+you not heard?" Elephant answered, "Yes, I have heard. But I look
+on it with contempt. For, I am Njâgu. I am big. My foot is as big as
+Ekaga's body. And he says he is equal to me! But, I have not spoken of
+the matter, and will not speak, unless I hear Ekaga himself make his
+boast. And then I shall know what I will do." And Hippopotamus also
+said, "I am doing so too, in silence. I wait to hear Ekaga myself."
+
+Tortoise heard of what Elephant and Hippopotamus had been threatening,
+and he asked his informant just the exact words that they had used,
+"They said that they waited to hear you dare to speak to them; and
+that, in the meanwhile, they despised you."
+
+Tortoise asked, "So! they despise me, do they?" "Yes," was the
+reply. Then he said, "So! indeed, I will go to them." He told his wife,
+"Give me my coat to cover my body." He dressed; and started to the
+forest. He found Elephant lying down; his trunk was eight miles long;
+his ears as big as a house, and his four feet beyond measure.
+
+Tortoise audaciously called to him, "Mwera! I have come! You don't
+rise to salute me? Mwera has come!" Elephant looked, rose up and
+stared at Tortoise, and indignantly asked, "Ekaga! whom do you call
+'Mwera'?" Tortoise replied, "You! I call you 'Mwera.' Are you not,
+Njâgu?" Elephant, with great wrath, asked, "Ekaga! I have heard you
+said certain words. It is true that you said them?"
+
+Tortoise answered, "Njâgu, don't get angry! Wait, let us first have a
+conversation." Then he said to Elephant, "I did call you, just now,
+'Mwera'; but, you, Njâgu, why do you condemn me? You think that,
+because you are of great expanse of flesh, you can surpass Ekaga,
+just because I am small? Let us have a test. Tomorrow, sometime in the
+morning, we will have a lurelure (tug-of-war)." Said Elephant, "Of what
+use? I can mash you with one foot." Tortoise said, "Be patient. At
+least try the test." So, Elephant, unwilling, consented. Tortoise
+added, "But, when we tug, if one overpulls the other, he shall be
+considered the greater; but, if neither, then we are Mwera."
+
+Then Tortoise went to the forest, and cut a very long vine, and coming
+back to Elephant, said "This end is yours. I go off into the forest
+with my end to a certain spot, and tomorrow I return to that spot;
+and we will have our tug, and neither of us will stop, to eat or sleep
+until either you pull me over or the vine breaks." Tortoise went far
+off with his end of the vine to the town of Hippopotamus, and hid
+the vine's end at the outskirts of the town. He went to Hippopotamus
+and found him bathing, and going ashore, back and forth, to and from
+the water. Tortoise shouted to him, "Mwera! I have come! You! Come
+ashore! I am visiting you!" Hippopotamus came bellowing in great
+wrath with wide open jaws, ready to fight, and said, "I will fight
+you today! For, whom do you call 'Mwera'?"
+
+Tortoise replied, "Why! you! I do not fear your size. Our hearts are
+the same. But, don't fight yet! Let us first talk." Hippopotamus
+grunted, and sat down; and Tortoise said, "I, Ekaga, I say that
+you and I and Njâgu are equal, we are Mwera. Even though you are
+great and I small, I don't care. But if you doubt me, let us have a
+trial. Tomorrow morning let us have a lurelure. He who shall overcome,
+shall be the superior. But, if neither is found superior, then we
+are equals." Hippopotamus exclaimed that the plan was absurd; but,
+finally he consented.
+
+Tortoise then stood up, and went out, and got his end of the vine,
+and brought it to Hippopotamus, and said, "This end is yours. And I
+now go. Tomorrow, when you feel the vine shaken, know that I am ready
+at the other end; and then you begin, and we will not stop to eat or
+sleep until this test is ended."
+
+Hippopotamus then went to the forest to gather leaves of Medicine
+with which to strengthen his body. And Elephant, at the other end,
+was doing the same, making medicine to give himself strength; and at
+night they were both asleep.
+
+In the morning, Tortoise went to the middle of the vine, where at its
+half-way, he had made on the ground a mark; and he shook it towards
+one end, and then towards the other. Elephant caught his end, as he
+saw it shake, and Hippopotamus did the same at his end. "Orindi went
+back and forth" (a proverb of a fish of that name that swims in that
+way), Elephant and Hippopotamus alternately pulling. "Nkendinli was
+born of his father and mother" (a proverb, meaning distinctions in
+individualities). Each one, Hippopotamus and Elephant, doing in his
+own way. Tortoise smiled at his arrangement with each, that, in the
+tug, if one overcame, it would be proved by his dragging the other;
+but, if neither overcame, they were not to cease, until the vine broke.
+
+Elephant holding the vine taut, and Hippopotamus also holding it taut,
+Tortoise was laughing in his heart as he watched the quivering vine.
+
+He went away to seek for food, leaving those two at their tug,
+in hunger. He went off into the forest and found his usual food,
+mushrooms. He ate his belly full, and then took his drink; and then
+went to his town to sleep.
+
+He rose in late afternoon, and said to himself, "I'll go and see about
+the tug, whether those fools are still pulling." When he went there,
+the vine was still stretched taut; and he thought, "Asai! shame! let
+them die with hunger!" He sat there, the vine trembling with tensity,
+and he in his heart mocking the two tired beasts. The one drew the
+other toward himself; and then, a slight gain brought the mark back;
+but neither was overcoming.
+
+At last Tortoise nicked the vine with his knife; the vine parted; and,
+at their ends, Elephant and Hippopotamus fell violently back onto
+the ground. Tortoise said to himself, "So! that's done! Now I go to
+Elephant with one end of the broken vine; tomorrow to Hippopotamus." He
+went, and came on to Elephant, and found him looking dolefully, and
+bathing his leg with medicine, and said, "Mwera! How do you feel? Do
+you consent that we are Mwera?" Elephant admitted, "Ekaga, I did not
+know you were so strong! When the vine broke, I fell over and hurt
+my leg. Yes, we are really equal. Really! strength is not because
+the body is large. I despised you because your body was small. But
+actually, we are equal in strength!"
+
+So they ate and drank and played as chums; and Tortoise returned to
+his town.
+
+Early the next morning, with the other end of the broken vine, he went
+to visit Hippopotamus, who looked sick, and was rubbing his head,
+and asked, "Ngubu! How do you feel, Mwera?" Hippopotamus answered,
+"Really! Ekaga! so we are equals! I, Ngubu, so great! And you,
+Ekaga, so small! We pulled and pulled. I could not surpass you,
+nor you me. And when the vine broke, I fell and hurt my head. So,
+indeed strength has no greatness of body." Tortoise and Hippopotamus
+ate and drank and played; and Tortoise returned to his town.
+
+After that, whenever they three and others met to talk in palaver
+(council) the three sat together on the highest seats. Were they
+equal? Yes, they were equal.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 6
+
+AGENDA: RAT'S PLAY ON A NAME
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njegâ (Leopard)
+    Ntori (Rat)
+    Rângi (Frog)
+    Igâmbâ (Crab)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+In native African etiquette, a company of persons is saluted with the
+use of the verb in the plural; but only the oldest, or the supposed
+leader, if his name is known, is mentioned by name.
+
+The native custom among polite tribes, is to leave a guest to eat
+without being watched.
+
+The twitching of a muscle of an arm, or any other part of the body
+(called okalimambo) is regarded as a sign of coming evil. Compare
+Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 1.
+
+
+   "By the pricking of my thumb
+    Something wicked this way comes."
+
+
+The absurd and the unreasonable (e.g., the swallowing of a wife,
+goats, servants, etc.) are a constant feature of the native legends
+in their use of the impossible.
+
+All native Africans have more than one name, and often change their
+names to suit circumstances. But, while all their names have a meaning
+(just as our English names, "Augustus," "Clara," etc.) those meanings
+are not thought of when denominating an individual; e.g., "Bwalo"
+which means canoe.
+
+Leopards do not like to wet their feet.
+
+
+
+Leopard wanted a new wife. So he sought for a young woman of a far
+country, of whom he heard as a nice girl, a daughter of one of the
+Kings of that country. He did not go himself, but sent word, and
+received answer by messenger. Neither the woman nor her father had
+ever seen Leopard. They knew of him only by reputation.
+
+The King was pleased with the proposed alliance, and assented,
+saying, "Yes! I am willing. Go! get yourself ready, and come with
+your marriage company." So Leopard went around and invited many
+other beasts, "Come! and help me get a new one!" They all replied,
+"Yes!" And they all started together for the King's town.
+
+When they had gone half-way, one of their number, a big forest Rat
+said, "Brothers! let us begin here to change our names, so that when
+we get to the town, we shall not be known by our usual names." But
+Leopard refused, "No! I won't! I stick by my old name. My name is
+Njegâ." All the others said the same, and retained their own names.
+
+But Rat insisted for himself, "I will not be called Ntori. I will be
+called 'Strangers.' My name is Agenda," (the plural of ogenda which
+means "stranger").
+
+When they approached the town, the inhabitants, with great
+politeness, ran out to welcome them, shouting, "Agenda! Saleni,
+Saleni!" (Strangers! Welcome ye! welcome ye!) Rat turned to the
+company and said, "Hear that! you see they are saluting me as the
+leader of this company."
+
+Upon their entering the town, they were shown to the large public
+Reception-House; and the people said to them, "Now! strangers
+(Agenda!), march in!" Rat turned again to his companions, and said,
+"You see! they have again addressed me specially by name, asking me
+to take possession of this room."
+
+They all went in feeling uncomfortably; but Rat said to them, "Never
+mind! though this room was evidently prepared specially for me,
+I am not selfish, and I invite you to share it with me."
+
+After the visitors had all been seated, the people came to give them
+the formal final salutation, saying "Strangers (Agenda), mbolani! (long
+life to ye)." Rat promptly whispered to his companions, saying,
+"This mbolo is to me for you, I alone will respond to it." So, only
+he replied, "Ai Mbolani! Ai." (Mbolani is the second person plural
+of the irregular defective verb Mbolo equal to "live long.")
+
+The day passed. In the evening, the people brought in an abundant
+supply of food, and set it down on the table, saying, "Strangers
+(Agenda!), eat! Here is your food!" And they went out, closing the
+door, so that the guests in their eating should not be annoyed by
+spectators. Then Rat said, "You see! All this food is mine, though I
+am not able to eat it all." He alone began to eat of it. When he had
+satisfied his appetite, he said, "Truly this food is my own, but I
+am sorry for you, and I will give you of it." So he gave out to each,
+one by one, very small pieces of fish and plantain.
+
+In the morning, the people thoughtfully sent water for the usual
+morning washing of hands and face. Rat hasted to open the door; and
+the slaves carrying the vessels of water, said to him, "These are
+sent to the strangers (Agenda)." So Rat took the water and used it
+all for himself.
+
+This second day was a repetition of the first. The townspeople
+continued their hospitality, sending food and drink and tobacco and
+fruits; and making many kind inquiries of what "the Agenda" would like
+to have. Rat, received all these things as for himself; while the rest
+of the company felt themselves slighted, and were hungry and disgusted.
+
+On the third day, the company said among themselves, "Njegâ told us
+that our visit was to last the usual five days; but we cannot stand
+such treatment as this!" And they began to run away, one by one. Even
+Leopard himself followed them, provoked at his expected father-in-law's
+supposed neglect of him. But, before Leopard had gone, Rat went to
+the bride elect, and said, "I never saw such a party as this! They
+do not eat, and are not willing to await the Marriage Dance for the
+Bride on the fifth day."
+
+When they were all secretly gone, leaving Rat alone, he said to the
+woman, "I will tell them all to go, even my friend Njegâ whom I brought
+to escort me. But I will not go without you, even if we have not had
+the dance; for, I am the one who was to marry you." And the father
+of the girl said to Rat, "Since they have treated you so, never mind
+to call them again for the Dance. You just take your wife and go."
+
+So the King gave his daughter farewell presents of boxes of clothing,
+and two female servants to help her, and a number of goats, and
+men-servants to carry the baggage.
+
+Rat and wife and attendants set out on their journey. When they were
+far away from the King's town, Rat exclaimed, "I feel okalimambo
+(premonition)." (He suspected that Leopard was somewhere near.) So
+he dismissed the men-servants, and sent them back to the King. And
+then quickly, in order to hide them, he swallowed the woman and the
+two maid-servants and all the boxes of clothing, and the goats.
+
+Rat then went on, and on, and on, with his journey, until at a
+cross-roads, he saw Leopard coming cross-ways toward him; and he
+called out, "Who are you?" The reply came, "I am Njegâ. And who are
+you?" Rat answered, "Ntori."
+
+Then Leopard called to him, "Come here!" "No!" said Rat, "I am in a
+hurry, and want to get home--" And he went on without stopping. So
+Leopard said, "Well, I pass on my way too!" "Good!" said Rat, "Pass
+on!" And they went on their separate ways.
+
+But Leopard, at a turn in his road, rounded back, and hasted by
+another path to get in front of Rat. When Leopard again saw Rat a
+short distance before him, he calls out, "Who are you?" The reply was
+"Ntori; and who are you?" Leopard answered, "I'm Njegâ. Stop on your
+way, and come here to me!" Rat replied, "No! you asked me once before
+to stop, and I refused. And I refuse now; I must pass on."
+
+Because of Rat's unwillingness to stop, Leopard began to chase him,
+and to shout at him, "You have my wife!" Rat answered back, "No! I
+have no wife of yours!" "You lie! You have the woman with you. What
+makes your body so big?"
+
+Rat ran as fast as he could, with Leopard close after him. Rat's home
+is always a hole in the ground; and, as he was hard pressed in his
+flight, he dashed into the first hole he came to, which happened to
+be a small opening into a cave. But his tail was not yet drawn in and
+Leopard was so near that he seized it. Projecting from the mouth of
+the hole there was also the small root of a tree. Rat called out,
+"Friend Njegâ! what do you think you have caught hold of?" "Your
+tail!" said Leopard. Said Rat, "That is not my tail! this other thing
+near you is my tail!" So Leopard let go of the tail, and seized the
+root. Rat slid quickly to the bottom of the hole, and called out,
+"O! Njegâ! I did not think you were so silly! You had hold of my
+tail, and you let me go! You just look at your hand; you will see my
+tail-hairs clinging to it!"
+
+Leopard went away in wrath; and, finding Frog at a near-by brook, he
+said to him, "Rângi! you just watch. I do not want Ntori to escape
+from that hole. Watch, while I go to get some fire, with which to
+burn him out."
+
+Shortly after Leopard had gone, Rat began to creep out. Seeing Frog
+standing on guard, he said, "Good Rângi! let me pass!" But Frog
+replied, "No! I have my orders to watch you here." Then said Rat,
+"If that is so, why don't you come close here, and attend to your
+duty? You are too far from this hole. If a person is set to watch,
+he should be near the thing he watches. As far as you are there, I
+could, if I tried, get out without your catching me. So, it is better
+for you to have a good look down this hole." While Rat was saying
+all this, he was near the mouth of the hole; but, as Frog approached,
+he receded to the bottom, and went to the back end of the cave, where
+cayenne pepper bushes were growing. Frog came to the edge of the hole,
+and looking down, saw nothing.
+
+During this while, Rat was plucking pepper-pods and chewing them,
+retaining them in his mouth. Returning again to the entrance, he
+saw Frog still watching, and he said, "Rângi! get out of my way,
+and let me pass. Let me out!" Frog replied, "I will not!" Rat asked,
+"Do you know me?" Frog replied, "Not very well." Then Rat said, "Come
+near! Open your eyes wide, and take a good look at me!" As soon as
+Frog's eyes were wide open, Rat blew the pepper into them. This so
+startled Frog that he fell back, his eyes blinded by the smarting;
+and Rat jumped out and ran away. Frog, heedless of his prisoner,
+was jumping about in pain; and, abandoning his post, crawled to the
+water of the brook not far away, and tumbled into it to wash his eyes.
+
+Now, by this time, Leopard had returned with his fire. Seeing no
+one on guard, he called out, "Rângi! Rângi! where are you?" Frog, at
+the bottom of the brook, was still in agony with his eyes. He knew
+well that Rat was gone; but, in his vexation, he answered, "Ntori
+is there! Put in your fire!" So, Leopard put fire into the hole,
+and made a great smoke, but there was no sign of Rat.
+
+After a long time, Leopard became tired at not finding Rat, and
+called out, "Rângi! Rângi! Where indeed is Ntori? He has not come
+out by this fire!" Then Frog answered, "Ntori is not there. I just
+lied to you in vexation of the pain I got through serving you." So,
+Leopard was very angry and said to Frog, "You have deceived and fooled
+me! I will just come and eat you up!" Said Frog, "Good! come on!"
+
+Leopard ran to the brook, but, as Frog was at the bottom, Leopard
+had first to drink all the water, before he could reach him. Leopard
+drank and drank. But, as soon as the water was nearly drunk up,
+Frog jumped out, and hopped away to an adjacent pond. There Leopard
+followed, and began to drink up that water also. He drank, and drank,
+and drank, until he became so full and his belly so swollen that
+his feet no longer touched the ground; and he fell over on his back,
+before he had entirely emptied the pond. He was in such great pain, in
+his swollen belly, that he was helpless, and cried out to passersby,
+"Please, open a little hole in my body, and let out this water!" But
+each of the passersby said, "No! I am afraid that after I have helped
+you, then you will eat me."
+
+At last, among those who passed by, came Crab. Leopard pleaded with
+him, "Igâmbâ! please! open my skin. Let out this water, so that I may
+live!" At first, Crab replied as the others, "No! I fear that after I
+help you, you will eat me." But Leopard begged so piteously that Crab
+consented, and scratched Leopard's skin with one of his claws. And
+the water spurted out! It came in so fast a current that it began
+to sweep Crab away. So Leopard cried out, "Igâmbâ! Please! do not
+let yourself be taken away! Catch hold on some root or branch!" Crab
+did so, holding on to a projecting root. When the water had subsided,
+and Crab was safe, Leopard was able to rise; and he said, "Igâmbâ! you
+have been kind to me; let me take you home, and I will be good to you;
+I will cook dinner, so we can eat together." Crab agreed, and they
+went together.
+
+Leopard began to cook a kind of yam called nkwa, making a pot full
+of it. (When it is thoroughly cooked, it is soft and sticky.) The
+yam being finally ready to be eaten, Leopard said, "We do not put
+this food out on plates, but we bring the entire pot, and every one
+will help himself from it with his hands." Leopard thereupon began
+to take out handfuls of the nkwa, and to eat it. Crab tried to do
+the same, putting a claw into the sticky mass. But its heat burned
+his tender skin, and, in jerking his claw away, it stuck fast in the
+nkwa, and broke off. As soon as that happened, Leopard snatched up
+the claw and ate it. Crab protested, "Ah! Njegâ! you are eating my
+claw!" Said Leopard, "Excuse me! No, I thought it was nkwa." So the
+dinner went on; Leopard greedily eating, Crab trying in vain to eat,
+and losing claw after claw, which Leopard in succession promptly ate.
+
+Now, when Leopard had finished eating all the food, Crab's claws
+were all gone, and he had not been able to eat at all, and was left
+hungry. So Leopard says to Crab, "Now, as you are so helpless, what
+must I do for you?" He hoped that Crab, in despair, would tell him
+to eat him. But Leopard really was not hungry just then; and, when
+Crab said, "If you will just put me into some shallow water for two
+months, then all my claws will grow all right again," Leopard replied,
+"Good!" and he took Crab and placed him in a small stream of water.
+
+The next day, Leopard, being now hungry to eat Crab, came to the water
+and called out, "Igâmbâ! Igâmbâ! have you your claws grown now?" The
+reply was, "Why! No! I told you two months yesterday, when you put
+me in here."
+
+On the third day, Leopard came again to the water, and cried out to
+Crab, "Have your claws sprouted? Have they grown again?" "No!" said
+Crab curtly.
+
+Leopard continued thus day by day, vexing Crab with inquiries, as if
+anxious about his health, but really desirous of an excuse to eat him,
+yet ashamed to do so by violence, because of Crab's kindness to him
+when he had the water-colic.
+
+At last, Crab became tired of Leopard's visits. Hopeless to defend
+himself if Leopard should finally use force, he gave up in despair,
+and said, "So! I see why you ask me every day. You know that I told
+you two months. If you are determined to eat me, come on, and end
+the trouble at once!" With this permission as an excuse, Leopard was
+glad. He stepped to the edge of the water and took away Crab for his
+dinner. That was the return for Crab's kindness to him. After this,
+Leopard went out again to try to find Rat, but he never found him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 7
+
+"NUTS ARE EATEN BECAUSE OF ANGÂNGWE"; A PROVERB
+
+
+Places
+
+    Kingdom of the Hogs; The Forest; and Towns
+
+Persons
+
+    Angângwe, King of Hogs
+    A Hunter
+    Ingowa (Hogs; singular Ngowa)
+    Njina (Gorilla)
+    Nyare (Ox)
+    Nkambi (Antelope)
+    Njâgu (Elephant)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+"Inkula si nyo o'kângâ 'Ngângwe."
+
+This is a proverb expressing the obligation we all owe to some superior
+protecting powers.
+
+
+
+The Hogs had cleared a space in the forest, for the building of their
+town. They were many; men and women and children.
+
+In another place, a Hunter was sitting in his town. Every day, at
+daybreak, he went out to hunt. When he returned in the afternoons with
+his prey, he left it a short distance from the town, and entering his
+house, would say to his women and children, "Go to the outskirts of
+the town, and bring what animal you find I have left there."
+
+One day, having gone hunting, he killed Elephant. The children went
+out to cut it up and bring it in.
+
+Another day, he killed Gorilla.
+
+And so, each day, he killed some animal. He never failed of obtaining
+something.
+
+One day, his children said to him, "You always return with some animal;
+but you never have brought us Ngowa." He replied, "I saw many Ingowa
+today, when I was out there. But, I wonder at one thing; that, when
+they are all together eating, and I approach, they run away. As to
+Ingowa, they eat nkula nuts and I know where the trees are. Well, then,
+I ambush them; but, when I go nearer, I see one big Ngowa not eating,
+but going around and around the herd. Whether it sees me or does not
+see, sure when I get ready to aim my gun, then they all scatter. The
+reason that Ingowa escape me, I do not know."
+
+The Hogs, when they had finished eating, and were returning to their
+own town, as they passed the town of Elephant, heard mourning; and
+they asked, "Who is dead?" The answer was, "Njâgu is dead! Njâgu is
+dead!" They inquired, "He died of what disease?" They were told, "Not
+disease; Hunter killed him." Then another day, when Ox was killed,
+his people were heard mourning for him. Another day, Antelope was
+killed; and his people were mourning for him. All these animals were
+dying because of Hunter killing them.
+
+At first, the Hogs felt pity for all these other Beasts. But, when
+they saw how they were dying, they began to mock at them, "These are
+not people! They only die! But, as to us Ingowa, Hunter is not able
+to kill us. We hear only the report that there is such a person as
+Hunter, but he is not able to kill us."
+
+When Hogs were thus boasting, their King, Angângwe, laughed at them,
+saying, "You don't know, you Ingowa! You mock others, that Hunter kills
+them?" They answered, "Yes, we mock at them; for, we go to the forest
+as they do, but Hunter does not touch us." Angângwe asked, "When you
+thus in the forest eat your inkula-nuts, you each one eat them by his
+own strength and skill?" They answered, "Yes; ourselves we go to the
+forest on our own feet; we ourselves pick up and eat the inkula. No one
+feeds us." Angângwe said, "It is not so. Those inkula you eat si nyo
+o'kângâ wa oma (they are eaten because of a person)." They insisted,
+"No, it is not so. Inkula have no person in particular to do anything
+about them." Thus they had this long discussion, the Hogs and their
+King; and they got tired of it, and lay down to sleep.
+
+In the morning, when daylight came, the King said, "A journey for
+nuts! But, today, I am sick. I am not able to go to gather nuts with
+you. I will stay in town." The Hogs said, "Well! we do not mistake
+the way. It is not necessary for you to go."
+
+When they went, they were jeering about their King, "Angângwe said,
+'Inkula si nyo o'kângâ w' oma'; but we will see today without
+him." They went to the nkula trees, and found great abundance fallen
+to the ground during the night. The herd of Hogs, when they saw all
+these inkula, jumped about in joy. They stooped down to pick up the
+nuts, their eyes busy with the ground. They ate and ate. No one of
+them thought of Hunter, whether he was out in the forest.
+
+But, that very morning, Hunter had risen, taken his gun and
+ammunition-box, and had gone to hunt. And, after awhile, he had
+seen the Hogs in the distance. They were only eating and eating,
+not looking at anything but nuts.
+
+Hunter said in his heart, "These Hogs, I see them often, but why
+have I not been able to kill them?" He crept softly nearer and
+nearer. Creeping awhile then he stood up to spy; and again stooping,
+and again standing up to spy. He did not see the big Hog which,
+on other days, he had always observed going around and around the
+herd. Hunter stooped close to the ground, and crept onward. Then,
+as he approached closer, the Hogs still went on eating. He bent his
+knee to the earth, and he aimed his gun! Ingowa still eating! His
+gun flashed! and ten Hogs died!
+
+The Hogs fled; some of them wounded. Those who were not wounded,
+stopped before they reached their town, and said, "Let us wait for
+the wounded." They waited. When the hindmost caught up and joined
+the others, they showed them their wounds, some in the head, some in
+the legs. These wounded ones said, "As we came, we saw none others
+behind us. There are ten of us missing; we think they are dead." So,
+they all returned toward their Town; and, on their way, began to mourn.
+
+When they had come clear on to the town, Angângwe asked, "What news,
+from where you come?" They answered, "Angângwe! evil news! But we
+do not know what is the matter. Only we know that the words you
+said are not really so, that 'nuts are eaten because of a certain
+person.' Because, when we went, each one of us gathered by his
+own skill, and ate by his own strength, and no one trusted to any
+one else. And when we went, we ate abundantly, and everything was
+good. Except that, Hunter has killed ten of us. And many others
+are wounded."
+
+The King inquired, "Well! have you brought nuts for me who was left
+in Town?" They replied, "No; when Hunter shot us, we feared, and could
+no longer wait." Then Angângwe said, "I told you that inkula are eaten
+because of a person, and you said, 'not so.' And you still doubt me."
+
+Another day, the Hogs went for inkula; and the King, remained in
+town. And, as on the other day, Hunter killed them. So, for five
+successive days, they went, the King staying in town; and Hunter
+killing them.
+
+Finally, Angângwe said to himself, "Ingowa have become great
+fools. They do not consent to admit that nuts are eaten by reason
+of a certain person. They see how Hunter kills them; and they still
+doubt my words. But, I pity them. Tomorrow, I will go with them to
+the nuts. I will explain to them how Hunter kills them."
+
+So, in the morning, the King ordered, "Come all to nuts! But when
+we go for the nuts, if I say, 'Ngh-o-o!' then every one of you who
+are eating them must start to town, and not come back, because then I
+have seen or smelt Hunter; and I grunt to let you know." All the Hogs
+agreed. They went on clear to the nkula trees, and ate, they stooping
+with eyes to the ground. But Angângwe, not eating, kept looking here
+and there. He sniffed wind from south to north, and assured them,
+"Eat you all! I am here!" He watched and watched; and presently he
+saw a speck far away. He passed around to sniff the wind. His nose
+uplifted, he caught the odor of Hunter. He returned to the herd,
+grunted "Ngh-o-o." And he and they all fled. They arrived safely
+at town.
+
+Then he asked them, "Who is dead? who is wounded?" They assured,
+"None." He said, "Good!"
+
+Thus they went nutting, for five consecutive days, they and their King,
+Angângwe only keeping watch. And none of them died by Hunter.
+
+Then Angângwe said to them, "Today let us have a conversation." And
+he began, "I told you, inkula si nyo o'kângâ w' oma; you said, 'Not
+so!' But, when you went by yourselves to eat nuts, did not Hunter
+kill you? And these five days that we have gone, you and I together,
+and you obeyed my voice, who has died?"
+
+They then replied, "No one! no one! Indeed, you spoke truly. You are
+justified. Inkula si nyo o'kângâ wa 'Ngângwe. It is so!"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 8
+
+WHO ARE CROCODILE'S RELATIVES?
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Ngando (Crocodile)
+    Sinyani (Birds)
+    Sinyama (Beasts)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+An Argument in Evolution--When and How does Life begin?
+
+
+
+Crocodile was very old. Finally he died. News of his death spread
+abroad among the Beasts; and his relatives and friends came to the
+Mourning. After a proper number of days had passed, the matter of
+the division of the property was mentioned. At once a quarrel was
+developed, on the question as to who were his nearest relatives.
+
+The tribe of Birds said, "He is ours and we will be the ones to
+divide the property." Their claim was disputed, others asking, "On
+what ground do you claim relationship? You wear feathers; you do not
+wear plates of armor as he." The Birds replied, "True, he did not wear
+our feathers. But, you are not to judge by what he put on during his
+life. Judge by what he was in his life's beginning. Look you! In his
+beginning, he began with us as an egg. We believe in eggs. His mother
+bore him as an egg. He is our relative, and we are his heirs."
+
+But the Beasts said, "Not so! We are his relatives, and by us shall
+his property be divided."
+
+Then the Council of Animals demanded of the Beasts on what ground
+they based their claim for relationship, and what answer they could
+make to the argument of the birds as to Crocodile's egg-origin.
+
+The Beasts said, "It may be true that the mark of tribe must be found,
+in a beginning, but not in an egg. For, all Beings began as eggs. Life
+is the original beginning. Look you! When life really begins in the
+egg, then the mark of tribe is shown. When Ngando's life began, he
+had four legs as we have. We judge by legs. So we claim him as our
+relative. And we will take his property."
+
+But, the Birds answered, "You Beasts said we were not relatives because
+we wear feathers, and not ngando-plates. But, you, look you! Judge
+by your own words. Neither do you wear ngando-plates, you with your
+hair and fur! Your words are not correct. The beginning of his life
+was not, as you say, when little Ngando sprouted some legs. There was
+life in the egg before that. And his egg was like ours, not like what
+you call your eggs. You are not his relatives. He is ours."
+
+But the Beasts disputed still. So the quarrel went back and forth. And
+they never settled it.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 9
+
+WHO IS KING OF BIRDS?
+
+
+Places
+
+    The Country of Birds in Njambi's Kingdom
+    Njambi's Town
+
+Persons
+
+    Ra-Njambi (Lord or Master of all)
+    Njâgâni (Chicken)
+    Ngozo (Parrot)
+    Ngwanyâni (Eagle)
+    Ugulungu (Schizorhis, Plantain-Eater)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+1st--Ability to Speak a greater gift than ability in Walking, Flying,
+or any other Force.
+
+2nd--Why Chickens live with Mankind.
+
+
+
+All the Birds had their dwelling-place in a certain country of
+Njambi's Kingdom. The pelicans, chickens, eagles, parrots and all
+other winged kinds all lived together, separated from other animals,
+in that country under the Great Lord Njambi.
+
+One day, they were discussing together on the question, "Who is King of
+the Birds?" They all, each one, named himself, e.g., the Chicken said,
+"I!;" the Parrot, "I!" the Eagle "I!" and so on. Every day they had
+this same discussion. They were not able to settle it, or to agree to
+choose any one of their number. So, they said, "Let us go to Ra-Njambi,
+and refer the question to him." They agreed; and all went to him so
+that he might name who was the superior among them. When they all had
+arrived at Njambi's Town, he asked, "What is the affair on which you
+have come?" They replied, "We have come together here, not to visit,
+but for a purpose. We have a discussion and a doubt among ourselves. We
+wish to know, of all the Birds, who is Head or Chief. Each one says
+for himself that he is the superior. This one, because he knows how
+to fly well; that one because he can speak well; and another one,
+because he is strong. But, of these three things,--flight, speech,
+and strength, we ask you, which is the greatest?"
+
+Immediately all the Birds began a competition, each one saying,
+"Choose me; I know how to speak!" Njambi silenced them, and bade them,
+"Well, then, come here! I know that you all speak. But, show me,
+each one of you, your manner of speaking."
+
+So Eagle stood up to be examined. Njambi asked him, "How do you
+speak? What is your manner of talking?" Eagle began to scream,
+"So-o-we! so-o-we! so-o-we!" Njambi said, "Good! Now call me your
+wife!" The wife of Eagle came, and Njambi said to her, "You are
+the wife of Ngwanyâni, how do you talk?" The wife replied, "I say,
+'So-o-we! So-o-we! So-o-we!'" Ra-Njambi said to Eagle, "Indeed! you
+and your wife speak the same kind of language." Eagle answered, "Yes;
+I and my wife, we speak alike." They were ordered, "Sit you aside."
+
+Then Ra-Njambi directed, "Bring me here Ngozo." And he asked, "Ngozo,
+how do you talk? What is your way of speaking?" Parrot squawked,
+"I say, 'Ko-do-ko!'" Ra-Njambi ordered, "Well, call me your wife!" She
+came; and he asked her, "How do you talk? Talk now!" The wife replied,
+"I say, 'Ko-do-ko!'" Njambi asked Parrot, "So! your wife says,
+'Ko-do-ko?'" Parrot answered "Yes; my wife and I both say, 'Ko-do-ko.'"
+
+Njambi then ordered, "Call me here, Ugulungu." He came,
+and was asked, "And how do you talk?" He shouted, "I say,
+'Mbru-kâ-kâ! mbru-kâ-kâ! mbru!'" Njambi told him, "Call me your
+wife!" She came, and, when asked, spoke in the same way as her
+husband. Njambi dismissed them, "Good! you and your wife say the same
+thing. Good!"
+
+So, all the Birds, in succession, were summoned; and they all,
+husband and wife, had the same mode of speaking, except one who had
+not hitherto been called.
+
+Njambi finally said, "Call Njâgâni here!" The Cock stood up, and
+strutted forward. Njambi asked him, "What is your speech? Show
+me your mode of talking!" Cock threw up his head, stretched his
+throat, and crowed, "Kâ-kâ-re-kââ." Njambi said, "Good! summon
+your wife hither." The wife came; and, of her, Njambi asked,
+"And, what do you say?" She demurely replied, "My husband told me
+that I might talk only if I bore children. So, when I lay an egg,
+I say 'Kwa-ka! Kwa-ka!'" Njambi exclaimed, "So! you don't say,
+'Kâ-kâ-re-kââ,' like your husband?" She replied, "No, I do not talk
+as he."
+
+Then Njambi said to Cock, "For what reason do you not allow your
+wife to say, 'Kâ-kâ-re-kââ?'" Cock replied, "I am Njâgâni, I respect
+myself. I jeer at all these other birds. Their wives and themselves
+speak only in the same way. A visitor, if he comes to their towns,
+is not able to know, when one of them speaks, which is husband and
+which is wife, because they both speak alike. But I, Njâgâni, as to
+my wife, she is unable to speak as I do. I do not allow it. A husband
+should be at the head; and in his wife it is not becoming for her to
+be equal with him or to talk as well as he does."
+
+Njambi listened to this long speech; and then inquired, "Have you
+finished?" Chicken answered, "Yes."
+
+Njambi summoned all the Birds to stand together in one place near
+him, and he said, "The affair which you brought to me, I settle it
+thus:--Njâgâni is your Head; because you others all speak, husband and
+wife, each alike. But, he speaks for himself in his own way, and his
+wife in her way; to show that a husband has priority and superiority
+over a wife. Therefore, as he knows how to be Head of his family,
+it is settled that Njâgâni is Head also of your Tribe."
+
+But, Njambi went on to say, "Though this is true, you, Njâgâni, don't
+you go back again into the Forest, to your Kingship of the Birds. For
+the other birds will be jealous of you. You are not strong, you cannot
+fight them all. Lest they kill you, stay with me in my Town."
+
+Cock went to get his wife and children, and returned and remained
+there with Ra-Njambi. Therefore, the original bird to dwell among
+Mankind was the chicken.
+
+When the other Birds scattered and went back to their own forest
+country without their king, they said, "Let it be so! We will not
+choose another King. Our King has left us, and has emigrated to
+another country, and has sat down in Njambi's Town."
+
+So, the Birds have lived in the forest without any King.
+
+
+
+There is another story which gives a different explanation of chickens
+being the first of birds to dwell among Mankind.
+
+
+
+The Birds had no fire. They had to eat their food raw, and to shiver
+on cold days. In flying over the other countries, they saw Mankind
+using, in the preparation of their food, a thing which birds did
+not have. They observed that that thing seemed to add much to the
+comfort of Mankind. So, they chose Chicken, not as their King, but,
+because he knew so well how to speak, to go as their messenger, to
+ask Mankind to share that thing with them. Chicken left the Forest,
+and started on his journey, and came to the towns of Men.
+
+He found so much food lying around, and it tasted so good because
+it had been touched by that bright thing which he heard people
+call "Fire," that he delayed the delivery of his message. And Men
+were pleased with his usefulness in awaking them in the morning,
+as he called them to get up and make their fires. The situation was
+so comfortable, as Mankind allowed him to walk in and out of their
+houses at will, that he forgot his errand, and chose to stay with Men,
+and never went back to the Forest.
+
+The birds, having no one else who united both audacity to act and
+ability to speak, never sent another messenger on that errand, and
+they remain without fire to this day.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 10
+
+"NJIWO DIED OF SLEEP": A PROVERB
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njiwo (A Species of Antelope)
+    Nyare (Ox)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+An event (the supposed death of the red antelope) is traced to its
+first cause (sleep) back of the immediate causes (the people who
+actually sought to kill him). Whence the proverb, "Eziwo a juwi na
+Antyâvinâ." "Eziwo" is a familiar way of pronouncing Njiwo.
+
+
+
+Antelope and Ox went to a town to dance Bweti (a certain
+spirit-dance). After the dance, Antelope, exhausted with the exercise,
+fell asleep in the Bweti-house. While he was there, certain persons
+made a plot to kill him. Ox heard of it, and came to warn him,
+calling gently, (lest he should be overheard and himself seized),
+"Njiwo! Eziwo!" But antelope did not hear, and Ox made no further
+effort, and ran away to his home in fear for his own life.
+
+Then came Antelope's wife, while he still slept, and loudly called
+him. He, only half-awake, grumbled, "What do you call me for? Let me
+rest. I'm tired by the dancing." She persisted, "I call you because
+certain persons want to kill you." But, he, still heavy with sleep, did
+not understand, and was not willing to rise, and went on sleeping. Then
+his wife, unable to arouse him, went to call other people to help her.
+
+While she was away, his enemies came and tied him with ropes, and
+left him there tied, still sleeping, alone in the house. They locked
+the house, and went away, intending to return and kill him when he
+should awake. Before they came back, his wife returned with aid; and,
+with machetes and knives, they cut open the door, and found him with
+his limbs tied, and still sleeping. They roughly shook him, and he,
+half-conscious, asked, "What do you want here?" His wife replied,
+"I have come to carry you away." So, she untied the ropes, and they
+lifted him and carried him away, still too sleepy to walk himself.
+
+While all this was going on, the people of the town to which Ox had
+fled, asked him, "There were two of you who went to dance Bweti. You
+are here, but where is the other?" Ox, assuming that Antelope was dead,
+and not knowing what Antelope's wife had done, told how he had been
+unable to waken him, and said, "Eziwo was killed while asleep." Then
+the village people said regretfully, "Eh! Eziwo! Sleep has killed him!"
+
+In the meantime, Antelope and his wife had reached the town, where the
+news of his death had preceded them; and the people wondered, saying,
+"Nyare reported that you were cut to pieces!" Then Antelope's wife
+explained that he would have been killed, because Ox had not made
+every effort to arouse him from his deep sleep.
+
+So the friendship of Ox and Antelope ended. And the proverb came, that,
+"Eziwo died of sleep."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 11
+
+WHICH IS THE FATTEST?
+
+
+Persons
+
+    King Ra-Mborakinda
+    Manga (Manatus)
+    Ngowa (Hog; Pl. Ingowa)
+    Arandi (Oyster)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Accept no challenge whose test you know you cannot endure. Oyster,
+without fat, accepted the challenge of the fat Hog and the fatter
+Manatus.
+
+The fat of the Manatus, or dugong seal, is delicious and very abundant.
+
+
+
+Ra-Mborakinda was dwelling in his Town, with his people and the glory
+of his Kingdom. There were gathered there the Manatus, the Oyster
+and the Hog, waiting to be assigned their kingdoms. To pass the time,
+while waiting until the King should summon them for their assignments,
+Oyster said, "You, Manga, and Ngowa, let us have a dance!" And they
+went to exhibit before the King. They danced and danced, each one
+dancing his own special dance.
+
+After that they made a fire, each one at his own fire-place, and sat
+down to rest. Then Hog proposed a new entertainment. He said, "You,
+Arandi, and Manga, we all three shall test ourselves by fire, to see
+who has the most fat." And they all three went into their respective
+fire-places, Hog into his, and Manatus into his, and Oyster into
+its. Under the influence of the heat, the fat in their bodies began
+to melt.
+
+Then the King announced, "To the one who shall prove to have the most
+fat, I will give a great extent of country as its kingdom." So, they
+all three tried to show much fat, in their effort to win the prize.
+
+Presently, the fat of Hog began to cease exuding, for he had not a
+great deal. As to Oyster, it had no fat. What it produced was not
+fat at all, but water; and that was in such quantity that it put out
+its fire.
+
+These facts about the Hog and Oyster were reported to the King,
+and when he inquired how Manatus was getting on, lo! it was found
+that she had such abundance of fat, that the oil flowing from her
+had burst into flame and had set the town on fire.
+
+At this, the King wondered, and exclaimed, "This Manga, that lives
+in the water, has yet enough fat to set the town afire!"
+
+Then Manatus with Hog and Oyster went and sat together in the
+open court before the King's house, to await what would be his
+decision. When he was ready, he sent two heralds to summon not only
+those three, but all the Tribes of the Beasts of the Forest, and of
+the Fishes of the Sea; and the town was full of these visitors. But,
+Hog and all his tribe had become impatient of waiting, and had gone
+off for a walk. All the other animals that had been summoned, came
+into the King's presence, and he, having ascended his throne, said,
+"I am ready now to speak with these three persons; but, I see that
+the Ingowa are not here. So, because of their disrespect in going off
+to amuse themselves with a walk instead of waiting for me, I condemn
+that they shall no longer wear any horns."
+
+Then the King announced that, as Manatus had the most fat, her promised
+territory should be the Sea, and of it she should be ruler. But,
+Manatus said, "I do not want to live in the Sea, lest I be killed
+there." The King asked, "Then, where will you prefer to live?" She
+answered, "In such rivers as I shall like."
+
+That is the reason that the Manatus lives only in rivers and bays. For,
+one day she and her children had floated with the tide to the mouth
+of a river and into the Sea; and some of them had been killed there
+by sharks and other big fish. So, the Manatus is never now found near
+the Sea on ordinary tides, but only when high tides have swept it down.
+
+Just as the King had made his announcement, the company of Hogs
+returned and entered the Assembly. They explained, "We have just come
+back from our walk, and we wish to resume our horns which we left
+here." But the King refused, and kept possession of the horns. Hog
+begged, "Please! let me have my horns!" But the King swore an oath,
+saying, "O savi! (By the Blessing!) wherever you go, and whatever
+you be, you shall have no horns." So the Hogs departed.
+
+Now Oyster stood up, and said, "I wish to go to my place. Where shall
+it be?" The King said, "I will give you no other place than what you
+already have had. I do not wish to put you into the fresh-water springs
+and brooks with Manga. You shall go into the salty waters." So Oyster
+went; and its race lives on the edge of the rivers, near the Sea,
+in brackish waters. And the King said to Oyster, "All the tribes of
+Mankind, by the Sea, when they fail to obtain other fish, shall be
+allowed to eat you."
+
+All knew that this was a punishment given by the King to Oyster,
+for having dared the test by fire, pretending that it had fat, the
+while it had none.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 12
+
+WHY MOSQUITOES BUZZ
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Mbo (Mosquito)
+    Oroi (Ear)
+    Aga (Hands)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+It is a practice of African natives, after taking a bath, to anoint
+their bodies with some oil or grease.
+
+
+
+In the time of Long-ago, in Njambi's Town, Mosquito and Ear went
+out to take a bath together. After taking her bath, Ear began to rub
+an oily substance over herself; while Mosquito did not. So Ear said
+to Mosquito, "Why do you leave your skin so rough? It is better to
+rub on a little oil." Mosquito replied, "I have none." So Ear said,
+"Indeed! I did not know that. I will give you part of mine, as I have
+plenty." Mosquito had to wait the while that Ear was rubbing the soft
+wax over herself. But, as soon as Ear had finished, she put back the
+wax into her ear where she usually kept it, and did not fulfill her
+promise to Mosquito.
+
+When Mosquito saw this, that the wax was put away, he came near to
+the door, and said, "I want the oil you promised for rubbing on my
+body." But Ear took no notice of him, except to call on Hands to
+drive Mosquito away.
+
+So, to this day, Mosquito is not willing to cease making his claim
+for the unfulfilled promise; and is always coming to our ears, and
+buzzing and crying. Always Mosquito comes and says, "I want my oil,
+Bz-z-z-z." But Ear remains silent, and gives no answer. And Mosquito
+keeps on grumbling and complaining, and gets angry and bites.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 13
+
+UNKIND CRITICISM
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Tyema (A Black Monkey)
+    Ekaga (Tortoise)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+This story is probably of comparatively recent origin though known at
+least fifty years ago. It seems to point to the time when white men
+began to taunt negroes because of their color, the common insult by an
+angry white master being "You black monkey!" The tale cannot antedate
+the first coming of white men to West Africa three hundred years ago;
+for, no native would have invented this insult, though they do now
+imitate white men, when, in a quarrel, they wish to taunt an opponent.
+
+
+
+The Black Monkey, up a tree, saw Tortoise passing beneath, slowly and
+awkwardly moving step by step. Monkey laughed at the dull manner
+and appearance of Tortoise; and, to tease one whom he thought
+stupid and unable to resent insult, he jumped down onto the back
+of Tortoise. There, safely perched, he jeered at Tortoise, saying
+many unkind things. Tortoise was unable to throw off his tormentor;
+nor could he reach him. His short hands and feet could not touch
+Monkey. So, Tortoise was compelled to carry Monkey on the way,
+the while that the latter was taunting him. Finally, the patience of
+Tortoise was exhausted, and, his indignation being aroused, he stopped,
+and said angrily, "Get off of my back, you black monkey!"
+
+Monkey was sensitive about his color; and, at that word "black,"
+he slipped off, and went away ashamed. But he was angry also, and
+determined to have some revenge.
+
+Some time after this, Monkey made a feast, and invited a number of
+beasts, among the rest Tortoise. But Monkey purposely placed all
+the dishes up high, so that Tortoise, unable to reach to them, could
+get no food, as he vainly went around and around the table. All the
+while, Monkey was sarcastically urging him to come and help himself
+and eat. Tortoise bore it without complaint; and at the end of the
+feast, he went away hungry. But he also determined to have his revenge.
+
+On another day, Tortoise made a feast, and invited the same persons
+who had seen his humiliation at the house of Monkey. Monkey came
+to the feast. But Tortoise had prepared the food in only one dish,
+around which the company were to sit on the ground, and from which
+they were to eat with their hands. Before calling them to eat,
+Tortoise had provided water and soap for them to wash their hands
+previous to their putting them into the same dish. As Monkey was
+about to put his, Tortoise reminded him that it was black, and that
+he should first wash it. He said, "Here is water, and the soap by
+which white people keep their hands from getting black."
+
+Monkey was ashamed, and lathered the soap over his hands until they
+were white with foam. "Now," said Tortoise, "put your hand into
+the water to remove the foam." Monkey did so; and his hands were
+still black.
+
+The rest of the company objected to his black hand going into their
+food. And he went away ashamed and hungry.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 14
+
+THE SUITORS OF PRINCESS GORILLA
+
+
+Place
+
+    Njambi's Country
+
+Persons
+
+    King Njina (Gorilla) and His Daughter
+    Njâgu (Elephant)
+    Nguwu (Hippopotamus)
+    Bejaka (Fishes: Sing. Ejaka)
+    Ngowa (Hog)
+    Njegâ (Leopard)
+    Telinga (a very small Monkey)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+This story evidently dates back to the first introduction of Rum into
+Africa. Gorilla's "new kind of water" was Rum.
+
+Telinga's cheating did not finally succeed in obtaining him the wife;
+but was the cause of his now living only in trees; whereas formerly
+he lived in the long grass. The Telinga are very numerous, and they
+all look so alike that one cannot be distinguished from another. In
+the story, he had arranged with all his companions to help him drink.
+
+In the Gorilla Country there are no lions, and there he is readily
+called the King of Beasts, because of the fearful length and strength
+of his arms.
+
+How absurd that so horribly ugly a caricature of a human being should
+be supposed to have a beautiful daughter!
+
+
+
+King Gorilla had a daughter, whose beauty had been much praised. She
+being of marriageable age, he announced to all the tribes that he
+would give her in marriage to any one who could accomplish a certain
+task. He said he would not take any of the goods usually given in
+payment for a wife, as dowry. But, that he had a new kind of water,
+such as had never before been seen; and, whoever could drink an entire
+barrelful of it, should have the prize that had been coveted by many.
+
+So, all the tribes came together one day in the forest country of the
+King, to compete for the young woman, and the paths were crowded with
+the expectant suitors on their way to the King's Court.
+
+First, because of his size, Elephant stepped forward. He walked
+with his solemn dignity, his ponderous feet sounding, tubu, tubu,
+as he strode toward where the barrel stood. He could, however,
+scarcely suppress his indignation, in the presence of the King,
+at what he considered the insultingly small test to which he was
+about to be subjected. He thought in his heart, "That barrelful of
+water! Why! I, Njâgu, when I take my daily bath, I spurt from my trunk
+many barrelfuls over my whole body, and I drink half a barrelful at
+every meal. And this! Why! I'll swallow it down in two gulps!" He
+thrust his proboscis into the barrel to draw up a big mouthful. But,
+he instantly withdrew it, before he began to suck up any of it. "The
+new water" stung him. He lifted his trunk, and trumpeting with rage,
+declared that the task was impossible.
+
+Many in the company, who had feared that the big elephant would leave
+no chance for them, secretly rejoiced at his failure; and began to
+hope for themselves.
+
+Then Hippopotamus blundered forward. He was in haste, for he was sure
+he would succeed. He was not as big or heavy as Elephant, though he
+was more awkward. But he did not hesitate to boast aloud what he could
+do. "You, Njâgu, with your big body, afraid of that little barrel of
+water! Why! I live in water half of the time. And when I begin to
+drink in a river, I cause the Bejaka to be frightened." So he came
+bellowing and roaring, in order to impress the young woman with his
+importance. But his mouth had not sunk into the barrel as he thrust
+his nose in, before he jerked his head up with a bigger bellow of pain
+and disgust at the new water. Without making even a bow to the King,
+he shambled off to a river to wash his mouth.
+
+Next came Hog. He said to Gorilla, "King Gorilla, I do not boast like
+those two other fellows, nor will I insult you as they have done, even
+if I fail. But, I do not think I shall fail. I am accustomed to putting
+my nose into all sorts of dirty places; so I shall try." He did try,
+slowly and carefully. But, even he, used to all sorts of filth and
+bad smells, turned from the barrel in disgust, and went away grunting.
+
+Then Leopard came bounding forward, boasting and jumping from side
+to side to show his beautiful skin to the young woman. He derided the
+other three who had preceded him. "O! you fellows! You had no chance
+at all, even if you had drunk up that water. The woman would not look
+at you, nor live with such blundering, awkward gawks as you. Look at
+my graceful body and tail! These strong but soft paws of mine! And,
+as to that barrel, you shall see in a few minutes. Though we of the
+Cat Tribe do not like to wet our feet, I will do it for the sake of
+the woman. I'm the dandy of the Forest, and I shall go at it more
+gracefully than you." He leaped onto the barrel. But, its very fumes
+sickened him. He made one vain effort. And with limp tail between
+his legs he crawled away to hide his shame.
+
+One after another of the various Beasts attempted. And all
+failed. Finally, there crept forward the little Telinga. He had
+left the hundreds of his Tribe of little Monkeys hidden out in the
+grass field. As he advanced, there was a murmur of surprise from the
+unsuccessful spectators. Even King Gorilla could not refrain from
+saying, "Well! my little fellow! what do you want?" Telinga replied,
+"Your Majesty, did not you send word to all the Tribes that any one
+might compete?" "Yes, I did," he answered. And Telinga said, "Then I,
+Telinga, small as I am, I shall try." The King replied, "I will keep
+my royal word. You may try." "But, Your Majesty," asked Telinga, "is
+it required that the barrel must be drank at one draught? May I not,
+between each mouthful, take a very short rest out in the grass?" Said
+Gorilla, "Certainly, just so you drink it today."
+
+So Telinga took a sip, and leaped off into the grass. And, apparently,
+he immediately returned, and took another sip and leaped back
+into the grass; and, apparently, immediately returned again. And
+apparently--(They were his companions who had come one by one to help
+him!) Thus the barrelful of firewater was rapidly sipped away.
+
+King Gorilla announced Telinga as the winner of the prize.
+
+What the young woman thought of the loss of her graceful lovers,
+the Antelopes and others, is not known. For, when Telinga advanced to
+take her, Leopard and others dashed at him, shouting, "You miserable
+little snip of a fellow! You've won her; but if we can't have her you
+shan't. There! take that! and that! and that!" as they began to beat
+and kick and bite him.
+
+In terror, he jumped into the trees, abandoning his bride.
+
+And he and his tribe have remained in the trees ever since, afraid
+to come down to the ground.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 15
+
+LEOPARD OF THE FINE SKIN
+
+
+Place
+
+    Town of King Mborakinda
+
+Persons
+
+    King Mborakinda
+    Ilâmbe, His Daughter
+    Ra-Marânge, A Doctor
+    And Other People
+    Njegâ (Leopard)
+    Kabala (A Magic Horse)
+    Ogula-Ya-Mpazya-Vazya, A Sorcerer
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Leopards can swim if compelled to, but they do not like to enter water,
+or wet their feet in any way.
+
+
+
+At the town of Ra-Mborakinda, where he lived with his wives and his
+children and his glory, this occurred.
+
+He had a beloved daughter, by name Ilâmbe. He loved her much; and
+sought to please her in many ways, and gave her many servants to
+serve her. When she grew up to womanhood, she said that she did not
+wish any one to come to ask her in marriage; that she herself would
+choose a husband. "Moreover, I will never marry any man who has any,
+even a little bit of, blotch on his skin."
+
+Her father did not like her to speak in that way; nevertheless,
+he did not forbid her.
+
+When men began to come to the father and say, "I desire your daughter
+Ilâmbe for a wife," he would say, "Go, and ask herself." Then when the
+man went to Ilâmbe's house, and would say, "I have come to ask you in
+marriage," her only reply was a question, "Have you a clear skin, and
+no blotches on your body?" If he answered, "Yes," Ilâmbe would say,
+"But, I must see for myself; come into my room." There she required
+the man to take off all his clothing. And if, on examination, she saw
+the slightest pimple or scar, she would point toward it, and say,
+"That! I do not want you." Then perhaps he would begin to plead,
+"All my skin is right, except--." But she would interrupt him,
+"No! for even that little mark I do not want you."
+
+So it went on with all who came, she finding fault with even a small
+pimple or scar. And all suitors were rejected. The news spread abroad
+that Ra-Mborakinda had a beautiful daughter, but that no one was able
+to obtain her, because of what she said about diseases of the skin.
+
+Still, many tried to obtain her. Even animals changed themselves to
+human form, and sought her, in vain.
+
+At last, Leopard said, "Ah! this beautiful woman! I hear about her
+beauty, and that no one is able to get her. I think I better take my
+turn, and try. But, first I will go to Ra-Marânge." He went to that
+magic-doctor, and told his story about Ra-Mborakinda's fine daughter,
+and how no man could get her because of her fastidiousness about
+skins. Ra-Marânge told him, "I am too old. I do not now do those
+things about medicines. Go to Ogula-ya-mpazya-vazya."
+
+So, Leopard went to him. As usual, the sorcerer Ogula jumped into
+his fire; and coming out with power, directed Leopard to tell what
+he wanted. So he told the whole story again, and asked how he should
+obtain the clean body of a man. The sorcerer prepared for him a great
+"medicine" by which to give him a human body, tall, graceful, strong
+and clean. Leopard then went back to his town, told his people his
+plans, and prepared their bodies also for a change if needed. Having
+taken also a human name, Ogula, he then went to Ra-Mborakinda, saying,
+"I wish your daughter Ilâmbe for wife."
+
+On his arrival, at Ra-Mborakinda's, the people admired the stranger,
+and felt sure that Ilâmbe would accept this suitor, exclaiming,
+"This fine-looking man! his face! and his gait! and his body!" When
+he had made his request of Ra-Mborakinda, he was told, as usual,
+to go to Ilâmbe and see whether she would like him. When he went to
+her house, he looked so handsomely, that Ilâmbe was at once pleased
+with him. He told her, "I love you; and I come to marry you. You have
+refused many. I know the reason why, but I think you will be satisfied
+with me." She replied, "I think you have heard from others the reason
+for which I refuse men. I will see whether you have what I want." And
+she added, "Let us go into the room; and let me see your skin."
+
+They entered the room; and Ogula-Njegâ removed his fine
+clothing. Ilâmbe examined with close scrutiny from his head to his
+feet. She found not the slightest scratch or mark; his skin was like
+a babe's. Then she said, "Yes! this is my man! truly! I love you,
+and will marry you!" She was so pleased with her acquisition, that
+she remained in the room enjoying again a minute examination of her
+husband's beautiful skin. Then she went out, and ordered her servants
+to cook food, prepare water, etc., for him; and he did not go out of
+the house, nor have a longing to go back to his town, for he found
+that he was loved.
+
+On the third day, he went to tell the father, Ra-Mborakinda, that
+he was ready to take his wife off to his town. Ra-Mborakinda
+consented. All that day, they prepared food for the
+marriage-feast. But, all the while that this man-beast, Ogula-Njegâ
+was there, Ra-Mborakinda, by his okove (a magic fetish) knew that
+some evil would come out of this marriage. However, as Ilâmbe had
+insisted on choosing her own way, he did not interfere.
+
+After the marriage was over, and the feast eaten, Ra-Mborakinda called
+his daughter, and said, "Ilâmbe, mine, now you are going off on your
+journey." She said, "Yes; for I love my husband." The father asked,
+"Do you love him truly?" She answered "Yes." Then he told her,
+"As you are married now, you need a present from me, as your ozendo
+(bridal gift)." So, he gave her a few presents, and told her,
+"Go to that house," indicating a certain house in the town; and
+he gave her the key of the house, and told her to go and open the
+door. That was the house where he kept all his charms for war, and
+fetishes of all kinds. He told her, "When you go in, you will see
+two Kabala, standing side by side. The one that will look a little
+dull, with its eyes directed to the ground, take it; and leave the
+brighter looking one. When you are coming with it, you will see
+that it walks a little lame. Nevertheless, take it." She objected,
+"But, father, why do you not give me the finer one, and not the weak
+one?" But he said, "No!" and made a knowing smile, as he repeated,
+"Go, and take the one I tell you." He had reason for giving this
+one. The finer-looking one had only fine looks; but this other one
+would some day save her by its intelligence.
+
+She went and took Horse, and returned to her father; and the journey
+was prepared. The father sent with her, servants to carry the baggage,
+and to remain with and work for her at the town of her marriage. She
+and her husband arranged all their things, and said good-bye, and
+off they went, both of them sitting on Horse's back.
+
+They journeyed and they journeyed. On the way, Ogula-Njegâ, though
+changed as to his form and skin, possessed all his old tastes. Having
+been so many days without tasting blood or uncooked meats, as they
+passed through the forest of wild beasts, the longing came on him. They
+emerged onto a great prairie, and journeyed across it toward another
+forest. Before they had entirely crossed the prairie, the longing for
+his prey so overcame him that he said, "Wife, you with your Kabala
+and the servants stay here while I go rapidly ahead; and wait for me
+until I come again." So he went off, entered the forest, and changed
+himself back to Leopard. He hunted for prey, caught a small animal,
+and ate it; and another, and ate it. After being satisfied, he washed
+his hands and mouth in a brook; and, changing again to human form,
+he returned on the prairie to his wife.
+
+She observed him closely, and saw a hard, strange look on his face. She
+said, "But, all this while! What have you been doing?" He made an
+excuse. They went on.
+
+And the next day, it was the same, he leaving her, and telling her
+to wait till he returned; and hunting and eating as a Leopard. All
+this that was going on, Ilâmbe was ignorant of. But Horse knew. He
+would speak after awhile, but was not ready yet.
+
+So it went on, until they came to Leopard's town. Before they reached
+it, Ogula-Njegâ, by the preparations he had first made, had changed
+his mother into a human form in which to welcome his wife. Also the few
+people of the town, all with human forms, welcomed her. But, they did
+not sit much with her. They stayed in their own houses; and Ogula-Njegâ
+and his wife stayed in theirs. For a few days, Leopard tried to be
+a pleasant Ogula, deceiving his wife. But his taste for blood was
+still in his heart. He began to say, "I am going to another town;
+I have business there." And off he would go, hunting as a leopard;
+when he returned, it would be late in the day. So he did on other days.
+
+After a time, Ilâmbe wished to make a food-plantation, and sent her
+men-servants to clear the ground. Ogula-Njegâ would go around in the
+forest on the edge of the plantation; and catching one of the men,
+there would return that day one servant less.
+
+One by one, all the men-servants were thus missing; and it was not
+known what became of them, except that Leopard's people knew. One
+night Ogula-Njegâ was out; and, meeting one of the female servants,
+she too was reported missing.
+
+Sometimes, when Ogula-Njegâ was away, Ilâmbe, feeling lonesome,
+would go and pet Horse. After the loss of this maid-servant, Horse
+thought it was time to warn Ilâmbe of what was going on. While she
+was petting him, he said, "Eh! Ilâmbe! you do not see the trouble
+that is coming to you!" She asked, "What trouble?" He exclaimed,
+"What trouble? If your father had not sent me with you, what would
+have become of you? Where are all your servants that you brought with
+you? You do not know where they go to, but I know. Do you think that
+they disappear without a reason? I will tell you where they go. It
+is your man who eats them; it is he who wastes them!" She could not
+believe it, and argued, "Why should he destroy them?" Horse replied,
+"If you doubt it, wait for the day when your last remaining servant
+is gone."
+
+Two days after that, at night, another maid-servant
+disappeared. Another day passed. On another day, Ogula-Njegâ went
+off to hunt beasts, with the intention that, if he failed to get any,
+at night he would eat his wife.
+
+When he had gone, Ilâmbe, in her loneliness, went to fondle Horse. He
+said to her, "Did I not tell you? The last maid is gone. You
+yourself will be the next one. I will give you counsel. When you
+have opportunity this night, prepare yourself ready to run away. Get
+yourself a large gourd, and fill it with ground-nuts; another with
+gourd-seeds; and another with water." He told her to bring these
+things to him, and he would know the best time to start.
+
+While they were talking, Leopard's mother was out in the street,
+and heard the two voices. She said to herself, "Ilâmbe, wife of my
+son, does she talk with Kabala as if it was a person?" But, she said
+nothing to Ilâmbe, nor asked her about it.
+
+Night came on; and Ogula-Njegâ returned. He said nothing; but his face
+looked hard and bad. Ilâmbe was troubled and somewhat frightened at
+his ugly looks. So, at night, on retiring, she began to ask him,
+"But why? Has anything displeased you?" He answered, "No; I am
+not troubled about anything. Why do you ask questions?" "Because I
+see it in your face that your countenance is not pleasant." "No;
+there's no matter. Everything is right. Only, about my business,
+I think I must start very early." Ogula-Njegâ had begun to think,
+"Now she is suspecting me. I think I will not eat her this night,
+but will put it off until next night."
+
+That night, Ilâmbe did not sleep. In the morning, Leopard said that
+he would go to his business, but would come back soon. When he was
+gone away to his hunting work, Ilâmbe felt lonesome, and went to
+Horse. He, thinking this a good time to run away, they started at
+once, without letting any one in the village know, and taking with
+them the three gourds. Horse said that they must go quickly; for,
+Leopard, when he discovered them gone, would rapidly pursue. So they
+went fast and faster, Horse looking back from time to time, to see
+whether Leopard was pursuing.
+
+After they had been gone quite a while, Ogula-Njegâ returned from
+his business to his village, went into his house, and did not
+see Ilâmbe. He called to his mother, "Where is Ilâmbe?" His mother
+answered, "I saw Ilâmbe with her Kabala, talking together; they have
+been at it for two days." Ogula-Njegâ began to search; and, seeing
+the hoof-prints, he exclaimed, "Mi asaiya (shame for me). Ilâmbe has
+run away. I and she shall meet today!"
+
+He instantly turned from his human form back to that of leopard, and
+went out, and pursued, and pursued, and pursued. But, it took some time
+before he came in sight of the fugitives. As Horse turned to watch,
+he saw Leopard, his body stretched low and long in rapid leaps. Horse
+said to Ilâmbe, "Did I not tell you? There he is, coming!" Horse
+hasted, with foam dropping from his lips. When he saw that Leopard
+was gaining on them, he told Ilâmbe to take the gourd of peanuts from
+his back, and scatter them along behind on the ground. Leopards like
+peanuts; and when Ogula-Njegâ came to these nuts, he stopped to eat
+them. While he was eating, Horse gained time to get ahead. As soon
+as Leopard had finished the nuts, he started on in pursuit again,
+and soon began to overtake. When he approached, Horse told Ilâmbe to
+throw out the gourd-seeds. She did so. Leopard delayed to eat these
+seeds also. This gave Horse time to again get ahead. Thus they went on.
+
+Leopard, having finished the gourd-seeds, again went leaping in
+pursuit; and, for the third time, came near. Horse told Ilâmbe to throw
+the gourd of water behind, with force so that it might crash and break
+on the ground. As soon as she had done so, the water was turned to a
+stream of a deep wide river, between them and Leopard. Then he was
+at a loss. So, he shouted, "Ah! Ilâmbe! Mi asaiya! If I only had a
+chance to catch you!" So, he had to turn back.
+
+Then Horse said, "We do not know what he may do yet; perhaps he may
+go around and across ahead of us. As there is a town which I know
+near here, we had better stay there a day or two while he may be
+searching for us." He added to her, "Mind! this town where we are
+going, no woman is allowed to be there, only men. So, I will change
+your face and dress like a man's. Be very careful how you behave
+when you take your bath, lest you die." Ilâmbe promised; and Horse
+changed her appearance. So, a fine-looking young man was seen riding
+into the street of the village. There were exclamations in the street,
+"This is a stranger! Hail! stranger; hail! Who showed you the way to
+come here?" This young man answered, "Myself; I was out riding; I saw
+an open path; and I came in." He entered a house, and was welcomed;
+and they told him their times of eating, and of play, etc. But, on
+the second day, as this young man went out privately, one of the men
+observed, and said to the other, "He acts like a woman!" The others
+asked, "Really! you think so?" He asserted, "Yes! I am sure!" So,
+that day Ilâmbe was to meet with some trouble; for, to prove her,
+the men had said to her, "Tomorrow we all go bathing in the river,
+and you shall go with us." She went to ask Horse what she should
+do. He rebuked her, "I warned you, and you have not been careful. But,
+do not be troubled; I will change you into a man."
+
+That night, Ilâmbe went to Horse; and he changed her. He also told her,
+"I warn you again. Tomorrow you go to bathe with the others, and you
+may take off your clothes; for, you are now a man. But, it is only
+for a short time, because we stay here only a day and a night more,
+and then we must go."
+
+The next morning all the town went to play, and after that to
+bathe. When they went into the water, the other men were all
+expecting to see a woman revealed; but they saw that their visitor
+was a man. They admired his wonderfully fine physique. On emerging
+from the water, the men said to the one who had informed on Ilâmbe,
+"Did you not tell us that this was a woman? See, how great a man he
+is!" As soon as they said that, the young man Ilâmbe was vexed with
+him, and began to berate him, saying, "Eh! you said I was a woman?" And
+she chased him and struck him. Then they all went back to the town.
+
+In the evening, Horse told Ilâmbe, "I tell you what to do tomorrow. In
+the morning, you take your gun, and shoot me dead. After you have
+shot me, these men will find fault with you, saying 'Ah! you shoot
+your horse, and did not care for it?' But, do not say anything in
+reply. Cut me in pieces, and burn the pieces in the fire. After
+this, carefully gather all the black ashes; and, very early in the
+following morning, in the dark before any one is up, go out of the
+village gateway, scatter the ashes, and you will see what will happen."
+
+The young man did all this. On scattering the ashes, he instantly
+found himself changed again to a woman, and sitting on Horse's back;
+and they were running rapidly away.
+
+That same day, in the afternoon, they came to the town of the father
+Ra-Mborakinda. On their arrival there, they (but especially Horse)
+told their whole story. Ilâmbe was somewhat ashamed of herself; for,
+she had brought these troubles on herself by insisting on having a
+husband with a perfectly fine skin. So, her father said, "Ilâmbe,
+my child, you see the trouble you have brought on yourself. For you,
+a woman, to make such a demand was too much. Had I not sent Kabala
+with you, what would have become of you?" The people gave Ilâmbe a
+glad welcome. And she went to her house, and said nothing more about
+fine skins.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 16
+
+WHY THE PLANTAIN-STALK BEARS BUT ONE BUNCH
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Oyila (Oil-Palm Tree)
+    Mbindi (Wild Goat)
+    Akândâ (Plantain-Stalk)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+According to native law of hospitality, duty to a guest requires almost
+any sacrifice. This is oriental. (See Genesis Chap. 19, vs. 8.) A
+plantain-stalk bears but one bunch. Therefore, to gather the fruit,
+the stalk with apparent ruthlessness is cut down. But, there are always
+from two to five young sprouts at the base, from 2 feet to 5 feet in
+height, which, in succession, take the place of the parent stem.
+
+Observe the Cannibalism. All African tribes were formerly
+Cannibals. Many interior tribes still are. This story is a marked
+illustration of the characteristic impossibilities in native tales,
+"Plantain" being at one and the same time a plant and a human being!
+
+
+
+Palm-tree produced Plantain tree.
+
+Then there stood up an animal called Wild Goat, and it went to seek
+marriage with Palm-tree's daughter Plantain. It was so arranged;
+and the marriage was held.
+
+As Goat and his wife were about departing to his own town, Palm-tree
+gave some parting advice to her daughter Plantain; "When you shall
+be about to become a mother, come back and stay with me."
+
+Not long after this, Plantain was to become a mother; and people went
+to Palm-tree to inform her of the fact. This daughter Plantain did not
+obey her mother's directions, but remained in the town until her child
+was born. This was told to mother Palm-tree, who was dissatisfied,
+and said, "Eh! I told Akândâ to have her child born with me!"
+
+The reason that Palm-tree had given this direction to Plantain was,
+that, as her own custom, in bearing her palm-nuts, was to have several
+bunches in sight at one time, and ripening in succession, she wished
+her daughter to have the same habit.
+
+After Plantain had borne her child, it grew well and became very
+strong. One day, strangers came to the town on a visit; and, when
+the villagers looked for food for the visitors, to their shame,
+they found they had none. Then one of the women of the village said,
+"Well! let us cut down this Akândâ, and cook it and eat it." So, a
+machete was seized, and Plantain's stalk was slashed, and Palm-tree's
+child Plantain was taken and cooked and eaten. At this, people went
+and told Palm-tree, saying, "Your child is cut down, and is cooked
+and eaten." The mother Palm-tree helplessly replied, "What can I do?"
+
+All this while, the husband Goat had been away on a journey. When he
+returned, and came to his town, and found that his wife, Palm-tree's
+child, was not there, he asked, "My wife; is she dead?" The people
+answered him, "Yes!" "But," he asked, "for what reason did she
+die?" They answered, "Because the people of the town had no food for
+their guests." Mbindi complained further, saying, "So! when Akândâ was
+cooked, you gave your guests only plantains; were you so inhospitable
+as to give them also no meat or fish?"
+
+At this the people were vexed, and they said, "Well then! let this
+husband be killed and eaten as the meat!" So they killed and ate him.
+
+This news, people also carried to Palm-tree, telling her that
+Plantain's husband was also killed and eaten.
+
+Then Palm-tree came to the town to speak about the death of
+Plantain. The people justified themselves, saying, "But, what else
+could we do? It was necessary to provide for the guests."
+
+Palm-tree submitted, "Truly, had Akândâ obeyed me and come to me
+and borne her child in my presence, she would have had abundance,
+and would not have died."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+PART SECOND
+
+BENGA TRIBE
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+
+The tales of this second part had their source with narrators of
+Benga-speaking tribes of Corisco Island, the region of the Bonito
+River, and Batanga. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 were written in Benga by
+the pioneer missionaries, Rev. Messrs. Mackey and Clemens, from the
+dictation in Benga by natives of Corisco, more than 40 years ago; and
+were printed as reading-lessons in the Primer used in their schools.
+
+I have translated them into English. They having thus passed twice
+through foreign thought, have lost most of their native idioms. Tale
+4 was independently re-told me at Batanga within the past few years,
+by a narrator living there. It differs from the version printed in
+the Primer, and I have combined the two.
+
+The remaining thirty tales were given me at Batanga; by three adult
+narrators, all of them civilized men. They spoke them with me alone,
+or in the presence of one or two silent attendants, sentence by
+sentence, in their Bapuku dialect of the Benga language. I rapidly
+made notes in an English translation of their principal words. This
+was always at night, in order to leave the narrator at that ease which
+he would naturally feel if he was telling the story to an audience
+in the street, as he is accustomed to do in the evenings. For that
+purpose also, I shaded my lamp, using its light only for my pencil;
+he therefore spoke unrestrainedly. Next morning, with my memory still
+fresh of the night's story, I filled out the sentences. This set of
+the tales therefore is more native, in the preservation of its idioms,
+than any other part.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 1
+
+SWINE TALKING
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Ingowa (Hogs)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Unlike other native legends based on "they say," the native narrator,
+now more than 40 years ago, gave the name and family name of the
+man who is stated to have reported that he heard Swine talking with
+human speech.
+
+
+
+There was a certain man in the time long ago, by name Bokona, whose
+family name was Bodikito. He went to the depths of the forest to do
+some business. When he was about to return in the afternoon to go to
+his village, he heard in advance of him, a noise of conversation. He
+thought that perhaps they were people (of whose presence he was not
+aware; for, there were no villages in that part of the forest). But,
+when he had approached the spot, he did not see people; but only a
+herd of Hogs speaking with the voices of people. He was thus perfectly
+sure that they speak the language of Mankind.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 2
+
+CROCODILE
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Ngando (Crocodile)
+    Two Children, and Towns-People
+
+
+
+Two children were bathing in a river; and a crocodile came where they
+were. It seized one, and, grasping it with its teeth, went with it
+to its hole in the river bank. It did not kill him, but said to him,
+"I leave you here, and I go straight back to bring the other one who
+remained." After the crocodile had left, the one thus put into the
+hole, turning his eyes about, saw it full of living fish (kept on
+hand by the crocodile as its food-supply). He saw also that there was
+another opening in the cavity, above, just over his head. Climbing
+up and jumping through it, he rapidly went straight away to his
+village. He related all this incident to the people. Then they gladly
+fired guns, for welcome of the child.
+
+When the crocodile reached the bathing-place on its return, it did
+not see the one whom it had left there; and it was angry. While it
+was thus angry, the people shot at it with guns, but their shots
+could not even wound it; and it went back again to its hole to seek
+for and eat the child whom it had seized.
+
+When it again entered into the hole and searched, and did not find
+him, it was very angry, and pursued him, going up to the very middle
+of the village. For three days it was there barking in the village,
+and trying to kill some one.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 3
+
+ORIGIN OF THE ELEPHANT
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Uhâdwe, Bokume and Njâku Sons of Njambi the Creator
+    Towns-People, Sailors and Others
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+I have never seen the place; but, intelligent natives, (though they
+did not believe in the legend itself) told me there was the likeness
+to a human foot-print in a rock on the beach of the north shore of
+Corisco Bay. Doubtless a fossil.
+
+
+
+Uhâdwe, Bokume, and Njâku were human beings, all three born of one
+mother. (Afterwards Bokume was called "Njâpe.")
+
+As time went on, Uhâdwe called his brethren, Bokume and Njâku, and
+said, "My brothers! Let us separate; myself, I am going to the Great
+Sea; you, Bokume go to the Forest; you, Njâku, also go to the Forest."
+
+Bokume went to the forest and grew up there, and became the valuable
+mahogany tree (Okume).
+
+Njâku departed; but he went in anger, saying, "I will not remain
+in the forest, I am going to build with the towns-people." He came
+striding back to the town. As he emerged there from the forest, his
+feet swelled and swelled, and became elephant feet. His ear extended
+'way down. His teeth spreading, this one grew to a tusk, and that
+one grew to a tusk. The towns-people began to hoot at him. And he
+turned back to the forest. But, as he went, he said to them, "In my
+going now to the Forest, I and whatever plants you shall plant in the
+forest shall journey together," (i.e., that their plantations should
+be destroyed by him). So Njâku went; and their food went.
+
+When Uhâdwe had gone thence and emerged at the Sea, from the place
+where he emerged there grew the stem of "bush-rope" (the Calamus palm);
+and the staff he held became a mangrove forest. The footprints where
+he and his dog trod are there on the beach of Corisco Bay until this
+day. He created a sand-bank from where he stood, extending through the
+ocean, by which he crossed over to the Land of the Great Sea. When he
+reached that Land, he prepared a ship. He put into it every production
+by which white people obtain wealth, and he said to the crew, "Go ye
+and take for me my brother."
+
+The ship came to Africa and put down anchor; but, for four days the
+crew did not find any person coming from shore to set foot on the
+ship, or to go from the ship to set foot ashore, the natives being
+destitute of canoes.
+
+Finally, Uhâdwe came and appeared to the towns-people in a dream,
+and said, "Go ye to the forest and cut down Njâpe, dig out a canoe,
+and go alongside the ship."
+
+Early next morning they went to the forest, and came to the Okume
+trees; they cut one down, and hacked it into shape. They launched it on
+the sea, and said to their young men, "Go!" Four young men went into
+the canoe to go alongside the ship. When they had nearly reached it,
+looking hither and thither they feared, and they stopped and ceased
+paddling. The white men on the ship made repeated signs to them. Then
+the young men, having come close, spoke to the white men in the native
+language. A white man answered also in the same language. That white
+man said, "I have come to buy the tusks of the beast which is here
+in the forest with big feet and tusks and great ears, that is called
+Njâku." They said, "Yes! a good thing!" When they were about leaving,
+the white man advancing to them, deposited with them four bunches of
+tobacco, four bales of prints, four caps, and other things.
+
+When they reached the shore, they told the others, "The white men want
+Njâku's tusks; and also they have things by which to kill his tribe."
+
+The next morning, they went to the white men; they were trusted with
+guns and bullets and powder; they went to the forest, and fought with
+the elephants. In two days the ship was loaded, and it departed.
+
+This continues to happen so until this day, in the Ivory-Trade.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 4
+
+LEOPARD'S MARRIAGE JOURNEY
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njambi (Chief of a Town)
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+    Etoli (House-Rat)
+    Mbindi (Wild Goat)
+    Vyâdu (Antelope)
+    Ehibo (Red Antelope)
+    Iheli (Gazelle)
+    Ekwedikwedi (Fire-Fly)
+
+
+
+Leopard wanted to marry, and he sought a betrothal at Njambi's
+town. Secretly, Njambi had arranged with Leopard that he should bring
+him no goods in payment of the "Dowry," but only the bodies of animals.
+
+Leopard agreed, and said to Njambi's daughter, "I will dowry you
+only with animals." He returned to his home for a few days; and
+then he called Rat to escort him to the town of his prospective
+father-in-law. Rat consented. And they started on their journey.
+
+On their way, they came to a wide river; and Leopard said to Rat,
+"Before one crosses this river, he must throw his knife into it." Rat
+threw his knife; and so (apparently) did Leopard. They crossed; went
+on their way, and came to a Kuda tree; and they stopped, and began to
+gather the nuts. Leopard drew his knife from its sheath, and splitting
+the nut-shells and eating the kernels, said derisively to Rat, "One who
+has no knife will not be able to eat kuda." Rat, in his helplessness,
+made no protest. And they went on. They came to a certain "Medicine"
+tree; and Leopard said, "Etoli, if I shall fall sick on the way, and I
+tell you to go back and get the bark of a certain tree for medicine,
+see! this is the tree." Finally, they came to the town of the woman
+whom Leopard was to marry. There, food was cooked for them. Just
+before they were to sit down to eat, Leopard exclaimed, "Etoli! I am
+sick! Go, and get that medicine for me!" While Rat was gone, Leopard
+ate up almost all the food, leaving only a few scraps for Rat.
+
+At night, inside of the entrance of the house where the two strangers
+were to sleep, was a pit already dug. Leopard knew of it, and jumped
+over it; but Rat fell into it. Leopard shouted to the town's-people,
+"This is the animal I brought to pay on my Dowry! Come, and take
+him!" The people came, caught Rat, and ate him.
+
+The next morning, Leopard's father-in-law had food prepared for him; he
+ate; and returned to his town. There, the relatives of Rat asked him,
+"Where is the little one you took to escort you?" Leopard replied,
+"He refused to return, staying there with the woman."
+
+Again, Leopard prepared gifts of dried fish and tobacco for his
+mother-in-law, and arranged for another journey. He called to his
+relative, "Brother" Wild-Goat, "Come, escort me to the town of my
+marriage." Wild Goat consented; and they started. They came to the
+River; and, as in the case of Rat, Leopard said to Goat, "You will
+first throw away your knife, before you can cross this river." Goat
+actually did so; Leopard pretending to do so. Continuing their
+journey, they came to that Kuda tree. Leopard was careful to stand on
+a side of the tree opposite to Goat, as they gathered the nuts. But,
+he said provokingly, "One can not eat kuda without a knife." Wild
+Goat innocently replied, "But, you, Njâ, you are eating nuts! Did
+you bring two knives?" They journeyed on, and came to the Medicine
+tree. And Leopard gave to Goat the same directions about it as he
+had given to Rat.
+
+When they reached the marriage town, food was set before them. But
+Leopard immediately began to groan and scream, "I'm dead! I'm
+dead! I'm dead with pain!" Wild Goat sympathisingly inquired, "What
+shall I do to help you?" Leopard replied, as in the case of Rat,
+"Go back to that tree, and get its bark as a medicine for me." Wild
+Goat went; and while he was away, Leopard ate the food, leaving very
+little of it. On his return, Wild Goat protested at so little being
+given him. Leopard explained, "In my great suffering from tooth-ache,
+I ate nothing. Perhaps it was the town's-people who ate up the food,
+leaving you only these pieces."
+
+After they had eaten, they were called to the reception-house, and
+spent the evening in conversation with the people of the town. Then,
+they were shown to the house in which they were to sleep. It was
+the one with the pit-fall inside the door-way. Leopard, of course,
+jumped over it; but Wild Goat fell into it. And, as in the case of Rat,
+Leopard called out, "People of the town! This is your dowry-goods! I
+have brought it to you!" The next morning, Leopard took his journey,
+and came back home. When the people of his town asked him, as in the
+case of Rat, "Where is the friend you took with you?" he made the
+same reply, "Don't ask me! He is entangled off there with women."
+
+On a third journey, Leopard called Antelope to accompany him. Antelope
+agreed. They came to the River; and as before Leopard told how that
+river could not be crossed by travelers unless their knives were
+thrown away. This, Antelope did.
+
+Then, they came to the Kuda tree. There, Antelope heard Leopard
+splitting the nuts, and asked him. "Did you not throw away your
+knife? Do you travel with two?" Leopard answered, "Yes! I always
+travel with two." Then, they came to the Medicine tree. And Leopard
+explained about its bark being the cure for his frequent tooth-aches,
+when eating at his father-in-law's town.
+
+They came to the town. And when food was brought to them, Leopard
+cried out, "O! my tooth! my tooth!" Antelope asked, "Where is your
+medicine that you said you use?" Leopard answered, "At the tree
+which I showed you on the way. Go, and get it." While Antelope was
+gone, Leopard ate up almost all the food. On returning, Antelope
+exclaimed "What! only this little food for me?" Leopard explained,
+"With my great tooth-ache, I ate none. Nothing happened, except
+that the town's-people came, and were eating up the food; and I,
+in my kindness for you, begged them to leave at least a little for
+you." Antelope handed him the medicine, and Leopard said, "Put it
+down there"; and he threw it away, while Antelope's back was turned.
+
+After they had eaten, they went to their room for the night. Leopard,
+as usual, jumped over the pit; but Antelope fell in. And Leopard
+gave his shout to the people to come and take the Dowry-goods he had
+brought. The next morning, after breakfast, Leopard again started on
+his home journey. There, again he was anxiously asked, "But, those
+whom you take with you don't come back! Why?" He made the same reply,
+"They know why! Off there are damsels and dancing; and they were
+unable to return."
+
+For his next journey, Leopard asked Red Antelope, who heartily
+replied, "Yes, come on! There is nothing to prevent my going on a
+journey!" They journeyed, and they came to the River. There, Leopard
+made his statement about the necessity of throwing their knives into
+the river. Red Antelope wondered a little, but he consented saying,
+"Yes, but what is that to me?" Said Leopard, "Well, then, shut your
+eyes, and I will be the first to throw, lest you say I am deceiving
+you." Said Red Antelope, "Yes." And he shut his eyes tightly. Then
+Leopard, having a stone in his hand, flung it into the water, saying,
+"I've thrown mine; throw also yours!" Red Antelope demanded, "But,
+you must shut your eyes also." Leopard half-closed his eyes, and Red
+Antelope, knife in hand, flung it into the water. Then, wading across,
+they went on and on to the base of the Kuda tree. Said Leopard,
+"Mr. Ehibo, this Kuda is eaten of here only by each person on his
+own side of the trunk." Red Antelope assented; and they turned,
+this one to one side, and that one to the other side. There, as Red
+Antelope was vainly trying to crack the nuts with his teeth, Leopard
+was deriding him while himself was comfortably using his knife.
+
+Then, Leopard said, "Let us go on; for, the day is declining." Red
+Antelope agreed. As they went, they came to an Ebwehavu tree. And
+Leopard said, "Let us climb for Bebwehavu fruits. But, when we
+climb this particular tree, it is the practice here, to climb, one
+by one. While the one is climbing, the other has his eyes shut; and,
+the climbing is done, not by the trunk, but by this adjoining Bongo
+tree which you see here. But, first, close your eyes, and I will
+go up." (The Bongo's trunk is covered with hard sharp thorns.) Red
+Antelope stood, with his eyes tightly closed. Leopard grasped a vine;
+and, with one swing, he at once was up the tree. Red Antelope began
+climbing that Bongo, creeping slowly to the top, his whole body
+spoiled, and nothing on him but blood and blood.
+
+Said Leopard, "This Ebwehavu is accustomed to be plucked only the green
+unripe, but the dark ripe ones are to be left." That seemed strange to
+Red Antelope, nevertheless he said, "Yes." But Leopard was plucking
+the ripe and leaving the green. When they had finished plucking,
+Leopard said, "Ehibo! shut eyes! that I may descend!" Red Antelope
+shut his eyes. Leopard grasped the vine; and, with one spring, was on
+the ground. Then, he said, "Now, Ehibo, descend." Red Antelope began
+descending by the Bongo, down, down, landing finally on the ground.
+
+Leopard waited for him; and then said, "Having no fire, how shall we
+cook those green bebwehavu?" Just then, he saw a Fire-fly passing;
+and he said. "Mr. Ehibo! Pursue! That's fire passing there!" Red
+Antelope bent in rapid pursuit. Leopard turned to the base of the tree,
+gathered dried fire-wood, struck his flint, lighted a fire, cooked
+his fruits, ate them, finished, and put out his fire. Red Antelope,
+back again, said, "I did not reach it, I'm tired." Leopard said,
+"Well, let it go. I chewed mine uncooked. But, let us journey; and,
+as you go, you chew yours." They went on, and came to the town of the
+marriage. Food was cooked and set for them in their room. Said Leopard,
+"Ehibo, sit you on the floor, while I eat at the table. And, while I
+eat the flesh, you eat the bones." Red Antelope had become so utterly
+wearied and humiliated that he did not resent this indignity. They
+ate. And then Leopard said, "Ehibo, sweep up the scraps, and go and
+throw them into the back yard." (Immediately on his arrival at the
+town, Leopard had gone alone to his father-in-law, and said, "I have
+brought you an animal. But, let another pit, this time, be dug in
+the back yard of the room where we shall be. And, do you put spears
+and daggers and all kinds of sharp sticks there. When I shall send
+him to throw away the sweepings, and he shall fall in, kill ye him.")
+
+Red Antelope swept, and scraped up the sweepings, and threw them into a
+basket. He turned with them to the back yard, to fling them away. As he
+was about to do so, he slipped down to the bottom of the pit. Impaled
+on the spears, he was unable to jump out. When the town's-people
+arrived, they thrust him through with sharp poles; and he lay dead.
+
+When Leopard returned home, Red Antelope's people asked, "Where is
+Ehibo?" Leopard made his former answer, "Ehibo was hindered by the
+hospitality of that marriage town, with its food and its women; and,
+he said, 'I won't go back!'"
+
+Thus, with each journey, Leopard called for another animal. They went,
+over the same route; and the same things happened each time. So,
+matters went on for a long while. But, Gazelle, a very smart beast,
+began to suspect, observing that none of Leopard's travel-companions
+ever came back. In his heart, he thought to himself, "Leopard deceives
+people!" He determined to find out, by offering to go, and watch for
+himself. At last, he said, "Uncle Njâ, let me go to escort you to the
+town of your marriage. When next you go on your journey, call me to go
+with you." Said Leopard, "I don't want you." (He suspected Gazelle's
+smartness.) Gazelle insisted, "Uncle, as to these others whom you
+have invited to go with you, and not the rather me, your relative?"
+
+So, Leopard agreed, "Yes, let us go." By the next morning they started
+on their journey, going on and on, clear to the big River. There,
+as usual, Leopard told about knives to be thrown into the river; and
+he said, "Nephew Iheli, you first throw your knife." Said Gazelle,
+"First, you throw yours, then I will throw mine also." Said Leopard,
+"Well! shut your eyes!" Gazelle half-closed his hands on his eyes, and
+was peeping. He saw Leopard seize a chunk of wood and fling it in the
+water. Then he said, "Shut eyes! Let me also throw mine!" Leopard's
+eyes shut tight. Gazelle, seizing a stick, flung it into the
+water. Then, they crossed the river, and went on and on, until they
+came to the base of the Kuda tree. Leopard made his usual statement
+about parties eating the nuts on opposite sides of the tree. Gazelle,
+with apparent obedience, said, "Yes." Leopard, with knife drawn,
+began to hack and split the nuts, throwing the kernels into his mouth,
+and making his usual derisive remark, "By the truth! a person without
+a knife can not eat the kernels of kuda." Gazelle also, hacking his,
+and throwing them into his mouth, said, "Just exactly so! a person
+without a knife can not eat the kernel of kuda-nut!" Leopard exclaimed,
+"What are you doing? Have you two knives?" Gazelle replied, "But,
+what are you doing? Had you two knives?" Leopard answered, "Yes,
+for, I am the senior." Gazelle responded, "And I also carry two
+knives; for, I also am an adult." Leopard only said, "Iheli! Come
+on!" They went on, until they came to the Ebwehavu tree. There,
+Leopard made his usual explanation of climbing only by means of the
+Bongo tree. Gazelle agreed, and said, "Yes; climb you first." Leopard
+said, "Shut your eyes." Gazelle stood, with eyes apparently tightly
+closed. With one swing on a vine, Leopard is up the tree. Said Gazelle,
+"You also, shut your eyes. Let me go up." Leopard pretended to shut
+his eyes. And Gazelle, with one swing, was also up the tree. Leopard
+made his usual statement about plucking only the green fruit. To which,
+Gazelle seemed to assent.
+
+And they descended the tree, without Leopard attempting to deceive
+Gazelle about the Bongo tree.
+
+But, Leopard seeing the sun going down, said, "Iheli! Pursue! that's
+fire that's going there!" But, Gazelle showed he was not deceived,
+by simply saying, "That's not fire!" So, Leopard gathered fire-wood;
+and they cooked and ate their bebwehavu.
+
+Then, they resumed their journey, and came to the Medicine tree. There
+Leopard told his usual story about the bark of that tree being his
+great cure-all. Gazelle quietly said, "Yes." But, when they left
+the tree, and had gone a short distance farther, he exclaimed, "O! I
+forgot my staff! I must go back and get it!" He went back to the tree,
+stripped bark from it, put it into his traveling-bag, and overtook
+Leopard. And they came on together to the town. After they had entered
+their house, Gazelle remarked to Leopard, "Let me go out and see the
+other fellows, who came with you on your previous journeys, and who,
+you said, had stayed here with the women." He went out; and returned,
+saying, "I saw the women, but none of those fellows." Food was cooked
+for them, and they sat down to eat. But, suddenly, Leopard broke out
+in groans, "Iheli! I feel a pain in my stomach; go, get bark of that
+tree I showed you. The medicine! Get the medicine!" Gazelle answered
+"Yes, but just wait until I finish my plate;" and he continued eating
+rapidly. Leopard was distressed to see the food disappearing; but,
+as he had pretended sickness, he did not dare begin to eat. When,
+finally there was but little food left, Gazelle introduced his
+hand into his bag, and, handing out the pieces of bark, said,
+"Here's your medicine! That's it!" Leopard said, "Yes, just leave
+it there. I do not need the medicine now. The pain has ceased. Let
+us first eat. We will eat together." After finishing their eating,
+Gazelle swept up the scraps, and placed them in a basket. Said Leopard,
+"Come, I will go with you to show you the place where sweepings are
+to be thrown." Gazelle was about to fling the basket, as Leopard came
+to push him into the pit. But, Gazelle lightly leaped across to the
+other side of it, and cried out, "Uncle! what do you want to do to
+me?" Leopard said, "That's nothing!"
+
+It being night, they went to their sleeping-room, Leopard accompanied
+by his wife. He and she carefully jumped over the other pit that was
+inside of the door-way of that house. Gazelle also jumped, with careful
+observation, the while that people stood outside expecting him to fall
+into it. They retired for the night, Leopard and his wife on the bed;
+Gazelle on a mat on the floor. Said Gazelle, "Uncle, if you hear me
+stertorously snoring, then I am awake; but, if silently, then I am
+asleep." In a little while, Gazelle feigned gentle snoring. Leopard
+thinking Gazelle was asleep, took an iron rod, and thrust it into the
+fire. Gazelle saw what he was doing. When it was red-hot, he removed
+it, and, stepping softly, was about to stab Gazelle with it; who,
+quickly moving aside, exclaimed, "Eh! what are you doing?" Leopard
+coolly replied, "Nothing; I was only brushing away an insect that was
+biting you." Gazelle thought within himself, "Njâ will surely kill
+me to-night." So, he took chalk, and secretly marked circles around
+his eyes, making himself look as if his eyes were open and he awake,
+even if he should actually be asleep. After a while, Leopard slept,
+sound asleep with his wife. Then Gazelle passed over to Leopard's bed,
+and lifting the woman (unconscious in her sleep) to his mat on the
+floor, laid down in her place, beside Leopard in the bed. During the
+night, Leopard awoke, and, not noticing, in the darkness, the change
+at his side, went with the rod, to the mat where he supposed Gazelle
+was sleeping, and stabbed the woman to death.
+
+Then Gazelle (who had remained awake) cried out, "Eh! you kill
+another person? You are killing your wife!" Leopard exclaimed,
+"Umph! Is that you? I said to myself that this was you!" Gazelle said,
+"Yes! what did you go to my bed for? So, then! I am the one you wanted
+to kill!" Leopard confessed, "It is true that I came here to kill you,
+thinking this was you. But, as the matter is thus, say no more about
+it. Let us cut up and eat this woman. Come, cut up!" But, Gazelle said,
+"I? When the town's-people hear the chopping, then won't they say,
+'What animal has Iheli killed in his brother-in-law's town, that he
+is cutting it up at night?' Yourself, cut her to pieces."
+
+So, Leopard said, "Well, leave the work on the body of the woman to
+me; but, do you attend to the cooking." Said Gazelle, "I? When the
+town's people shall hear the kettle boiling, then will they say,
+'Whom has Iheli killed in the town of his brother-in-law, that he
+cooks at night?'"
+
+Leopard boiled the kettle. It was cooked; and he said to Gazelle, "Go,
+cut down a bunch of plantains, out there in the back-yard." (This he
+said, hoping that Gazelle would fall into that pit, either in going
+out or coming in.) But, Gazelle said, "I? When the town's people hear
+the strokes of the machete, and the crash of the fall of the bunch,
+then, will they not suspect me, and say, 'What meat has Iheli killed,
+that he is cutting down a plantain at night?' Cut it yourself." Leopard
+went and cut down a bunch of plantains, and said to Gazelle, "Now,
+come and peel the plantains, and cook them." Gazelle refused, "No;
+do you peel and cook. I'm in bed. I'll eat only greens." Then Leopard
+said (making a last effort to get Gazelle into the pit), "Well, go to
+the back-yard, and pluck pepper for the soup." Gazelle again refused,
+"No; when the town's-people hear the plucking of the pods, will they
+not say, 'What animal has Iheli killed that he is gathering pepper
+for the soup?'"
+
+Finally, Leopard, having done all the work, and finished cooking,
+and set the table, said, "Come, Iheli, I have finished all. Come, and
+eat." Gazelle came, but said, "First, put out all the lights." Leopard
+did so. And Gazelle added, "We will understand that whichever, at the
+close of the meal, has the largest pile of bones by his plate, shall
+be known as the one who killed the woman." Leopard agreed. The light
+having been extinguished, they ate in darkness. But, while they were
+eating, Gazelle chose only the bony pieces that had little meat; and,
+having picked them, he quietly laid the bones by Leopard's plate. When
+they had finished eating, the torches were re-lighted, and Gazelle
+cried out at Leopard's big pile of bones. They were counted. And
+Gazelle said, "Did you not say that whoever had the most bones would
+prove himself the murderer? So! indeed! you are the one who killed
+another person's child!"
+
+Leopard evaded, and said, "But, Iheli, take a broom and sweep up the
+scraps from the floor, and throw them into the yard." (Making thus a
+final effort to get Gazelle into that pit.) But, Gazelle, refused,
+"No; yourself do it. When the town's-people hear the bones falling
+as they are thrown in the yard, will they not suspect me, and say,
+'What animal has Iheli killed at night, that he is clearing away the
+scraps?'" Leopard swept up the floor and table, and threw the pieces
+into the backyard. As they were finishing, day began to dawn. Gazelle
+said, "Njâ, the day is breaking; let us seek hiding-places; for, when
+the people come in, in the morning, and find that their daughter
+is dead, lest they kill us." So, they began to look around for
+hiding-places. Gazelle said, "I shall hide in this big box on the
+floor." But, Leopard objected, "No; that traveling-box befits me;
+and, as the elder, I shall take it." Gazelle said, then, "Well,
+I'll hide under the bed." But, Leopard again objected (hoping to
+leave Gazelle without a place). "No; that also is my place; it suits
+me." Gazelle protested, "You are claiming this and that place! Where
+shall I go? Well! I see! I'll hide over the door." "Yes" said Leopard,
+"that's the hiding-place for a young person like you." (This he said,
+still thinking of the pit near the door.) Gazelle agreed, saying,
+"I am here, by the door. You get into that box, and I'll tie it
+with a string, as if no one was in it." Leopard objected, "But,
+the string will hinder my breaking out." "No," replied Gazelle,
+"it shall be a weak twine. You can easily burst it, when you fling
+up the lid, and jump out, and run away."
+
+Leopard got into the box, and Gazelle began to tie it with a heavy
+chain. Leopard hearing the clanking, exclaimed, "With a chain,
+Iheli?" Gazelle had the chain fast; and he coolly replied, "It's only
+a little one." Then he piled heavy stones on the box. As day broke,
+he took his stand among a bundle of dried plantain-leaves that was
+over the door-way. The towns-people sent a child to open the door
+of the strangers' house, to call them to eat. As the child was about
+to enter, Gazelle struck him a blow on the head; and the child went
+away wailing with pain. The child's father said to his family that
+he would go to see what was the matter. As he pushed wide open the
+door of the strangers' house, Gazelle slid down, sprang out, and ran
+rapidly away, shouting, "Njâ is there! Njâ is in that box! He it is
+who has killed your woman!" And the towns-people shouted after him,
+"Is that so? Well, you're off, Iheli! Go!"
+
+Leopard, when he heard that, made desperate efforts to get out of the
+box. The town's-men entered the house and found the box with Leopard
+tied in it. They fired their guns at him, and killed him. As they did
+so, they reproached him, "Why did you kill our daughter, whom you came
+to marry?" Then they gathered together a great pile of fire-wood in
+the street, thrust on to it the dead body of Leopard, and burned him
+there. Gazelle went back to the town of Beasts, and they asked him,
+"Where is he with whom you went on your journey?" Gazelle told them,
+"He is dead. He it was who killed the other Beasts who went with
+him. And he is now killed by the relatives of the woman whom he was
+to marry, but whom also he had murdered."
+
+For this reason, that Gazelle informed on Leopard in the box, the
+relatives of Leopard since then have no friendship with Gazelle, and
+always pursue and try to kill him. The entire Leopard tribe have kept
+up that feud with the Gazelle tribe, saying, "You caused our father's
+death." And they carry on their revenge.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 5
+
+TORTOISE IN A RACE
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Mbalanga (Antelope)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Discussions about seniority are common causes of quarrel in Africa. The
+reason assigned why tortoises are so spread everywhere is that the
+antelope tribe, in public-meeting, recognized their superiority. At
+Batanga, Gaboon, Ogowe, and everywhere on the equatorial west coast,
+there are tortoises even in places where there are no other animals. On
+account of this, the tortoise is given many names; and has many
+nicknames in the native tribes, e.g., "Manyima," and "Evosolo."
+
+
+
+Tortoise had formerly lived in the same town with several other
+animals. But, after awhile, they had decided to separate, and each
+built his own village.
+
+One day, Tortoise decided to roam. So he started, and went on an
+excursion; leaving his wife and two children in the village. On his
+way, he came to the village of Antelope. The latter welcomed him,
+killed a fowl, and prepared food for him; and they sat at the table,
+eating.
+
+When they had finished eating, Antelope asked, "Kudu! My friend,
+what is your journey for?"
+
+Tortoise answered, "I have come to inquire of you, as to you and me,
+which is the elder?" Antelope replied, "Kudu! I am older than you!" But
+Tortoise responded, "No! I am the elder!" Then Antelope said, "Show
+me the reason why you are older than I!" Tortoise said, continuing the
+discussion, "I will show you a sign of seniority. Let us have a race,
+as a test of speed." Antelope replied derisively, "Aiye! how shall
+I know to test speed with Kudu? Does Kudu race?" However, he agreed,
+and said, "Well! in three days the race shall be made."
+
+Tortoise spoke audaciously, "You, Mbalanga, cannot surpass me in a
+race!" Antelope laughed, having accepted the challenge; while Tortoise
+pretended to sneer, and said, "I am the one who will overcome!"
+
+The course chosen, beginning on the beach south of Batanga, was more
+than seventy miles from the Campo River northward to the Balimba
+Country.
+
+Then Tortoise went away, going everywhere to give directions, and
+returned to his village. He sent word secretly to all the Tortoise
+Tribe to call them. When they had come very many of them together,
+he told them, "I have called my friend Mbalanga for a race. I know
+that he can surpass me in this race, unless you all help me in my
+plan. He will follow the sea-beach. You all must line yourselves
+among the bushes at the top of the beach along the entire route all
+the way from Campo to Balimba. When Mbalanga, coming along, at any
+point, looks around to see whether I am following, and calls out,
+'Kudu! where are you?' the one of you who is nearest that spot must
+step out from his place, and answer for me, 'Here!'"
+
+Thus he located all the other tortoises in the bushes on the entire
+route. Also, he placed a colored mark on all the tortoises, making
+the face of every one alike. He stationed them clear on to the place
+where he expected that Antelope would be exhausted. Then he ended,
+taking his own place there.
+
+Antelope also arranged for himself, and said, to his wife, "My
+wife! make me food; for, Kudu and I have agreed on a race; and it
+begins at seven o'clock in the morning."
+
+When all was ready, Antelope said, to (the one whom he supposed was)
+Kudu, "Come! let us race!" They started. Antelope ran on and on,
+and came as far as about ten miles to the town of Ubenji, among the
+Igara people. At various spots on the way Tortoise apparently was lost
+behind; but as constantly he seemed to re-appear, saying, "I'm here!"
+
+At once, Antelope raced forward rapidly, pu! pu! pu! to a town named
+Ipenyenye. Then he looked around and said, "Where is Kudu?" A tortoise
+stepped out of the bushes, saying "Here I am! You haven't raced."
+
+Antelope raced on until he reached the town of Beyâ. Again looking
+around, he said, "Where is Kudu?" A tortoise stepped out, replying,
+"I'm here!"
+
+Antelope again raced, until he reached the town Lolabe. Again he
+asked, "Where is Kudu?" A tortoise saying to himself, "He hasn't
+heard anything," replied, "Here I am!"
+
+Again Antelope raced on as far as from there to a rocky point by the
+sea named Ilale-ja-moto; and then he called, "Wherever is Kudu?" A
+tortoise ready answered, "Here I am!"
+
+From thence, he came on in the race another stretch of about ten
+miles, clear to the town of Bongaheli of the Batanga people. At each
+place on the route, when Antelope, losing sight of Tortoise, called,
+"Kudu! where are you?" promptly the tortoise on guard at that spot
+replied, "I'm here!"
+
+Then on he went, steadily going, going, another stretch of about twenty
+miles to Plantation Beach. Still the prompt reply to Antelope's call,
+"Kudu, where are you?" was, "I'm here!"
+
+As he started away from Plantation, the wearied Antelope began to
+feel his legs tired. However, he pressed on to Small Batanga, hoping
+for victory over his despised contestant. But, on his reaching the
+edge of Balimba, the tortoise was there ready with his, "I'm here!"
+
+Finally, on reaching the end of the Balimba settlement, Antelope
+fell down, dying, froth coming from his mouth, and lay dead, being
+utterly exhausted with running. But, when Tortoise arrived, he took
+a magic-medicine, and restored Antelope to life; and then exulted
+over him by beating him, and saying, "Don't you show me your audacity
+another day by daring to run with me! I have surpassed you!"
+
+So, they returned separately to their homes on the Campo
+River. Tortoise called together the Tortoise Tribe; and Antelope
+called all the Antelope Tribe. And they met in a Council of all the
+Animals. Then Tortoise rose and spoke--"All you Kudu Tribe! Mbalanga
+said I would not surpass him in a race. But, this day I have
+surpassed!"
+
+So the Antelope Tribe had to acknowledge, "Yes, you, Kudu, have
+surpassed our champion. It's a great shame to us; for, we had not
+supposed that a slow fellow such as we thought you to be, could
+possibly do it, or be able to out-run a Mbalanga."
+
+So the Council decided that, of all the tribes of animals, Tortoise
+was to be held as greatest; for, that it had out-run Antelope. And
+the Animals gave Tortoise the power to rule.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 6
+
+GOAT'S TOURNAMENT
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Tomba (Goat)
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+The reason why leopards wander everywhere, and fight all other animals,
+is their shame at being overcome by a goat. Their ancestor had said,
+"I did not know that a Goat could overcome me."
+
+
+
+The Tribe of Goats sent a message to the Tribe of Leopards, saying,
+"Let us have a Wrestling Match, in an effort to see which is the
+stronger." Then Leopard took counsel with his Tribe, "This Tribe of
+Goats! I do not see that they have any strength. Let us agree to the
+contest; for, they can do nothing to me."
+
+So, the Goat Tribe gathered all together; and the Leopard Tribe
+all together; and they met in a street of a town, to engage in the
+drumming and dancing and singing usually preceding such contests.
+
+For the wrestling, they joined in thirty pairs, one from each
+tribe. The first pair wrestled; and the representative of the
+Leopards was overcome and thrown to the ground. Another pair joined;
+and again the Leopard champion was overcome. A third pair joined and
+wrestled, contesting desperately; the Leopard in shame, and the Goat
+in exultation. Again the Leopard was overcome.
+
+There was, during all this time, drumming by the adherents of both
+parties. The Leopard drum was now beaten fiercely to encourage their
+side, as they had already been overcome three times in succession.
+
+Then, on the fourth effort, the Leopard succeeded in overcoming. Again
+a pair fought; and Leopard overcame a second time. The sixth pair
+joined; and Leopard said, "Today we wrestle to settle that doubt as
+to which of us is the stronger."
+
+So, pair after pair wrestled, until all of the thirty arranged pairs
+had contested. Of these, the Leopard tribe were victors ten times;
+and the Goat Tribe twenty times.
+
+Then the Leopard tribe said, "We are ashamed that the report should
+go out among all the animals that we beat only ten times, and the
+Tomba twenty times. So, we will not stay any longer here, with their
+and our towns near together:" for they knew that their Leopard tribe
+would always be angry when they should see a company of Goats passing,
+remembering how often they were beaten. So, they moved away into the
+forest distant from their hated rivals. In their cherished anger at
+being beaten, and to cover their shame, Leopard attacks a Goat when
+he meets him alone, or any other single beast known to be friendly
+to the Goats, e.g., Oxen or Antelopes.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 7
+
+WHY GOATS BECAME DOMESTIC
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Tomba-Ya-Taba (Goat)
+    With Etoli, plural Betoli (Rat)
+    Vyâdu (Antelope, plural Lâdu)
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+    Ko (Wild-Rat)
+    Njâku (Elephant)
+    Mankind
+    Nyati (Ox)
+
+
+
+Goat and his mother lived alone in their village. He said to her,
+"I have here a magic-medicine to strengthen one in wrestling. There
+is no one who can overcome me, or cast me down; I can overcome any
+other person."
+
+The other Beasts heard of this boast; and they took up the
+challenge. First, house-Rats, hundreds of them, came to Goat's village,
+to test him. And they began the wrestling. He overcame them, one by
+one, to the number of two hundred. So, the Rats went back to their
+places, admitting that they were not able to overcome him.
+
+Then, forest-Rat came to wrestle with Goat. He overcame them also,
+all of them. And they went back to their own place defeated.
+
+Then, the Antelope came to wrestle with Goat. He overcame all the
+Antelopes, every one of them; not one was able to withstand him. And
+they also went back to their places.
+
+Also, Elephant with all the elephants, came on that same
+challenge. Goat overcame all the Elephants; and they too, went back
+to their place.
+
+Thus, all the Beasts came, in the same way, and were overcome in the
+same way, and went back in the same way.
+
+But, there still remained one Beast, only one, Leopard, who had not
+made the attempt. So he said he would go; as he was sure he could
+overcome. He came. Goat overcame him also. So, it was proved that
+not a single beast could withstand Goat.
+
+Then the Father of All-the-Leopards said, "I am ashamed that this Beast
+should overcome me. I will kill him!" And he made a plan to do so. He
+went to the spring where Mankind got their drinking-water. And he
+stood, hiding at the spring. Men of the town went to the spring to get
+water; Leopard killed two of them. The people went to tell Goat, "Go
+away from here, for Leopard is killing Mankind on your account." The
+Mother of Goat said to him, "If that is so, let us go to my brother
+Vyâdu." So they both went to go to Uncle Antelope. And they came
+to his village. When they told him their errand, he bravely said,
+"Remain here! Let me see Njâ come here with his audacity!"
+
+They were then at Antelope's village, about two days. On the third
+day, about eight o'clock in the morning, Leopard came there as if for
+a walk. When Antelope saw him, Goat and his mother hid themselves;
+and Antelope asked Leopard, "What is your anger? Why are you angry
+with my nephew?"
+
+At that very moment while Antelope was speaking, Leopard seized him
+on the ear. Antelope cried out, "What are you killing me for?" Leopard
+replied, "Show me the place where Tomba-Taba and his mother are." So,
+Antelope being afraid said, "Come tonight, and I will show you where
+they sleep. And you kill them; but don't kill me."
+
+While he was saying this, Goat overheard, and said to his mother,
+"We must flee, lest Njâ kill us." So, at sun-down, that evening, Goat
+and his mother fled to the village of Elephant. About midnight, Leopard
+came to Antelope's village, according to appointment, and looked for
+Goat, but did not find him. Leopard went to all the houses of the
+village, and when he came to Antelope's own, in his disappointment,
+he killed him.
+
+Leopard kept up his search, and followed to find where Goat had
+gone. Following the tracks, he came to the village of Elephant. When
+he arrived there, Elephant demanded, "What's the matter?" And the same
+conversation was held, as at Antelope's village, and the incidents
+happened as at that village, ending with Elephant's being killed
+by Leopard. For, Goat and his mother had fled, and had gone to the
+village of Ox.
+
+Leopard followed, and came to Ox's village. There all the same things
+were said and done, as in the other villages, and ending with Goat
+and his mother fleeing, and Ox being killed.
+
+Then, the mother, wearying of flight, and sorry at causing their
+entertainers to be killed, said, "My child! if we continue to flee to
+the villages of other beasts, Njâ will follow, and will kill them. Let
+us flee to the homes of Mankind."
+
+So, they fled again, and came to the town of Man, and told him their
+story. He received them kindly. He took Goat and his mother as guests,
+and gave them a house to live in.
+
+One time, at night, Leopard came to the town of Man, in pursuit
+of Goat. But Man said to Leopard, "Those Beasts whom you killed,
+failed to find a way in which to kill you. But, if you come here,
+we will find a way." So, that night, Leopard went back to his village.
+
+On another day, Mankind began to make a big trap, with two rooms
+in it. They took Goat and put him in one room of the trap. Night
+came. Leopard left his village, still going to seek for Goat; and
+he came again to the town of Man. Leopard stood still, listened, and
+sniffed the air. He smelled the odor of Goat, and was glad, and said,
+"So! this night I will kill him!"
+
+He saw an open way to a small house. He thought it was a door. He
+entered, and was caught in the trap. He could see Goat through the
+cracks in the wall, but could not get at him. Goat jeered at him,
+"My friend! you were about to kill me, but you are unable."
+
+Daybreak came. And people of Man's town found Leopard in the trap,
+caught fast. They took machetes and guns, and killed him. Then Man said
+to Goat, "You shall not go back to the Forest; remain here always."
+
+This is the reason that Goats like to live with mankind, through fear
+of Leopards.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 8
+
+IGWANA'S FORKED TONGUE
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Ngâmbi (Igwana)
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+    Betoli (Rats)
+    Vyâdu (Antelope)
+    Iheli (Gazelle)
+    Ehibo (Red Antelope)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Natives believe that the Igwana kills with its long tongue. This story
+assigns the fear of leopards as a reason why Igwanas like to live near
+water. Igwanas swim readily, while leopards (as all the cat-tribe)
+do not like even to wet their feet.
+
+
+
+There were two friends, Igwana and Leopard, living in the same
+village, one at each end. Igwana had six wives; Leopard also had
+six. Leopard begot twenty children; Igwana had eight. One time, at
+night, they were sitting with their wives and children in the street,
+in a conversation. Leopard said to Igwana, "Ngâmbi! I have a word to
+say to you." Igwana said, "Speak."
+
+Then Leopard said, "I wish you and me to have our food
+together." Igwana agreed, "Well." And Leopard arranged, "For two
+months, you shall come and eat in my house; and then, for two months,
+I at your house."
+
+And they separated, to go to their houses for sleep.
+
+Soon the night passed, and day broke.
+
+Leopard went to the forest and killed an Antelope. He and Igwana and
+their families spent four days in eating it.
+
+On another day, Leopard went to the forest and killed a Gazelle. It
+also was finished in four days.
+
+And again, Leopard went to the forest, and killed a Red Antelope. They
+were occupied in eating it also four days.
+
+So, they continued all the two months. Then Leopard said, "Ngâmbi! it
+is your time to begin the food." Igwana replied, "I have no wild meat,
+only vegetables."
+
+On the following day, Igwana got ready his food and sent word for
+Leopard to come to eat. He came and ate, there being on the table only
+vegetables and salt. Then the day darkened; and, in the evening they
+all came together in one place, as usual. Leopard said to Igwana,
+"I began my turn with meats in my house, and you ate them. I cannot
+eat only vegetables and salt." Igwana explained, "I do not know the
+arts for killing beasts." Leopard told him, "Begin now to try the
+art of how to catch beasts." Igwana replied, "If I begin a plan for
+catching Beasts, that plan will be a dreadful one." Leopard exclaimed,
+"Good! begin!"
+
+Igwana promised, "Tomorrow I will begin."
+
+And they all went to their houses to sleep their sleep. The night
+passed, and day broke.
+
+Igwana started out very early in the morning. On the way, he came to
+a big tree. He stood at its base, and, with a cord, he loosely tied
+his own hands and feet around the tree. Then he began to squeak as
+if in pain, "Hwa! hwa! hwa!" three times.
+
+At that same time, a child of Leopard had gone wandering out into the
+forest. He found Igwana tied to the tree and crying. Igwana said to
+him, "Ah! my child! come near me, and untie me."
+
+The child of Leopard came near to him; and then Igwana thrust
+his forked tongue into the nostrils of young leopard, and pulled
+his brains out, so that the child died. Then Igwana untied himself,
+skinned the young leopard, divided it, tied the pieces in a big bundle
+of leaves, and took them and the skin to the village. There he gave
+the meat to his wife, who put it in a pot. And he went to his house,
+and left the skin hanging in his bedroom.
+
+Then when the meat was cooked, he sent word for Leopard to come and
+eat. Leopard came and sat down at the table, and they ate. As they
+were eating, Leopard said, "Ah! my friend! You said you did not know
+how to catch beasts! What is this fine meat?"
+
+Igwana replied, "I am unable to tell you. Just you eat it." So, they
+ate, and finished eating. Igwana continued that way for two weeks,
+killing the young leopards.
+
+At that Leopard said to himself, "I had begotten twenty children, but
+now I find only ten. Where are the other ten?" He asked his children
+where their brothers were. They answered that they did not know,
+"Perhaps they were lost in the forest." The while that Igwana was
+killing the young leopards, he had hidden their skins all in his
+bedroom.
+
+On another day, Leopard and Igwana began a journey together to a
+place about forty miles distant. Before he started, Igwana closed his
+house, and said to his children, "Njâ and I are going on a journey;
+while I am away, do not let any one enter into my bedroom." And they
+two went together on their journey. They reached their journey's end,
+and were there for the duration of seven days. While they were gone,
+there was no one to get meat for their people, and there came on
+their village a great njangu (hunger for meat).
+
+One of those days, in the village, so great was that famine that the
+children of Leopard were searching for rats for food. The rats ran
+away to the house of Igwana that was shut up; and the children of
+Leopard pursued. But the children of Igwana said to them, "Do not
+enter the house! Our father forbade it! Stop at the door-way!"
+
+But the young leopards replied, "No! all the Betoli have run in
+there. We must follow." So, they broke down the door. There they found
+skins of young leopards, and they exclaimed, "So! indeed! Ngâmbi
+kills our brothers!" And two days later, the two fathers came back
+to the village.
+
+The young igwanas told their father that the young leopards had broken
+the door, and found leopard-skins hanging inside. Igwana asked them,
+"Really? They saw?" The young igwanas answered, "Yes! they saw!" Then
+Igwana said, "Be on your guard! For, Njâ will be angry with me."
+
+Also, the young leopards said to their father, "Paia! so it is that
+Ngâmbi killed our brothers. We saw their skins in his bedroom." Leopard
+asked, "Truly?" They answered, "Yes! we saw!" He said only, "Well,
+let it be."
+
+On another day, Leopard said, "This night I will go to Ngâmbi to kill
+him and all his children." The wife of Igwana heard this, and told
+him, "Tonight, Njâ will come to kill you and our children." At this,
+Igwana said to himself "But! we must flee, I, and my children, and
+my wives!" So, they all went and hid in the water of a small stream.
+
+Leopard came, in the dark of the morning, to Igwana's house, and
+entered it; but he saw no people, only the skins of his children. So
+he exclaimed, "At whatever place I shall see Ngâmbi, I will kill and
+eat him. We, he and I, have no more friendship!"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 9
+
+WHAT CAUSED THEIR DEATHS?
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Mbwa (Dog)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Mbala (Squirrel)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Dog and squirrel were of the same age, and they met with the same
+end. They each had an object of their special liking, the excessive
+use of which finally was the cause of their death.
+
+
+
+Dog, Squirrel, Tortoise and others were living in one town. They all,
+at that time, ate of the same kind of food. But, they were at peace
+in that village during only two weeks. Then Squirrel and Dog said
+to Tortoise, "Let us divide, and have peace each at our separate
+villages. You, Kudu, and the others can stay at this spot if you like."
+
+Squirrel said he would remove to a place about three miles distant
+north. Dog went about three miles in the opposite direction. So,
+each had his own little hamlet.
+
+On another day, Squirrel said to his wife, "I am going on a journey
+to see my friend Mbwa." He started, came to Dog's place, and entered
+the house. Dog welcomed him, played with him, and killed a fowl for
+their dinner. With Squirrel had come one of his wives.
+
+While the women were cooking inside the house, Dog and Squirrel
+were sitting in the ikenga (reception-room). They were conversing
+there. After awhile, Dog said to Squirrel "Excuse me, I will go to
+see about the food." He went inside, and lay down near the fire,
+and Squirrel was left alone.
+
+Dog stayed there inside the house, until the food was cooked. Then
+he came out to his friend, and began to set the table, while the
+women came in with the food, and put it on the table. Dog drew up
+by the table ready to eat; and Squirrel also; and Squirrel's wife,
+and Dog's wife also, making four at the table.
+
+During the eating, Squirrel said to Dog, "My friend! when you left me
+here in the ikenga, where did you go to, the while that the women were
+cooking the food?" Dog answered, "Ah! my friend, you know that I like
+fire very much. While we were talking here, you and I, cold seized me."
+
+Then Squirrel said, "Ah! my friend, you like fire too much; I think
+you will die of fire some day."
+
+They finished the food; and after that, Squirrel prepared his return
+journey to his village. And he said to Dog, "My friend Mbwa, how many
+days before you shall come to my place?" Dog answered, "In two days,
+then will I come."
+
+So, Squirrel returned to his village. His wives and children told
+him the daily news of what had occurred in the village while he was
+away. And he told them about what he had seen at Dog's. And he added,
+"But, there is one thing I noticed; my friend Mbwa likes fire very
+much."
+
+He waited the two days; Dog came on his visit; and Squirrel killed
+a fowl for his guest. And he bade his woman cook the fowl. In the
+meanwhile, Dog and Squirrel sat in the ikenga conversing. Presently
+Squirrel said to Dog, "Excuse me, I am going. I will return."
+
+Squirrel went out into his garden, and climbed up a banana stalk,
+and began eating the ripe fruit at the top of the bunch. After awhile,
+he came down again. And he went into the ikenga to prepare the table
+for the food. When it was ready, Dog sat up at the table. With him
+were his wife, and Squirrel and Squirrel's wife.
+
+Presently, Dog inquired of Squirrel, "My friend! when you left
+me sitting here alone, where did you go to?" Squirrel answered,
+"My friend! you know I like to eat bananas. So, I was up the tree,"
+Then Dog said, "My friend! you love bananas too much; some day,
+you will die with them."
+
+When they had finished their food, Dog said, "I am on my return to
+my village." So he returned thither. But he was arrived there only
+two days when he happened to fall into the fire-place. And he died
+in the fire. The news was carried to his friend Squirrel, "Your
+friend Mbwa is dead by fire." Squirrel replied, "Yes, I said so;
+for he loved fire too much."
+
+On another day, in Man's town, a person went to look for food at his
+banana tree. And he saw that the fruit was eaten at the top, by some
+animal. So, that Man made a snare at the Banana tree. On the next day,
+Squirrel said to himself, "I'm going to eat my banana food wherever
+I shall find it."
+
+He came to the town of Man, and climbed the tree. The snare caught
+and killed him; and he died there. The Man came and found the body
+of Squirrel; and he exclaimed "Good!"
+
+The news was carried to the village of Squirrel's children, "Your
+father is dead, at a banana tree."
+
+And they said, "Yes; for our father loved bananas very much. He had
+said that Mbwa would die by fire because he loved fire. And himself
+also loved bananas."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 10
+
+A QUARREL ABOUT SENIORITY
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Ihendi (Squirrel)
+    And 2 children
+        Ikundu (Vengeance)
+        Ihana (Help)
+    Pe (Viper)
+    A Hunter
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+This story suggests that when a neighbor flatters another, suspicion is
+raised that he is plotting some evil. Squirrel and the Adder professed
+great friendship; but their friendship was soon broken.
+
+Claims of seniority are a constant cause of native quarrels.
+
+A certain fetish-charm or "medicine" (generally poisonous) is supposed
+to be able to decide, on its being drunk by accused parties, as to
+their guilt or innocence.
+
+There is a common belief in premonitions by unusual beats of the heart,
+or twitching of any muscle.
+
+
+
+Squirrel and Adder were great friends, living in the same town. Each
+of them had two wives.
+
+One day, in the afternoon, Squirrel and one of his wives went into the
+house of Adder. The latter said to his wife, "Make ready food." So,
+she made a great deal of food. Then he said to his friend Squirrel,
+"Come, eat!" But Squirrel said, "I won't eat alone without my wife." So
+he called his wife to eat. His wife came and ate at the table. Then
+he said to Adder, "Also, you call your wife to eat with us." So
+Adder's wife came. And Squirrel said to Adder, "Now let us eat; for,
+everything is right." So they began to eat.
+
+While they were eating, Adder said, "I have a word to say about you,
+Ihendi." Squirrel replied, "Speak your word; I will listen." Then Adder
+asked, "You, Ihendi, and I, Pe; which is the elder? And your wife
+and my wife; also which is the elder?" Squirrel replied, "I am the
+elder, and my wife is older than your wife." But Adder said, "No! I
+am the elder; and my wife is older than yours." Squirrel responded,
+"I will give you my answer tomorrow in my own house." This occurred
+in the evening.
+
+Then the day darkened, and Squirrel went to his house to lie
+down. Adder also went to lie down in his bedroom.
+
+In the night, Squirrel remarked to his wife, "My wife! what sort of
+a word is this that Pe has spoken about so to me? I don't know about
+his birth, and he does not know of mine. We have no other person in
+the town who is able to decide which of us is the elder, and which the
+younger. This question has some affair behind it." His wife replied
+"I think that Pe wants to get up a quarrel in order to kill you or our
+children." Squirrel had two children, one named Vengeance and the other
+Help. Squirrel replied to his wife, "No! I will have no discussion
+with Pe; but tomorrow there shall be only a test of Medicine."
+
+Soon the day broke. Squirrel sent word to Pe, "Chum! you and I will
+have today nothing else but a medicine-test and no quarrel. For, you
+and I profess to love each other. I do this to prove both yourself
+and myself, lest you get up some affair against me, even though we
+love each other very much." Adder consented, "Yes; get the Medicine. I
+will know then what I shall say."
+
+Squirrel went to the forest to get leaves and bark of a certain
+tree for the kwai (test). On his return, he said to Adder, "Here is
+the test; let us drink of it." Adder replied, "The Medicine is of
+your getting. You first drink of it." Squirrel agreed, "Yes, I will
+drink first."
+
+So, Squirrel, conscious of his innocence, drank the test and swore
+an oath, "If I meet Pe's mother, it shall be only in peace. Or his
+father, only peace; or his children, only peace." Squirrel added,
+"I have finished speaking for my part." And he sat down on the ground.
+
+Then Adder arose from his seat and stood up. And he exclaimed,
+"Yes! let it be so!" He took up the medicine from the ground; and he
+drank of it greedily. And he swore, "If I meet with the children of
+Ihende, it will be only to swallow them. Or, father of Ihende, only
+to eat him; or mother of Ihende, only to eat her!" Then he sat down.
+
+But, Squirrel exclaimed, "Ha! my friend! you saw how I drank my share
+of the medicine, and I have not spoken thus as you. For what reason
+have you thus spoken?" Adder answered, "Yes! I said so; and I will
+not alter my words."
+
+They dispersed from the medicine ordeal, and went each to his
+house. Then that day darkened into night. And they all went to
+their sleep.
+
+Soon the next day broke. Squirrel and his wife prepared for a journey
+to the forest to seek food. He said to his wife, "Leave the children in
+the house." So the woman shut them in, and closed the doors tight. And
+he and she went off to the forest.
+
+Later on in the morning, Adder arose from his place, and he said
+to himself, "I'm going to stroll over to the house of my friend
+Ihende." So he came to Squirrel's house, and found no one there. He
+tried to break in the door; finally, he succeeded in opening it;
+and he entered the house. He found the two children of Squirrel
+lying together asleep. He shook them, and they awoke. He asked them,
+"Where is my friend?" They answered, "Our father and mother have gone
+to the forest."
+
+Then Adder suddenly joined the two children together and swallowed
+them. (They were both of them lads.) Then he went out of the house,
+and closed the door. His stomach being distended with what he had
+swallowed, he went back to his house, and laid down on his bed.
+
+Off in the forest, Squirrel said to his wife, "My heart beats
+so strangely! I have eaten nothing here; what should disturb my
+heart?" His wife replied, "Well! let us hasten back to town. Perhaps
+some affair has happened in our house!"
+
+They hastily gathered their food, to go back rapidly to town. On
+their arrival, they went at once to their house. Looking at the door,
+the wife exclaimed, "I did not leave this door so! Who has been at
+it?" Her husband urged, "Quickly! Open the door! Let us enter at
+once!" They opened the door; and found no one in the house.
+
+Then Squirrel, fearing evil, said to her, "Stay you here! I will go
+over to Pe's house. I know that fellow!" He came to Adder's house, and
+found him distended with this stomach. Squirrel asked him, "Chum! have
+you been at my house?" Adder answered, "Yes, I went to your house; but
+I have done nothing there." Squirrel asked him, feeling sure of his
+guilt, "But, where then are my children? Why did you not leave even
+one of them? Ah! my friend!" Adder replied, "When we drank the Test,
+did I not swear the truth that if I met with your children, I would
+swallow them?" Squirrel answered, "Yes! and you have kept your word
+well! But you shall see something just now and here!" Adder laughed,
+and said, "What can you do? You have no strength like mine."
+
+Close by the house of Adder (which was only a hole in the ground)
+was a large tree. Squirrel went out of the house, and climbed to the
+top of the tree. There he began to wail for his dead, and cried out,
+"Ikundu ja mâ! Ikundu ja mâ!" (A play on words: either an apostrophe to
+the name of one of his children, or a prayer for vengeance.) Another
+squirrel, that was a mile or two away, heard the wailing; and it came
+to where Squirrel was. Also his wife followed Squirrel to that tree;
+and she wailed too. And other squirrels came; about twenty.
+
+A hunter, living in the town of Mankind, started from his town to go
+hunting. Coming along the path, he heard Squirrel crying. Looking
+up, he exclaimed, "O! how many squirrels!" He thought to himself,
+"Why do these animals make this noise, and keep looking down at the
+foot of this big tree?"
+
+He approached near to the tree; and they dispersed among the
+branches. He then said to himself, "I will look around here at the
+bottom; for, as those squirrels continue their cry, they keep looking
+down here." Searching at the foot of the tree, he saw a hole, like
+the home of some beast. Looking in, he saw the Adder sluggish in his
+distention. The hunter killed it with his machete. And he took the
+dead adder with him to the town of Mankind.
+
+Squirrel, from the tree-top, shouted after dead Adder, "You have
+seen my promised Ikundu." (Another play on words; either--"You saw
+my child;" or, "You see my Vengeance.")
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 11
+
+THE MAGIC DRUM
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    King Maseni, A Man
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+    Ngâmâ (A Magic Drum)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+The reason is here given why the turtle tribe of tortoises likes
+to live only in water; viz., their fear of the vengeance of the
+descendants of Leopard the King, because of the whipping to which he
+was subjected by the trick of the ancestor of the tortoises.
+
+
+
+In the Ancient days, there were Mankind and all the Tribes of the
+Animals living together in one country. They built their towns,
+and they dwelt together in one place. In the country of King Maseni,
+Tortoise and Leopard occupied the same town; the one at one end of
+the street, and the other at the other.
+
+Leopard married two women; Tortoise also his two.
+
+It happened that a time of famine came, and a very great hunger fell
+on the Tribes covering that whole region of country. So, King Maseni
+issued a law, thus:--"Any person who shall be found having a piece of
+food, he shall he brought to me." (That is, for the equal distribution
+of that food.) And he appointed police as watchmen to look after that
+whole region.
+
+The famine increased. People sat down hopelessly, and died of
+hunger. Just as, even today, it destroys the poor; not only of Africa,
+but also in the lands of Manga-Manene (White Man's Land). And, as
+the days passed, people continued sitting in their hopelessness.
+
+One day, Tortoise went out early, going, going and entering into
+the jungles, to seek for his special food, mushrooms. He had said
+to his wife, "I am going to stroll on the beach off down toward the
+south." As he journeyed and journeyed, he came to a river. It was
+a large one, several hundred feet in width. There he saw a coco-nut
+tree growing on the river-bank. When he reached the foot of the tree,
+and looked up at its top, he discovered that it was full of very many
+nuts. He said to himself. "I'm going up there, to gather nuts; for,
+hunger has seized me." He laid aside his traveling-bag, leaving it on
+the ground, and at once climbed the tree, expecting to gather many
+of the nuts. He plucked two, and threw them to the ground. Plucking
+another, and attempting to throw it, it slipped from his hand, and
+fell into the stream running below.
+
+Then he exclaimed, "I've come here in hunger; and does my coco-nut
+fall into the water to be lost?" He said to himself, "I'll leave here,
+and drop into the water, and follow the nut." So, he plunged down,
+splash! into the water. He dove down to where the nut had sunk, to get
+it. And he was carried away by the current. Following the nut where the
+current had carried it, he came to the landing-place of a strange Town,
+where was a large House. People were there in it. And other people
+were outside, playing. They called to him. From the House, he heard a
+Voice, saying "Take me! take me! take me!" (It was a Drum that spoke.)
+
+At the landing-place was a woman washing a child. The woman said
+to him, "What is it that brought you here? And, Kudu, where are you
+going?" He replied, "There is great hunger in our town. So, on my way,
+I came seeking for my mushrooms. Then it was that I saw a coco tree;
+and I climbed it; for, I am hungry and have nothing to eat. I threw
+down the nuts. One fell into the river. I followed it; and I came
+hither." Then the woman said, "Now then, you are saved." And she added,
+"Kudu! go to that House over there. You will see a Thing there. That
+Thing is a Drum. Start, and go at once to where the Drums are."
+
+Others of those people called out to him, "There are many such Things
+there. But, the kind that you will see which says, 'Take me! take
+me!' do not take it. But, the Drum which is silent and does not speak,
+but only echoes, 'wo-wo-wo,' without any real words, you must take
+it. Carry it with you, and tie it to that coco tree. Then you must
+say to the Drum, 'Ngâmâ! speak as they told to you!'" So, Tortoise
+went on, and on, to the House, and took the Drum, and, carrying it,
+came back to the river bank where the Woman was. She said to him,
+"You must first try to learn how to use it. Beat it!" He beat it. And,
+a table appeared with all kinds of food! And, when he had eaten,
+he said to the Drum, "Put it back!" And the table disappeared.
+
+He carried the Drum with him clear back to the foot of the coco
+tree. He tied it with a rattan to the tree, and then said to the Drum,
+"Ngâmâ! do as they said!" Instantly, the Drum set out a long table,
+and put on all sorts of food. Tortoise felt very glad and happy for
+the abundance of food. So he ate and ate, and was satisfied. Again
+he said, "Ngâmâ! do as they said!" And Drum took back the table and
+the food to itself up the tree, leaving a little food at the foot;
+and then came back to the hand of Tortoise. He put this little food
+in his traveling-bag, and gathered from the ground the coco-nuts
+he had left lying there in the morning, and started to go back to
+his town. He stopped at a spot a short distance in the rear of the
+town. So delighted was he with his Drum that he tested it again. He
+stood it up, and with the palm of his hand struck it, tomu! A table
+at once stood there, with all kinds of food. Again he ate, and also
+filled his traveling-bag. Then he said to a tree that was standing
+near by, "Bend down!" It bowed; and he tied the Drum to its branch;
+and went off into the town. The coco-nuts and the mushrooms he handed
+to his women and children. After he had entered his house, his chief
+wife said to him, "Where have you been all this long while since
+the morning?" He replied evasively, "I went wandering clear down
+to the beach to gather coco-nuts. And, this day I saw a very fine
+thing. You, my wife, shall see it!" Then he drew out the food from
+the bag, potatoes, and rice, and beef. And he said, "The while that
+we eat this food, no one must show any of it to Njâ." So, they two,
+and his other wife and their family of children ate.
+
+Soon day darkened; and they all went to go to sleep. And soon another
+day began to break. At day-break, Tortoise started to go off to the
+place where was the Drum. Arrived there, he went to the tree, and said
+to the Drum, "Ngâmâ! do as they said!" The Drum came rapidly down to
+the ground, and put out the table all covered with food. Tortoise took
+a part, and ate, and was satisfied. Then he also filled the bag. Then
+said he to the Drum, "Do as you did!" And Drum took back the things,
+and went up the tree. On another day, at day-break, he went to the
+tree and did the same way.
+
+On another day, as he was going, his eldest son, curious to find
+out where his father obtained so much food, secretly followed
+him. Tortoise went to where the Drum was. The child hid himself, and
+stood still. He heard his father say to the tree, "Bend!" And its top
+bent down. The child saw the whole process, as Tortoise took the Drum,
+stood it up, and with the palm of his hand, struck it, ve! saying,
+"Do as you have been told to do!" At once a table stood prepared,
+at which Tortoise sat down and ate. And then, when he had finished,
+saying, "Tree! bend down," it bent over for Drum to be tied to it. He
+returned Drum to the branch; and the tree stood erect.
+
+On other days, Tortoise came to the tree, and did the same way, eating;
+and returning to his house; on all such occasions, bringing food for
+his family. One day, the son, who had seen how to do all those things,
+came to the tree, and said to it, "Bow down." It bowed; and he did
+as his father had done. So Drum spread the table. The child ate, and
+finished eating. Then said he to Drum, "Put them away!" And the table
+disappeared. Then he took up the Drum, instead of fastening it to the
+tree, and secretly carried it to town to his own house. He went to call
+privately his brothers, and his father's women, and other members of
+the family. When they had come together in his house, at his command,
+the Drum did as usual; and they ate. And when he said to the Drum,
+"Put away the things!" it put them away.
+
+Tortoise came that day from the forest where he had been searching
+for the loved mushrooms for his family. He said to himself, "Before
+going into the town, I will first go to the tree to eat." As he
+approached the tree, when only a short distance from it, the tree
+was standing as usual, but the Drum was not there! He exclaimed,
+"Truly, now, what is this joke of the tree?" As he neared the foot
+of the tree, still there was no Drum to be seen! He said to the tree,
+"Bow down!" There was no response! He passed on to the town, took his
+axe, and returned at once to the tree, in anger saying, "Lest I cut
+you down, bend!" The tree stood still. Tortoise began at once with his
+axe chopping, Ko! ko! The tree fell, toppling to the ground, tomu! He
+said to it, "You! produce the Drum, lest I cut you in pieces!" He split
+the tree all into pieces; but he did not see the Drum. He returned to
+the town; and, as he went, he walked anxiously saying to himself, "Who
+has done this thing?" When he reached his house, he was so displeased
+that he declined to speak. Then his eldest son came to him, and said,
+"O! my father! why is it that you are silent and do not speak? What
+have you done in the forest? What is it?" He replied, "I don't want
+to talk." The son said, "Ah! my father! you were satisfied when you
+used to come and eat, and you brought us mushrooms. I am the one who
+took the Drum." Tortoise said to him, "My child, now bring out to us
+the Drum." He brought it out of an inner room. Then Tortoise and the
+son called together all their people privately, and assembled them in
+the house. They commanded the Drum. It did as it usually did. They
+ate. Their little children took their scraps of potatoes and meat
+of wild-animals, and, in their excitement, forgot orders, and went
+out eating their food in the open street. Other children saw them,
+and begged of them. They gave to them. Among them were children of
+Leopard, who went and showed the meat to their father.
+
+All suddenly, Leopard came to the house of Tortoise, and found
+him and his family feasting. Leopard said, "Ah! Chum! you have
+done me evil. You are eating; and I and my family are dying with
+hunger!" Tortoise replied, "Yes, not today, but tomorrow you shall
+eat." So, Leopard returned to his house.
+
+After that, the day darkened. And they all went to lie down in
+sleep. Then, the next day broke.
+
+Early in the morning, Tortoise, out in the street, announced, "From my
+house to Njâ's there will be no strolling into the forest today. Today,
+only food."
+
+Tortoise then went off by himself to the coco tree (whither he had
+secretly during the night carried the Drum). Arrived at the foot of the
+tree, he desired to test whether its power had been lost by the use of
+it in his town. So, he gave the usual orders; and they were, as usually
+obeyed. Tortoise then went off with the Drum, carrying it openly on his
+shoulder, into the town, and directly to the house of Leopard, and said
+to him, "Call all your people! Let them come!" They all came into the
+house; and the people of Tortoise also. He gave the usual commands. At
+once, Drum produced abundance of food, and a table for it. So, they all
+ate, and were satisfied. And Drum took back the table to itself. Drum
+remained in the house of Leopard for about two weeks. It ended its
+supply of food, being displeased at Leopard's rough usage of itself;
+and there was no more food. Leopard went to Tortoise, and told him,
+"Drum has no more food. Go, and get another." Tortoise was provoked
+at the abuse of his Drum, but he took it, and hung it up in his house.
+
+At this time, the watchmen heard of the supply of food at Leopard's
+house, and they asked him about it. He denied having any. They asked
+him, "Where then did you get this food which we saw your children
+eating?" He said, "From the children of Kudu." The officers went at
+once to King Maseni, and reported, "We saw a person who has food." He
+inquired, "Who is he?" They replied, "Kudu." The King ordered
+"Go ye, and summon Kudu." They went and told Tortoise, "The King
+summons you." Tortoise asked, "What have I done to the King? Since
+the King and I have been living in this country, he has not summoned
+me." Nevertheless, he obeyed and journeyed to the King's house. The
+King said to him, "You are keeping food, while all the Tribes are
+dying of hunger? You! bring all those foods!" Tortoise replied,
+"Please excuse me! I will not come again today with them. But,
+tomorrow, you must call for all the tribes."
+
+The next morning, the King had his bell rung, and an order announced,
+"Any person whatever, old or young, come to eat!" The whole community
+assembled at the King's house. Tortoise also came from his town,
+holding his Drum in his hand. The distant members of that Tribe,
+(not knowing and not having heard what that Drum had been doing)
+twitted him, "Is it for a dance?"
+
+Entering into the King's house, Tortoise stood up the Drum; with his
+palm he struck it, ve! saying, "Let every kind of food appear!" It
+appeared. The town was like a table, covered with every variety
+of food. The entire community ate, and were satisfied; and they
+dispersed. Tortoise took the Drum, and journeyed back to his town. He
+spoke to his hungry family, "Come ye!" They came. They struck the
+Drum; it was motionless; and nothing came from it! They struck it
+again. Silent! (It was indignant at having been used by other hands
+than those of Tortoise.) So, they sat down with hunger.
+
+The next day, Tortoise went rapidly off to the coco tree, climbed it,
+gathered two nuts, threw one into the river, dropped into the stream,
+and followed the nut as he had done before. He came as before to that
+landing-place, and to the Woman, and told her about the failure of
+the Drum. She told him that she knew of it, and directed him to go
+and take another. He went on to that House, and to those People. And
+they, as before, asked him, "Kudu! whither goest thou?" He replied,
+"You know I have come to take my coco-nut." But they said, "No! leave
+the nut, and take a Drum." And, as before, they advised him to take a
+silent one. So, he came to the House of Drums. These called to him,
+"Take me! take me!" Then, he thought to himself, "Yes! I'll take
+one of those Drums that talk. Perhaps they will have even better
+things than the other." So, he took one, and came out of the House,
+and told those People "I have taken. And, now, for my journey."
+
+He started from the landing-place, and on up the river, to the foot of
+the coco-tree. He tied the Drum to the tree with a cord, as before,
+set it up, and gave it a slap, ve! And a table stood there! He said,
+"Ngâmâ! do as you usually do!" Instantly, there were thrown down on
+the table, mbwâ! whips instead of food. Tortoise, surprised, said,
+"As usual!" The Drum picked up one of the whips, and beat Tortoise,
+ve! He cried out with pain, and said to the Drum, "But, now do also
+as you do. Take these things away." And Drum returned the table and
+whips to itself. Tortoise regretfully said to himself, "Those People
+told me not to take a Drum that talked; but my heart deceived me."
+
+However, a plan occurred to him by which to obtain a revenge on
+Leopard and the King for the trouble he had been put to.
+
+So, taking up the Drum, he came to his own town, and went at once to
+the house of Leopard. To whom he said, "To-morrow come with your people
+and mine to the town of King Maseni." Leopard rejoiced at the thought,
+"This is the Drum of food!"
+
+Then Tortoise journeyed to the King's town, and said, "I have found
+food, according to your order. Call the people tomorrow."
+
+In the morning, the King's bell was rung, and his people, accompanied
+by those of Tortoise and Leopard, came to his house. Tortoise privately
+spoke to his own people, "No one of you must follow me into the
+house. Remain outside of the window."
+
+Tortoise said to the King, "The food of today must be eaten only
+inside of your house." So, the King's people, with those of Leopard,
+entered into the house. There, Tortoise said, "We shall eat this food
+only if all the doors and windows are fastened." So, they were fastened
+(excepting one which Tortoise kept open near himself). Then, the Drum
+was sounded, and Tortoise commanded it, "Do as you have said." And,
+the tables appeared. But, instead of food, were whips. The people
+wondered, "Ah! what do these mean? Where do they come from?" Tortoise
+stationed himself by the open window, and commanded the Drum, "As
+usual!" Instantly the whips flew about the room, lashing everybody,
+even the King, and especially Leopard. The thrashing was great,
+and Leopard and his people were crying with pain. Their bodies were
+injured, being covered with cuts.
+
+But, Tortoise had promptly jumped out of the window. And, standing
+outside, he ordered, "Ngâmâ! do as you do!" And the whips and tables
+returned to it, and the whipping ceased. But, Tortoise knew that the
+angry crowd would try to seize and kill him. So, taking advantage
+of the confusion in the house, he and his people fled to the water
+of the river, and scattered, hiding among the logs and roots in the
+stream. As he was disappearing, Leopard shouted after him, "You and I
+shall not see each other! If we do, it will be you who will be killed!"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 12
+
+THE LIES OF TORTOISE
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Etoli (Rat)
+    Embonda (Prairie Antelope)
+    Iheli (Gazelle)
+    Ngando (Crocodile)
+    Ngomba (Porcupine)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+African natives climb the palm-tree, cut out a cavity in the heart
+at the leafy top, and fasten a vessel below the cavity, to catch
+the sweet, milky juice that exudes. This is unintoxicating. But,
+like cider, it becomes intoxicating if kept a few days. The cutting
+destroys the tree in two or three months.
+
+
+
+The beginning of this tale is that Leopard went to the forest, to cut
+an itutu tree (bamboo-palm) for palm-wine. After he had fastened the
+bowl at the cavity he had cut at the top in the heart of the tree,
+then he came back to town.
+
+Tortoise came along to that palm-wine tree; and he climbed to the
+top. There he found that the sap had already collected in the bowl. And
+he drank three tumblerfuls. Excited by his success, he shouted out
+aloud, "I'm drunk! I'm drunk!"
+
+Off in the forest, Wild Rat heard his voice, and, following the
+sound, came to the place. To Tortoise, Rat said, "Whose wine-tree is
+this?" Tortoise replied, "My own!" So, Rat begged of him, "Give me a
+glassful!" Tortoise told him "Climb up! Of what are you afraid?" So,
+Rat climbed up the tree. He also drank two glassfuls.
+
+Presently, Tortoise heard Leopard coming, and he said to Rat. "Await me
+here, I'm just going down to the ground." When he reached the ground,
+Tortoise hid his body in a hole at the base of the tree.
+
+In a very little while, Leopard arrived at the tree. He lifted up his
+eyes to the top and saw Rat there. To him Leopard said, "Who owns
+this palm-tree?" Rat replied, "My Chum, Kudu." But, Leopard asked,
+"This Kudu, where is he?" Then Leopard flung one of his claws at
+Rat. It stuck in him, and Rat fell dead.
+
+Leopard took Rat's body and went away with it to his town. And he
+said to his wife, "Cook this; this is our meat."
+
+Soon after Leopard had gone from the tree, Tortoise came out of his
+hiding, and climbed the tree a second time. Then, having drank again,
+he shouted, as before, "I'm drunk! I'm drunk!"
+
+In his hole off among the rocks, Porcupine heard Tortoise shouting;
+and he came to the tree, and asked for a drink. Tortoise told him
+to climb; adding, "What are you afraid of?" So, Porcupine followed
+Tortoise up the tree, and drank two glassfuls of the wine.
+
+Again Tortoise heard Leopard coming, recognizing the thud of his
+steps as he leaped on the way. So, Tortoise cried out, as if in pain,
+"O! my stomach hurts me! I'm going down!" At the base, he hid himself
+again in the cavity of the tree.
+
+In a little while, Leopard appeared standing at the foot of
+the tree. Looking up, he saw Porcupine there. And he inquired,
+"Ngomba! who owns this tree?" Porcupine answered, "Chum Kudu!" Leopard
+asked, "This Kudu, who is he? I want to see him." Porcupine replied,
+"Kudu has gone off, his stomach paining him." Then Leopard exclaimed,
+"So! indeed! you are the ones who use up all my wine here!" And he
+added, "What day I shall meet Kudu I do not know. But, that day we
+will meet in fight." While he was saying all this, Tortoise, in the
+hole at the tree, heard.
+
+Then Leopard threw a claw at Porcupine. Porcupine fell down to the
+ground a corpse. Leopard taking it, went away with it to his town,
+and said to his wife, "Cook this meat, and let us eat it."
+
+After Leopard had left the tree, Tortoise emerged from his
+hiding-place. He climbed the tree a third time, and took a cup, and
+drank two glassfuls. Again he shouted, "I, Kudu, I'm drunk! I, Kudu,
+I'm drunk!"
+
+Out on a prairie, Antelope heard the shouting; and he came to
+the tree. Seeing Tortoise, he said, "Chum, give me a glass of
+wine!" Tortoise directed him, "Climb up! Of what are you afraid?" So,
+Antelope went up the tree, and drank.
+
+Soon Tortoise heard Leopard coming, bounding through the forest. And
+Tortoise said to Antelope, "Chum! my bowels pain me; I'll soon
+return." He descended, and hid his body as before. Leopard arrived as
+before. And he spoke to Antelope; and then killed it with another of
+his claws. He took its carcass to his town, and bade his wife cook it,
+as had been done with the others.
+
+After Leopard had gone from the tree, Tortoise climbed the tree a
+fourth time, again he drank; and again he shouted, changing his words
+slightly, "I've drank! I've drank!"
+
+In the jungle, Gazelle heard, and came to the base of the tree,
+but said nothing. Tortoise spoke first, "O! my nephew! the wine is
+finished!" Gazelle asked, "Who owns this tree?" Tortoise answered,
+"It's my own, and not another's."
+
+When he came from the jungle, Gazelle had brought with him a bag. As
+Gazelle still stood at the foot of the tree, Tortoise said to him,
+"Come up here! What do you fear?" So, Gazelle climbed; but went up
+only half-way.
+
+While the two were thus apart, and before Gazelle had drunk any of the
+wine, Tortoise heard Leopard coming, leaping through the bushes. Then
+Tortoise said to Gazelle, "Ah! nephew! let me pass! My stomach hurts
+me!" But Gazelle said, "No! uncle, let us stay and drink." Tortoise
+heard Leopard nearing the tree; and he said to Gazelle, "Ah! Hurry! Let
+me pass! How my stomach hurts!" Gazelle said, "No! uncle, we'll go
+down together."
+
+While they were thus talking, Leopard reached the foot of the
+tree. Then Gazelle took Tortoise and hid him in the bag. Leopard
+exclaimed, "Iheli! who owns this tree?" Gazelle replied, "This
+is the palm-wine tree of my uncle." Leopard asked, "Who is your
+uncle?" Gazelle answered, "Kudu."
+
+So, Leopard began to prepare to climb the tree, in order to fight
+with Gazelle. Then Gazelle put his hand into the bag, and drew out
+Tortoise, tightly grasped in his hand. And he flung Tortoise violently
+into Leopard's face. Leopard fell to the ground, dazed with the blow,
+while Gazelle leaped to the ground, and fled off in the forest.
+
+When Leopard rose from the earth, he found Tortoise sprawling helpless
+on its back. Leopard tied a string to him, and went away with him
+to town. And he said to his wife, "My wife! this is the person who
+drinks at my wine-tree!" So he suspended him by the string, waiting
+to kill him next day.
+
+The day began to darken towards night; and they went to their sleep.
+
+Then came the daylight of next morning.
+
+Leopard said to his wife, "I'm going to a palaver (council) at a
+place three miles distant. Take Kudu and cook him with udika (gravy
+of kernels of wild mango). When I come back, let me find the food
+all ready to be eaten at once."
+
+So, Leopard went on his journey. And his wife remained to do
+her work. But, she exclaimed, "Ah! I forget what my husband told
+me!" Tortoise, overhearing her said, "Your husband said, 'Take the
+dried Etoli from the shelf, and cook it with udika; give it to Kudu,
+and let him eat it; and then take Kudu and wash him in the water
+of the brook.'" The woman gladly listened, and said, "Eh! Kudu! you
+remember well what my husband said to me!"
+
+So, she did about the food as Tortoise had reported, and gave it to
+him to eat. When Tortoise had finished eating, the woman went with
+him to wash him in the water at the edge of the brook. While she was
+doing this, Tortoise asked, "Throw me off into the water where it
+is deep." The woman did so. And Tortoise shouted, "So! you will die
+this day by your husband's hands!" The woman began to see her mistake,
+and she begged Tortoise, "Come! let us go back to town." But Tortoise
+said, "I shan't come! I'm here safe in my place down in the bottom
+of the stream."
+
+Then the woman went back to her town; and as she went, she went crying.
+
+Late in the day, Leopard returned from the discussions of the
+Council. And he said to his wife, "O! my wife! I'm just dying of
+hunger!" She told him, "Ah! my husband! Kudu has run away!" Leopard,
+in his anger, flung a claw at her; and she died on the spot.
+
+Tortoise, in the meanwhile, went as fast as he could under the
+water of the stream. And he came to the house of Crocodile, and
+crept into the doorway. Crocodile, in tears, met him with the words,
+"Ah! Kudu! I'm just dying here with grief and crying." Tortoise asked
+her, "What is the matter?" She told him, "I've laid a hundred eggs,
+but none of them had children in them." Tortoise replied, "That's my
+work, the causing of eggs to have children. Shall I do it?" Crocodile
+consented, "Yes, I've here three hundred other eggs; you may make
+them have children." Tortoise told her, "I'm the only one to do that
+thing." So, Crocodile said, "Go into this room, and do it."
+
+Tortoise went into the room, found the eggs there; and said to
+Crocodile, "Give me here a kettle, also firewood and water. Give me my
+food here. For, I will not go out of this house; I will go out only at
+the time when I shall have caused the eggs to have children." Crocodile
+agreed, saying, "Yes, I am willing. It is well." And she gave direction
+to her people, "Give Kudu all the things he has asked for there."
+
+Then Tortoise locked all the doors, and stayed inside the room. He
+began to arrange the fire-wood, and set the kettle and put water in
+it. In the afternoon, he took twenty eggs, and cooked, and ate them
+with his food.
+
+At night, all went to sleep.
+
+At daybreak, he cooked twenty more eggs, and ate them; at noon he
+cooked and ate more; and at evening supper, he cooked and ate some
+more. So, he spent about seven days in eating all the eggs. Then he
+called out to Crocodile "Do you want to hear the little crocodiles
+talk?" Crocodile replied, "Yes! I want to hear!" Tortoise took
+two pieces of broken plates, and scraped one across the other,
+making a rasping sound. Crocodile and the people of the town heard
+the squeaking sounds, and they exclaimed in joy. "So! So, So!" They
+replied to Tortoise, "We hear the little ones talking!" Tortoise
+also told them, "Tomorrow, then, I will make a Medicine to cause
+them to talk loudly." But Crocodile began to have some doubts. And
+day darkened to night.
+
+Very early in the next morning, Crocodile's doubts having increased,
+she rose up without calling her people. And she went slowly alone to
+peep through a crack into the room of Tortoise. She saw only the piles
+of egg-shells; and she wondered, "Where are the little ones?" Then
+she went softly back to her own room; and she told the townspeople,
+"Get up! Let us open the room of Kudu!"
+
+They all got up, and they went to the house. They broke the room
+door by force; and they found Tortoise sitting among the scattered
+shells of the eggs. The Crocodile exclaimed, "Kudu! have you deceived
+me? Your life too ends today!"
+
+They tied Tortoise, and put him in the kettle; and they killed him
+there. They divided his flesh onto their plates. And Crocodile and
+her people ate Tortoise.
+
+This is the end of the lies of Tortoise.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 13
+
+"DEATH BEGINS BY SOME ONE PERSON": A PROVERB
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Kâ (A Very Big Snail)
+    Ngâmbi (Igwana)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Lonâni (Birds)
+    Kema (Monkeys)
+    A Man
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Trouble came to all these animals, even to the innocent, through
+the noise of some of them. Igwanas are supposed, by the natives,
+to be deaf.
+
+
+
+Snail, Igwana and Tortoise all lived together in one village. One day,
+Tortoise went to roam in the forest. There he found a large tree called
+Evenga. He said to himself, "I will stay at the foot of this tree, and
+wait for the fruit to fall." During two days, he remained there alone.
+
+On the third day, Igwana said to Snail, "I must go and search for our
+Chum Kudu, wherever he is." So, Igwana went; and he found Tortoise in
+a hole at the foot of that tree. Igwana said to him, "Chum! for two
+days I haven't seen you!" Tortoise replied, "I shan't go back to the
+village; I will remain here." Then Igwana said to him, "Well, then;
+let us sit here together in the same spot." Tortoise objected, "No!" So
+Igwana climbed up the trunk a very short distance, and clung there.
+
+After two days, Snail, who had been left alone, said to himself,
+"I must follow my friends, and find where they are."
+
+So, Snail journeyed, and found Tortoise and Igwana there at that
+tree. Looking at the tree, he exclaimed, "Ah! what a fine tree under
+which to sit!" The others replied, "Yes; stay here!" So Snail said
+to Igwana, "I will stay near you, Chum Ngâmbi, where you are." But
+Igwana objected, "No!"
+
+There was a vine hanging down from the treetop to the ground, and
+Snail climbed up the vine. Thus the three friends were arranged;
+Tortoise in the hole at the foot of the tree, Igwana up the trunk a
+short way, and Snail on the vine half-way to the top.
+
+Igwana held on where he was, close to the bark of the tree. He was
+partly deaf, and did not hear well.
+
+After two days, the tree put forth a great abundance of fruit. The
+fruit all ripened. Very many small Birds came to the tree-top to
+eat the fruit. And very many small Monkeys too, at the top. Also big
+monkeys. And also big birds. All crowded at the top. They all began
+to eat the fruit. As they ate, they played, and made a great deal
+of noise.
+
+Tortoise hearing this noise, and dreading that it might attract the
+notice of some enemy, called to Igwana, "Ngâmbi! tell Kâ to say to
+those people there at the top of the tree, to eat quietly, and not
+with so much noise."
+
+Tortoise himself did not call to Snail, lest his shout should add to
+the noise. He only spoke in a low voice to Igwana. But, to confirm
+his words, he quoted a proverb, "Iwedo a yalakendi na moto umbaka"
+(death begins by one person). This meant that they all should be
+watchful, lest Danger come to them all by the indiscretion of a
+few. But Igwana did not hear; and was silent.
+
+Tortoise called again, "Ngâmbi! tell Kâ to tell those people to eat
+quietly, and without noise." Igwana was silent, and made no answer. A
+third and a fourth time, Tortoise called out thus to Igwana; but he
+did not hear. So, Tortoise said to himself, "I won't say any more!"
+
+A man from Njambo's Town had gone out to hunt, having with him bow
+and arrow, a machete, and a gun. In his wandering, he happened to
+come to that tree. Hearing the noise of voices, he looked up and
+saw the many monkeys and birds on the tree. He exclaimed to himself,
+"Ah! how very many on one tree, more than I have ever seen!"
+
+He shot his arrow; and three monkeys fell. He fired his gun, and
+killed seven birds. Then the Birds and the Monkeys all scattered
+and fled in fear. The Man also looked at the foot of the tree, and
+saw Tortoise in the hole. He drew him out, and thrust him into his
+hunting-bag. Then he looked on the other side of the tree, and saw
+Igwana within reach. He rejoiced in his success, "Oh! Igwana here
+too!" He struck him with the machete; and Igwana died.
+
+Observing the vine, the Man gave it a pull. And down fell Snail! The
+Man exclaimed, "So! this is Snail!"
+
+As the Man started homeward carrying his load of animals, Tortoise
+in the bag, mourning over his fate, said to the dead Igwana and the
+others, "I told you to call to Kâ to warn Kema and Lonani; and, now
+death has come to us all! If you, Kema and Lonani, in the beginning,
+on the tree-top, had not made such a noise, Man would not have come
+to kill us. This all comes from you."
+
+And Man took all these animals to his town, and divided them among
+his people.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 14
+
+TORTOISE AND THE BOJABI TREE
+
+
+Place
+
+    Country of All-The-Beasts
+
+Persons
+
+    Mbâmâ (Boa Constrictor)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Etoli (House Rat)
+    Vyâdu (Antelope)
+    Njâku (Elephant)
+    Iheli (Gazelle)
+    Ngomba (Porcupine)
+    Nyati (Ox)
+    And the Bojabi Tree
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+African natives hesitate to eat of an unknown fruit or vegetable,
+unless they see it first partaken of by some lower animal.
+
+
+
+All the tribes of Beasts were living in one region, except one
+beast, which was staying in its separate place. Its name was Boa
+Constrictor. His place was about thirty miles away from the others.
+
+In the region of all those Beasts, there was a very large tree. Its
+name was Bojabi. But none of those beasts knew that that was its name.
+
+There fell a great famine on that Country-of-all-the-Beasts. In their
+search for food, they looked at that tree; and they said, "This tree
+has fine-looking fruit; but, we do not know its name. How then shall we
+know whether it is fit to be eaten?" After some discussion, they said,
+"We think our Father Mbâmâ will be able to know this tree's name." So
+they agreed, "Let us send a person to Mbâmâ to cause us to know the
+name of the tree." They selected Rat, and said to him, "You, Etoli,
+are young; go you, and inquire." They also decided that, "Whoever goes
+shall not go by land along the beach, but by sea." (This they said,
+in order to prove the messenger's strength and perseverance; whether
+he would dally by the way ashore, or paddle steadily by sea.) Also,
+they told Rat that, in going, he should take one of the fruits of the
+tree in his hand, so that Boa might know it. So, Rat took the Bojabi
+fruit, stepped into a canoe, and began to paddle. He started about
+sun-rise in the morning. In the middle of the afternoon, he arrived
+at his journey's end.
+
+He entered into the reception-room of Boa's house, and found him
+sitting there. Boa welcomed him, and said to his wife, "Prepare food
+for our guest, Etoli!" And he said to Rat, "Stranger! eat! And then
+you will tell me what is the message you have brought."
+
+Rat ate and finished, and began to tell his message thus:--He said,
+"In our country we have nothing there but hunger. But there is there
+a tree, and this is its fruit. Whether it is fit to be eaten or not,
+you will tell us." Boa replied, "That tree is Bojabi; this fruit is
+Njabi; and it is to be eaten."
+
+Then the day darkened to night. And they slept their sleep.
+
+And then the next day broke.
+
+And Boa said to Rat, "Begin your journey, Etoli! The name of the tree
+is Bojabi. Do not forget it!"
+
+Rat stepped into his canoe, and began to paddle. He reached his country
+late in the afternoon. He landed. And he remained a little while on the
+beach, dragging the canoe ashore. So occupied was he in doing this,
+that he forgot the tree's name. Then he went up into the town. The
+tribes of All-the-Beasts met him, exclaiming, "Tell us! tell us!" Rat
+confessed, "I have forgotten the name just this very now." Then,
+in their disappointment, they all beat him.
+
+On another day, they said to Porcupine, "Ngomba! go you!" But they
+warned Rat, "If Ngomba brings the name, you, Etoli, shall not eat of
+the fruit."
+
+Porcupine made his journey also by sea, and came to the town of
+Boa. When Porcupine had stated his errand, Boa told him, "The tree's
+name is Bojabi. Now, go!"
+
+Porcupine returned by sea, and kept the name in his memory, until he
+was actually entering the town of his home; and, then, he suddenly
+forgot it. The tribes of All-the-Beasts called out to him, as they
+saw him coming, "Ngomba! tell us! tell us!" When he informed them
+that he had forgotten it, they beat him, as they had done to Rat.
+
+They had also in that country, another plant which was thought not
+proper to be eaten. They did not know that its leaves were really
+good for food.
+
+On another day, they said to Antelope, "Go you; and tell Mbâmâ, and
+ask him which shall we eat, this fruit or these leaves. What shall
+we Beasts do?"
+
+Antelope went by sea; and came to Boa's town. And he asked Boa,
+"What do you here eat? Tell us." Boa replied, "I eat leaves of the
+plants, and I drink water; that is all I do. And the name of the tree
+that bears that fruit is Bojabi. You, all the Beasts, what are you
+to eat? I have told you."
+
+Antelope slept there that night. And the next day, he started on
+his return journey. At his journey's end, as he was about to land on
+the beach, a wave upset the canoe, and he fell into the sea. In the
+excitement, he forgot the name. The anxious tribes of All-the-Beasts
+had come down to the beach to meet him, and were asking, "What is the
+name? Tell us!" He replied, "Had I not fallen into the water, I would
+not have forgotten the name." Then, in their anger, they beat him.
+
+Almost all the beasts were thus tried for that journey; and they all
+failed in the same way, with the name forgotten, even the big beasts
+like Ox and Elephant. There was no one of them who had succeeded in
+bringing home the name.
+
+But there was left still, one who had not been tried. That was
+Tortoise. So, he said, "Let me try to go." They were all vexed with
+him, at what they thought his audacity and presumption. They began to
+beat him, saying, "Even the less for us, and more so for you! You will
+not be able!" But Gazelle interposed, saying, "Let Kudu alone! Why
+do you beat him? Let him go on the errand. We all have failed; and
+it is well that he should fail too."
+
+Tortoise went to his mother's hut, and said to her, "I'm going! How
+shall I do it?" His mother told him, "In your going on this journey,
+do not drink any water while at sea, only while ashore. Also, do not
+eat any food on the way, but only in the town. Do not perform any call
+of Nature at sea, only ashore. For, if you do any of these things on
+the way, you will be unable to return with the name. For, all those who
+did these things on the way, forgot the name." So Tortoise promised,
+"Yes, my mother, I shall not do them."
+
+On another day, Tortoise began his journey to Boa, early. He paddled
+and he paddled, not stopping to eat or drink, until he had gone
+about two-thirds of the way. Then hunger and thirst and calls of
+Nature seized him. But he restrained himself, and went on paddling
+harder and faster. These feelings had seized him about noon; and
+they ceased an hour later. He continued the journey; and, before
+four o'clock in the afternoon, had arrived at Boa's. There Tortoise
+entered Boa's house, and found him sitting. Boa saluted, and said,
+"Legs rest; but the mouth will not. Wife! bring food for Kudu!" The
+wife brought food, and Tortoise ate.
+
+Then Boa said to Tortoise, "Tell me what the journey is
+about." Tortoise told him, "A great hunger is in our place. There also
+we have two plants; the one,--this is its fruit; and this grass,--the
+leaves. Are they eaten?" Boa replied, "The tree of this fruit, its
+name is Bojabi; and it is eaten. But, I, Mbâmâ, here, I eat leaves
+and drink water; and that is enough for me. These things are the food
+for All-us Beasts. We have no other food. Go and tell All-the-Beasts
+so." Tortoise replied, "Yes; it is well."
+
+Then the day darkened, and they slept.
+
+And another day came. And Tortoise began his journey of return
+to his home. As he went, he sang this song, to help remember the
+name:--"Njâku! Jaka Njabi. De! De! De!" (Elephant! eat the Bojabi
+fruit. Straight! Straight! Straight!) The chorus was "Bojabi," And,
+in each repetition of the line, he changed the name of the animal,
+thus:--"Nyati! jaka njabi. De! De! De. Bojabi" (Ox! eat the Bojabi
+fruit. Straight! straight! straight! Bojabi!)
+
+He thus nerved himself to keep straight on in his journey. And,
+as he went, he kept repeating the chorus. "Bojabi, bojabi! bojabi!"
+
+He had gone about one-third of the way, when a large wave came and
+upset the canoe, and threw him, pwim! into the water. He clung to the
+canoe, and the wave carried it and him clear ashore, he still repeating
+the word, "Bojabi! bojabi!" Ashore, he began to mend the canoe; but,
+all the while, he continued singing, "Bojabi!" When he had repaired
+the canoe, he started the journey again, and went on his way, still
+crying out, "Bojabi!"
+
+By that time, All-the-Beasts had gathered on the beach to wait
+the coming of Tortoise. He came on and on, through the surf near
+to the landing-place of the town. As he was about to land, a great
+wave caught him, njim! and the canoe. But, he still was shouting,
+"Bojabi!" Though All-the-Beasts heard the word, they did not know
+what it meant, or why Tortoise was saying it. They ran into the
+surf, and carried the canoe and Tortoise himself up to the top of
+the beach. And they, all in a hurry, begged, "Tell us!" He replied,
+"I will tell you only when in the town." In gladness, they carried
+him on their shoulders up into the town. Then he said, "Before I
+tell you, let me take my share of these fruits lying out there in the
+yard." They agreed; and he carried a large number, hundreds of them,
+into his house. Then he stated, "Mbâmâ said, 'Its name is Bojabi.'" And
+All-the-Beasts shouted in unison, "Yes! Bojabi!"
+
+Then they all began to scramble with each other in gathering the fruit;
+so that Tortoise would have been unable to get any, had he not first
+taken his share to his mother, whose advice had brought him success.
+
+He also reported to them, "Mbâmâ told me to tell you that himself
+eats leaves and grass, and drinks water, and is satisfied. For,
+that is the food of All-the-Beasts."
+
+Had it not been for Boa, the Beasts would not have known about
+eating leaves. But, though that is so, the diligence and skill,
+in this affair, was of Tortoise.
+
+So, All-the-Beasts agreed:--"We shall have two Kings, Kudu and Mbâmâ,
+each at his end of the country. For, the one with his wisdom told what
+was fit to be eaten; and, the other, with his skill, brought the news."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 15
+
+THE SUITORS OF NJAMBO'S DAUGHTER
+
+
+Place
+
+    In Njambo's Town
+
+Persons
+
+    Njambo and His Daughter Ndenga
+    Etoli (House Rat)
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+    Ko (Forest Rat)
+    Nyati (Ox)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Njâku (Elephant)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Africans cut down trees, not at the base, but some 12 or 20 feet up
+where the diameter is less. They sit in the circle of a rope enclosing
+the tree and their own body, the rope resting against their backbone
+at the loins, and their feet braced against the tree trunk.
+
+The reason why Tortoise lives in brooks is his fear of Leopard.
+
+
+
+All the Beasts were living long ago in one place, separate from
+the towns of Mankind; but they had friendship for and married with
+each other.
+
+Among the towns of Mankind was living a man named Njambo. There was
+born to him a female child named Ndenga. In the town, at one end of
+it, there was a very large tree.
+
+Njambo said of his daughter, "This child shall be married only with
+Beasts." So when the Beasts heard of that one of them, House-Rat,
+said, "I'm going to marry that woman!" So he went to the father to
+arrange what things he should pay on the dowry. Njambo said to him,
+"I do not want goods. But, if any one shall be able to hew down this
+tree, he shall marry my child."
+
+At once, Rat took the axe that Njambo handed him, and began to hack at
+the Tree. He tried and tried, but was not able to make the axe enter
+at all. At last, he wearied of trying and stopped. He said to himself,
+"If I go to Njambo, and tell him I am unable to do the task, he will
+kill me." So, he left the axe, at the foot of the tree, and fled to
+his town.
+
+Njambo waited a while, but seeing no signs of Rat's coming to him to
+report, himself came to the Tree, and found only the axe, but saw no
+person. He took up the axe, and went with it back to his house.
+
+Off in the Forest, all-Beasts saw Rat returning, and were surprised
+that he came alone. They asked him, "Where is the woman?" Rat answered,
+"I wearied of trying to get the woman, by reason of the greatness of
+the task of cutting down a tree. So, I gave up the work, and fled,
+and have come home."
+
+Then all the Beasts derided him, saying, "You like to live in another
+person's house, and scramble around, and nibble at other people's food,
+but you are not able to marry a wife!"
+
+Then Forest-Rat said, "I will marry that woman!" So he went to
+Njambo for the marriage, and came to the town. Njambo said to him,
+"I do not object to anybody for the marriage, but, I will only test
+you by that Tree off yonder. If you are willing to hew the Tree,
+you may marry this woman!"
+
+This Forest-Rat replied, "Yes! I shall wait here today; and will
+cut down the Tree early tomorrow morning." That day darkened. And
+Njambo's people cooked food for Forest-Rat as their guest. They all
+ate; and then they went to lie down to sleep.
+
+Then after awhile, the light of another day began to break.
+
+They arose. And they gave Forest-Rat an axe. He took it, and went to
+the foot of the Tree. He fastened two cords, with which to climb up
+to where the Tree was at half its thickness. There he tried to cut
+the Tree. But he was unable to cut away even the smallest chip. At
+last he exclaimed, "Ah! brother Etoli is justified! I am not able to
+cut this tree, because of its hardness."
+
+So, he came down the Tree, and left the axe at the foot, saying, "If
+I go back to the house of this Man, he will kill me. No! I am fleeing."
+
+When he arrived at his town, the other people asked him, "Where's
+the woman?" He answered, "The woman is a thing easy to marry, but
+the Tree was a hard thing to cut."
+
+After waiting awhile for the Forest-Rat, Njambo came to the foot of
+the Tree; and, seeing the axe lying, took it, and went with it to
+his House.
+
+Then Leopard tried for the woman; and failed in the same way as the
+two who preceded him.
+
+Next, Elephant tried, and failed in the same way.
+
+So did Ox in the same way.
+
+And all the other Beasts, one after another, in the same way, wearied
+of the task for obtaining this woman.
+
+But, there was left still one Beast, Tortoise, that had not made
+the attempt at the marriage. He stood up, and said, "I will go;
+and I shall marry that woman at Njambo's town!" Ox heard Tortoise
+say that; and struck him, saying, "Why! even more so we; and the
+less so you, to attempt to obtain her!" But Elephant said to Ox,
+"Let Kudu alone! Let us see him marry the woman!"
+
+So, Tortoise made his journey to Njambo's town, and came there late
+in the afternoon. He said to Njambo, "I have come to marry your
+child." Njambo replied, "Well! let it be so!"
+
+Tortoise said to Njambo, "First, call your daughter, to see if she
+shall like me." When she entered the room, Tortoise asked her, "Do you
+love me?" She answered, "Yes! I love you with all my heart." This made
+Tortoise glad; for the woman was very beautiful to look upon. Then
+Njambo told him, "Kudu, I want no goods for her; only the cutting of
+the Tree." Tortoise assented, "Yes! I will try."
+
+So they all went to sleep that night.
+
+And then the next day broke.
+
+An hour after sunrise, Njambo called Tortoise, and, showing him the
+axe, said, "This is the axe for the tree." Tortoise took the axe,
+and went to the foot of the Tree. He looked at its sides closely,
+and saw there was a difference in them. He also looked very steadily
+at the top of the tree. Then he took rattan ropes, and mounted to the
+middle of the thickness of the Tree. He chose also the side opposite
+that at which the others had cut. He found it soft when he began to
+cut; and, at once the chips began to fall to the ground. He had begun
+the chopping early, and by the middle of the morning, the Tree began
+to fall. And it fell to the ground with a great crash, nji-i!
+
+Njambo heard the fall of the tree, and he came to see it. And he
+said to Tortoise, "You have done well, because you have cut down
+the Tree. But, finish the job by cutting off the top end with its
+branches. That will leave the trunk clear." Tortoise asked Njambo,
+"What will you do with the log?" Njambo answered him, "To make
+a canoe."
+
+So, Tortoise cut off also the end of the Tree with its branches.
+
+Then Njambo told him, "Come on, into the town, to take your wife;
+because you have cut down the tree; that is the price I asked." The
+two came to the house in the town; and Njambo brought his daughter
+to Tortoise, saying, "This is your wife. And I give with the woman
+these other things." Those things were only different kinds of food.
+
+Tortoise made his journey with his wife towards his town. He journeyed,
+going, going on, until he had reached half of the way. Then he said
+to his wife, "What shall I do? For, Njâ is ahead in the way?" The
+wife replied, "No! go on! I think Njâ will do nothing to us."
+
+Shortly afterward, they met with Leopard in the path. Leopard said
+to Tortoise, "Ah! Chum! this wife is not proper for you to marry,
+only with me, Njâ." Tortoise said "No!" But Leopard insisted, "No! I
+take this one! I will give you another wife in her place." So, he
+snatched the woman from Tortoise, and ran away with her to his town.
+
+Tortoise went on his way, as he went, crying, till he came to his
+own village. There Elephant asked him, "Why do you cry as you go? Has
+Njambo struck you about the affair of the marriage? For, we had heard
+the news that you had cut down the tree, and had taken the woman. What
+then is the reason?"
+
+Tortoise answered, "Yes! I married the woman, because I had cut down
+the Tree. But Njâ took the woman away."
+
+Then Elephant called all the Beasts together to take counsel. He said
+to them, "What shall we do, because Njâ has taken away the wife of
+Kudu?" They all replied, "We are all afraid of Njâ. None of us can dare
+to say anything to him. For, he kills us people. So, our decision is:
+Let Kudu give up his wife to Njâ."
+
+But Tortoise said, "I am unable to leave her. If it be death, I will
+die because of my wife."
+
+So, they all dispersed from the house of Tortoise, and went to their
+own houses.
+
+At that time, Leopard had eight wives.
+
+Tortoise removed from the Town-of-all-the-Beasts, and built a village
+for himself, about one-and-a-half miles away. He built on the public
+highway, where passed by all people. He put a very large stone in
+front of his door-yard, large enough for one to sit down on it. He
+made also a bench near the stone. And he put a plate with water in it
+on the ground by the stone. Then he placed a certain magic-medicine
+on the seat of the bench. And he uttered a Charm: "Let any one else
+who sits on this seat go free from it. But, if it be Njâ, let him
+not go from it."
+
+He finished all these things late in the afternoon. The day darkened,
+and he went to his house, and slept his sleep.
+
+Soon the day broke.
+
+That day, Elephant said, "I'm going to the forest, and my wives with
+me." As he came on his way, he passed by the street of Tortoise's
+House. He observed the stone and the bench and the water. He exclaimed,
+"Ah! I'll sharpen my machete here!" So, he sat down on the bench,
+and sharpened his machete. Then, went on his way into the forest with
+his wives.
+
+After a while, Ox came on his journey, and saw the stone and water. He
+also sat down on the bench, and sharpened his machete. And then went
+on his way into the forest with his wives.
+
+Soon afterward, Leopard journeyed along with all his eight, and the
+new one, the ninth, the wife of Tortoise. He came to the house of
+Tortoise. Looking into the door-yard, he exclaimed, "Ah! good! and
+fine! that Kudu has prepared these things."
+
+Tortoise was in the house; he saw Leopard coming, and he rejoiced,
+"Very good! indeed! for the coming of this person." Leopard sat down
+on the bench, and sharpened his machete on the stone with the water
+of the plate. His women standing by, waited for him to finish the
+sharpening. When he had finished, he said, "I will get up, and start
+the journey again." But, he stuck fast to the bench. He exclaimed,
+"My women! I am unable to rise! What shall I do?"
+
+The "medicine" on the bench began to sting him like bees. And he
+cried out, "Ah! I'm dead! For, I am unable to rise!"
+
+Tortoise, coming out into the yard, said to Leopard, "I am the one
+who caused you this. You will not move thence until you give me
+back my wife. If you do not, you will remain there a whole month,
+a whole year."
+
+At this, Leopard felt very much grieved; and he inquired of his women,
+"The wife of Kudu is here in this company?" The woman answered,
+"Yes! I'm here." Then Leopard said, "Please, Kudu, take your wife,
+and remove me from this bench. It hurts me." So, Tortoise took his
+wife. And he added, "I want also my food you took from us in the path."
+
+Leopard sent a child back to his town in haste to cut plantains. The
+child went; and the plantains were brought. Tortoise took them, and
+said, "Njâ! you are done, for your part. I have taken all I owned. But,
+if I release you, you will kill me, and take again my wife. You shall
+be released only after I have fled."
+
+So, Tortoise fled with his wife and all his goods into a stream of
+water. When safely there, he shouted, "Let Njâ remove from that seat!"
+
+At once, Leopard stood up, and was free. And he went back to his town,
+giving up his intended journey into the forest.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 16
+
+TORTOISE, DOG, LEOPARD AND THE NJABI FRUIT
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+    Mbwa (Dog)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Inâni (A Bird)
+    And Other Beasts
+
+
+
+Note: Observe the cannibalism of the human-animals.
+
+
+
+At first, all Animals were living in one region. Of these, Tortoise and
+Dog lived together in one place, and built a town by themselves. But,
+all the others, Leopard, Hippopotamus, Elephant, Ox, etc., lived
+together in another place.
+
+After some time, a great famine fell on the part of the country where
+Tortoise and Dog lived; and they had to seek for any kind of food.
+
+One day Tortoise said to Dog, "I'm going awalking into the forest." So,
+early at daybreak, he started off to seek for mushrooms. All those
+other Beasts that were living together had a kind of tree called
+Bojabi, bearing a very large heavy fruit called Njabi. And they had
+all agreed, "There are no other Animals, but our own companies, who
+shall eat of the fruit of this Tree." They were accustomed, whenever
+they had eaten of this fruit, to go to an adjacent prairie, to play.
+
+So that day, on his journey, Tortoise happened to come to the foot of
+that Tree. The ripe fruit were falling from it, and quantities were
+lying on the ground. He exclaimed "Eme! (indeed!), Ibele! (splendid),
+Eme! Abundance of food!" He gathered, and ate, and stayed a while
+gathering others, which he would carry back to his town.
+
+While doing this, a fruit fell from the branch above, and struck him
+hard on the back. The blow hurt him; but he only said, "Ah! the back
+of an aged person!" (My back feels like that of an aged person.) This
+he said because of the pain it gave him; but he made no out-cry.
+
+He had with him a bag, into which he put food on a journey. So,
+he filled it with the fruits, and resumed his journey to go back
+to his town. On his arrival at his house, his wife said to him,
+"Why did you delay so long?" He replied, "I found a Tree belonging
+to the Tribes-of-All-the-Beasts. Had they seen me, they would have
+killed me." And, he drew the fruits from the bag, and gave his wife
+and children, saying, "Eat ye!" But, he added, "While you eat of it,
+do not allow Mbwa to see it."
+
+One of the children ran out into the street, with the fruit grasped
+in his hand. Just then, Dog happened to meet the child in the street,
+and asked him, "Who gave you this fruit, child of Kudu?" The child
+answered, "My father came from the forest, and brought this fruit
+with him." In the evening, when the day had darkened, Dog came and
+said to Tortoise, "My friend! you are a bad fellow; for, we live
+together in one place, and you do not share with me! Chum! is it
+possible that you eat such good things here? Where did you discover
+them?" Tortoise then gave Dog and his children a share. But, he was
+not willing to tell the place of that Tree. He evaded, by saying,
+"As I went, I forced my way through the jungle of the forest. But,
+I did not find any mushrooms; they are about done. Also, we are not
+allowed to go to the place where this fruit grows." So it went on
+for some time.
+
+On another evening, Tortoise remarked, in conversation with Dog,
+that he would be going into the forest next day. Dog said nothing,
+but went back to his house, as if to sleep; while Tortoise remained
+in his house, and went to bed.
+
+Tortoise had left his hunting-bag hanging in the public
+reception-room by his house. At night, Dog arose from his house,
+and slowly and stealthily went to the house of Tortoise, clear into
+that room. Entering it secretly, and finding the bag, he threw ashes
+into its mouth and then, with his knife, made holes in it at the lower
+end. For, he said to himself, "When Tortoise shall go out early, then I
+will follow him." Then he went back to his house, and laid down again.
+
+When day-light began to break, early in the morning, Tortoise arose,
+took the bag, and started on a journey to that forest tree which
+belonged to the Beasts. As he went the ashes sifted through the holes
+in the bottom of the bag, and fell on the path. He finally arrived
+at the tree.
+
+Dog also arose early, and found which way Tortoise had gone, by the
+dropping of the ashes; for, as he went, Dog was looking out for the
+marks on the way; and, following the signs, they clearly showed him
+the route, until he reached the tree, soon after Tortoise had arrived.
+
+Tortoise exclaimed, "Ah! Chum! What have you come here to do? Who
+called you, you with your loud howling? Do you know who own this
+Tree? Can you endure if one of these fruits should fall down on
+you? For, if you cry out in pain, then the owners of this Tree will
+catch both you and me. If they seize me, who am Kudu, what shall I
+do? For, I, Kudu, do not know how to run rapidly." Then Dog said, "If
+they come to seize you, I will come to take you from their hands." At
+this, Tortoise laughed out aloud, "Those beasts of strength! When
+they seize me, you will come and take me from them? Really?"
+
+Just then while they were thus speaking, two of the fruits fell on
+Tortoise's back, at the same time, with a thud, ndu! ndu! Though in
+pain, he only unconcernedly remarked, "The hardened skin of an aged
+person! Ah! the back of an old man!" and went on eating.
+
+Dog exclaimed, "O! Chum! that big thing struck you, and you were able
+to refrain from crying!" Tortoise replied, "Wait till yours also!"
+
+Presently a very small fruit thus fell, and hit Dog on the head. He
+howled lustily, "Ow! ow! ow! ow!" Tortoise said to him, "Did I not
+tell you so!"
+
+There came down another fruit, and fell on Tortoise; he quietly
+disregarded it. Another then fell on Dog with a thump, ngomu! And he
+ran off howling, "mwâ! mwâ!"
+
+All this while, Leopard had been up the Tree. It was he who had flung
+the fruit at Dog and Tortoise.
+
+When Dog ran, Leopard instantly descended the Tree, and, disregarding
+Tortoise, chased Dog; but could not overtake him. Had he caught Dog,
+seizing him tightly, he would have killed him with one blow of his paw,
+ndi! and would have eaten him on the spot. While Leopard was away,
+Tortoise was in fear and did not know what to do, for he knew that he
+could not run from Leopard. A Bird whistled, "Pu! pu! pu! Chum Kudu,
+Hide! hide!" So Tortoise went into a hole at the base of the tree,
+and hid there.
+
+Leopard, on his return, sought for Tortoise, but could not find
+him. So, he climbed the Tree again, and gathered his fruits, and
+went off towards the town of the Beasts. But, he met those Beasts
+coming; for, they had heard the howls of Dog, and had shouted at him,
+"He! e. e.! Wait for us! Don't be afraid!"
+
+All those People-of-the-Tree came and gathered about its trunk. They
+searched; and presently they saw Tortoise. They exclaimed, "So! you
+are the one who eats for us the fruit of this tree! You shall die!"
+
+They tied him, and took him with them to their town. There they
+suspended him from the roof of a house, saying, "To-morrow, you will
+be eaten!" Off at his town, the wife of Tortoise asked Dog, "Where is
+my husband?" Dog answered, "I think that the Tribes-of-all-the-Beasts
+have caught him." After a while, Dog, thinking, said to himself,
+"I remember my word that I said to Kudu, 'If they seize you, I will
+come to take you.'" So, Dog went and gathered shells of a very large
+snail named Kâ. He took a large number, pierced each one with a hole,
+and strung them all on a string. These he placed about his neck;
+and, as he went along, he wriggled his body, and the shells struck
+together like little bells. Then said he to himself, "The time is
+fulfilled for taking away my friend." So, he went rapidly to where
+the Tribes-of-the-Beasts had a spring for their drinking-water. Those
+Beasts had sent one of their lads to get water with which to cook
+Tortoise. The lad came to the spring. Dog jingled the shells; and,
+the lad ran back to town screaming, "There's some Thing at the spring,
+which kills!"
+
+Then the Tribes sent a young man stronger than the lad, and said to
+him, "Go you, and get water at the spring." When the young man came
+near the spring, Dog jingled the shells, as before. And, the young
+man fled in fear. So, the people of the town said, "Let us all go to
+the spring together; for, that Thing can not hurt us all."
+
+So they came to the spring. Dog seeing that all were coming, left the
+spring, and ran around to their town by another path, to take Tortoise
+away. Dog found Tortoise suspended by a rope. He bit through the rope,
+and, with Tortoise on his back, he ran rapidly to their town.
+
+Those of the Tribes who first arrived at the spring, searched,
+inquiring, "Where is It? Where is It? Where is It?" Discovering
+nothing, they returned to the town. Then, they could not find
+Tortoise. And they said, "Let be! Kudu has slipped away."
+
+One day after this, the wife of Dog and the wife of Tortoise went
+into the forest to their gardens to seek for food. And their children
+went out on the prairie, to play. Dog and Tortoise both remained
+in the town. Notwithstanding that Dog had saved his life, Tortoise
+was still angry at him for having spoiled their going to the Njabi
+Tree. Tortoise came to Dog's end of the town and said to him, "Let
+us shave our foreheads." Dog was pleased, and said, "Kudu, you first
+do me; then I will do you."
+
+So Tortoise took the razor, and he shaved away Dog's front locks.
+
+Then Tortoise said to Dog, "Let me shave also your neck." Dog bent
+down his head. Tortoise slashed the entire neck, cutting Dog's head
+off. And Dog fell down a corpse.
+
+Tortoise cut up the body, and put the pieces in a kettle of water
+on the fire. Also, he gathered pepper pods, and ground them for the
+seasoning. He looked for salt, and saw it was up on top of a shelf. So,
+he took three chairs, putting them on top of one another, by which to
+climb up. As he was creeping up, the chairs fell over on the ground. As
+they fell, he tumbled also down, almost into the kettle of hot water,
+where were boiling the pieces of Dog. But, Tortoise scrambled away,
+and went off to his end of the town.
+
+After a while the children of Dog came back from their play, and
+not finding their father in his house, they came to the house of his
+friend Tortoise, and asked, "Where is our father?" Tortoise replied,
+"As for me, where I was, I did not see him. When he went from here,
+who sent for him?"
+
+When the two women returned, Dog's wife found, but did not recognize,
+the pieces of meat in her kettle. She wailed and mourned for him as
+dead. When, by the next day, the people of Dog did not find him,
+they said, "He is dead." But they suspected Tortoise. The wife of
+Tortoise also doubted him, and deserting him, returned to the house
+of her father. So, Tortoise left them all, and went to another place,
+fearing they would charge him with the death of Dog.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 17
+
+A JOURNEY FOR SALT
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njâbu (Civet)
+    Mbâmâ (Boa)
+    Ngweya (Hog)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    A Man, and Hunters
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Interior tribes formerly obtained their salt from sea-water evaporated
+by the coast tribes in large shallow brass pans, called "neptunes,"
+imported by foreign traders.
+
+
+
+All these four Beasts were neighbors, living together in one town.
+
+One time, in the evening, about an hour after the regular six
+o'clock sunset, they all, were sitting conversing in the street. Then
+Tortoise said to the others, "Here! I have something to say! I wish
+to talk with you. Tomorrow, let us go on a journey, to take a walk
+through the forest down to the Sea, to buy salt." They all assented,
+"Yes! so let it be!"
+
+Late at night, they dispersed to their houses, to lie down for sleep.
+
+After awhile, the day began to break.
+
+Early in the morning, they prepared for their journey. And Tortoise
+said to them, "I have here another thing to say; my last word. That
+is: As we go, no one of us is to start any new affair on the way; only
+steadily down to the Seacoast." They all said, "Yes! we are agreed."
+
+So, they started through the forest, going on their journey. They
+went, and they went, on and on, expecting to go a long way, until
+they should by evening come to their camping-place for the night. But,
+on the way, Civet began to say, "Ah! my stomach aches! Ah! my stomach
+aches!" Tortoise asked, "What do you mean by 'stomach-ache?'" Civet
+answered, "'Stomach-ache' means that my bowels trouble me, and that
+I need to go."
+
+Tortoise said, "Well! go! step aside from the path into the bushes,
+and we will wait for you here." But Civet said, "No! not in the
+bushes; for, I must go back to the kitchen-garden of my mother in our
+town." Tortoise exclaimed, "By no means! When we arranged for this
+journey, what did I say in the town?" They all admitted, "You said that
+none of us should start any affair on the way." Therefore Tortoise
+said, "But, you, Njâbu, have begun a new matter on the way. If so,
+this journey is going to end in trouble!"
+
+Nevertheless, Civet ran rapidly back before night to his mother's
+kitchen-garden in his town, at the place where he usually went, while
+the three others sat down in the path to await his return. After a
+long time, Civet, having relieved himself, came again by night to
+his companions, saying, "I am feeling very well."
+
+The next day, they all rose, saying, "Now! Let us resume our
+journey!" and they started again.
+
+They walked, and they walked, until Boa cried, "O! my stomach! O! my
+stomach aches!" Then Tortoise asked him, "What is 'stomach ache'?" Boa
+replied, "It means that hunger has seized me." So Tortoise said, "Yes,
+that's right. We have with us food for the journey ready. So, come, all
+of you, let us all eat." But Boa said, "No! not this food. I must go
+and seek other food." Tortoise inquired, "What other kind of food?" Boa
+said, "Let me go over yonder a little way; and I shall return."
+
+As he was going, he came in sight of a red Antelope. Boa curled his
+body in folds, according to his manner of crushing his prey. The
+Antelope happened along; and Boa seized and killed it. He covered it
+with saliva very much, as is its manner in swallowing its prey. And,
+carrying it to their camp, Boa lay down with it. Tortoise said, "We
+will all eat together of it." But Boa replied, "We do not give each
+other in the town; shall we give each other on the journey?" Then he
+swallowed the entire carcass. Presently he called the other three;
+and they went to him. And he said to them, "I have finished eating,
+and I am satisfied."
+
+So, Tortoise said, "Come on, then; let us continue our journey." But
+Boa said, "No! I shall leave this place only when this Beast I have
+eaten dissolves." Tortoise expostulated, "Indeed! Chum! I said in
+the town, 'Let no one begin any matter on the way,' yet, first Njâbu
+began his affair; and now you, Mbâmâ, begin yours!"
+
+However, they all sat down, and waited for Boa's food to digest. For
+an entire month they waited there, delaying while that food was
+being digested. Finally, Boa said, "Now, we will journey, but first I
+will go to the river to drink." He drank a very great deal of water,
+which acted as a purgative to relieve his bowels of the bones of the
+Antelope. Then he reported to the others, "I am feeling very well. Let
+us go."
+
+They went, and they went. And they came to a large tree so recently
+fallen across the path that its leaves were still green. Hog jumped
+over to the other side of it. Also, Boa crawled over it. And Civet
+leaped over it. They called to Tortoise, who was vainly trying to
+climb over it, "Come on! Let us go ahead! Jump!"
+
+But, Tortoise being vexed, said, "No! I won't go! You know I have no
+long legs. What can I do! So, I shall leave this spot only when this
+tree has rotted through, giving me an open way!" They all wondered, and
+said, "No! this tree is new and fresh. It will rot in how many days?"
+
+Tortoise replied, "Not me! you! For, had not you two, Njâbu and Mbâmâ,
+delayed us, we would already have passed this spot long before this
+tree fell. You, Njâbu, first began a matter; soon, you, Mbâmâ,
+began your matter; now, this is my matter. Now wait for me." So,
+they waited and waited.
+
+But, while waiting, the other three went out sometimes by early
+daylight in the morning to an adjacent plantation, and found there
+corn, yams, plantains, and all kinds of food. Civet and Hog said,
+"We must eat!" They ate up the corn, and finished the plantains.
+
+One day, a Man of another town, was wandering in the forest. As he
+journeyed, he was looking from side to side on the way, peering for
+what he might find. And he saw many tracks of Beasts. Examining them
+closely, he said, "This track looks like that of a tortoise! Yes,
+and this like a hog's! And, here, O! this other is of a civet! And,
+ha! ha! a trail of a boa is this!" He exclaimed, "How many Beasts this
+place has! I will call the townspeople to come and kill these Beasts;
+for, there must be many." So, he hurried rapidly back, and arrived
+at the town.
+
+When there, he shouted, "Come on, men! Come to the forest! I've found
+many Beasts!" The owner of the Plantation came along. His people took
+their guns; and some took machetes; and some, spears and knives. Others
+took nets. And they all went together at once. They also had with them,
+dogs, to whose necks they tied little bells.
+
+When they came to that place where the four Beasts were, the dogs
+barked and shook their bells as they raced. And the men began to shout
+"Hâ! hâ!" to drive the Beasts into the net. They first came upon
+Hog, fired a gun at him, and he died. Next, they came upon Civet,
+and pierced him with a spear. They killed also Boa, who was lying
+dormant by the log. And they saw the other Beast, Tortoise, on one
+side of the log, trying to conceal itself among the decayed leaves,
+and seized it. Having the three dead bodies, they kept Tortoise alive,
+and tied him with a cord.
+
+They had begun the killing of these Beasts late in the afternoon,
+and they reached their town about sunset. And they said, "Put all
+the carcasses in one house; but suspend Tortoise from the roof." They
+consulted, "We shall eat those Beasts only tomorrow; for, the evening
+is too late to cut them up and cook them." So, they all went to sleep.
+
+Near midnight, Tortoise, after a long effort, wriggled out of the
+coils of the cord. He came to the corner of the room where were the
+bodies of the other three Beasts. He said over Civet's body, "Did I
+not say to you, 'Begin no new matter on the way?' And now you are a
+corpse." And over Boa, he said, "You too; I told you not to begin a
+matter; and now you are a dead body. Had we not begun these matters
+on the way, we would have finished our journey safely."
+
+Then he scratched a hole under the wall of the house, and escaped to
+the forest.
+
+After that, the day broke. And the townspeople said among themselves,
+"Bring the Beasts outside of the house; let us cut them up." They
+did so with the three dead bodies. And they told a lad, "Bring the
+Kudu that is suspended from the rafters."
+
+The lad looked and reported, "I have seen no Kudu." They all went to
+look for it, and could see nothing of it. So, they said, "Let us eat
+these. Let the other go; for, it has run away."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 18
+
+A PLEA FOR MERCY
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njâbu (Civet)
+    Uhingi (Genet)
+    Kuba (Chicken)
+    Vyâdu (Antelope)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Ivenga, A Woman and Her Husband Njambo
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+This Tale seems to be a version of No. 17. The plea of Tortoise that
+he did not spoil the fruits of plantations is true; it does not injure
+the gardens of the natives.
+
+
+
+These four Beasts were living in one town; Civet, in his own house;
+Tortoise in his; Antelope also in his; Genet too in his own. But
+their four houses opened on to one long street.
+
+One day, in the afternoon, they all were in that street, sitting
+down in conversation. Tortoise said to them, "I have here a word to
+say." They replied "Well! Speak!"
+
+At that time, their town had a great famine. So, Tortoise said,
+"Tomorrow, we will go to seek food." They replied, "Good! just as
+soon as the day, at its first break."
+
+Then they scattered, and went to their houses to lie down for
+sleep. Soon, the day broke. And they all got up, and were ready by
+sunrise at six o'clock.
+
+They all went on their journey to find food. They searched as they
+walked a distance of several miles. Then they came to a plantation
+of Njambo's wife Ivenga. It was distant from Njambo's town about
+one hour's walk. It had a great deal of sugar-cane; also of yams
+and cassava. It had also a quantity of sweet potatoes. There also,
+the chickens of Njambo were accustomed to go to scratch for worms
+among the plants.
+
+At once, Civet exclaimed, "I'll go no further! I like to eat
+sugar-cane!" So he went to the plot of cane.
+
+Antelope also said, "I too! I'll not go any further. I like to eat
+leaves of potato and cassava." So he went to the plot of cassava.
+
+And Genet said, "Yes! I see Kuba here! I like to eat Kuba! I'll go
+no further!" So, he went after the chickens.
+
+But first, the three had asked Tortoise, "Kudu! what will you do? Have
+you nothing to eat?" Tortoise answered, "I have nothing to eat. But,
+I shall await you even two days, and will not complain." So, Civet
+remarked, "Yes! I will not soon leave here, till I eat up all this
+cane. Then I will go back to town." Antelope also said, "Yes! the
+same. I will remain here with the potato leaves till I finish them,
+before I go back." Genet also said, "Yes! I see many Kuba here. I
+will stay and finish them."
+
+Tortoise only said, "I have nothing to say."
+
+In that plantation was a large tree; and Tortoise went to lie down
+at its foot.
+
+They were all there about four days, eating and eating. On the fifth
+day, Njambo's wife Ivenga in the town said to herself, "I'll go today,
+and see about my plantation, how it is."
+
+She came to the plantation, and when she saw the condition in which
+it was, she lifted up her voice, and began to wail a lamentation. She
+saw that but little cane was left, and not much of potatoes. Looking
+in another part of the plantation, she saw lying there, very many
+feathers of chickens.
+
+She ran back rapidly to town to tell her husband. But, she was
+so excited she could scarcely speak. He asked her, "What's the
+matter, Ivenga?" She answered, "I have no words to tell you. For,
+the Plantation is left with no food." Then, the Man called twenty
+men of the town; and he said to them, "Take four nets!" They took
+the nets, and also four dogs, with small bells tied to the necks
+of the dogs. The men had also guns and spears and machetes in their
+hands. They followed into the forest; and they came on to three of
+the Beasts. They came first upon Antelope, with their dogs; and they
+shot him dead. Then the dogs came on Genet, and they followed him; and
+soon he was shot with a gun. They came also on Civet, and killed him.
+
+Taking up the carcasses, they said to each other, "Let us go back
+to town." On the way, they came to the big Tree, and found Tortoise
+lying at the base. They took him also, and then went on to their town.
+
+Arrived there, Njambo ordered, "Put Kudu in a house and suspend him
+from the roof." Also he ordered, "Take off the skin of Vyâdu and hang
+it in the house where Kudu is." He added, "Take off also the skin of
+Njâbu." They did so, and they put it into that house. He directed that
+Genet should also be skinned, and his skin hung in that same house. So,
+there was left of these beasts in the street, only the flesh of their
+bodies. These the men cut up and divided among themselves. And they
+feasted for several days.
+
+On the fourth day afterward, Njambo said to his wife, "I'm going on
+a visit to a town about three miles away. Do you, while I am away,
+kill Kudu, and prepare him with ngândâ for me, by my return." The
+woman got ready the ngândâ seeds (gourd) for the pudding, and then
+went into the room to take Tortoise. In the dim light, she lifted up
+her hand, and found the string that suspended Tortoise.
+
+But, before she untied it, Tortoise said, "Just wait a little." The
+woman took away her hand, and stood waiting. Tortoise asked her,
+"This skin there looks like what?" The woman replied, "A skin of
+Vyâdu." And Tortoise inquired, "What did Vyâdu do?" The woman answered,
+"Vyâdu ate my potatoes in the Plantation, and my husband killed him
+for it." Tortoise said, "That is well."
+
+Then Tortoise again asked, "This other skin is of what animal?" The
+woman replied, "Of Uhingi." Tortoise inquired, "What did Uhingi
+do?" The woman answered, "Uhingi killed and ate my and my husband's
+Kuba; and he was killed for that." Then Tortoise said, "Very good
+reason!"
+
+Again Tortoise asked the woman, "This other skin?" She answered,
+"Of Njâbu." Tortoise asked, "Njâbu, what did he do?" She answered,
+"Njâbu ate my sugar-cane, and my husband killed him." Tortoise said,
+"A proper reason! But, you, you are going to kill me and cook me with
+ngândâ-pudding. What have I done?" The woman had no reason to give. So
+she left Tortoise alive, and began to cook the gourd-seeds with fish.
+
+Soon, Njambo himself came back, and his wife set before him the ngândâ
+and fish. But he objected, "Ah! my wife! I told you to cook Kudu; and
+you have cooked me fish. Why?" The woman told him, "My husband! first
+finish this food, and then you and I will go to see about Kudu." So,
+Njambo finished eating, and Ivenga removed the plates from the
+table. Then they two went into the room where Tortoise was suspended.
+
+The woman sat, but Njambo was standing ready to pluck down
+Tortoise. Then Tortoise said to Njambo, "You, Man! just wait!" The
+woman also said to Njambo, "My husband! listen to what Kudu says
+to you."
+
+Tortoise asked, "You, Man, what skin is this?" Njambo answered, "Of
+Vyâdu. I killed him on account of this eating my Plantation." Then
+Tortoise asked, "And that skin?" Njambo answered, "Of Uhingi; and
+I killed him for eating my Kuba." Tortoise again asked, "And this
+other?" Njambo answered, "Of Njâbu; for eating my sugar-cane."
+
+Then Tortoise said, "There were four of us in the Plantation. What
+have I eaten? Tell me. If I have eaten, then I should die." Njambo
+told him, "I've found no reason against you." Tortoise then asked,
+"Then, why should I die?" So, Njambo untied Tortoise from the roof,
+and said to Ivenga, "Let Kudu go; for, I find no reason against
+him. Let him go as he pleases."
+
+So, Ivenga set Tortoise free; and he hasted back to his town in peace.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 19
+
+THE DECEPTIONS OF TORTOISE
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Ngâmbi (Igwana)
+    Mbâmâ (Boa)
+    Ngando (Crocodile)
+    With Men, A Woman, and Child
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+A portion of this Tale seems to be a version of No. 12.
+
+
+
+Leopard and Tortoise built together a large town. Leopard said to
+Tortoise, "I will live with you, but I shall not be able to eat with
+you; for, I am a great man, and I eat alone."
+
+Some time after this, Tortoise went away, and married a wife. One day,
+his wife being hungry, he went off into the forest to seek food for
+her. And he found mushrooms. He gathered them; took them and returned
+with them to the town. There he said to his wife, "Eat!" and she ate.
+
+Some time after this, the woman was about to become a mother. And,
+on another day, Tortoise went again into the forest to find food for
+his wife. As before, he gathered mushrooms. But, when he brought them
+to his wife, she said to him, "I don't like these things; the same
+every day!"
+
+So, Tortoise went off again to seek food in the forest. He came near
+a strange town, and heard voices of Mankind talking. In fear, he hid
+himself, and watched what would happen. He observed that there were
+Men going off into the forest, with implements of search for wild
+animals. He saw them, but kept himself closely hidden.
+
+When they had gone, he came out of his hiding, and went into one of
+these houses of Men, and sat down there. Then he walked into the
+rooms. On the shelves of the kitchen, he saw a large quantity of
+wild meat drying. He took of that meat, and went away with it to his
+own town.
+
+He found on his arrival that his wife had already borne her child,
+the little tortoise. When Tortoise showed her the meat, she asked him,
+"Where did you get all this meat?" He replied evasively, "You told
+me to get you meat; so I went; and I have come with it." The woman
+was glad, and said, "Do so every day!"
+
+So, another time, Tortoise again went off into the forest. And he came
+to the town of those Men. They were not there; for, they had gone off
+on their hunting. He went again into their house; took of their meat,
+and returned to his place. On giving the food to his wife, he said
+to her, "Do not show Njâ this meat!"
+
+After this, little Tortoise grew, and began to go by itself, walking
+about the town. Tortoise told the child, "Do not show Njâ the things
+you eat." But, the child did not obey. One day, it went off toward
+Leopard's house, having in its hand the flesh of the wild animal it
+was eating. Tortoise saw his child going and called him back, but,
+he ran rapidly away to Leopard's; who, seeing the child with food in
+its hand, cried out, "Come here!" Leopard took hold of the child's
+hand to see what meat he was eating, and said to him, "Your father
+has no gun; where does he get all this meat?" The child was silent,
+not knowing whence the meat came, and did not answer; and he returned
+to his father's house.
+
+So, Leopard said to himself, "Kudu and I must have a talk." He told
+his wife to make ready their food. She did so. Then he told one of his
+children, "Go! call Kudu to come and eat with me." The child went and
+told as he was bidden. Tortoise sent word, "I can't come." His wife,
+however, said to him, "Go!" Tortoise objected to her, saying, "I'm
+afraid of that man!" Still his wife said to him, "Go!" So, he went.
+
+Leopard set out the food that had been prepared. Then he asked
+Tortoise, "Where did you get the meat which I saw with your
+child?" Tortoise replied, "I picked it up." Leopard said, "No! don't
+tell lies!" They changed the conversation, and went on eating. When
+they were done, Tortoise went back to his house.
+
+Next day, Leopard said to his people, "I'm going to visit Kudu." So he
+went, and entered into the house of the wife of Tortoise. There he saw
+much dried wild meat. He exclaimed, "O! Kudu! you told me falsely! You
+and I living in the same town, can't you let me know what happens?"
+
+Then Leopard went back to his house. That evening he said to his
+children, "Go to the house of Kudu. If you see a hunting-bag hanging
+there, take hold of it; with a knife pierce holes in the bottom; and
+fill the bag with ashes." They did so, putting in much ashes. They
+returned to their father, and told him what they had done. He replied,
+"Very good!"
+
+That night, Tortoise said to his wife, "Tomorrow, I shall not go
+out hunting." But, she said, "Yes! Go! and kill me some animal." So,
+he consented.
+
+Then day began to break. Tortoise went into the entrance-room;
+thence he took his hunting-bag; but, in the dark of the morning,
+he saw nothing wrong about it. And he went on his way.
+
+Soon, also, Leopard came out of his house; and, going to the house of
+Tortoise, he inquired, "Kudu is in the house?" The wife of Tortoise
+from her bed-room, replied, "Kudu is not here." Then Leopard went
+into the entrance-room of Tortoise; and looking about, he saw that the
+bag was not there. So, he followed after Tortoise; and, as he walked,
+he looked out for marks of the ashes. He followed, and he followed;
+and finally overtook Tortoise.
+
+Tortoise, as soon as he saw Leopard coming, said to him, "I'm going
+back to town!" Leopard asked, "Why? Don't go! Why do you go?" Tortoise,
+remembering his having said he was "a great man," answered, "Because
+you are proud." But, Leopard insisted, "No! go on where you were
+going." So, Tortoise consented, "Well, let us go!"
+
+They went, and came to the town of Men. And they found that the
+men were gone off into the forest. Tortoise observed that the house
+was closed and locked. Leopard said to him, "Open the house!" But
+Tortoise replied, "You, Njâ you open the house!" But, Leopard said,
+"I am a stranger here; you travel here continually; you know the
+way!" So, Tortoise opened the house; and they both entered.
+
+Leopard saw the bodies of many wild animals drying in the
+house. Tortoise said to him, "Carry the meat, and let us go!" But,
+Leopard said, "No! I'm staying here, and will cook some meat
+here." Tortoise objected, "No! take the meat and let us go. For,
+here are great Men who kill us people."
+
+However, Leopard insisted, "No! first let me eat." So, Tortoise said,
+"Very well! I'll carry away my share; for, I'm going." But Leopard
+still insisted, "No! wait for me." So, Tortoise yielded, and waited
+for him in the house.
+
+Leopard cooked his meat. While the pot was on the fire-place, and
+before he had eaten, suddenly the Men returned. Tortoise exclaimed,
+"The Men of the Town have returned! What shall we do?" For himself,
+Tortoise said, "I'm going to hide in the bedroom!" But, Leopard said,
+"No! I'm the elder; the bedroom is the place for me." He went into
+the bedroom. Tortoise remained in the reception-room, and hid himself
+in a pile of the women's cassava leaves.
+
+Soon afterward, the Men also came into that room. And a woman said,
+"I left those leaves here when I was cooking. I must throw them into
+the back yard." So, she swept the leaves (with Tortoise unseen among
+them) in a heap, and threw them out doors.
+
+In the bedroom, where Leopard had hidden, there was a child of this
+woman, sick with a skin-disease. The woman called out to her child,
+"My child! are you there?" The child replied, "Yes!" The Men in
+the entrance-room, observing the pot on the fire, asked the woman,
+"While we were away, did you leave a kettle on the fire-place?" The
+woman, thinking the pot belonged to someone else who had been cooking,
+answered, "No." The Men then directed her, "Make food for us!" So,
+she made them food in that pot which Leopard had left, adding other
+meat to it.
+
+The child in the bedroom, smelling the odor of cooking, called out,
+"Mother! I want to eat!" So, the mother made food for him. And she
+took the plate to him, setting it down in the doorway, (but did not
+enter the room, and so did not see Leopard).
+
+Leopard took the child's food. The child, in terror, made no
+out-cry. Leopard ate up all the food. Then the child began to
+weep. The mother, hearing, asked, "Why do you cry?" The child answered,
+"For hunger."
+
+She wondered that that plateful had not been sufficient; but, she made
+him more food. And she brought it to him into the room, but she did not
+see the Leopard; nor did the child tell her. She left the food there,
+and went out. The child was about to take the food to eat it, when
+Leopard again snatched it away. But, even then, the child, in fear,
+did not scream out. And Leopard ate all the food.
+
+Then the child began to weep out aloud. The mother again asked,
+"What do you want?" The child answered, "I want food." The mother
+wondered much, and, hastening into the bedroom, she saw Leopard. Then
+she shouted, "Men! Here's Njâ!" The men came, and they killed Leopard.
+
+All this while, Tortoise remained hidden in the bushes outside;
+and he heard all that was happening. He said to himself, "I'm going
+to town to tell the children of Njâ that he is dead." So, he went
+back to his town. At first, he told only his wife, "Men have killed
+Njâ." Then he said, "I must now call the children of Njâ."
+
+So, he called all the people of Leopard. And he said to them, "I
+will tell you something; but, don't kill me for my evil news. So,
+I tell you, Njâ is dead!" They all laughed in derision, as if it was
+not possible, "We will know about that matter tomorrow!"
+
+And that day darkened. In the evening, Tortoise told his wife
+and children, "We must flee to another place." For, he feared that
+Leopard's people would charge him with their father's death. So, that
+night they fled. And they built their town far away at another place.
+
+When the children of Leopard saw that Tortoise had fled, they
+believed him guilty; and they said, "The day we shall see Kudu,
+we will kill him."
+
+Tortoise and his family had been living at their new place only
+about a month, when, one day, he said to his family, "I'm going
+on a journey to the town of Mbâmâ." So he went to that town. He
+stayed there visiting about a week. While there, he said to Boa,
+"If a child of Njâ comes here, hide me." Shortly afterward, a child
+of Leopard did come. Boa took Tortoise, and set him for safety on a
+rock in the middle of the river. Tortoise sat there a long time; and,
+while there, he laid what looked like an egg. Surprised, he threw it
+into the water; and it floated away. Finally it came ashore at the
+landing-place of Crocodile's town.
+
+Crocodile saw it, and said, "Go, and seek the person who made this
+thing." His children went to seek. They journeyed, and found Tortoise,
+and took him. They brought him to their father, and told him, "This is
+the person." Crocodile asked Tortoise, "You made this Thing?" Tortoise
+said "Yes!" Then Crocodile told him, "Make me many of these Things." So
+Tortoise told him, "Bring me here a great many plantains; and arrange
+the house in order." Crocodile arranged all the house nicely. Tortoise
+entered it, and was given an inside room. He remained there in that
+room all by himself with the plantains.
+
+At last, one day he emerged. And he said to Crocodile, "Send me in
+company with one of your people across the river." Crocodile told
+him, "You yourself name the person who shall go with you." Tortoise
+said he wanted Crocodile's cousin Igwana, who was living there with
+Crocodile's people.
+
+So Igwana and Tortoise got into a canoe, and started to cross
+the river. Crocodile then entered the room where Tortoise had
+been. Searching there, he did not find any of the Things which
+Tortoise had promised to make. So Crocodile shouted after Tortoise,
+whose canoe had not yet crossed the river, to come back. Tortoise
+heard; and he asked Igwana, "Do you hear how Crocodile is calling to
+you? Don't you know what he is saying?" (Natives believe the Igwana
+to be deaf.) Igwana answered, "No! what does he say?" Tortoise said,
+"He tells you to paddle faster! Don't be so slow!" So, Igwana paddled
+rapidly; and soon his work was finished; and they reached the other
+side. There, Tortoise got out of the canoe; and he told Igwana to go
+back. Igwana did so. And Tortoise went on his way.
+
+After a while, a child of Leopard met with Tortoise on the path. The
+child asked him, "Is not this Kudu?" Tortoise replied, "Yes, I am
+he." Then the child of Leopard said to him, "You killed my father! I
+shall also kill you!" So, he killed Tortoise.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 20
+
+LEOPARD'S HUNTING COMPANIONS
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njâ (Leopard) and His Nephew
+    Etoli (House-Rat)
+    Ngomba (Porcupine)
+    Iheli (Gazelle)
+    Nyati (Ox)
+    Njâku (Elephant)
+    Ko (Wild-Rat)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Indondobe (Wagtail)
+
+
+
+Leopard and other Beasts, with a son of Leopard's sister, were residing
+in the same town. One day, Leopard said to the others, "I have here
+a word to say." They replied, "Tell it." "We must go to kill Beasts
+(not of our company) for our food, at a place which I will show you
+a number of miles away." And they made their arrangements.
+
+After two days, he said, "Now, for the journey!" So they finished
+their preparations. And Leopard said to his nephew, "You stay in the
+town. I and the others will go to our work."
+
+They began their journey, and had gone only a part of the way, when
+Leopard exclaimed, "I forgot my spear! Wait for me while I go back to
+the town." There he found his nephew sitting down, waiting. Leopard
+said to him, "I have come to tell you that, every day, while we
+are away, you must come early to where we are killing the animals;
+and secretly you must take away the meat and bring it here to my
+house." The nephew heard and promised.
+
+Leopard returned to the others who were awaiting him on the road,
+and told them to come on. They went, and they arrived at the spot
+which he had chosen. There they hastily built a small house for their
+camp. The next day they said, "Now, let us go and make our snares
+for the animals." They began making snares; and set their traps
+early in the afternoon. A few hours later, they returned to the
+camp. Later still, before sunset, they said, "Let us go to examine
+our snares." They found they had caught an Igwana. They killed it
+and put it on the drying-frame over the fire in the house.
+
+Then the day darkened. And they went to their sleep.
+
+And then the day broke.
+
+And Leopard said, "While we go to the snares, who shall remain
+to take care of this house?" They agreed, "Let Etoli stay at the
+camp." House-Rat assented, "All right." So the others went away
+together.
+
+The camp had been made near a small stream. At that same hour,
+Leopard's nephew came to the camp, according to his uncle's
+directions. He had in his hands a plate and a drum. He came near to
+the house cautiously. With the plate he twice swept the surface of the
+water, as if bailing out a canoe. Rat heard the swish of the water,
+and called out, "Who is splashing water there? Who is dabbling in
+this water?" The nephew responded, "It is I, a friend." And Rat said,
+"Well, then come."
+
+The nephew came to the house. After a little conversation, he said to
+Rat, "I have here a drum, and, while I beat it, you dance for me." Rat
+was pleased, and said, "Very well." So, the nephew beat the drum,
+and Rat danced. After a while, the nephew said to Rat, "Go you, out
+into the front, and dance there, while I beat the drum here." As Rat
+went out, the nephew snatched the dried meat and ran away with it,
+suddenly disappearing around a corner of the house. He came to the
+town, and placed the meat in his own house.
+
+Rat waited a while in the front, and, not hearing the drum came back
+into the house, and called out, "Chum! where are you?" He looked about,
+and his eyes falling on the drying-frame, he saw that the dried meat
+was not there. He began to mourn, "Ah! Leopard will kill me to day,
+because of the loss of his meat."
+
+While he was thus speaking, the company of trappers, together with
+Leopard, came back from their morning's work. Leopard told Rat all
+that had occurred to them in the forest at their traps and snares;
+and then said, "Now, tell me what you have been doing, and the
+happenings of this camp." Rat told him, "Some one has come and taken
+away the dried meat, but I did not see who it was." Leopard said,
+"You are full of falsehood. Yourself have eaten it while we were away
+in the forest." So, Leopard gave him a heavy flogging. Then they put
+on the drying-frame the animal they had trapped that day.
+
+The next day they went again to the forest; and Wild-Rat was left
+in charge of the camp. The nephew came, as on the day before, with
+his plate and drum, and did in the same way at the water. And he
+deceived the Wild-Rat with his drumming, in the same way as he had
+done to House-Rat.
+
+When Leopard and the others came back from the forest, Wild-Rat told
+him of the loss of the meat; and said that he had seen no one, and
+did not know who took it. Leopard said to him, "You, Ko, have eaten
+the meat, just as your relative Etoli ate his yesterday."
+
+Thus Leopard and his company went each day to the traps. On the third
+day, Porcupine was caught; on the fourth Gazelle; on the fifth, Ox;
+on the sixth, Elephant. Beast after beast was caught, killed and
+dried; and, day by day, the meat of all was stolen. The last to be
+thus caught and stolen was Tortoise.
+
+The nephew in Leopard's town, looked with satisfaction on the pile
+of dried meat that had been collected in his own house. He said to
+himself, "My uncle told me to gather them; and I have done so. But,
+I will not put them in Uncle's house."
+
+In the camp, there was left only one animal of Leopard's companions
+that had not been placed on guard. It was a Bird, a water Wag-tail. It
+said to Leopard one day, "While you all go on your errand today, I
+will remain as keeper of the house." Leopard replied, "No! my friend,
+I don't wish you to remain." (For, Leopard knew that that Bird was
+very cautious and wise, more so than some other animals.) Nevertheless,
+they went, leaving the Bird in charge of the house.
+
+The nephew came, as usual, with his plate and drum. He splashed the
+water of the stream as usual, to see whether there was anyone in
+the house to respond. And the Bird asked, "Who are you?" The nephew
+answered, in a humble voice, "I." He came on through the stream, on
+his way, catching two cray-fish. He entered the house, and he said
+to the Bird, "Get me some salt, and a leaf in which to tie and roast
+these cray-fish." When the Bird gave him the leaf, he tied them in
+it, and laid the small bundle on the coals on the fire-place. But
+he at once took up the bundle, opened it, and ate the fish, before
+they were really cooked. The Bird said to him, "Those fish were not
+yet cooked. Your stomach is like your Uncle Njâ's. Both you and your
+Uncle like to eat things raw."
+
+The Bird at once suspected that the nephew was the thief. When the
+nephew said, "I have here a drum," Bird at once, as if very willing,
+replied, "Drum! I want to dance." The nephew was standing in the front
+with his drum, and he said to Bird, "Come and dance out here; for,
+the drum sounds much better outside." But the Bird said, "I will not
+dance in the same place with you." The nephew then said, "Well, then;
+change places; you come here, and I go into the house." But the Bird
+refused, "No! I stay in the house."
+
+Most of the morning was thus spent by the nephew trying to deceive
+the Bird, and get into the house alone. Finally, the nephew wearied,
+and gave up the effort and left.
+
+Soon the company of trappers with Leopard returned from the forest. He
+told the Bird all the news of their forest work. Looking at the
+drying-frames, Leopard saw that the dried meat was still there. He
+thought in his heart, "My nephew has not come today to get this meat."
+
+The Bird then told Leopard all the news of the camp, and how the nephew
+had been acting. At the last, he exclaimed, "So! it is your nephew
+who has been coming here every day to take away the dried meat!" And
+all the animals agreed, "So! so! that's so!" But Leopard replied,
+"I don't believe it. But, let us adjourn and examine." (He supposed
+the meat was hidden in his own house, and would not be discovered.)
+
+They all scattered, and hastened to their town. There they entered
+the nephew's house; and there they found a great pile of dried
+meat. They proved the theft on Leopard himself, pointing out, "Here
+is the very meat in the house of one of your own family. We are sure
+that you yourself made the conspiracy with your nephew for him to do
+the stealing for you." And they all denounced him, "You are a thief
+and a liar! You shall not join with us any more in the same town."
+
+Leopard went away in wrath saying, "Do you prove it on me? Well
+then! all you beasts, whenever and wherever I shall meet you, it will
+be only to eat you!"
+
+So, leopards are always enemies to all other animals, and they kill
+them whenever they are able.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 21
+
+IS THE BAT A BIRD OR A BEAST?
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Ndemi (Bat) and his Mother
+    Joba (The Sun)
+    Vyâdu (Antelope)
+    Hako (Ants)
+    Other Animals and Birds
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+In Tropical Africa, it is not usual to retain a corpse unburied as
+long as 24 hours. Bat retained his mother's corpse too long. The
+"Driver" Ants of that country are natural scavengers.
+
+A reason why bats are not seen in the day time:--Also, why they make
+their plaintive cry at night, as if they were calling for their mother.
+
+
+
+Bat lived at a place by itself, with only its mother. Shortly
+after their settling there, the mother became sick, very near to
+death. Bat called for Antelope, and said to him, "Make medicine for my
+mother." Antelope looked steadily at her to discern her disease. Then
+he told Bat, "There is no one who can make the medicine that will
+cure your mother, except Joba." Having given this information,
+Antelope returned to his own place.
+
+On another day, early in the morning, Bat arose to go to call Sun. He
+did not start until about seven o'clock. He met Sun on the road about
+eleven o'clock. And he said to Sun, "My journey was on the way to
+see you." Sun told him, "If you have a word to say, speak!" So Bat
+requested, "Come! make Medicine for my mother. She is sick." But
+Sun replied, "I can't go to make medicine unless you meet me in my
+house; not here on the road. Go back; and come to me at my house
+tomorrow." So, Bat went back to his town.
+
+And the day darkened. And they all slept their sleep.
+
+And the next day broke. At six o'clock, Bat started to go to call
+Sun. About nine o'clock, he met Sun on the path; and he told Sun what
+he was come for. But Sun said to him, "Whenever I emerge from my house,
+I do not go back, but I keep on to the end of my journey. Go back,
+for another day." Bat returned to his town.
+
+He made other journeys in order to see Sun at his house, five
+successive days; and every day he was late, and met Sun already on
+the way of his own journey for his own business.
+
+Finally, on the seventh day, Bat's mother died. Then Bat, in his grief,
+said, "It is Joba who has killed my mother! Had he made medicine for
+me, she would have recovered."
+
+Very many people came together that day in a crowd, at the Kwedi
+(mourning) for the dead. The wailing was held from six o'clock in
+the morning until eleven o'clock of the next day. At that hour, Bat
+announced, "Let her be taken to the grave." He called other Beasts to
+go into the house together with him, in order to carry the corpse. They
+took up the body, and carried it on the way to the grave.
+
+On their arrival at the grave, these Beasts said to Bat, "We have
+a rule that, before we bury a person, we must first look upon the
+face." (To identify it). So, they opened the coffin. When they had
+looked on the face, they said, "No! we can't bury this person; for,
+it is not our relative, it does not belong to us Beasts. This person
+indeed resembles us in having teeth like us. And it also has a head
+like us. But, that it has wings, makes it look like a bird. It is a
+bird. Call for the Birds! We will disperse." So, they dispersed.
+
+Then Bat called the Birds to come. They came, big and little; Pelicans,
+Eagles, Herons and all the others. When they all had come together,
+they said to Bat, "Show us the dead body." He told them, "Here it
+is! Come! look upon it!" They looked and examined carefully. Then they
+said, "Yes! it resembles us; for, it has wings as we. But, about the
+teeth, No! We birds, none of us, have any teeth. This person does not
+resemble us with those teeth. It does not belong to us." And all the
+Birds stepped aside.
+
+During the while that the talking had been going on, Ants had come
+and laid hold of the body, and could not be driven away. Then one of
+the Birds said to Bat, "I told you, you ought not to delay the burial,
+for, many things might happen." The Ants had eaten the body and there
+was no burial. And all the birds and beasts went away.
+
+Bat, left alone, said to himself, "All the fault of all this trouble
+is because of Joba. If he had made medicine, my mother would not be
+dead. So, I, Ndemi, and Joba shall not look on each other. We shall
+have no friendship. If he emerges, I shall hide myself. I won't meet
+him or look at him." And he added, "I shall mourn for my mother
+always. I will make no visits. I will walk about only at night,
+not in the daytime, lest I meet Joba or other people."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 22
+
+DOG, AND HIS HUMAN SPEECH (1st Version)
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Mbwa (Dog), and His Mother
+    A Man Njambo, and Daughter Eyâle
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+In the pre-historic times, from which these tales come, all animals,
+both human and (what we now call) the lower animals, were supposed
+to associate together, even in marriage. This son Mbwa, in form
+(and speaking also) like what we now call a "Dog," spoke also with
+human speech. The reason is here given why this ancestor of Dogs left
+the country of the Beasts. But, though Dogs now live with Mankind,
+they cannot use human speech as their ancestor did. They can only say
+"Ow! Ow!"
+
+
+
+Dog and his mother were the only inhabitants of their hamlet. He had
+the power to speak both as a beast and as a human being.
+
+One day the mother said to the son, "You are now a strong man; go,
+and seek a marriage. Go, and marry Eyâle, the daughter of Njambo." And
+he said to his mother, "I will go tomorrow."
+
+That day darkened. And they both went to lie down in their places
+for sleep.
+
+Then soon, another day began to break.
+
+Dog said to his mother, "This is the time of my journey." It was
+about sun-rise in the morning. And he began his journey. He went the
+distance of about eight miles; and arrived at the journey's end before
+the middle of the morning.
+
+He entered the house of Njambo, the father of Eyâle. Njambo and his
+wife saluted him, "Mbolo!" and he responded, "Ai! mbolo!" Njambo
+asked him, "My friend! what is the cause of your journey?" Dog, with
+his animal language, answered, "I have come to marry your daughter
+Eyâle." Njambo consented; and the mother of the girl also agreed. They
+called their daughter, and asked her; and she also replied, "Yes! with
+all my heart." This young woman was of very fine appearance in face
+and body. So, all the parties agreed to the marriage.
+
+After that, about sun-set in the evening, when they sat down at supper,
+the son-in-law, Dog, was not able to eat for some unknown reason.
+
+That day darkened; and they went to their sleep.
+
+And, then, the next daylight broke. But, by an hour after sunrise in
+the morning, Dog had not risen; he was still asleep.
+
+The mother of the woman said to her, "Get some water ready for the
+washing of your husband's face, whenever he shall awake." She also
+said to her daughter, "I am going to go into the forest to the
+plantation to get food for your husband; for, since his coming,
+he has not eaten. Also, here is a chicken; the lads may kill and
+prepare it. But, you yourself must split ngândâ (gourd-seeds, whose
+oily kernels are mashed into a pudding)." She handed Eyâle the dish
+of gourd-seeds, and went off into the forest. Njambo also went away
+on an errand with his wife. The daughter took the dish of seeds,
+and, sitting down, began to shell them. As she shelled, she threw
+the kernels on the ground, but the shells she put on a plate.
+
+Shortly after the mother had gone, Dog woke from sleep. He rose from
+his bed, and came out to the room where his wife was, and stood near
+her, watching her working at the seeds. He stood silent, looking
+closely, and observed that she was still throwing away the kernels,
+the good part, and saving the shells on the plate. He spoke to her
+with his human voice, "No! woman! not so! Do you throw the good parts,
+to the ground, and the worthless husks onto the plate?"
+
+While he was thus speaking to his wife, she suddenly fell to the
+ground. And at once she died. He laid hold of her to lift her up. But,
+behold! she was a corpse.
+
+Soon afterwards, the father and the mother came, having returned from
+their errands. They found their child a corpse; and they said to Dog,
+"Mbwa! What is this?" He, with his own language replied, "I cannot
+tell." But, they insisted, "Tell us the reason!"
+
+So Dog spoke with his human voice, "You, Woman, went to the forest
+while I was asleep. You, Man, you also went in company of your wife,
+while I was asleep. When I rose from sleep, I found my wife was
+cracking ngândâ. She was taking the good kernels to throw on the
+ground, and was keeping the shells for the plate. And I spoke and
+told her, 'The good kernels which you are throwing on the ground are
+to be eaten, not the husks.'"
+
+While he was telling them this, they too, also fell to the ground,
+and died, apparently without cause.
+
+When the people of the town heard about all this, they said, "This
+person carries an evil Medicine for killing people. Let him be seized
+and killed!"
+
+So Dog fled away rapidly into the forest; and he finally reached the
+hamlet of his mother. His body was scratched and torn by the branches
+and thorns of the bushes of the forest, in his hasty flight. His
+mother exclaimed, "Mbwa! What's the matter? Such haste! and your body
+so disordered!" He replied, using their own language, "No! I won't
+tell you. I won't speak." But, his mother begged him, "Please! my
+child! tell me!" So, finally, he spoke, using his strange voice,
+and said, "My mother! I tell you! Njambo and his wife liked me for
+the marriage; and the woman consented entirely. I was at that time
+asleep, when the Man and his wife went to the forest. When I rose
+from my sleep, I found the woman Eyâle cracking ngândâ, and throwing
+away the kernels, and keeping the husks. And I told her, 'The good
+ones which you are throwing away are the ones to be eaten.' And,
+at once she died."
+
+While he was speaking thus to his mother, she also fell dead on the
+ground. The news was carried to the town of Dog's mother's brother,
+and very many people came to the Mourning. His Uncle came to Dog,
+and said, "Mbwa! what is the reason of all this?" But Dog would not
+answer. He only said, "No! I won't speak." Then they all begged him,
+"Tell us the reason." But he replied only, "No! I won't speak."
+
+Finally, as they urged him, he chose two of them, and said to the
+company, "The rest of you remain here, and watch while I go and speak
+to these two." Then Dog spoke to those two men with the same voice as
+he had to his mother. And, at once they died, as she had died. Then he
+exclaimed, "Ah! No! If I speak so, people will come to an end!" And
+all the people agreed, "Yes, Mbwa! it is so. Your human speech kills
+us people. Don't speak any more."
+
+And he went away to live with Mankind.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 22
+
+DOG, AND HIS HUMAN SPEECH (2nd Version)
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njambo, His Wife Nyangwa-Mbwa, and His Son Mbwa (Dog)
+    The Prophet, Totode, and a Sorcerer, Nja-Ya-Melema-Mya-Bato
+    His Three Other Wives,
+        Majanga,
+        Inyanji,
+        Mamendi; and Her Two Twins.
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Some African ant-hills are built in upright pillars, varying in
+diameter from 3 to 10 inches, and in height from 1 ft. to 3 ft.
+
+The bearing of a monstrosity formerly was punished (and in some
+tribes still) by driving the mother into seclusion in the forest,
+and generally with killing of the child. In some tribes, twins were
+considered monstrosities.
+
+The "Heart-beat" of Nyangwa-Mbwa was the commonly believed premonition
+of coming evil.
+
+There are many kinds of food, of which women are not allowed to
+partake.
+
+Though the three sisters were daughters of the same mother, the
+jealousy of two of them for the other one led them to hatred, and
+an attempt at murder. Their curse laid on Mbwa caused him to be a
+speechless beast; for, previous to that, he was talking as a human
+being. "Heart-life" is an entity distinct from both Body and Soul.
+
+
+
+Njambu married a woman named Nyangwa-Mbwa. She bore a creature that
+looked like no animal that existed at that time. But, because he
+spoke as a human being, he was not considered a Beast. He was given
+part of his mother's name, Mbwa.
+
+Njambu added other marriages. Among them he obtained three women,
+each one of whom had a special office. That of Majanga was to keep
+things clean. That of Inyanji for planting. Mamendi said that her work
+should be to bear twins. Now, these three women were sisters. The
+other two were jealous of Mamendi, because her work was greater and
+more honorable than theirs.
+
+In the course of time, Mamendi conceived; her pregnancy went regularly
+on. And the time for her confinement came. Majanga and Inyanji went
+to deliver her. But they tied a napkin over her face, and covered her
+eyes lest she should see what they would do to her. When the time of
+the birth was at hand, she bore twins.
+
+Then Inyanji and Majanga threw the twins into the pig-pen. And they
+took two ant-hills (slender conical structures). They smeared them
+with blood. And they went and showed them to Njambu as the things
+which Mamendi had borne. Njambu said, "Go! and throw those things
+into the forest."
+
+But Mbwa was going about; and as he went, he was scenting, till he came
+to the pig-pen; and he saw the twins. He took them, and carried them
+to his mother in their hut, which was isolated from the town. When
+the two women had left the twins in the pig-pen, their intention was
+that the pigs might kill them; and the women did not know that Mbwa
+had removed them. The twins stayed with Nyangwa-Mbwa, and she fed
+them and nursed them.
+
+But, when Majanga and Inyanji heard that those children were in the
+hamlet of Mbwa's mother, they said, "We will go there tomorrow."
+
+Early in the morning, Nyangwa-Mbwa had gone to the forest to her
+garden. When the two women came, they found the twins lying down. So,
+they struck them a blow; and they died.
+
+The while that Nyangwa-Mbwa was in the forest, her heart beat with
+anxiety. She at once picked up her basket, and came to her village,
+and found the corpses of both the twins. Then she began to cry.
+
+Mbwa also came, and found the dead bodies stretched out. Right away, he
+knew what had happened. So he went to the Prophet Totode, and inquired
+what he should do. Totode asked him, "Are you able to go to the town of
+Doctor Nja-ya-melema-mya-bato? (Hunger-for-the-hearts-of-people)." He
+agreed "Yes, I will go there." Then he went to the town of the Doctor.
+
+A child of the Doctor spoke to Mbwa, and asked, "What have you come
+to do?" He answered, "I have come to seek heart-life; because my
+father's wives have killed from me two children."
+
+Already Nja-ya-melema-mya-bato had gone to kill people for himself. In
+a little while he returned and suddenly, pieces of meat (from the dead
+bodies) began to fall, kidi! kidi! being thrown out on the ground in
+the street. Mbwa, awaiting a chance, hid himself under a bed.
+
+Then came the Doctor bringing in the heart-lives of the men he had
+killed. Mbwa, without permission, seized two of the hearts, and ran out
+quickly. Nja-ya-melema-mya-bato followed after him, running rapidly,
+da! da! da! But he did not overtake Mbwa.
+
+Mbwa ran in haste with the hearts, on to his village. There he thrust
+the new lives into the children. The twins arose again to life and
+stood, to show themselves, and then they sat down.
+
+Those twins went on growing, and became stout young men.
+
+One day they said to Mbwa, "We want guns." He went to his father,
+in the town, and said, "I want two guns." His father produced two
+guns for him. He took them, went to his home, and handed them to the
+twins. Then they tried the guns, and loaded them.
+
+Next day, in the morning, they went out early to hunt; they killed two
+gazelles; and they took them to their village. Mbwa cut up one of the
+beasts; and he said to his mother, "Cook it." Then he took the other
+one to his father. His father cut it up; and he called Majanga and
+Inyanji; and, dividing the meat, he said to them, "Go ye, and cook
+these in the pot, and those in a jomba." (Mbwa himself was still in
+the house watching them.) They boiled, and cooked; they put in the
+salt and pepper; and were about to taste the soup when Mbwa said,
+"Not so! This meat is not to be eaten by women."
+
+They took the food to the Reception-house, where their husband Njambu
+ate; and he laid aside some for them. But, what he laid aside for
+those women, Mbwa drew away and ate. Then he returned to his home. His
+mother made food; and they ate, all four of them.
+
+Next morning, the twins returned to their hunting. They killed also
+three antelopes, and they carried them to take them to their home,
+and left them in the path on the way outside of the village. In the
+village, they said to Mbwa, "Go, and bring the beasts from the forest."
+
+Mbwa started, and brought them to the village. He carried two to
+his father. His brothers exclaimed, "Where does Mbwa kill all those
+animals?" His father cut up the animals, and divided one with his
+children. He cut up the other, saying, "This belongs to myself." Then
+he prepared some to be cooked in momba (bundles tied in plantain
+leaves), and some to be dried, and some to be boiled.
+
+The women boiled the food (Mbwa still watching them). When it was
+cooked, they lifted up the pot from the fire, and they were about to
+taste it, when Mbwa said, "No! you must not taste it!" They put it
+in bowls, and set the food before their husband; and he ate. When he
+was about to give some to his wives, Mbwa said, "Not so!"
+
+The twins continued with their hunting just the same as at the
+first. Almost every day they were killing some animal. And Mbwa
+continued also with carrying meat to the town of his father.
+
+Finally, the twins became full-grown men. Then Mbwa said to himself,
+"Now, I'm ready to bring this matter to the ears of the people." When
+another day came, he said to his father, "Tomorrow, call all the
+people of the town together, in the afternoon."
+
+On the next day, his father did so. Mbwa dressed the twins very
+finely; and brought out three chairs, two for the twins, and one for
+his mother. All the people collected together. Thereupon, he brought
+forward his mother, and the twins. The people fixed their eyes on them;
+for they had not seen them in their little hamlet in the forest. The
+people exclaimed, "What fine-looking persons!"
+
+Then Mbwa stood up. He said, "Ye people! I have called you all that
+ye may recognize these two young men." The people said that they did
+not know them. He continued, "These are my father's children. For,
+my father had married these three women. Also, they had three duties;
+Majanga, her duty of keeping the house clean; Inyanji, her duty of
+planting; and Mamendi's was the bearing of twins. Mamendi became
+a mother. On the day of her confinement, her two sisters went to
+deliver her. They took a napkin and covered her eyes. And she bore
+these two twins. They threw them inside the pig-pen. And they took two
+small earthen pillars instead, and they went and showed them to their
+husband. Then, I entered the pig-pen; and I took these children out;
+and brought them to my mother. So, these children grew up. And they
+began hunting. You, my father, you remember when I brought you the
+wild meat, and you were about to give to these women; but, I went and
+took away the food. The reason is, because they are the ones who tried
+to kill the children. I brought them up from childhood to be men as
+now. So, this caused me to bring this case before the presence of all
+people; for, I say that those two women were murderesses. So, then,
+my father, these are your children; but, if you retain those women,
+these two twins shall not be your sons."
+
+Upon this, the father of Mbwa said, "Catch ye both of the women!" And
+they were bound in that self-same hour. (They had supposed that the
+twins had died when they had struck them in the hamlet of Mbwa's
+mother.) They could not deny. In their anger, as they were led away,
+they called out to Mbwa, "Mbwa-O!" He assented, "Eh? What is it?" They
+replied in anger, for having informed on them. And they laid a curse
+on him, saying, "You will never speak again with the voice of a human
+being. You shall be a dumb beast."
+
+But, the people took them, to be thrown into the depth of the sea.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 23
+
+THE SAVIOR OF THE ANIMALS
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njambo and Wife and Son Utigebodi
+    Ngwayi (Partridge)
+    The Prophet Njambi
+    Yungu (Eagle)
+    Etoli (Rat)
+    Njâku (Elephant)
+    Nyati (Ox)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+    Ngomba (Porcupine)
+    Inâni (Bird)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+This story plays on the meaning of the name U-tige-bode. It is an
+ancient word, not now used, meaning, "He-Who-Saves-People." In the
+Son's given name; his saving of the unworthy, in response to their
+appeals for mercy; his bearing of his father's wrath; his punishment on
+a tree; the derision of the very passers by, for whom he was to die, I
+think the legend echoes, even though faintly, the story of the Christ.
+
+
+
+Njambo married two women. He begot twenty-three children. And they
+all died. Also one of the wives died. There were left only himself,
+and one wife.
+
+The woman was old, and the man also was old. But, the woman was again
+to become a mother; and, at the proper time, she bore a child. The
+child was a male. The woman called the husband, saying, "Come! and
+give your boy a name." The husband said, "The name of the child
+is Utigebode."
+
+After this, the child grew to be a large man. One day, he said to
+his father, "Paia! I'm going to set snares in the forest." The
+father replied, "Yes! go! and catch me food!" He went. And he
+returned that morning. In the afternoon, he went back to examine the
+snares. And he found that two Partridges were caught. He exclaimed,
+"I'm very glad! My father shall eat one today, and the other shall
+be kept for tomorrow." Then the Partridges asked him, "What is your
+name?" He answered, "One-Who-Saves-People." Then the Partridges said,
+"If that is so, why are you about to kill us?"
+
+On another day, in the morning, he went again to examine his
+snares. And he found two Antelope (Tragelephas). He was glad; and he
+said, "I feel very good! My father shall eat one; and the other can
+be cooked for another day." The Antelopes asked him, "What's your
+name?" He answered, "One-Who-Saves-People." Again, they asked, "Why
+then are you about to kill us?" He replied, "That's so! Well! go!" And
+he returned to town.
+
+That afternoon he went out again, and found two Gazelles. And he said,
+"I'll take these two to town at once; and my father shall eat one
+today, and the other tomorrow." But the Gazelles said, "No!--you are
+the One-Who-Saves-People! Why then should you kill us?" So he loosed
+them, and let them go.
+
+He did the same way to two Elephants. And with two Oxen. At another
+time he found two Tortoises. And the Tortoises spoke to him as had
+done the others. And on another day, he found two Leopards. And,
+he released the Leopards, in the same way. At another time, two
+Porcupines, in the same way.
+
+One after another, almost all the Beasts were thus trapped and
+released. There was not one beast brought by Utigebode to his village;
+he freed them all.
+
+So, his father said to him, "My child! since you have set your snares,
+I have not seen you bring in a single beast, even an Etoli. What
+are you doing? I shall change your name. For, now that I am old,
+it is right for you to save me, and help me with food."
+
+Utigebode replied evasively, "Since I set the snares, I have not
+caught even a Inâni." The father said, "Well! if it is true that you
+have not killed any Beast or Bird, I will know tomorrow."
+
+The next day broke; and the father went to the village of Prophet
+Njambi. The Prophet saluted him, "What have you come for?" Njambo
+replied, "I come to you for you to tell me about my son, whether in
+his hunting he kills beasts, or whether he does not." Njambi answered,
+"He snares them constantly; but, because of the name you gave him,
+he saves the lives of the people of the tribes of Beasts."
+
+The prophet added, "If there be a doubt, I will show you a way to
+prove my words. When you go back to town you will meet Iheli at the
+end of the village. When you meet with him, call for the people to
+set nets to catch him. But, yourself shall stand and watch what the
+Beast does before your eyes."
+
+Njambo arose to go, and bade goodbye, saying, "This is my return
+journey to my village."
+
+And it was so that, on nearing the end of the village, he met with
+Gazelle. Njambo shouted, "Men! spread your nets! Here is a Beast! Let
+us catch it!" His men brought their nets, and began to surround
+Gazelle. And the son Utigebode came to assist. The men were shouting,
+"Hâ-hâ! Hâ-hâ!" to frighten the animal towards the nets. Gazelle
+looked forward, watching Utigebode closely; and it said to itself,
+"If I go toward the nets, I shall be caught; but, I will go toward
+Utigebode and shall be saved."
+
+So, Gazelle ran toward Utigebode, and he caught it as if to kill
+it. But Gazelle cried out, "Eh! Utigebode! you, the savior, will you
+be the one to kill me?" So, Utigebode said, "Pass on! for, it is true
+that I am The-One-Who-Saves." And Gazelle fled to the forest.
+
+Then Njambo was very angry, and said to Utigebode, "Ah! my child! I
+have found you in your falsehood! Was it not you who said you caught
+no Beast? So! you have been releasing them!"
+
+Then the company all went back to their village with their nets. They
+arrived there during the daytime. And the father ordered his son,
+"Go! climb that coco tree, and bring me a nut." The son began to climb
+the tree. But, as he climbed, the father, by Magic-Power, caused the
+tree to grow rapidly upward. When, finally, Utigebode reached the top,
+he was unable to come down the excessively long tree-trunk. He began
+to call to his father for help, "My father!" But the father was still
+very angry, and replied, "Call your friends, the Beasts and Birds,
+to save you. I will not help you." And Njambo went to sit down in
+his village, leaving his son in the treetop.
+
+The son saw Eagle passing, and he called to it, "Yungu! Help me!" Eagle
+replied, "I am not able to carry a Man; you are heavy;" so, Eagle
+passed on. Utigebode saw many Beasts one after another passing below,
+and he called to them, "Save me!" But, they said, "We have no wings
+with which to go up to you. How can we get you down? We are not Birds
+that could let you down. We Beasts are unable to help you. Do not
+expect us."
+
+He was left there in the tree-top a period of two weeks, living only on
+the coconuts; and then he died, and his body fell to the earth. Njambo
+came out to see the corpse, and he said to it, "You have died through
+lack of obedience. You disobeyed me; and your beasts did not help you."
+
+The father and the mother lived another year in their village; and
+then they died, because they had no children to help them with food
+or clothes. And the people came from other villages to bury them.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 24
+
+ORIGINS OF THE IVORY TRADE (1st Version)
+
+
+Persons
+
+    King Ukanakâdi, and His Son Lombolokindi, and His Mother,
+    With Birds and Other Animals
+    Tombeseki (A Magic-Spear); An Old Woman
+    Njâku (Elephant); An Ox (A Metamorphosed Man)
+    A Foreign Vessel, and Traders
+
+
+
+Ukanakâdi lived in his great house, having with him his many wives. One
+of them bore him a son whom he named Lombolokindi.
+
+As time passed on, the child grew in size, and strength, and
+skill. Because of this, his mother was treated by Ukanakâdi with
+special favor. This aroused the jealousy of one of the other wives. She
+took the child one day, and secretly gave him a certain evil medicine,
+which caused him to be constantly hungry, hungry, hungry. Even when
+he ate enormously, no amount of food could fill his stomach or satisfy
+his appetite.
+
+Ukanakâdi finally was angry at the child, and said to the mother,
+"All the food of my plantations is finished, eaten up by your child. We
+have no more plantains, no more cassava, no more eddoes, nor anything
+else in our plantations or in our kitchen-gardens. You have brought
+a curse upon us! Go away to your father's house!" (He said this,
+not knowing that a Fetish-Medicine had caused all the trouble.)
+
+So the mother went away with her child to her father's house. But
+there too, the boy ate up all the food of the gardens, until there
+was none left. Then her father said to her, "All my food is done here;
+go with your child to your grandfather, and find food there."
+
+So, she went to her grandfather's. But there the same trouble followed.
+
+After she had been there some time, and the child was now a stout lad,
+and she saw that they were no longer welcome, she said to herself,
+"Alas! it is so! All my people are weary of me! I will not longer
+stay at grandfather's. I will go wandering into the forest, and,
+with the child, will see what I can get."
+
+Taking with her only two ears of corn, she went far off with the lad
+into the forest. After much wandering, and eating only wild fruits,
+she selected a spot without having any idea of the locality, and
+built a shed for a camp in which to stay. At this place, she planted
+the corn. It quickly sprang up, and bore abundantly. And she planted
+other gardens. After a time came very many birds; and they began to
+eat up the corn. She exclaimed, "My son and I alone have come here,
+and have planted our corn. How is this that all the birds have come
+so soon to destroy it?" And the son, who by this time had grown to
+be almost a young man, said to her, "Mother, why do you allow the
+birds to eat? Why don't you do something?" She replied, "Why do the
+birds thus destroy the corn? What can I do?" So he came out of the
+shed into the yard in front of their house and shouted at the birds,
+"You birds! who have come here to spoil my corn, with this stick I
+will kill you all!" But the birds jeered at him, saying, "No! not
+all! Only one shall die!"
+
+The young man went into the house, took up a magic spear-head he
+owned, fitted it onto a stick as a shaft; and going out again, he
+hurled it at the birds. The spear flew at them, pursuing each one,
+and piercing every one of them in succession. Then it flew on and on,
+away out into the forest.
+
+The young man took up another medicine-charm that he had with him, and,
+calling to his spear by name, shouted after it, "Tombeseki-o-o! Come
+back, back, back, Here! again, again, again, Return!" The spear
+heard him, and obeyed, and came back. He laid hold of it, and put it
+again in the shed. So, he and his mother lived there. She planted a
+very large garden of plantains, cassava, and many other vegetables,
+a very large quantity. And her gardens grew, and bore fruit in plenty.
+
+Then there came all kinds of small Animals, hogs, and antelopes, and
+gazelles, very many; and they spoiled the gardens, eating the fruit,
+and breaking down the stalks. The mother exclaimed, "My son! the
+animals have finished all my food of the gardens; everything is
+lost! Why is this?" He replied, "Yes, it is so! And when they come
+again tomorrow, I know what I will do to them!"
+
+When they came the next day, he went into the house, took the spear,
+flung it; and it flew from beast to beast, piercing all of them in
+succession. Then it went off, flying into the forest, as before. He
+called after it to return. The Spear heard, and obeyed, and came back
+to the house.
+
+Then he and his mother sat down in the house, complaining of their
+hunger, and how the animals had spoiled their gardens. So the mother
+went out, and gathered up what little remained, brought it into the
+house, and cooked it, leaves and all.
+
+When the mother had planted a third garden, and it had grown, a herd
+of elephants came to destroy it. She cried out, "Ah! Njâku! what
+shall I do? You have come to destroy all my gardens! Shall I die
+with hunger?" The son brought out his Spear, and shouting at the
+elephants, threatened to kill them all. But the herd laughed and said,
+"When you throw that spear, only one of us shall fall." He threw the
+spear at the one that spoke. It struck him and all the elephants in
+succession; and they all died. The Spear kept on in its flight into
+the forest. The young man cried after it, "Spear! Spear! come back,
+come back!" And it came to him again.
+
+Each time that the Spear had thus gone through the forest, it had mowed
+down the trees in its path; and thus was made the clearing which the
+mother had at once utilized for the planting of her successive gardens.
+
+After the elephants, mother and son sat down again in their hunger;
+they had nothing to eat but leaves. These she cooked; and they ate
+them all at once.
+
+Then she planted another garden, thinking that now there were no more
+beasts who would come to ravage. But she did not know that there was
+still left in the forest one very, very large Elephant that had not
+been in the company of the herd that the son had killed.
+
+There was also, in that forest, one very, very large Ox. When the
+gardens had grown, that Ox came, and began to destroy. The young
+man hurled his Spear at the Ox. It was wounded, but did not fall;
+and it went away into the forest with the spear sticking in its
+side. The young man pursued the Ox, following, following, following
+far away. But he did not overtake it.
+
+On his way, he reached unexpectedly a small, lonely hut, where an
+Old Woman was living by herself. When she saw him, she said to him,
+"Do not follow any longer. That Ox was a person like yourself. He is
+dead; and his people have hung up that Spear in their house."
+
+The young man told the old woman that he was very hungry. So she cut
+down for him an entire bunch of plantains. He was so exceedingly hungry
+that he could not wait; and before the plantains were entirely cooked,
+he began to eat of them, and ate them all. The old woman exclaimed,
+"What sort of a person is this who eats in this way?" In her wisdom,
+thinking over the matter, she felt sure it was some disease that
+caused his voracity.
+
+The man, being tired with his journey, fell asleep; and she, by her
+magic power, caused him to hear or feel nothing. While he was in
+this state, she cut him open. As she did so, his disease rushed out
+with a whizzing sound; and she cut away, and removed a tumor, that
+looked like a stone of glass. That was the thing that had caused his
+excessive hunger all his life. By her Power, she closed the wound.
+
+When he awoke, she cooked food for him, of which he ate, and was
+satisfied with an ordinary amount like any other person. She then told
+him what she had done, and said, "As you are now cured, you may pursue
+that Ox. You will reach his town, and you will obtain your Spear. But,
+as you go there, you must make a pretense. You must pretend that you
+are mourning for the dead. You must cry out in wailing, 'Who killed
+my Uncle-o-o! who killed my Uncle-o-o!'" Thus he went on his way;
+and finally came to a town where was a crowd of people gathered in
+and about a house of mourning. Beginning to wail, he went among the
+mourners. They received him, with the idea that he was some distant
+relative who had come to attend the funeral. He walked up the street
+of this town of the Ox-Man, and entering into the house of mourning,
+said, "Had not the way been so long, my mother also would have come;
+but, I have come to look at that Thing that killed my Uncle." They
+welcomed him, commended his devotion, and said, "You will not go
+today. Stay with us. Sleep here tonight; and tomorrow you shall see
+and take away with you, to show to your mother, that Thing."
+
+So, the next day, they gave him the Spear, and said, "Go, but do
+not delay. Return for the closing ceremony (the "Washing") of the
+mourning." He went away, and came again to the Old Woman. She said to
+him, when he showed her the Spear, "I told you truly that you would
+obtain it. But, go with it and this bundle I have made of the tumor
+of your disease, and show them to your mother."
+
+So he came back to his mother. She rejoiced; and, not knowing that
+he was cured, she cooked a very large and unusually varied quantity
+of food, for his unusual hunger, two whole bunches of plantains, and
+eddoes, and potatoes, and yams, etc. Of this he ate only a little,
+sufficient for an ordinary hunger. As he had not yet told her of his
+being cured, she cried out in surprise, "What is this? My son will die,
+for not eating!" And she asked him, "What is the matter?" He replied,
+"No, I have eaten, and am satisfied. And, mother, this bundle is what
+I was cured of." Then he told her of what that old woman had done.
+
+On another day, that great Elephant that had remained in the forest,
+came and began to eat in the garden. The son said, "Mother! what shall
+I do? I thought I had killed all the elephants. I did not know there
+was this great big one left!" (Nor did he just then know there were
+left a very great many more.)
+
+Taking his Spear, he hurled it, and wounded the elephant. It did not
+fall, but went away with the Spear in its side. The man followed,
+followed, followed, pursuing the elephant, not, as the other animals
+had gone, into the forest, but away toward the sea; and it died on
+the sea beach. There the man found it and his Spear.
+
+The Sea was new to him; he had not seen it since his childhood. He
+climbed up on the elephant's body, in order to see all around. As he
+turned his eyes seaward, he saw a ship coming on the horizon. Also,
+the people on this ship were looking landward, and they said, "There
+is something standing on the shore like a person. Let the vessel go
+there, and see what is ashore."
+
+So, the ship anchored, and a surf-boat was launched into the water to
+go ashore. When the crew landed, they saw the carcass of the elephant,
+and a person standing with a spear who warned them, "Do not approach
+near to me!" But they replied, "We do not want you, nor will we
+hurt you. But we want these tusks of ivory of this elephant. We want
+elephants." Wondering at this wish, he cut out the tusks, and gave
+them to the strangers, adding, "Off in the Forest are very, very many
+more tusks, more than I can number. You seem to like them; but they
+are of no use to me." They earnestly said, "But, bring them, bring
+them! We will buy them of you with abundance of goods." He agreed,
+and promised, "I am going now; but, let your ship wait, and I will
+bring all of those things as many as it is possible for me to carry."
+
+So, he went back to his mother; and he and she carried many, many
+tusks. They filled the ship full; and the crew of the ship sent
+ashore an immense quantity of goods. When the vessel went away, it
+left ashore two carpenters, with direction to build a fine house,
+and have it completed before the vessel should come again.
+
+The man remained there awhile with the carpenters, after the ship
+had gone.
+
+One day, looking, on a journey down the coast, at a point of land,
+he was surprised to recognize his father's town, where he and his
+mother had lived in his childhood. He said to himself, "That's my
+father's town! I want them to come to me, and live at my town!" He
+sent word to them; they removed, and all of them came to live with
+him. And he married one of their young women. (In the meanwhile,
+he had brought his mother from the forest.)
+
+While he was living at his new home, one day looking seaward, he
+saw the promised ship coming to get more ivory, and to give more
+goods. And he went off to the vessel.
+
+Among the women who were still living of his father's people who had
+known him as a child, was the one who had given him the evil "medicine"
+long ago; her object in giving it having been to kill him. After he
+had gone off to the vessel, this woman came to his wife's home, and,
+seeing the Spear hanging tied from the roof, said, "What is that
+Thing tied there?" His wife replied, "It is a kind of "medicine"
+of my husband's. It must not be touched." But the woman said, "I
+know that Thing; and what it does." Then she seized it, and put into
+it its handle the man had removed. She hurled the Spear out to sea,
+and it went on and on, passing over the ship. The man sitting in the
+saloon, said to the crew, as he recognized the Spear in its flight,
+"I saw something pass over the ship!" He went up on deck, and called
+after it, "My Spear! come back! come! come! come back!" And he told all
+the people of the vessel to go below lest they should be injured. The
+Spear turned and came back to him; and he took possession of it. Then
+said he to the crew, "Come! escort me ashore!" They landed him ashore,
+and waited to see what he intended doing.
+
+He called all his father's family, and asked, "Why is it that you have
+tried to kill me today with this Spear! For this, I will this day kill
+all of you." He summoned all the people to come together. When they
+had come, he had his mother bring out that tumor bundle, and said,
+"This is the thing of long ago with which that woman (pointing to
+the one who in childhood had given him the evil disease) tried to
+injure me. And, for the same reason, she threw the Spear today; thus
+trying a second time to kill me. None of you have rebuked her. So,
+I shall kill you all as her associates."
+
+Though they were of his father's family, he attacked and killed them
+all. The whole town died that day, excepting himself, his wife, his
+mother, and his sister. These four, not liking to remain at that evil
+place, went off and took passage on the ship.
+
+So, he journeyed, and came to the country of the white people at
+Manga-Manene; and never returned to Africa. But, he kept up a trade
+in Ivory with his native country. But for him, that trade would not
+have been begun. For, besides his having brought the first elephant
+to the sea coast, he told the people of Manga-Manene beyond the Great
+Sea, about the tribes of people, and about the elephants that were
+so abundant, in Africa. And that is all.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 24
+
+ORIGIN OF THE IVORY TRADE (2nd Version)
+
+
+Persons
+
+    King Njambu, and His Four Wives
+    Ngwe-Konde (Mother-of-Queens)
+    Ngwe-Lege (Mother-of-Poverty)
+    Ivenga (Watching); Ngwe-Sape (Mother of a Lock)
+    Njambu's Son, Savulaka (Gluttony)
+    The Spirit of an Uncle; Mekuku (Spirits of the Dead)
+    A Magic Spear; A Great Elephant (A Metamorphosed Man)
+    Birds, and Other Beasts
+
+
+
+Njambu built a town; and married four women. This one, Ngwe-Konde,
+that one Ngwe-Lege, another one Ivenga, another Ngwe-Sape.
+
+After Njambu had lived there a short time all his wives were about to
+become mothers. Then Ngwe-konde took a net, and (by Magic Art) threw
+it into the womb of Ngwe-lege. The net entered the belly of her child.
+
+At the time of their confinement, they all gave birth. The infants
+were washed. They were dressed also, and were given suck. Also, they
+were assigned their names. That of Ngwe-lege's was Savulaka. When he
+was given the breast, he was not satisfied, he was only crying and
+crying; for, whoever held him, there were only cries and cries. When
+his mother would nurse him, there was only crying. His father said,
+"If it is like this, then, lest he die, feed him the food of adults."
+
+His mother cut down a plantain bunch; she boiled it; it was cooked. The
+child ate, and finished the plantains; and yet it was crying and
+crying. They cut down another bunch; it was boiled, it was cooked. At
+only one eating, he finished the food, with cries in his mouth. Two
+more bunches were boiled; he ate. All at once, though born only
+that day, he spoke, "My mother! Hunger!" Four bunches were cut down;
+they were cooked; he ate, and finished them, but with crying.
+
+Then he was cooked for ten times; he ate; and at once finished. The
+people cooked, and he ate. The plantains of his father's town were all
+cleared off, the entire town was left like a prairie. The father spoke
+to the mother, and said, "No! go away with him to your father's town."
+
+Ngwe-lege picked up her child, carrying him away. She with the child
+went on, to the town of her father.
+
+Her father asked her, "My child! wherefore the crying, and your
+carrying the infant?" She replied, "My father! I know not! This one
+whom you see, since he was born, is not filled. He has made an end to
+all the plantains of his father's town, leaving the town a prairie. And
+his father said to me, 'Just go and take him to your father's.' So,
+I have brought him."
+
+The towns-people all were laughing, "Kye! kye! kye!" They said,
+"What? Really, food? No! it's something else, not food. But, enter
+into the house." She says, "You are talking foolishly." The child
+began to cry. They said, "Let us see!"
+
+Then, at once, they began to cook; the food is ready; he eats;
+and finishes it. Other food was placed; he ate it at once. Food
+was cooked again. At once, all of it, and the dishes, and the jars,
+and the plates, were swallowed up by him. Food is cooked again, and
+he ate; and then said, "My mother! Hunger!" Food is cooked again;
+he ate until he finished all the pots. All the food of the town,
+and all the gardens were done.
+
+Her father spoke to her saying, "My child! Just carry him to the town
+of your grandfather."
+
+She then carried the child, still crying with hunger, and made her
+journey, and came to her grandfather's town.
+
+The people there said, "What is it; for the crying?" She told all the
+whole affair to them. They inquired, "Food?" She replied, "Yes." They
+cooked, and he ate, and finished. They cooked again; and he finished
+all, even to the leaves in which the food was wrapped. They said,
+"Such a kind of child has never been born before!"
+
+Suddenly, the child Savulaka ceased to be a child; and, as a man,
+said to his mother, "My mother! Wash me some mekima (rolls of mashed
+boiled plantains)." So, his mother made the mekima.
+
+In the morning, very early, Savulaka starts on a journey. He went
+stepping very quickly, on, still with his journey; and, as he went,
+he talked to himself. He said, "This thing which has been done to me,
+now, what is it?" He still went on with the journey, until, at night,
+he lay down in the forest. Early in the morning, he starts again
+for his journey. As he was going in the forest he met with a Person
+(a brother of his mother, who belonged to a town of the Mekuku). This
+Person inquired, "Where are you going to?" (Savulaka was still eating
+the mekima, even its leaves going into his mouth.) This Person also
+said to him, "Stop at once!" Then he stood still.
+
+The Person said, "I, your Uncle, the brother of your mother, am
+the one who is inquiring of you." Savulaka answered him, saying,
+"I'm not able to tell you." But presently he did tell all the matter
+to him. So, the Uncle said to him, "Come, to my town."
+
+Then both of them returned on the path. In a moment, in the twinkling
+of an eye, they are at the town. The Uncle said, "My child, you
+are cured!" He put for him a medicine in a syringe, and gave him an
+injection. When he withdrew the syringe, here, at once, a net began
+to come out quick as ever it could move from the bowels! Then his
+Uncle spoke and told him, "It is thy father's wife who put the net
+into your bowels."
+
+Food was cooked for him; he began to eat a little as people usually
+eat. His Uncle said unto him, "You shall go tomorrow."
+
+On the morrow, early in the morning, his Uncle took all kinds and
+sorts of vegetables; and he took also a Spear; and malagetta pepper
+("Guinea-grains," a species of cardomom), and handed them to him;
+and told him, "When you reach home, you must plant a garden."
+
+The Uncle said to him, "Close your eyes!" He closed his eyes tight. On
+opening his eyes, he at once found himself near his home, and his
+mother on the path, her form bent stooping down seeking for him. He
+then entered their house, and sat down, and his mother greeted him
+to her satisfaction.
+
+The mother took food, and boiled it; it was cooked; she removed it
+from the fire; she sat the food before Savulaka. And he ate only two
+fingers of plantains. His mother began to wonder.
+
+Then he said to himself, "Now, let me try to do as my Uncle has told
+me." He said, "Ngalo! (a fetish charm) I want this forest here to be
+cleared, all of it." (As quickly as I speak here, at once the garden
+was finished, like the passing of yesterday.) He said to his mother,
+"Take a list of all the plants I have brought; then let us go and
+plant them." So, he and his mother went to plant; that very day the
+garden was completely finished.
+
+Previously to that, his Uncle had warned him, "When the plants are
+sprung up, you will see Kenene (a kind of small bird) coming to eat
+them. When they shall arrive, they will be many. Then you take the
+Spear; fail not to use the cardomoms with it."
+
+The food increased; and the small birds came in countless
+numbers. Savulaka took up the Spear, and threw it at them; and all,
+even to the young birds, perished. Then he returned to his mother,
+and said, "My mother! go and pick up the sele" (another name of
+kenene). She gathered them; leaving many remaining abandoned in the
+forest. The village was filled with the sele.
+
+The same thing happened with all other kinds of birds. The same with
+every Beast.
+
+Then Elephants came to the garden. The man picked up the Spear and
+the cardomoms. When he came to the garden, he lifted up the Spear,
+and threw it, and wounded the Elephants. Numbers of Elephants that
+were eating in the garden, were killed. They were gathered, and the
+whole village was filled with the smell of the rotting meat; so that
+hardly any one would come to the village. I am not able to tell you
+the abundance of tusks; the mendanda (long ones), and the makubu
+(short thick ones), and the begege ("scrivillers," the small ones),
+that cannot be counted.
+
+The next morning, other elephants came again. The man took up the
+Spear, but he forgot the cardomom-pepper. When he arrived where they
+were, he did not wait, but hastily threw the Spear after an elephant,
+the leader of the herd, who turned aside, and ran away with the Spear
+in its body. The man followed him, but he did not reach him. Then
+he returned to his mother; and said to her, "My mother! mash me some
+mekima." (Food for a journey.)
+
+In the next morning, the man started on the journey, stepping
+quickly as ever, until he came to his Uncle's town. He was about to
+pass his Uncle by, not seeing him (a Spirit). The Uncle said to him,
+"Stand there!" So he stood. The Uncle directed, "Enter the house!" He
+entered, and sat down; and his Uncle said to him, "Did I not tell
+you that when you are going to kill an animal, you must not omit the
+pepper-grains? Sit down there; wait. Don't you go out. I must go and
+take for you your Spear."
+
+But, lo! it was the Chief of that very town, whom he had wounded, and
+who had come back to the town, and died. (That chief had metamorphosed
+himself into the form of an elephant.) The uncle passed out, and
+went to the other end of the town; and there he found the Spear. He
+took it, and gave it to Savulaka, and said, "Go!" Savulaka went;
+and met his mother on the way, waiting for him. Then they went home
+to their village.
+
+Next morning, he fastened the Spear handle. Elephants in the plantation
+shouted, "We have come!" The man stood up, and snatched his Spear. The
+Elephants stood waiting. The man said, "Here it is!" and flung it at
+them. And the carcasses of all fell in a heap. He said to the people
+of the village, "Go ye!" They went, and found dead bodies without
+number; the tusks the same, without number.
+
+After that, White-Man came with a quantity of goods. The Town of
+Savulaka was crowded with goods in abundance; every kind of foreign
+article. White men came to see Ivory. The sailing-vessels and steamers
+came any day (not only on scheduled dates). Thus it was that Ivory was
+exported, and goods imported. Business of Trading was made. Savulaka
+had a great many traders. All his father's brothers, and mother's
+brothers, all their dwelling was in the town of Savulaka. Rum was drunk
+constantly, and they were constantly intoxicated. Ivory went to White
+Man's Land. White men's things came, and were sent up to the Interior.
+
+This Trade is going on to the present days. It was a man who commenced
+with the thought of Trading; it was commenced by that one man. All
+the African tribes are now changed from what they were originally.
+
+At first we negroes had no (proper) knowledge. They spoke with wonder
+over the things that are made in Europe by white men. They said,
+"These are made by the Spirits of the dead; they are not made by the
+living." Because our people believed that the departed spirits have
+their home beyond the Sea. Why? Because Savulaka brought his wonderful
+Spear (by which so much ivory was obtained) from the Spirit-Town.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 25
+
+DOG AND HIS FALSE FRIEND LEOPARD
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Mbwa (Dog)
+    Ngiya (Gorilla)
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+The origin of the hatred between dogs and leopards. Friends should
+not have arguments. An argument separates a company.
+
+
+
+Dog and Leopard built a town. Dog then begot very many
+children. Leopard begot his many also. They had one table
+together. They conversed, they hunted, they ate, they drank.
+
+One day, they were arguing: Leopard said, "If I hide myself, you are
+not able to see me." Dog replied, "There is no place in which you
+can hide where I cannot see you."
+
+The next day, at the break of the day, Leopard emerged from his house
+at Batanga, and he went north as far as from there to Bahabane near
+Plantation. Dog, in the next morning, emerged. He asked, "Where is
+chum Njâ?" The women and children answered, "We do not know." Dog
+also started, and went: and as he went, smelling, until he arrived
+at Plantation (about 15 miles). He came and stood under the tree up
+which Leopard was hidden; and he said, "Is not this you?"
+
+Both of them returned, and came to their town. Food had been
+prepared; and they ate. Leopard said, "Chum! you will not see me here
+tomorrow." When the next day began to break, Leopard started southward,
+as far as to Lolabe (about 15 miles). Next day, in the morning, Dog
+stood out in the street, lifted up his nose, and smelled. He also
+went down southward, clear on till he came to Lolabe; and standing
+at the foot of a tree, he said, "Is not this you?"
+
+Leopard came down from the top of the tree; they stood; and then
+they returned to their town. Food was cooked for them; they ate,
+and finished.
+
+Leopard said, "Chum! you will not see me tomorrow again, no matter
+what may take place." Dog asked, "True?" Leopard replied, "Yes!"
+
+In the morning, Leopard started southward, for a distance like from
+Batanga to Campo River (about 40 miles).
+
+At the opening of the next day, Dog emerged, and, standing and
+smelling, he said, looking toward the south, "He went this way." Dog
+also went to Campo. He reached Leopard, and said, "Is not this you?"
+
+They came back to their town; they were made food; and they ate.
+
+The next day, Leopard emerged early. He went northward, as far
+as from Batanga to Lokonje (about 40 miles). Dog sniffed the air,
+and followed north also. In a steady race, he was soon there; and he
+reached Leopard. So, Leopard said, "It is useless, I will not attempt
+to hide myself again from Mbwa."
+
+Thereupon, Dog spoke to Leopard and said, "It is I, whom, if I hide
+myself from you, you will not see." Leopard replied, "What! even if you
+were able to find me, how much more should I be able to find you!" So,
+Dog said to him, "Wait, till daybreak."
+
+When the next day broke, Dog passed from his house like a flash
+unseen, vyu! to Leopard's. And, underneath the bed of Leopard in
+his public Reception-house, he lay down. Then Leopard (who had not
+seen him) came to the house of Dog; he asked the women, "Where is
+Mbwa?" They said, "Thy friend, long ago, has gone out hence, very
+early." Leopard returned to his house, and he said to his children,
+"That fellow! if I catch him! I do not know what I shall do to him!"
+
+He started southward on the journey, as far as Lolabe; and did
+not see Dog. So he returned northward a few miles, as far as Boje,
+and did not see him. Down again south to Campo; and he did not see
+him. That first day, he did not find him at all. Then he returned
+toward Batanga, and went eastward to Nkâmakâk (about 60 miles); and
+he did not see him. He went on northward to Ebaluwa (about 60 miles);
+did not see him. Up north-west to Lokonje; he did not see him. And
+Leopard, wearied, went back to his town.
+
+Coming to the bed (not knowing Dog was there) he lay down very
+tired. He said to his people, "If I had met him today, then you would
+be eating a good meat now." All these words were said in the ears of
+Dog, the while that Dog was underneath the bed.
+
+Then Dog leaped out, pwa! Leopard asked, "Where have you been?" Dog
+answered, "I saw you when you first passed out." Leopard said,
+"True?" And Dog says, "Yes!"
+
+Then Dog went out far to his end of the town. And, knowing that
+Leopard intended evil toward him, he said to his children, "Let us go
+and dig a pit." So they went and dug a pit in the middle of the road.
+
+Then Dog told his wives and children, "Go ye before, at once!" He
+also said, "I and this little Mbwa, which can run so fast, we shall
+remain behind." Then the others went on in advance.
+
+(Before that, Leopard, observing some movements of the Mbwa family,
+had been speaking to himself, "I do not know the place where Mbwa
+and his children will go today.")
+
+Dog warned this young one, "When you are pursued, you must jump clear
+across that pit."
+
+Then Dog, to cover the retreat of his family, came alone to Leopard's
+end of the town. He and his children chased after him. Dog ran away
+rapidly, and escaped.
+
+When Leopard's company arrived at the house of Dog, they found there
+only that little dog. So they said, "Come ye! for there is no other
+choice than that we catch and eat this little thing."
+
+Thereupon, Leopard chased after the little dog; but it leaped away
+rapidly, and Leopard after him. When the little Dog was near the pit,
+it made a jump. (Leopard did not know of the pit, nor why the Dog
+jumped.) When Leopard was come to the pit, he fell inside, tumbling,
+volom!
+
+His enemy Gorilla was following after Leopard, also in pursuit of
+Dog. He also fell into the pit, headlong, volom! Finding Leopard there,
+Gorilla said, "What is this?" Leopard stood at one side, and Gorilla
+at the other. When the one would be about to go near the other, if
+the other attempted to go near him, he would begin to growl, saying,
+"You must not approach here!"
+
+Dog, standing at the edge above, was laughing at them, saying,
+"Fight ye your own fight! Did you want only me?"
+
+But Leopard and Gorilla were not fighting in the pit. If the one
+approached, the other retreated.
+
+Dog spoke to them and said in derision. "I have no strength; but as
+to your fight, was it seeking only me?"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 26
+
+A TRICK FOR VENGEANCE
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Ko (Wild-Rat)
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Because of deaths and sicknesses, African natives are constantly
+changing the location of their villages, believing the old sites
+infested by malevolent Spirits.
+
+
+
+The whole mass of Beasts were living in one place. They built houses;
+they cleared the forest for plantations.
+
+After this, Tortoise said, "I'm going to find my own place." So, he
+went and built in a place which he called Malende-ma-Kudu. The fame of
+it was spread abroad, people talking about "Malende-ma-Kudu." Leopard
+arose, came to the town of Tortoise, and said, "I have come to build
+here." Tortoise consented, "You may build." Leopard said, "I'm going to
+build at the end of the path, and by the spring." And he built there.
+
+One day, a child of Tortoise was passing by near the spring; and
+Leopard seized him, ku!
+
+Another day, another one was passing; Leopard seized him, also, ku!
+
+Then Tortoise said, "This is an evil place, I'm going to move from
+here." So he went and built another town called Jamba. Leopard
+came also, saying, "Kudu! I'm coming to build!" Then Tortoise said,
+"Really! what have your affairs to do with me? Nevertheless, come
+and build." And Leopard built at the end, by the spring.
+
+When the children of Tortoise were passing by the spring, Leopard
+constantly killed them.
+
+Tortoise wondered, "This thing which is destroying my children,
+what is it?"
+
+Thus day by day, Leopard was killing the children of Tortoise.
+
+Tortoise prepared again to remove, saying that he would go away and
+build another town to be called Dang. He went there. And the fame of it
+was spread around, people saying, "Dang, the town of Kudu!" Everybody
+was saying, "We are going to the town of Kudu; Dang, the town of Kudu!"
+
+Leopard comes again, and says, "I also have come to build
+here." Tortoise said to him, "Wait! really; why did you leave the other
+people?" However, Tortoise said to him, "Build." And Leopard built as
+usual. Also, when the children of Tortoise were passing to the spring,
+they were missing. And Tortoise felt sure that Leopard had seized them.
+
+Thereupon Tortoise made a plan for himself. He called Wild-Rat
+privately, saying, "I have heard that you know how to dig
+holes." Wild-Rat replied, "It is my work." Tortoise said, "But,
+I want you to dig me a tunnel from this room here, out to, and up
+towards the street, by measure." So, Wild-Rat dug a big hole, in size
+sufficient for Tortoise and his traveling-bag and his spears.
+
+Then Tortoise went and gathered together his spears and his
+traveling-bag. He went out the next day, early in the morning, and
+stood and announced in the street, "All the Tribes must come! I want
+to tell them the news of what I have seen."
+
+Then all the Beasts came to meet in the town of Tortoise. It was full
+of every kind of beast. Tortoise spoke, and said, "I have called you
+to say, that really we are not worth anything at all. Actually, the
+only dwelling we have is in the grave. All those my children who have
+died here, is it possible that it is my Father (of Spirits) who takes
+them? I met them sitting down in the Reception-House of that father,
+playing." The people said to him, "This is a Dream." He replied,
+"No! it is open to sight." Some said, "It is a lie." But Tortoise
+said, "You have doubted me? Well, tomorrow you must dig me a grave;
+and you shall see how I am going." They said, "Yes! let us see!"
+
+On the next day, in the morning, they were called together. He said,
+"Dig me a pit here." (He pointed to the privately measured spot over
+the tunnel which Wild-Rat had already made for him.) They dug it wide
+and deeply. Then, this Tortoise took his spears and his bag; and with
+these under his arm, he descended into the pit, and bade the people
+fill in the earth. He went to one side, until he reached and entered
+that tunnel of his which Wild-Rat had dug for him. And unseen he passed
+up to his room in his house, and lay down. Before that, he had promised
+the people, saying, "I shall lie there (in the pit) for six days."
+
+Before Tortoise had disappeared, the people (following his orders)
+began to throw back the earth into the pit, filling it solidly.
+
+After Tortoise had laid in his house for six days, he suddenly
+appeared in the street; and he called all the mass of the Beasts,
+and he told them the news. He said, "Over there is so beautiful! I
+will not stay in this town any more for as long as ten days. But,
+as I am here, I shall lie here only for three days, and two days over
+there." At once Tortoise was regarded as a person of great importance,
+and his fame was spread abroad.
+
+Thereupon, Leopard, (feeling jealous of the wonderful experience of
+Tortoise) said to his children, "Even Kudu! How much rather that I
+should get to that beautiful place! Dig me mine own pit. I also am
+going to see my forefathers. I and they, we have not seen each other
+for a long time." So, they dug a big pit. He announced, "I will lie
+there for seven days; on the eighth, then I shall come."
+
+Then he descended into the pit. And they rapidly filled it up with
+earth. Leopard, below, sought a cavity by which to pass on (as he
+thought) to the Land of Spirits; but, there was none. And he died.
+
+His children waited eight days; but they saw not their father. Then
+they asked Tortoise, "As to our father, up to this day, what has
+happened to him?" Tortoise answered them, "Why are you asking me
+this? When I went, what did my family ask of you? Maybe, your father
+remained to follow the pleasures of over there!"
+
+The women of Leopard had kept him some food, making it ready for him
+for the eighth day. But (giving up hope of him) they ate it. While
+they were still waiting, actually Leopard had begun to rot there
+(in the pit).
+
+Tortoise, fearing possible difficulty, gathered together his wives
+and remaining children, and fled with them into the forest afar off.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 27
+
+NOT MY FAULT!
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Yongolokodi (Chameleon)
+    Ko (Wild Rat)
+    Men, Hunters
+
+
+
+Chameleon and all the other Beasts built their villages near together,
+making a large town. And there was a time of great hunger. After that,
+there came a harvest time of large fruitage. The great produce could
+not be gathered for abundance.
+
+Then came Chameleon to the village of Wild-Rat, and he said to him,
+"Chum, Ko! this harvest is a great thing!" Rat said, "Don't speak
+about it!"
+
+Not long afterward, Mankind laid their snares, and the hunters prepared
+their bows. For, beasts and birds had come in crowds to eat of the
+abundance; and Man had overhead them speaking of it. Gunners came;
+the shots resounded; bows were twanged; the snares caught.
+
+Rat fell into one of the traps. Chameleon seeing him, and desiring
+to justify himself, reminded Rat that Rat himself had told him not
+to let others know of the great abundance, and that he himself had
+obeyed; that therefore he was not the cause of Rat's misfortune. So,
+Chameleon said, "I did not speak of it."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 28
+
+DO NOT IMPOSE ON THE WEAK
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Yongolokodi (Chameleon)
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Chameleons move very slowly. This story is given as a reason why, even
+if one is small in body, he should not be despised, as though he had
+no strength, or as though he could with impunity be deprived of his
+rights, e.g., in a race or in wrestling, or in any other circumstances.
+
+
+
+Leopard and Chameleon lived apart. This one had his village, and that
+one his. This one did his own business; that one his. And they were
+resting quietly in their abodes.
+
+Chameleon had a herd of sheep and of goats.
+
+Leopard came to the village of Chameleon on an excursion; and he saw
+the herd of sheep and of goats. He said to Chameleon, "Chum! give
+me a loan of sheep to raise on shares." Chameleon made food for him;
+and, when they had eaten, he said to Leopard, "You can send children
+tomorrow, to come and take the loan of sheep on shares." They had their
+conversation, talking, and talking. When they had ended, Leopard said,
+"My Fellow! I'm going back." His friend said to him, "Very good."
+
+Leopard went on to his village. He said, "My wife! I came on an
+excursion, to the town of Yongolokodi. He treated me with hospitality
+to the very greatest degree. Also he has given me sheep on shares."
+
+The next day, in the morning, he sent his children to the town of
+Chameleon to take the herd of sheep. They went; and they brought
+them; and goats also. (A "day" in an Ekano Tale is without limit as
+to length or shortness.)
+
+The goats and sheep increased, until the village of Leopard was
+positively full of them crowded in abundance.
+
+About three years passed, and Chameleon said to himself, "Our herd
+with Chum must be about sufficient for division." Thereupon he started
+on his journey crawling, naka, naka, naka, until he came to the house
+of his friend Leopard. Leopard said to his wife, "Make food!" It was
+cooked, they ate, and rested.
+
+Chameleon said to Leopard, "Chum! I have come, that we should divide
+the shares of the herd." Leopard replied, "Good! but, first go back
+today. Who can catch goats and sheep on a hot day like this? Come
+tomorrow morning." Chameleon said, "Very good." And he went back to
+his village.
+
+The next day, in the morning, he rose to go to the village of
+Leopard. (Actually, after midnight, Leopard had already opened the
+pens, and all the animals were scattered outside.) He protested regret
+to Chameleon, and said, "Chum! go back! I don't know how those fellows
+have opened their pens. I was expecting you, for this day; I had let my
+herdman know that a person was coming on the morrow. So, go back. And,
+as I am going tomorrow to the swamp for bamboo, you must come only
+on the second day." Chameleon submissively replied, "Very good."
+
+Chameleon continued coming; and his treatment was just so every time,
+with excuses.
+
+Leopard, hoping, said to himself, "Perhaps he will die on the way,"
+because he saw him walking so slowly, naka, naka. And Chameleon kept
+on patiently going back and forth, back and forth.
+
+One night, Leopard and his wife were lying down; whereupon his wife
+asked him, "What is the reason that you and Yongolokodi have not
+divided the shares of the herd? Do you think he will die of this
+weakness?" Leopard answered, "No! it is not weakness, Njambe is the
+one who created him so; it is his own way of walking."
+
+Finally, Chameleon said to himself, "I must see what Njâ intends to
+do to me; whether he thinks that he shall eat my share." He went by
+night and waited outside of Leopard's. Next day, in the morning,
+as Leopard rose to go out, he found, unexpectedly, as he emerged
+from the house, Chameleon sitting on the threshold. There was no
+other deception that Leopard could seek; for, the animals were still
+in their pens. So, he called his children, and said, "Tie the goats
+and sheep with cords." So they tied them all. And he and Chameleon
+divided them. Then this one returned to his place; and that one to his.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 29
+
+BORROWED CLOTHES
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Koho (Parrot)
+    Kuba (Chicken)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+A story of the cause of the enmity between chickens and parrots. When
+a chicken comes near to a parrot, the latter turns to one side, saying,
+"wâ!"; for fear that the chicken will take his fine feathers from him.
+
+
+
+Parrot and Chicken were fowls living in a village of Mankind near
+a town; which they had built together. They were living there in
+great friendship.
+
+Then Parrot said to Chicken, "Chum! I'm going to make an engagement
+for marriage." So, he prepared his journey. And he asked Chicken,
+"Chum! give me now thy fine dress!" (For the occasion.) Chicken,
+said, "Very good!" and he handed his tail feathers to him. Thereupon,
+Parrot went on his marriage journey.
+
+When he came home again, he said to himself, "These feathers become
+me. I will not return them to Kuba."
+
+So, when Chicken said to him, "Return me my clothes," he replied,
+"I will not return them!" Chicken, seeing that Parrot was retaining
+the feathers, said sarcastically, "Accept your clothing!" Thereupon,
+Parrot, pretending to be wronged, said, "Fellow! why do you put me
+to shame? I did not say that I would take your clothing altogether,
+only that we should exchange clothes."
+
+At night, then, Parrot took all his family, and they flew up in the air
+away. At once, he decided to stay there, and did not come to live on
+the ground again. Chicken was left remaining with Mankind in the town.
+
+Whenever Chicken began to call to Parrot up in the treetops, asking
+for his clothes, Parrot only screamed back "wâ! wâ!" That was a mode
+of speech by which to mock at Chicken.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 30
+
+THE STORY OF A PANIC
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Edubu (Adder)
+    Ikingi (Fly)
+    Ko (Wild-Rat)
+    Ngomba (Porcupine)
+    Njâku (Elephant)
+    Ngubu (Hippopotamus)
+    Nyati (Ox)
+    Bejaka (Fishes)
+    Ngando (Crocodile)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Native Africans after bathing, rub more or less of some oil, either
+native palm, or foreign pomade, on their bodies.
+
+In the Dry Seasons, when the rivers are low, fish are caught by
+building dams across the streams, and then bailing out the water from
+the enclosed spaces. Observe flies, as carriers of disease.
+
+
+
+Adder went to bathe. He returned, and anointed himself with nyimba oil
+(oil of bamboo-palm nuts), and then climbed out on to a branch of a
+cayenne-pepper bush.
+
+Fly came and settled upon Adder's back. Adder, being annoyed, drove
+Fly away. Then Fly said to Adder, in anger, "Know you not that it is
+I who cause even Njâku, with his big tusks, to rot? And that I can
+cause Nyati and Ngubu to rot? And I can cause Mankind to rot! Then
+how much more you, this Thing who has only ribs and ribs!"
+
+When Adder heard this, he was alarmed, and he entered into the hole
+of Wild-Rat. Wild-Rat asked him, "Chum Adder! where do you come
+from in such haste?" He answered, "I have seen a Being which does
+not hesitate to cause Beasts and even Mankind to rot. Therefore,
+I am fled, by reason of fear of Ikingi."
+
+Whereupon Wild-Rat, frightened, arose, and entered hastily into the
+town of Porcupine. Porcupine, alarmed, asked Wild-Rat, "What is it?" He
+answered, "I'm afraid of Ikingi; Edubu says that it is he who causes
+both Mankind and Beasts to rot."
+
+Then Porcupine, in fear went out, running, going to the town of
+Hog. Whereupon Hog, being startled, asked him, "Chum! what is it?" He
+answered him, "I'm afraid of Ikingi. Ngomba says that he is the one
+who causes both Beasts and Mankind to rot."
+
+Hog at once ran out in terror, and went to a river with all his
+family. And the water of the river was promptly crowded out, leaving
+its channel dry.
+
+Then the Fishes (mistaking this motion of the water) arose in haste,
+saying, "The people who bail the river have come!" And they fled.
+
+Then Crocodile opened his mouth wide; and the fishes in their flight
+began to enter into his stomach. Among them was ingongo-Kenda (a young
+kenda; a fish with spines like a catfish). When Crocodile was about
+to swallow, the spines caught fast in his throat. And Crocodile died
+at once.
+
+Then the Fishes sang a song of rejoicing.
+
+
+   "Ngando, with stealing,
+    Ngando died by a sting in his throat."
+
+
+Such was the death that Crocodile died, on account of his attempt
+to swallow Fishes, who had rushed into his open mouth, as they fled,
+alarmed by the confusion raised by the panic of the other animals.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 31
+
+A FAMILY QUARREL
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Iheli (Gazelle)
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Among native Africans, in the case of a man and his wife, even
+if they fight together, her father or her brother usually do not
+interfere. For, every man who is married knows that his own wife will
+some day offend himself.
+
+
+
+Gazelle and Leopard built a town; living this one at his end of it;
+that one at the other end. After they had built; they cleared the
+forest for plantations; they married wives; and they sat down,
+resting in their seats.
+
+Gazelle had married the sister of Leopard who was of a proud
+disposition. And Leopard had publicly threatened, "The person who
+makes trouble for my sister, I will show him a thing."
+
+One day, the sister of Leopard began to give Gazelle some
+impertinence. Gazelle said to her, "Shut your mouth!" She replied, "I
+won't shut it!" Gazelle threatened, "Lest I beat you!" She dared him,
+"Come and beat me! You will see my brother coming to chew you!" Gazelle
+ran after her, struck her, ndo! and knocked her to the ground, ndi! As
+she lay there, he kept on beating her, and beating her, and shouting,
+"Who has married! Who has not married?"
+
+Leopard bristled up his whole mane, full of anger, and was about to
+go to Gazelle's end of the town to fight. But the older people said
+to him, "You hear what Iheli says, 'Who has not married'?"
+
+Leopard was at once disheartened. He saw there was no place for his
+bravery in a matter of marriage.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 32
+
+THE GIANT GOAT
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Njâ (Leopard)
+    A Giant Goat (Mbodi)
+    Ngweya (Hog)
+    Betoli (Rats)
+    Ngwai (Partridge)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Tortoise and Leopard had lived in peace in the same town, until
+their mutual use and abuse of the great Goat, the gift of Njambe,
+the Creator. A leopard is not satisfied unless he first takes the
+heart of the animal he has killed.
+
+
+
+Tortoise and Leopard built a town together. There they stayed. After
+they had built, they cleared plantations. Their food was only
+vegetables; for, they had no meat. Their hunger for meat became
+great. Their hunters killed nothing.
+
+One day, Tortoise, as he went in search of food, going and penetrating
+in the forest, came upon the Goat of Njambe (a mythical, enormous
+animal) in the forest by itself, and tied. It told Tortoise who
+and what it was, and invited him to enter. He said to It, "Mbodi,
+Friend-of-Njambe! open for me your house!" The Goat opened an aperture
+of its body; Tortoise entered in; and It closed the aperture. Inside
+of the Goat, Tortoise cut pieces of fine fat, and tied them into two
+bundles. Then he said, "Mbodi, friend of Njambe! open for me the
+house!" It opened the aperture; Tortoise at once went out; and It
+shut it.
+
+Tortoise returned to his town, and cut up the meat. He said to his
+women, "Make ready leaves for momba!" (bundles of green plantain leaves
+in which meats are cooked over hot coals). They at once plucked the
+leaves, tied up the momba, and put them over the fireplace. They set
+soup also on the fireplace. When it was boiled, they spread the table,
+sat down together, and ate.
+
+The children of Leopard, smelling a tempting odor, came to Tortoise's
+end of the town. The children of Tortoise showed their food to them,
+saying, exultingly, "Ye! do you eat such as that?" A child of Leopard
+said, "Chum! let me taste it!" And he allowed him to taste it.
+
+The children of Leopard went off hurriedly to their father, saying,
+"Father! such an animal as your friend has killed! Perhaps it is
+Ngweya; we do not know."
+
+Then Leopard went to where Tortoise was, and he asked him, "Chum! as
+to this meat-hunger, what shall we do? Let us arrange for the
+town." Tortoise responded. "Yes, I am willing." So, in the evening, he
+invited his friend Leopard that he should come and eat food. Leopard
+came; they sat down together; and they ate. When Leopard had tasted,
+he exclaimed, "Man! what animal is this?" But Tortoise would not
+tell him. When they had finished eating, Leopard said to himself,
+"I must know where Tortoise goes!"
+
+On the next day, before the Ngwai (a Bird, that announces the first
+coming of daylight) had sounded, Tortoise went out clear on to
+where was that giant Goat. He spoke, as on his previous journey,
+"O! Mbodi! Friend of the Creator! open for me the house!" It at
+once opened the aperture; he entered in; and began to slice pieces
+of meat from the Goat's inside. When he had finished, he said,
+"Open for me the house!" It opened the aperture; and he emerged
+and went back to his town. There he spoke to his women, saying,
+"Cook ye!" They boiled the meat; it was cooked; he invited Leopard;
+they ate; and finished. And Leopard went back to his house.
+
+But, when night came, Leopard took ashes, and, going to the house
+of Tortoise, thrust the ashes into Tortoise's traveling-bag, and
+stabbed holes in it. Said he to himself, "When Tortoise carries it,
+then the ashes will fall down." This he did, so that he might follow
+to the place where Tortoise would go.
+
+Next day, Tortoise was up at the same time with the first Ngwai. And
+at daybreak, Leopard followed, observing the ground closely with
+his eyes; and he saw the ashes. The fellow, at once, went on his
+journey, striding quickly, quickly, until he reached to where the
+great Goat was standing. It explained to him, as it had to Tortoise,
+its use, and invited him to enter. Said he, "O! Mbodi of my father
+Njambe! open to me the house!" And It opened the hole. He entered;
+and he discovered Tortoise cutting meat. Tortoise was displeased,
+and said to him, "Chum! is that the way you do?" They cut pieces of
+meat, they got ready, and they went back to town.
+
+The next day, although Tortoise was vexed at Leopard, they started
+together on their journey; and they arrived at the Goat. They said
+as before, "O! Mbodi! Friend! open to us the house!" It opened the
+aperture; and they entered. Tortoise warned Leopard, "Chum! Njâ! don't
+touch the heart!" They cut meat. Then Leopard said that he was going
+to lay hold of the heart. But Tortoise said, "No!" Leopard cut and
+cut, and was going on to the heart. Tortoise again said to him, "Not
+so!" They went on cutting. Finally Leopard laid hold of the heart! The
+Goat at once made a great outcry, "Ma-a! Mba-a!" and died instantly.
+
+The people of the town that was near by, heard, and they said, "The
+Mbodi! what has happened to it? Young men! go ye! Hasten ye! for,
+that Mbodi is crying!" They went, and discovered the body of the Goat
+stretched out. They went back to the town and told the people that,
+"The Mbodi is dead!"
+
+While this was going on, as soon as Tortoise inside the body knew that
+the Goat was dying, he began to seek for a hiding-place. He said,
+"I am for the stomach!" Leopard said, "No! that is the hiding-place
+of the elder one" (himself). Then Tortoise said, "I will go and hide
+in the bowels." Leopard said, "That also is the hiding place of the
+elder." Then Tortoise said, "Well! I'm going to hide in the fountain
+of the water of the belly" (the urinary bladder). Leopard said,
+"Yes! that is the share of the younger." Tortoise thrust himself in
+there. Leopard jumped into the stomach.
+
+When the people came, they discovered the Goat lying flat, and
+they said, "Tie ye it!" (to carry it away). Others said, "No! let
+it be butchered here." They all said, "Yes!" And they cut it in
+pieces. They took out the entire stomach, and laid it aside. They
+took that fountain, and flung it out in the bushes.
+
+Concealed by the bushes, Tortoise crawled out of the sac, and,
+pretending to be displeased, called out, "Who dashed that dirty water
+in my face, as I was coming here, seeking for my fungi here in the
+forest?" They apologized, saying. "Chum! we did not know you were
+in those bushes. But, come, and join us." So, he went there; and
+he, in pretence, exclaimed, "What thing can so suddenly have killed
+Friend-Creator his Mbodi there? Alas! But, Ime! what a large stomach
+that is! Would you say that it was not it that killed Mbodi? Let us
+send some children to pierce that stomach. But ye! when ye shall go
+to pierce it, first bring spears, then jab the spears through it. I
+have not seen such a stomach as that!"
+
+They finished the cutting in pieces; and they gave Tortoise his
+share of the animal. He left, bidding them await his return. He went
+hastily with the meat to his town, and sat down to rest for only
+a little while. Then he rapidly went back again to see what would
+happen to Leopard.
+
+The family of Njambe had taken that stomach and laid it in the water
+of a stream. Then they took spears, and they stabbed it. Leopard,
+being wounded, struggled up and down as he tried to emerge from
+inside the stomach. The people, when they saw this, shouted,
+"Aw! lâ! lâ! lâ!" And there was Leopard lying dead! For, in stabbing
+that stomach, the spears had reached Leopard.
+
+Tortoise said to them, "Give me the skin of Leopard!" So they handed
+it to him. He went off with it to his house. When it was dried, he
+took it into his inner room, and hung it up. He said to his children,
+"Let no person bring any of the children of Njâ into this room."
+
+Before that time, the children of Tortoise and of Leopard always
+hunted small animals; and they were accustomed daily to kill rats in
+their houses.
+
+On another day, the children of Leopard having no meat, and not knowing
+that their father was dead said, "A hunt for Betoli tomorrow!" The
+children of Tortoise replied, "Yes!"
+
+Early in the next day then, the children of Leopard made ready and
+called for those of Tortoise; and they all started together.
+
+They began at first at Leopard's end of the town; and, going from house
+to house, opened the houses and killed rats. They passed on toward
+Tortoise's end of the town, opening houses, and killing rats. When they
+came to the room of Tortoise himself, his children said to the others,
+"No!" The children of Leopard asked them, "Why?" As they arrived at
+the door, the children of Tortoise said, "Our father said that, even
+for catching rats, we should not enter that room." But the children
+of Leopard broke down the door, and entered into the room. There they
+lifted their eyes, and discovered the skin of their father Leopard
+hanging! At once, they all hasted out of the house. But, suppressing
+their sorrow and indignation, shortly after this, they all said,
+"To go to throw wheels on the beach!" (a game; solid wheels, about
+eight or ten inches in diameter, and some three inches thick, chopped
+out of an enormous tuber). They made ready their little spears, and
+they all went in a company. Their challenge was, "To the beach!" These
+arranged themselves on one side, and those on the other.
+
+The children of Tortoise began the game, rolling the wheel to the
+children of Leopard. These latter, as the wheel rolled by, pierced
+its center with all their spears; none failed. The Leopard company
+shouted in victory. "Boho, eh?" And the Tortoise company dared
+them with, "Iwâ!" Then the Leopard company insultingly retorted,
+"We are the ones who are accustomed to sleep with people's sisters,
+and continue to eat with them!" (i.e., that they could commit crimes
+with impunity, and still be allowed the intimate friendship of eating
+together, without the others daring to punish them).
+
+Then the Leopard company bowled the wheel toward the side of the
+Tortoise company. These latter pierced the wheel with all their spears;
+none missed. The Tortoise company shouted for victory, "Boho! eh?" And
+the Leopard company dared them with, "Iwâ!" Then the Tortoise children
+shouted boastfully, "We are those who are accustomed to kill people's
+fathers, and hang up their skins, eh?"
+
+At this, the Leopard children began to rage, and joined a fight with
+the children of Tortoise.
+
+The children of Tortoise, and himself, and their wives and their
+children, fled and scattered over the logs into the stream of water,
+and hid themselves in holes, and never came back to town.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 33
+
+THE FIGHTS OF MBUMA-TYETYE AND AN ORIGIN OF THE
+LEOPARD
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Mekuku, and Two of His Sons Mbuma-Tyetye and Njâ
+    King Njambu
+    Betoli (Rats)
+    Mwamba (Snakes)
+    Ngângâlâ (Millepedes)
+    Kedi (Stinging Ants)
+    Njambu Ya Mekuku (Spirits), and His Town
+    Women Hidden in Chests
+    Ngwaye (Partridge)
+    Kâ (Snails)
+    Ihonga-Honga (A Giant Tooth)
+    Hova (A Magic Gourd)
+    Tângâ (Horn)
+    Ibumbu (Bundle of Medicine)
+    Kanja (A Bowl)
+    Ikanga (Spear)
+    Ngalo (A Magic Amulet)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Ngalo is a powerful fetish-charm. Sitting in a visitor's lap for a
+few moments, is a mode of welcome.
+
+"Njambu" is one of their forms of spelling the name of the Creator;
+very commonly used also for human beings. The account of the
+wrestling-match is suggestive of the surroundings of a modern
+athletic field.
+
+
+
+Njambu built a Town. He continued there a long time. After he had
+finished the town, he married very many wives. After a short time
+they all of them bore children. Those births were of many sons. He
+gave them names: Among them were, Upuma-mwa-penda (Year-of-doubt),
+and Njâ (Leopard).
+
+And again, his wives, after a short time, all of them became
+mothers. This time, they gave birth to a large number of daughters. He
+gave them also names.
+
+His town was full with men and women; they were crowded. And all
+busy. They that worked at stakes, went to cut saplings; those that
+made rattan-ropes, went to cut the rattan-vine; they that shaped the
+bamboo for building, went to cut the bamboo-palms; they that made
+thatch went to gather the palm-leaves; they that set up the stakes of
+the house-frame went to thrust them into the ground; they who fastened
+the walls, fastened them; they who tied thatch on the roof, tied it;
+they who split the rattan vines for tying, split them.
+
+The town was full of noise. The children of Njambu kept their father's
+town in motion. They rejoiced in the abundance of people and their
+force. They took dowries also for their sisters, and gave them in
+marriage to young men of other towns.
+
+Arguments were discussed; stories about White Men were told; amusements
+were played; food was eaten; and the sons of Njambu married wives.
+
+One of Njambu's sons, Upuma-mwa-penda, said to his mother, "Make me
+mekima," (mashed plantain). His mother asked him, "Where are you going
+with the mekima?" He answered, "I'm going to seek a marriage." And
+she said "Good!"
+
+In the morning, he took his rolls of mashed plantains, and started to
+go on his journey. He said to his mother, "You must keep my house." She
+replied, "It is well."
+
+He went on, on, on, until, on the road ahead, he met with two Rats,
+who were fighting. He took an ukima-roll, divided it, and gave
+to them, saying, "Take ye and eat." They accepted, and told him,
+"You shall arrive at the end."
+
+He goes on stepping quickly, quickly; and meets two Snakes fighting. He
+parted them. He took an ukima-roll and gave to them; they ate. They
+said to him, "You shall reach the end."
+
+He goes on with his journey, until ahead were two Millepedes
+fighting. He said to them, "For what are you killing each other?" He
+parted them, and gave them an ukima-roll. They took it and said,
+"You shall reach the end!"
+
+He lay down in the forest at night. At midnight, his mother saw, in her
+sleep, something that said, "Go with thy two daughters in the morning,
+and take food for Mbuma-Tyetye (another name for Upuma-mwa-penda)."
+
+Early in the morning, she awoke her two daughters, and said, "Come! let
+us go to follow after your brother; he is still on his way."
+
+They started, on, on, on, until they found him sitting down in the
+path. They brought out the food from their traveling-bag, and they
+said, "We have come to give you food." They prepared the meal, and
+they ate. And they slept that night in the forest.
+
+Next morning, they started again, and they walked on, on, on, with
+their journey. As they came on their way, they listened ahead, and
+they heard something, saying, "Eh! fellows, eh! eh! fellows eh! Nobody
+shall pass! Nobody shall pass here!"
+
+When they drew near, they met an immense quantity of Red stinging
+Ants spread from the ground up to the tree-tops, entirely closing the
+way. Mbuma-tyetye and his company said, "Ah! these are they who were
+shouting here!" He advanced to the fight, and called to his younger
+sister, "Come on!"
+
+She lifted her foot just to tread upon the Ants; and they instantly
+entirely covered her. He and his company tried in vain to draw her
+back. The Ants shouted, to strengthen themselves. "Eh! fellows, eh!"
+
+He, still fighting, called to the elder sister, "On ahead!" Just as
+she lifted her foot, there came all the Tribe of Red Ants, and would
+have covered her up. The woman jumped to one side vigorously, and
+stood there in that spot, fanning away the sweat of her exertions, pe,
+pe, pe. She returned again to the Ants; and they met. She called out,
+"Ngalo! hot water!" and it appeared. She took it, and dashed it at the
+Red Ants. But they all went into their holes; and came out at another
+opening, again closing the path. She still stood there ready to fight;
+but they covered her, and dragged her behind them.
+
+The Ants shouted over their victory, "Eh! fellows, eh! Today no person
+passes here!"
+
+The son called to his mother, "Mother! come on!" His mother said,
+"My child! I am unable." He called, "Ngalo! Fire!" Fire at once
+appeared. Having drawn back the corpses of his sisters, he seized
+the fire, and thrust it into the nests of the Ants. He thrust it also
+among the trees. The flame ignited them; and the surrounding forest
+burned to ashes with all the trees. And the Ants were all burned too.
+
+Then he brought his sisters to life, by taking that ashes, and throwing
+it over them, and down their throats into their stomachs.
+
+When the day darkened, he said, "Ngalo! a house!" A tent at once
+appeared, with a table, and tumblers, and water, and all food. They
+sat there and ate. When they finished eating, they set tea on the
+table. They drank; they talked of their experiences. When they ended,
+they said, "Let us lie down together." So they lay down for the night.
+
+As the next day was coming, a Partridge gave forth its voice,
+"Rise! tyâtyâ lâ! tyâtyâ lâ!" And the day broke also. They wash
+their faces; they set tea on the table, and drank it. They folded
+the tent-house, and swallowed it, (as a mode of carrying it). They
+started with their journey, and went conversing on the way.
+
+As they came along, Something was heard ahead. They listened,
+and heard a song. "Gribâmbâ! eh! Gribâmbâ! eh!" Mbuma-tyetye
+and his mother and sisters kept on going toward the sound, which
+continued, "Dingâlâ! eh! A person will not pass! No doubt about
+it! Dingâlâ! eh! Wherever he comes from, he can pass here only by
+coming from above."
+
+The man and his company approached the source of the song, and
+exclaimed, "There it is!" They went on and found the entire tribe
+of Snails filling the road hither and yonder. He said to his mother,
+"What shall we do with the Kâ Tribe?" They sat down to consider. They
+decided, "A fight! this very day!" They sat still, and rested
+for a while. Then he went ahead and shouted to his younger sister,
+"Come!" She called out, "Ngalo! a short sword!" It appeared. She called
+again, "A strong cloth!" It appeared, and she dressed herself with it.
+
+As she approached the Snails, one of them fell on her head with a
+thud, ndi! She took the sword, and struck it, ko! The Snails shouted,
+"We're nearing you!" A crowd of them came rapidly, one after another;
+in a heap, they entirely covered her, vyâ! And she lay a corpse! The
+Snails swarmed over her, and taking her, threw her behind them. They
+shouted in victory, "Tâkâ! Dingâlâ! eh!"
+
+Then the elder sister said she was going to help her brother in facing
+the Snails. Her mother objected, "You? Stay!" But she replied, "Let me
+go!" She girded her body tightly, and then she entered the fight. The
+Snails surrounded her. They were about to drag her to their rear, when,
+she, at the side of the path, attempted to spring from them. But they
+swarmed over her. And she lay a corpse! The mother was crying out,
+"O! My child!" when the Snails covered her too.
+
+Mbuma-tyetye retreated, to rest himself for a short time, and
+called out, "Ngalo! a helmet!" It appeared. He fitted it to his
+head. He called again, "Ngalo! a glass of strong drink, and of water
+too!" It appeared. He asked for tobacco. It appeared. "Matches!" They
+appeared. He struck a match, and smoked. As he thrust the cigar in
+his mouth, it stimulated him; it told him things of the future in its
+clouds of smoke. After he had rested, he stood up, again for the fight.
+
+The Snails tuned their song:
+
+
+   "Iyâ! Dingâlâ! disabete!
+    Iyâ! Dingâlâ! sâlâlâsâlâ! Disabete!
+    Iyâ! Dingâlâ! Iyâ! Dingâlâ!
+    Iyâ! Dingâlâ! Sâlâlâsâlâ!
+    Iyâ! Dingâlâ! Eh! Bamo-eh!"
+
+
+The Snails, in their fierce charge, killed him, and were about
+to take away the corpse; when, his Ngalo returning him to life,
+he sprang erect, and cried out, "Ah! my Father Njambu! Dibadi-O!"
+
+And he took up his war-song:--
+
+
+   "Tata Njambu ya milole, milole mi we.
+        Ta' Njambu! milole mi we.
+    Ta' Njambu! milole mi we.
+        Milole mi we. Ta' Njambu!"
+
+
+All that while, the mother and his sisters were lying dead.
+
+The Snails were shouting in their victory, "Tâkâ!"
+
+Mbuma-tyetye took a short broad knife in his hands, and shouted,
+"Dibadi!" He girded his body firmly, and stood erect. He called out in
+challenge, "I've come!" The Snails answered, "You've reached the end!"
+
+They fought. The man took his sword. The Snails fell down on him,
+ndwa! But the man stood up, and moved forward. He laid hold of a
+small tree. He cut it, and whirled it about at the Snails. And the
+Snails fell down on the ground, po! But they rose up again flinging
+themselves upon the man, ndwa! The man jumped aside crying out,
+"Ah! My father Njambu! Dibadi-O!"
+
+He took fire, thrust it among the tribe of Snails, and every one fell
+down on the ground, mbwâ!
+
+Then he shaped a leaf into a funnel, and dropped a medicine into the
+noses of his mother and sisters. They slowly rose and tried to sit
+up. He poured the ashes of the Snails over them, po! They breathed
+it into their stomachs, kii! and they came fully to life.
+
+Then they said, "You are safe! Now! for our return home!" He said,
+"Good!" And they returned.
+
+Mbuma-tyetye continued his own journey, on, on, on, until at a
+cross-roads, he found a giant Tooth, as large as a man. Tooth asked,
+"Where are you going?" Said he, "I'm going to seek a marriage at a
+town of Njambu-ya-Mekuku." Then, with his axe in hand, he turned aside
+from the path; chopped firewood, chop, chop, chop, chop, mbwâ! Then he
+kindly carried a lot of it, and presented it to Tooth. He also opened
+his bag, and taking out an ukima roll, laid it down at the feet of
+Tooth; also a bundle of gourd-seeds, and laid it down; and then he
+said, "I'm going." But the giant Tooth, pleased with him, said to him,
+"Just wait!"
+
+So, he waited; and, while waiting, said, "Ngalo! a fine house!" It
+appeared there. "A table!" There! "Good food!" There! "Fine
+drink!" There! They two ate, and drank, and had conversation together.
+
+Tooth said to him, "Where you go, do not fear." It brought out from
+its hut a water-gourd, and said, "I will not show you more, nor will
+I tell you anything at all, but this Hova itself will tell you." Then
+Tooth said to him, "Go well!"
+
+The man took the Gourd and clung to it as if it was a treasure.
+
+He started again on his journey, and had gone but a little way, when he
+found Kuda-nuts in immense abundance. He took up one, drew his knife,
+cracked the nut, and threw the kernel into his mouth. He stooped
+again, and was about to pick up another, when the Gourd warned him,
+"I! I!" So, he left the nuts.
+
+He came on in his journey, and found in abundance wild Mangoes. He
+took one, split it, and bit out a piece; and was about to add
+another, when the warning came, "I! I!" So, he left the Mangoes;
+yet his belly felt full. Still on his journey, thirst for water
+seized him at a stream. He took his cup, plunged it into the water,
+filled it, drank, and was about to take more, when the warning said,
+"I! I!" And he left the water. Yet his belly felt full.
+
+On his journey still, till he came to a large river. There he stood,
+and listened, as he heard a boat-song, "Ayehe! âhe! âyehe! e!" There
+passed by the sound of paddles, wom'! wom'! but he saw no person; nor
+did he see any canoe. Gourd said to him, "Call!" Then he called out,
+"Who are these? Bring me a canoe!" A voice replied, "Who are you?" He
+answered, "I!" The canoe came nearer, its crew singing, singing, until
+it grounded on the beach. He saw what seemed only a great log! Gourd
+said to him, "Embark!" He got in. The crew also (apparently) got in
+again; for, the sound of paddles was again heard, worom'! worom'!
+
+Instead of going straight across the river, they pulled far up stream,
+and then came all the way down again on the other side. As they came,
+they were constantly keeping up the song, until they grounded at
+the landing-place at that other side. Still he saw nothing of the
+invisible boatmen, when he landed.
+
+Ascending the bank of the stream, he saw a strange new town. He entered
+its public reception-house, and sat down. As he was looking for some
+one to come, a Horn came and sat on his lap, and then moved away. A
+Bundle of Medicine came, sat, and moved away. A Bowl came and sat. A
+Spear came and sat. All these Things saluted him. Behold! they were
+the People of that Town (in disguise); but he saw none of them.
+
+Gourd said to him, "Come and escort me into the back-yard." He at once
+stepped out; and, when in the back-yard, It said. "Put me down." (It
+had been carried suspended from his shoulder.) He put It down, standing
+It at the foot of a plantain-stalk. Gourd making a leaf funnel,
+dropped something into his eyes. His eyes suddenly, kaa! were opened,
+and he saw everything, and all the people, and the whole street.
+
+Returning to the house, he sat down. Maidens came. Such goodness as
+you have scarcely known! Forms lovely to see!
+
+The Chief of the town said, "Make ye food!" It was made at once. Then
+one whom he chose was given him for his wife.
+
+She and this young son-in-law were left sitting in the house. The
+wife began to weep, saying to herself, "What will be his manner of
+eating?" (a test to be applied to him as suitor). The Gourd called
+him with a voice like the stroke of a bell, ngeng! He went out to
+the Gourd, and It said to him, "When you shall eat, take one piece
+of plantain, flesh of the fowl, and then dip one spoonful of the
+udika (wild-mango gravy), put them in your mouth; and thou shalt say
+unto her, 'Take; you may remove the food.' You shall see what will
+happen." He did so. His wife laughed in her heart; and she went and
+told her mother, "He is a person of sense." The towns-people said to
+her, "What did he do?" She evasively said to them. "Let us see!"
+
+In the evening, the father-in-law said to him, "You have found us here
+in the midst of a work of garden-making for your mother-in-law." (A
+man is always expected to do some work for his wife's mother.) He
+said. "That's good, Father!"
+
+Gourd called to him, and told him, "It is not a garden; it is an
+entire forest; it is not planted; it is all wild country. But,
+tomorrow, at daylight, early, you say to your wife that she must go
+and show you. You must take one young plantain-set, and a machete,
+and an axe. When you shall arrive there, then you shall say to
+her, 'Go back!' And she will go back. Then, you will slash with the
+machete, kwa! and leave it. You take also the axe and cut, ka! and say,
+'Ngunga-O! Mekud' O! Makako ma dibake man­jeya-O!' You shall see what
+will happen. Then you insert the plantain-set in the ground. Then
+you set up a bellows, and work it. And you shall see what will happen."
+
+(All that Garden-Plan was made by the townspeople in order that
+he might weary of the task, and they then find excuse for killing
+him. For they were Cannibals.)
+
+At daybreak, he did so. He called his wife. He and she went on until
+they came to the chosen spot. Said he, "Go back!" The woman went
+back. He did just as he had been directed, as to the clearing, and
+the felling, the incantation, and the planting. The plantains bore,
+and ripened at once. Every kind of food developed in that very hour.
+
+The man went back to the town, and sat down. They set before him food.
+
+They sent a child to spy the garden. The child returned, excitedly
+saying, "Men! the entire forest! with all such foods! only ripe
+ones!" They said to him, "You're telling a falsehood!" And they said,
+"Let another go and see." He went; and returned thence with a ripe
+plantain held in his hand.
+
+In the evening, the Chief said to him, "Sir! tomorrow, people will have
+been filled with hunger for meat. A little pond of your mother-in-law
+is over there. Tomorrow it is to be bailed out." (In order to get
+the fish that would be left in the bottom pools.)
+
+Gourd called him, ngeng! He went to It, and It said, "That is not a
+pond, it is a great river, (like the Lobi at Batanga). However, when
+you shall go, you must take one log up stream and one log down stream
+(for a pretence of dams). You shall see what will happen. Then you
+must bail only once, and say, 'Itata-O!' You shall see."
+
+Next morning, he did so. And the whole river was drained; and the
+fish were left in the middle, alone. He returned to the town, and
+sat down. The people went to see; and, they were frightened at the
+abundance of fish. For a whole month, fish were gathered; and fish
+still were left.
+
+The Chief went to call his townspeople, saying, "We will do nothing
+to this fellow. Let him alone; for, you have tried him with every
+test." They said, "Yes; and he has lingered here," (i.e., was no
+longer a stranger; and therefore should not be eaten). But, they said,
+"Tomorrow there will be only wrestling." (This was said deceitfully.)
+
+In the evening, the father-in-law called him, saying, "Mbuma-tyetye,
+tomorrow there is only wrestling. You have stayed long here. As you
+are about to go away with my child, there is left only one thing more
+that she wants to see, that is, the wrestling tomorrow."
+
+Gourd called him, and said to him, "It is not only for wrestling. You
+know the part of the village where is the Wrestling-Ground. There
+is a big pit there. You will take care if you are near that pit;
+and you must push them in."
+
+In the evening, food was made, and soon it was ready. He and his wife
+ate, and finished. They engaged in conversation. They took pleasure
+over their love that night.
+
+The next day, in the morning, very early, the drums, both the elimbi
+and the common, began promptly to tell things in the street. (The
+Elimbi is a specially made drum used to transmit information by
+a system of signal strokes. News is thus carried very far and
+very rapidly.) The Gourd called him, and handed him a leaf of
+magic-medicine, to hold in his hand, saying, "Go; fear not!"
+
+The townspeople began to shout back and forth a song (to arouse
+enthusiasm). Two companies ranged on each side of the street,
+singing. "Engolongolo! hâ! hâ! Engolongolo! hâ! hâ!"
+
+
+   "Engolongolo! hâ! hâ!
+    Engolongolo! hâ! hâ!"
+
+
+Hearing their song as a challenge, the young man went out of the
+house into the street. Up to this point, the strongest wrestler of the
+town, named Ekwamekwa, was not with them; he was out in the forest,
+felling trees.
+
+When the towns-people saw the young man standing in the street, they
+advanced as many as a hundred all at once. He laid his hands upon
+them, and they all went back; he also went back. Soon he advanced
+again, and his single opponent advanced. They two laid their hands
+on each other's shoulders. The townspeople began another song, as if
+in derision. "O! O! A! O! O! A! O! O! A!"
+
+At once, he seized his opponent, and threw him into the pit. Thereupon,
+his father-in-law shouted in commendation, "Iwâ!"
+
+Another one came forward; Mbuma-tyetye advanced; and as they met
+together, he took him, and threw him into the pit. Again the shout,
+"Iwâ!"
+
+The sisters of the two men in the pit began to cry. The others said
+to the girls, "What are you doing? He shall die today! It is we who
+shall eat those entrails today!" (Among cannibals, a choice portion.)
+
+Another one was coming, and, as they met together, again the shout
+of derision, "O! O! O! A! O! O! O! A! O! O! O! A!" But, at one fling,
+Mbuma-tyetye cast him into the pit. "Iwâ" was repeated.
+
+The sister of him who was thrown thus into the pit began to cry. The
+people rebuked her, "Mbâbâ! mbâbâ! Join in the singing!"
+
+Another one was coming; Mbuma-tyetye advanced; and as they came
+together, he lifted him, holding him by the foot. The singers, to
+encourage their man, said responsively, "Dikubwe! Dikubwe! Fear not
+an elephant with his tusks! Take off! take off!" Mbuma-tyetye lifted
+him, and promptly pushed him down into the pit, with a thud, 'kodom'!
+
+The people began to call out anxiously, "We-e! we-e! O! They are
+overcome! They are overcome! O! Some one must go hastily, and call
+Ekwamekwa, and tell him that people are being destroyed in the town,
+and he must come quickly."
+
+Some one got up, and ran to call Ekwamekwa, wailing as he went,
+"Iyâ! Iyâ! Iyâ! Ekwamekwa, iyâ-O! Come! People are exterminated in
+the town!"
+
+He heard with one ear (i.e. at once). He snatched up his machete and
+axe, saying, "What is it?" The messenger repeated, "Come! a being
+from above has destroyed many a one in the town!"
+
+The man Ekwamekwa, full of boasting, said, "Is it possible there is no
+man in the town?" He came, already shaking the muscles of his chest,
+pwâ! pwâ (a custom with native wrestlers, as a lion his mane). His
+muscles were quivering with rage, nyâ! nyâ! nyâ!
+
+The drums, both the elimbi-telegraph and the common, were being beaten,
+and were sounding without intermission. The singers were shouting;
+the wrestlers' bodies had perspiration flowing from them. The noise
+of the people, of the telegraph drums and other drums, and sticks
+(sticks beating time) were rattling kwa! kwa! kwa!
+
+As Ekwamekwa appeared, the women and children raised their shrill
+voices. The shouters yelled, "A! lâ! lâ! lâ! â!"
+
+Mbuma-tyetye advanced at once. He and Ekwamekwa laid hold of
+one another, and alternately pressed each other backward and
+forward. The one tried tricks to trip the other, and the other
+tried the same. Ekwamekwa held him, and was about to throw him on
+the ground. The other jumped to one side, and stood, his muscles
+quivering, po! po! po! tensely. Ekwamekwa seized him about the waist
+and loins. The people all were saying, "Let no one shout!" (lest
+Ekwamekwa be confused). They said, "Make no noise! He is soon going
+to be eaten!" And it was a woman who said, "Get ready the kettle!"
+
+Ekwamekwa still held him by the loins. So, they called out, "Down
+with him! Down with him!" But Mbuma-tyetye shouted, "I'm here!" He
+put his foot behind Ekwamekwa's leg, and lifted him, and threw him
+into the pit, kodom!
+
+Then there was a shout of distress by the people, "A! â! â! â!" and
+Ekwamekwa called out, "Catch him! catch him!" Mbuma-tyetye, lifting
+his feet, ran to his father-in-law's end of the town, and all the men
+came after him. His father-in-law protected him, and said to them,
+"You can do nothing with this stranger!"
+
+At night, the Chief said to him, "Sir, you may go away tomorrow."
+
+At daybreak, food was cooked. The Chief Njambu-ya-Mekuku, put his
+daughters into large chests. In one was a lame one; another, covered
+with skin disease; and another, with a crooked nose; and others,
+with other defects in other chests, each in her own chest. But,
+he put the wife into a poor chest all dirty outside with droppings
+of fowls, and human excrement, and ashes. In it also, he placed a
+servant and all kinds of fine clothing. Then said he to Mbuma-tyetye,
+"Choose which chest contains your wife."
+
+The Gourd at once called him, and It said to him, "Lift me up!" It
+whispered to him, "The chest which is covered with dirt and filth,
+it is the one which contains your wife. Even if they say, 'Ha! ha! he
+has had all his trouble for nothing; he has left his wife,' do you
+nevertheless carry it, and go on with your journey."
+
+He came to the spot where the chests were. The Chief said
+again, "Choose, from the chests, the one which contains your
+wife." Mbuma-tyetye picked up the poor one. They shouted. But, he
+at once started on his journey, and on, until he came to the river,
+stepped into a canoe, paddled to the other side, landed, and went on,
+carrying the chest. Almost in an instant (by his magic Ngalo) he was at
+the place of the Great Tooth. It asked, "How is it there?" He replied,
+"Good!" The Gourd, in leaving, reported to Its mother, the Tooth,
+"A fine fellow, that person there!"
+
+He went on with his journey, his feet treading firmly. Almost with
+one stride (by aid of his Ngalo), in the twinkling of eyes, he was
+near the spring at his own town.
+
+Then he said, "Now let me open the chest here!" On his opening it,
+a maiden attended by her servant came stepping out, arrayed in the
+clothing which had been placed in the chest for her dress. One's eyes
+would ache at sight of her silks, and the fine form of her person. And
+you or any other one could say, "Yes! you are a bride! truly a bride!"
+
+Two young women rose up in the town to go to the spring to dip up
+water. They were just about to come to the spring, when they saw their
+brother and his wife and her servant. They two went back together
+rapidly to the town, saying, "Well! if there isn't the woman whom
+Mbuma-tyetye has married! They are two women and himself!"
+
+The town emptied itself to go and meet them on the path. His father
+took powder and guns, with which to announce the arrival; and cannon
+were roaring. When the young woman came and stood there in the street,
+there was only shouting and shouting, in admiration.
+
+Another brother, named Njâ, when he came to see her, was so impressed
+to get a wife like her, that, without waiting for the salutations to be
+made, he said to his mother, "My mother! make for me my mekima, too."
+
+Mbuma-tyetye entered into the house, he and his wife. At once hot water
+was set before them, and they went to bathe. When they had finished,
+they entered the public Reception-Room. Njâ, impatient to get away
+and, in impolite haste, said, "Now, for my journey!" His brother
+advised him, "First wait; let me tell you how the way is." He replied,
+"Not so!" And he started off on his journey.
+
+The others sat down to tell, and to hear the news. They told
+Mbuma-tyetye the affairs of the town; and he responded as to how
+he had come. When he had completely finished, he was welcomed,
+"Iye! Oka! oka-O! But now, sit down and stay."
+
+Now, when Njâ had gone, he met the two Millepedes fighting. He
+exclaimed, "By my father Njambu! what is this?" He stood
+there with laughter, "Kye! kye! kye!" He clapped his hands,
+"Kwâ! kwâ! You! there! let me pass!" They asked, "Give us an ukima." He
+stood laughing, kwa! kwa! saying, "I will see this today! Food that
+is eaten by a human being! Is it so that they have teeth? As I see it,
+they, having no mouths, how can they eat?" But he opened his food-bag,
+took an ukima, and gave them a small piece. They rebuked him for
+his meanness, and laid a curse on him, "Aye! You will not reach the
+end." He responded, "I won't reach my end, eh? Humph! I'm going on
+my journey!" He left them; and they grabbed at the very little piece
+of ukima he had given them.
+
+He cried out, "Journey!" and went on both by day and by night,
+traveling until he met the two Snakes fighting. He derided them,
+and took a club, and was about to strike them, when they cursed him,
+"You will not reach the end!" However, he gave them, at their request,
+an ukima, and passed on. As he turned to go, and was leaving them,
+they made signs behind him, repeating their curse, "He will not reach
+safely!" And they added, "He has no good sense; let us leave him."
+
+He still cried out, "Journey!" and went on to that place of
+Ihonga-na-Ihonga whose size filled all the width of the way. He
+made a shout, raising it very loud, and repeated his exclamation,
+"By my father, Njambu! Thou who hast begotten me, thou hast not seen
+such as this!" Tooth asked, "Where are you going?" He, astonished,
+exclaimed, "Ah! It can talk! Alas! for me!" And he added a shout
+again, with laughter, "Kwati! kwati! kwati!" It spoke and said,
+"Please, split for me fire-wood." He replied, "What will fire-wood
+do for you?" He, however, split the wood hastily, ko! ko! ke! and
+left it in a pile. It said, "Leave me an ukima." He responded, "Yes;
+let me see what It will do with it now!" He opened his food-bag,
+and laid an ukima down disrespectfully, and said, "Eat! let me see!"
+
+Tooth said to him, "Sleep here!" Said he, "If I sleep here, what
+is there for me to sit on?" It replied only, "Sleep here!" He said,
+"Yes!" Then he invoked his Ngalo, "A seat!" It appeared, and he sat
+down. In the evening, he invoked, "Ngalo, a house!" It appeared. "A
+bed!" It appeared. "A table!" It appeared. "Food!" It was set out. He
+ate, but did not offer any to Tooth, and fell into a deep sleep.
+
+At daybreak, he was given water to wash his face, and food; and
+he ate it. Then the Tooth said to him, "Now, this is a Hova; go;
+the Hova will tell you what you should do." Said he sarcastically
+"Good! a good thing!" And he started on his journey. But, when he
+was gone, he despised the Gourd, and said to himself, "What can this
+water-jar do for me? I shall leave it here." And he laid it down
+at the foot of a Buda tree. There were many kuda (nuts of the Buda)
+lying on the ground. He prepared a seat, and sat down. He gathered
+the kuda nuts in one place. He took up a nut, broke it, threw its
+kernel into his mouth, and chewed it. He picked up another one, and
+was going to break it. Gourd warningly said, "I! I!" He replied,
+"Is it that you want me to give it to you?" Gourd answered only,
+"I-I!" And he said, "But, then, your 'I! I!' what is it for?" He
+broke many of the nuts, taking them up quickly; and finished eating
+all. And still his stomach felt empty, as if he had eaten nothing.
+
+He then said, "The Journey!" He started, still carrying with him the
+Gourd, going on, on, until he came to the Bwibe tree (wild mango). That
+Bwibe was sweet. He collected the mibe fruits, and began to split
+them. He split many in a pile, and then said, "Now! let me suck!" He
+sucked them all, but he felt no sense of repletion, although the Gourd
+had warned him. He took the skins of the mibe fruit, and angrily thrust
+them inside the Gourd's mouth, saying, "Eat! You who have no teeth,
+what makes you say I must not eat? But, take you!"
+
+He goes on with his journey. And he found water. He took his
+drinking-vessel, plunged it into the water, dipped, put it to
+his mouth, drank, and drained the vessel. He wanted more, plunged
+the vessel, and drank, draining the vessel. He took more again,
+disregarding the warnings of Gourd. The water said to him, "Here am I,
+I remain myself." (i.e. I will not satisfy you.) He gave up drinking,
+and started his journey again, journeying, journeying, crossed some
+small creeks, and passed clear on, until he came to the River. As he
+listened, he heard songs passing by. He said to himself. "Now! those
+who sing, where are they?"
+
+The Gourd spoke to him, saying, "Call for the canoe!" He replied,
+"How shall I call for a canoe, while I see no people?" Gourd repeated
+to him, "Call!" Then he shouted out, "You, bring me the canoe!" Voices
+asked, "Who art thou?" He answered, "I! Njâ!" Some of the voices said,
+"Come! let us ferry him across." Others said, "No!" But the rest
+answered, "Come on!" Then they entered their canoe, laid hold of
+their paddles, and came singing,
+
+
+   "Kapi, madi, madi, sa!
+    Kapi, mada, mada, sa!"
+
+
+And they came to the landing. He saw nothing but what seemed a log,
+and exclaimed, "How shall I embark in a log, while there is neither
+paddle, nor a person for a crew?" But Gourd directed him, "Embark!" So,
+he went in the log. They paddled, and brought him to the other side. He
+jumped ashore, and stood for a moment. Then he moved on with the
+journey, walking on to a certain town (that town of the Spirits). He
+saw nobody, but entered into the public Reception-House, and sat down.
+
+Gourd spoke to him, saying, "Come, and escort me to the back-yard." He
+curtly answered, "Yes." He carried It, and stood It at the foot of a
+plantain stalk. Then he went back to the Reception-House and sat down.
+
+A Bundle of Medicines came to salute him, and was about to sit on his
+lap. He jumped up saying, "What is this?" He sat down again. Another
+Bundle fell on his lap. He exclaimed, "Hump! what is that?" The Bundle
+being displeased, replied, "You will not come to the end." (i.e. you
+will not have a successful journey.)
+
+The Gourd called him; and he went to the back-yard. The Gourd said to
+him, "Stand up!" And he stood up. Then the Gourd took a leaf, folded
+it as a funnel, and dropped a Medicine into his eyes; and he began
+to see everything clearly. He said, "This is the only thing which I
+can see that this Hova has done for me." He passed by, and entered
+the Reception-House again, and sat down. A person came saluting him,
+"Mbolo!" He responded, "Ai!" Another came, "Mbolo!" He replied, "Ai!"
+
+They cooked food, and got it ready to bring to him.
+
+During this while, he told his errand, and was given a wife.
+
+Gourd called him. He went out to It: and It directed him, "When you are
+going to eat, you must take only one piece of plantain, and a piece of
+the flesh of the fowl. Then you dip it into the udika-gravy, and put it
+into your mouth; and you will chew it; and when you have swallowed it,
+then you leave the remainder of the food." He disregardfully said,
+"Yes! Yes!" And he laughed, "kye! kye! kye! I do not know what this
+Hova means! And that 'remainder,' shall I give it to It?" And he
+entered the house again, and sat down.
+
+The food was set out. Little children came; they said to each other,
+"Let us see how he will eat." He took up a piece of plantain, and
+put it in his mouth; he took a fowl's leg, put it in his mouth; and
+gnawed the flesh off of the bone. He took up another piece of plantain,
+dipped a spoon into the udika-gravy, and put it into his mouth; he
+took a piece of meat and a plantain, and swallowed them. The little
+children began to jeer at him, "He eats like a person who has never
+eaten before." He rose; but felt as if his stomach was empty.
+
+He again seated himself, and he and his wife played games
+together. Soon he said, "My body feels exhausted with hunger";
+food was again made and was set out; he ate. The result was the
+same. The evening meal was also prepared; he ate, and finished;
+and still was hungry.
+
+In the evening, the Chief of the town called together the tribe and
+said to them, "Men! I see that this fellow has no sense; let him
+return to his place."
+
+On another day, Njâ said to himself, "Let me try, as the Hova has
+advised me, about the food." They cooked; they set it on the table. He
+took a piece of plantain, and some flesh of the fowl; he placed them
+on a spoon, and dipped them into the udika, and put them into his
+mouth. He rose up, saying, "I have finished!" And his stomach felt
+replete. Then he thought to himself, "So! is it possible that this
+Hova knows the affairs of the Spirits?"
+
+The next time when food was spread on the table, he did the same way;
+and his stomach was satisfied.
+
+Another day broke, and his father-in-law said to him, "On the morrow
+will be your journey." When the next day dawned, the Chief brought
+out the chests containing his daughters, and said, "Now, then! choose
+the one that you will take with you."
+
+The Gourd whispered to him, "Do not take the fine-looking one; you
+must take the one you see covered with filth." He responded, "Not
+I!" The one he chose was the fine one. He took it up, and carried
+it away. The town's-people began to cry out (in pretence), "Oh! he
+has taken from us that fine maiden of ours!" He was full of gladness
+that at last he was married. But, really, he was carrying a woman,
+crooked-nosed, and all of whose body was nothing but skin-disease,
+and pus oozing all over her.
+
+He went on his journey, on, on, on, on, until the town of the
+Tooth. Said he, "Here's your Hova!" The Tooth requested, "Tell me the
+news from there." The Gourd whispered to Tooth, "Let this worthless
+fellow be! Let him go! He did not marry a real woman. So, he is not
+a person."
+
+The man at once went on with his journey, continuously, until he
+came to the spring by his own town. Said he, "Let me bathe!" He put
+down the chest, and threw his body with a plunge, into the water. He
+bathed himself thoroughly, and emerged on the bank. Then he said
+to himself, "Now, then, let me open the chest!" The key clicked,
+and the chest opened. A sick woman stepped out! He demanded, "Who
+brought you here?" She replied, "You." Said he in astonishment,
+"I?" "Yes," answered she. He, in anger, said, "Go back! Do not come
+at all to the town!" He at once started to go to the town; and the
+woman slowly followed.
+
+There were two children who were going to the spring. As they went,
+they met with her; and they cried out in fear, "Aye! aye! aye! a
+Ghost! aye!" And they went back together in haste to the town. The
+town's-people asked them, "What's the matter?" They said,
+"Come! there's a Ghost at the spring!" The woman continued slowly
+coming. Other children said, "Let us go! Does a Ghost come in the
+daytime? That is not so!"
+
+As they came on the path, they met her. They asked her, "Who has
+married you?" She replied, "Isn't it Njâ?" The children excitedly cried
+out shrilly, "A! lâ! lâ!" They went back quickly to the town, saying,
+"Come ye! see the wife of Njâ!" The town emptied itself to go and see
+her. And they inquired of her, "Who is it who has married you?" She
+answered, "Is it not Njâ?" And the shrill cry of surprise rose again,
+"A! lâ! lâ! lâ!"
+
+When they reached the town, Njâ rose in anger from his house, picked
+up his spear, stood facing them, and threatened with his spear,
+"This is it!"
+
+He passed by them into the back-yard, and changed his body to that of
+a new kind of beast, with spots all over his skin. At once he stooped
+low on four legs; and thrust out his claws; and begun a fight with
+the people of the town, as a Leopard. Then he went, leaping off into
+the Forest.
+
+From there, he kept the name "Njâ," and has continued his fight with
+Mankind. The hatred between leopards and mankind dates from that
+time. Some of the people of that country had said to Mbuma-Tyetye
+that he would not be able to marry at the town of the Spirits, and
+had tried to hinder him. But he did go, and succeeded in marrying a
+daughter of Njambu-ya-Mekuku; while Njâ, attempting to do the same,
+and not waiting for advice from his brother, and treating with
+disrespect the Spirits on the way, failed.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 34
+
+A SNAKE'S SKIN LOOKS LIKE A SNAKE
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Bokeli, Son of Njambe-Ya-Manga
+    Jâmbâ, Daughter of Njambe-Ya-Madiki
+    Ko (Wild Rat)
+    Mbindi (Wild Goat)
+    Etungi, A Town Idler
+    Kuba (Chicken)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Bokeli was like a snake. When a snake changes and throws off his old
+skin, that slough, when it is left lying at any place, is almost as
+fearful to see, as the snake itself.
+
+The list of the dowry goods for Jâmbâ is a good illustration of
+native exaggeration.
+
+
+
+Njambe-of-the-Interior begot a daughter called Jâmbâ. And
+Njambe-of-the-Sea-Coast begot a son called Bokeli.
+
+Many men arrived at the town of Njambe-of-the-Interior, asking Jâmbâ
+for marriage. There they were killed (Njambe's people were cannibals),
+not being able to fulfill the tests to which they were subjected. So,
+people said, "Jâmbâ will not be married!"
+
+Finally Bokeli, the son of Njambe-of-the-Sea-Coast, said, "I am
+going to take Jâmbâ for marriage." He prepared for his journey; he
+went; and he arrived at the town. He at once entered into the public
+Reception-House, and sat down. There the people of the town exclaimed,
+"A fine-looking man!" And they saluted him, "Mbolo!" The young women
+at once went to tell Jâmbâ, saying, "What a fine-looking man has come
+to marry you!"
+
+Previous to this, the mother of Jâmbâ, who was lame with sores,
+was lying in the house. If a prospective son-in-law laughed in her
+presence, she would say to her husband, "He is mocking at me!" Then
+that visitor would die. All the men who had come there to marry,
+were killed in that way.
+
+Before this (as Bokeli understood the speech of all Beasts and
+of Birds) when he entered into the Reception-House, a Cock in the
+town spoke to him, and said, "If your hope for food rests on me, you
+will not eat! I will not be killed for you; neither shall you eat at
+all!" Also a loin of Wild-Goat meat, hanging in the kitchen, said,
+"For me, you will not eat!"
+
+But Njambe (who had overheard the Cock, and who was thinking of food
+for his guest) ordered, "Today, catch ye Kuba!" But Cock ran off to
+the forest. Then the people said, "Take the leg of Mbindi!" The leg
+of Wild-Goat protested, "I?" And it rotted. They sought some other
+thing to cook for Bokeli; but, there was nothing. So, Njambe sent
+his sons hunting to kill wild beasts.
+
+Then, the mother of Jâmbâ called for Bokeli, saying, "He must come; let
+me see him." So, he entered into her house, and he sat down. They began
+to converse. It was but a little while then that the mother said to her
+daughter, "Search for me on the drying frame (over the fire-place);
+you will find Ko there; take it for the guest, and cook it." The
+Wild-Rat spoke, saying, "If it is I, he will not possibly eat!"
+
+At this, Bokeli broke into a laugh. The mother was displeased, and
+said, "You are laughing at me!" Bokeli replied, "No!" But, the woman
+flung into a rage, and threw herself down on the ground, ndi! She
+exclaimed, "Ah! Njambe! He laughed at me! Catch him! And let him go
+to die!"
+
+They laid hold of him, and brought him out of the house. They were
+about to go a little further to the end of the town, when he suddenly
+pretended he was a corpse, and leaving his body, his spirit went back
+home, and assumed another body. They became quiet, all of them being
+startled. When they moved him, he was as cold as cold victuals. They
+said, "What shall we do here?" Some of them advised, "Let us take
+Jâmbâ and this corpse, and let us go together to his father, and
+explain, 'Bokeli is dead, but this woman is his wife.'" Others said,
+"What! lest his father will kill us!" Then they decided, "Not so! but,
+let us send as messenger some Etungi (useless person; no loss if he
+should be killed) to the father's town."
+
+The Etungi went on that errand. When he arrived at Bokeli's town,
+he met Bokeli sitting at the village smithy, and, not recognizing
+him, was intending to pass him by. Thereupon, Bokeli called to him,
+"Brother-in-law! what are you doing? You have found me sitting here,
+but you seem about to entirely pass me by. Though all your family do
+not like me, come in to the Reception-House." The Etungi thought to
+himself, "Ah! I am dead! Is not this a brother of Bokeli?" Bokeli
+called to his mother, and told her, "Bring out that food of mine
+quickly that is there! My brother-in-law has come; he feels hungry!"
+
+They set the food as soon as possible. And the Etungi ate.
+
+Bokeli asked him, "Where are you going to?" The Etungi replied, "I'm
+on my way going to tell Njambe that his son Bokeli is dead." Bokeli
+said to him, "This is I." Then he gave the Etungi a shirt and a cloth
+and a hat, as proofs of his reality.
+
+The Etungi returned to his town. And he reported to the people in the
+town, "Bokeli is not dead; I met him at the bellows, working." They
+thought he was lying, and they said, "Let him be beaten!" But the
+Etungi replied, "True! see ye this shirt, and the cloth, and this
+hat!" He added, "He that doubts must first go and see."
+
+Then went Kombe. When he arrived, he found Bokeli at the bellows. When
+Bokeli saw him coming, he arose at once, and went to his mother
+in the house; he seized a machete, and cut down a plantain bunch,
+yo! And he said to his mother, "Make haste to cook it!"
+
+Kombe had by that time entered the Reception-House. Bokeli welcomed
+him, sa-a! and said, "Sit down!" Kombe sat down. Food had been cooked;
+and he ate. Kombe then says, "I'm going back!" Bokeli at once put
+down at his feet the dowry for Jâmbâ, cloths, shirts, hats, etc,
+etc. Kombe carried away the things. And having arrived at his town,
+he says, "It is true!"
+
+Their father Njambe directed, "Come ye! over there with a present
+as a propitiation!" Then he gathered goats, fowls, ducks, plantains,
+dried meats, fishes, all sorts and kinds. He ordered, "Make ye a bier,
+and carry the corpse. I am going, even if I die!" (He still had a
+doubt about the real Bokeli.) They did so. They carried the presents,
+and they went, going on the journey.
+
+When those in front had arrived at the half-way of the road, the father
+said to his children, "You must now remain here. I shall first go to
+the town. If you hear a sound of guns, you will know that I am killed;
+then ye must go back." The father Njambe took Jâmbâ to accompany him,
+and his wives with him.
+
+When Bokeli saw them coming, at once the cannon were loaded, and were
+fired in a salute of welcome, and all the guns and musical instruments
+sounded, and people saying, "The bride is come!"
+
+The children of Njambe who were left on the way, when they heard
+the sounds of the cannons and guns, said to themselves that their
+father was killed, and they scattered and hid themselves. But he
+hastily started and went back to the place where he had left them;
+and he found nobody there. He called them; and they came out of their
+hiding. He commanded, "Throw away this thing (the supposed corpse);
+take up the goods; come to the town of Bokeli."
+
+Then they went to the town. They found Jâmbâ and her husband Bokeli
+sitting and playing. And they were treated with much kindness. Oxen
+and pigs were killed; they ate; they drank; and had great fun and
+very much enjoyment.
+
+Njambe-of-the-Interior then said that he was ready to journey back
+to his town. But his friend Njambe-of-the-Sea-Coast said, "Not today,
+but tomorrow in the morning; then I will give you the dowry."
+
+On the next day, they delivered the dowry; five millions of spear-heads
+(an iron currency); knives also, a million; one thousand hats; one
+thousand shirts; one hundred cloths; bags and trunks one hundred; bales
+of all kinds of white man's things; and native things in abundance;
+cattle also in abundance. Then they went away with them to their town.
+
+And Bokeli and Jâmbâ remained in the seaside town with their marriage.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+PART THIRD
+
+FANG TRIBE
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+
+In this Part, are tales told me by an old Batanga man, of the Banâkâ
+Tribe. He could not give me the time to come to my room, and tell
+me, sentence by sentence, as the other two narrators had done. But,
+having some education, he wrote the stories in his native language,
+and, at my leisure, I translated them. The translation is literal,
+except when the short phrases, clear to native thought, would have
+been an imperfect sentence to an English eye; or, where an allusion
+to well-known native customs, perfectly obvious to a native, would
+have been obscure to most readers. In such cases, I have sacrificed to
+clearness the concise native idiom. To a student of higher criticism,
+the sentences which are mine will reveal themselves. In my literal
+translations of the native, I have used very simple short words,
+mostly of Anglo-Saxon origin. In my own paraphrases, words of Latin
+origin have appeared.
+
+Some tales of this Part are of Fang origin from the Bulu Tribe of the
+interior. My Batanga friend told me he heard them from Bulu people
+visiting at the Coast, and he wrote them as they were then current on
+the coast. After I had translated them from his Banâkâ vernacular,
+I found, and pointed out to him, that some of them had already been
+printed in Fang, as specimens of Bulu idioms, in a published Grammar
+of the Bulu-Fang Language ("Handbook of Bulu, by G. S. Bates"). This
+explanation is proper to be made, that while, unknown to me, Mr. Bates
+was collecting direct from his Bulu informants in the interior,
+my Batanga friend had collected for me, from his Bulu visitors; and
+the tales were in my possession, translated into English by myself,
+before I saw Mr. Bates' book, or even knew of its existence.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 1
+
+CANDOR
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Ngiya (Gorilla)
+    Ingenda (A Small Monkey)
+
+
+
+Gorilla, among all Beasts, was derided and jeered at by them. They
+called him "Broken-face."
+
+So, he spoke to Ingenda of the Monkey Tribe, and ordered it, "Just
+examine for me this face of mine; whether it is really so, you
+tell me." The monkey was afraid to refuse, and afraid also to tell
+the truth. So it ascended a tree; and, as it went, it plucked the
+fruits. It said to Gorilla, "I must first eat before answering your
+question; I feel hungry." (As an excuse to give itself time to escape.)
+
+So Ingenda went; and, by the time it had eaten two of the fruits, it
+was near the tree-top. Then it called to Gorilla "Look here! with your
+face turned upward." So the Gorilla looked, with its face upward. And
+Ingenda, being in a safe place, acknowledged, "It is really so, really
+so." Gorilla was angry; but was helpless to revenge itself on Ingenda
+for its candid statement; for, he had no way by which to catch him. And
+Ingenda went off, leaping as it went from tree-top to tree-top.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 2
+
+WHICH IS THE BETTER HUNTER, AN EAGLE OR A LEOPARD?
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Mbela (Eagle)
+    Nje (Leopard)
+
+
+
+Eagle and Leopard had a discussion about obtaining prey.
+
+Eagle said, "I am the one who can surpass you in preying." Leopard
+said, "Not so! Is it not I?"
+
+Then Eagle said, "Wait; see whether you are the one to surpass me in
+preying." Thereupon he descended from above, seized a child of Leopard,
+and flew up with it to his nest.
+
+Leopard exclaimed, "Alas! what shall I do?" And he went, and went,
+walking about, coming to one place, and going to another, wishing
+to fly in order to go to the rescue of his child. He could not fly,
+for want of wings; therefore it was the other one who flew up and away.
+
+So it was that the eagle proved that he surpassed the leopard in
+seeking prey.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 3
+
+A LESSON IN EVOLUTION
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Unyunge (The Shrew-Mouse)
+    Po (A Lemur)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+The development of the Shrew's long nose, and of the Lemur's big eyes.
+
+
+
+Shrew and Lemur were neighbors in the town of Beasts. At that time,
+the Animals did not possess fire. Lemur said to Shrew, "Go! and take
+for us fire from the town of Mankind." Shrew consented, but said,
+"If I go, do not look, while I am gone, toward any other place except
+the path on which I go. Do not even wink. Watch for me."
+
+So Shrew went, and came to a Town of Men; and found that the people
+had all emigrated from that town. Yet, he went on, and on, seeking
+for fire; and for a long time found none. But, as he continued moving
+forward from house to house, he at last found a very little fire on a
+hearth. He began blowing it; and kept on blowing, and blowing; for,
+the fire did not soon ignite into a flame. He continued so long at
+this that his mouth extended forward permanently, with the blowing.
+
+Then he went back, and found Lemur faithfully watching with his eyes
+standing very wide open. Shrew asked him, "What has made your eyes
+so big?" In return, Lemur asked him, "What has so lengthened your
+mouth to a snout?"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 4
+
+PARROT STANDING ON ONE LEG
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Njâku (Elephant)
+    Koho (Parrot)
+    Iwedo (Death)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+In former times, in the days of Witchcraft, it was the custom not to
+bury a corpse until the question was settled who or what had caused
+the death. This investigation sometimes occupied several days; during
+which time decomposition was hindered by the application of salt,
+and even by drying the remains in the smoke of a fire.
+
+
+
+Elephant built his own town; and Parrot built also his.
+
+Then the children of Parrot went a-hunting every day; and when they
+came back, the town had wild meat in abundance, hida! hida!
+
+One day Elephant announced, "I must go on an excursion to the town of
+Chum Koho." He arrived there and found him, with that fashion of his,
+of standing with one leg bent up under his feathers hidden. His friend
+Elephant asked him, "Chum! what have you done to your leg?" He answered
+him (falsely), "My children have gone with it a-hunting." Elephant
+being astonished said, "On your oath?" He replied, "Truly!"
+
+Then Elephant said, "I came to see you, only to see. I'm going
+back." The other said, "Yes; very good."
+
+Elephant returned to his town, and said to his children, "Arrange
+the nets today; tomorrow for a hunt!"
+
+The next day, the children made ready. And he, ashamed that a small
+Bird should do a greater act than himself said, "Take ye a saw,
+and cut off my leg." His children did not hesitate at his command,
+as they were accustomed to implicit obedience. So, they cut it off;
+and they carried with them, as he directed, the leg, on their hunt.
+
+When they were gone, to their father Elephant came Death, saying,
+"I have arrived!" People of the town cried for help, "Come ye! Njâku
+is not well!" But, the children were beyond hearing, being still away
+at the hunt. During their absence, Elephant died. When they arrived,
+they found their father a corpse.
+
+People wondered, saying, "What is this? Since we were born, we have
+not heard this, that hunting is carried on with the legs of one who
+remains behind in the town." When others, coming to the funeral, from
+other towns, asked the children, "Who was the person who counseled
+you such advice as that?" they said, "Himself it was who told us;
+he said to us 'Cut.' So we cut."
+
+Then, on farther investigation, the people said, "The blame belongs
+to Koho," so, they called Parrot to account. But, Parrot said, "It
+is not mine. I did not tell him to cut off his leg." So, the charge
+was dismissed. And the burial proceeded.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 5
+
+A QUESTION OF RIGHT OF INHERITANCE
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Utati-Mboka (A Sparrow)
+    Koho (Parrot)
+    A Man
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Sparrow based his claim on the grounds of companionship, and community
+of interests.
+
+
+
+Parrot's claim is based on a very common line of argument in native
+disputes not only about property, but in all questions of liability.
+
+Parrot and Sparrow argued about their right to inherit the property
+that a Man had left.
+
+The Sparrow said, "The Man and I lived all our days in the same
+town. If he moved, I also moved. Our interests were similar. At
+whatever place he went to live, there also I stood in the street."
+
+The Parrot spoke, and based his claim on the ground that he was
+the original cause of the Man's wealth. He said, "I was born in the
+tree-tops; then the Man came and took me, to live with him.
+
+"When my tail began to grow, he and his people took my feathers; With
+which they made a handsome head-dress; Which they sold for very many
+goods; With which they bought a wife; And that woman bore daughters;
+Who, for much money, were sold into marriages; And their children
+also bore other children; Wherefore, for that reason, it is that I
+say that I caused for them all these women, and was the foundation
+of all this wealth."
+
+This was what Parrot declared.
+
+So, the people decided, "Koho is the source of those things." And he
+was allowed to inherit.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 6
+
+TORTOISE COVERS HIS IGNORANCE
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Iheli (Gazelle)
+    Nje (Leopard)
+    A Vine
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+It is customary for men to do some service for their fathers and
+mothers-in-law.
+
+
+
+Tortoise arose and went to the town of his father-in-law
+Leopard. Leopard sent him on an errand, saying, "Go, and cut for me
+utamba-mwa-Ivâtâ." (The fiber of a vine is used for making nets.)
+
+Then he went. But, while he still remembered the object, he forgot
+the name of the kind of Vine that was used for that purpose. And he
+was ashamed to confess his ignorance. So, he came back to call the
+people of the town, and said, "Come ye and help me! I have enclosed
+Iheli in a thicket."
+
+The people came, and at once they made a circle around the spot. But
+when they closed in, they saw no beasts there.
+
+Then Tortoise called out, "Let someone of you cut for me,
+utamba-mwa-Ivâtâ." (As if that was the only thing needed to catch
+the animal which he had said was there.)
+
+Thereupon, his brother-in-law cut for him a vine which he brought
+to him, saying, "Here is an Ihenga vine which we use for making
+nets." Whereupon Tortoise exclaimed, "Is it possible that it was the
+Ihenga vine that I mistook?"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 7
+
+A QUESTION AS TO AGE
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Asanze (A Shrike)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    And other Animals
+        Njâbâ (Civet)
+        Uhingi (Genet)
+        Edubu (Snake)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Differences in age as revealed by differences in taste for food.
+
+
+
+Shrike was a blacksmith. So, all the Beasts went to the forge at
+his town. Each day, when they had finished at the anvil, they took
+all their tools and laid them on the ground (as pledges). Before
+they should go back to their towns, they would say to the Bird,
+"Show us which is the eldest, and then you give us the things, if
+you are able to decide our question."
+
+He looked at and examined them; but he did not know, for they were
+all apparently of the same age; and they went away empty-handed,
+leaving their tools as a challenge. Every day it was that same way.
+
+On another day, Tortoise being a friend of the Bird, started to go to
+work for him at the bellows. Also, he cooked three bundles of food;
+one of Civet with the entrails of a red Antelope; and one of Genet;
+and one of an Edubu-Snake. (Suited for different tastes and ages.) Then
+he blew at the bellows.
+
+When the others were hungry at meal time, Tortoise took up the
+jomba-bundles; and he said, "Come ye! take up this jomba of Njâbâ
+with the entrails, and eat." (They were the old ones who chose to
+come and eat it.)
+
+Again Tortoise said, "Come ye! take up the jomba of Uhingi." (They
+were the younger men who chose to pick it up and eat it.)
+
+He then took up the jomba of the Snake. And he said, "Come ye! and
+take of the jomba of Edubu." (Those who took it were the youngest.)
+
+After awhile they all finished their work at the bellows. They still
+left their tools lying on the ground, and came near to the Bird,
+and they said, as on other occasions, "Show us who is the eldest."
+
+Then Tortoise at the request of the Bird, announced the decision,
+as if it was its own, "Ye who ate of the Njâbâ are the ones who are
+oldest; ye who ate of Uhingi are the ones who are younger men; and
+ye who ate of the Edubu are the ones who are the youngest."
+
+So, they assented to the decision, and took away their belongings.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 8
+
+ABUNDANCE: A PLAY ON THE MEANING OF A WORD
+
+
+Persons
+
+    A Hunter; Man
+    Mbindi (Wild Goat)
+    A Dwarf, with Magic-Power
+    Bwinge (Abundance, or "More")
+    Ngweya (Hog)
+    Ungumba (Riches)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+The Man's patience finally brought to him the Plenty which was
+promised him.
+
+"Bwinge" might be the name of a person or of a thing; or, it could
+be the "abundance" for which the hunter hoped.
+
+
+
+There was a certain Man who was very poor; he had no goods with which
+to buy a wife. He went one day into the forest to set snares. On the
+morrow, he went off to examine them; and found a Wild-Goat caught in
+the snares. He rejoiced and said, "I must eat Mbindi today!"
+
+But the Wild-Goat said to that Man, "Let me alone, Bwinge is coming
+after awhile."
+
+So, the Man, thinking that "Bwinge" was the name of some other and
+more desirable animal, at once let the Wild-Goat loose, and went off
+to his town. On the next day, the Man went to examine the snare,
+to see whether Bwinge was there, and found Hog caught fast in the
+net. And he exclaimed, "I must eat Ngweya today!"
+
+But the Hog said, "Let me go. Bwinge is coming." The man at once left
+the Hog, (still thinking that many more were coming); and it went away.
+
+The Man wondered, and said to himself, "What Thing is it that is named
+'Bwinge'?"
+
+On another day, he went to set his snare. He found there a dwarf child
+of a Human Being; and, in anger, he said, "You are the one who has
+caused me to send away the beasts? Is it possible that you are he who
+is 'Bwinge'? I shall kill you." But the dwarf said, "No! don't kill
+me. I will call Ungumba for you." So, the Man said, "Call in a hurry!"
+
+The Dwarf ordered, "Let guns come!" And they at once came. (This
+was done by the Dwarf's Magic-Power.) The Man again said, "Call,
+in a hurry!" The Dwarf called for women; and they came. The Man
+again said to him, "Call for Goats, in a hurry!" And they came,
+with abundance of other things.
+
+Then the Man freed him, and said to him, "Go!"
+
+The Man also went his way with his riches. And he became a great
+man. This was because of his patient waiting.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 9
+
+AN OATH, WITH A MENTAL RESERVATION
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Ibembe (Dove)
+    Nje (Leopard)
+    Ngando (Crocodile)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Covenants among natives are made under oath, by the two parties
+eating together of some fetish-mixture, called a "Medicine"; which,
+being connected with some Spirit, is supposed to be able to punish
+any infraction of the covenant.
+
+Because Dove "abused" Leopard, that is, deceived him, the dove no
+longer builds its nest on the ground, through fear of leopards.
+
+
+
+Dove was building in a tree-trunk by a river, because it preferred
+to walk on the ground. And Crocodile just then emerged from the river
+to the bank, and lay on his log where he usually rested.
+
+They two said, "Let us eat a Medicine-charm."
+
+So, Dove agreed, and swore, saying, "I say to you that, when anything
+at all shall happen openly, if I do not tell it to you, then may this
+Medicine find me out and kill me." Crocodile also uttered his oath,
+"When whatever thing shall come out from the river onto the ground, if
+I do not tell it to you, this Medicine must find me out and kill me!"
+
+When they had finished their Covenant, Crocodile returned to his
+hollow in the ground by the river. Dove also arose, and went away,
+walking to his place. Then he and Leopard suddenly met, on the path.
+
+Leopard asked, "Are you able to see Ngando for me? I want to eat
+it." Dove answered, "Ah! would that you and I were living in one place
+with an Agreement!" Leopard replied, "Come then! let us, I and you,
+eat a Medicine."
+
+So Leopard began. He said as his oath: "Anything at all that shall come
+to my place where I dwell, if I be there, and it wants to get hold of
+you, if I tell it not to you, let this Medicine find and certainly
+kill me!" Dove also with his oath, said, "If I see Ngando, and I do
+not tell you, let this Medicine find me and certainly kill me!"
+
+So, they made their promise; then they separated; and each one went
+to his own village.
+
+Thus Dove and Leopard ate their kind of "Medicine," after Dove and
+Crocodile had already eaten theirs.
+
+Then, one day, Crocodile came out from the river. Dove at once began
+to tell Leopard, saying, "He has emerged from the river and is about
+to settle on the log!" So, Leopard began slowly to come, and watching
+Crocodile, as he came. When he was near, in his advance, Dove spoke,
+telling Crocodile, and said, "Your watcher! Your watcher is coming! Do
+not approach here!"
+
+Thereat, Crocodile slipped back into the water.
+
+The next time that Dove and Leopard met, Leopard demanded, "What is
+this you have done to me? You swore to me this: 'If I see Crocodile I
+will tell you; and you must come catch him.' Now, as soon as you saw
+me, you turned around, and told Crocodile, 'Fall into the River!' You
+have mocked me!"
+
+And Leopard grew very angry.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 10
+
+THE TREACHERY OF TORTOISE
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Mbâmâ (Boa Constrictor)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Nje (Leopard)
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+Observe the cannibalism of the story.
+
+
+
+Leopard married a wife. After awhile she was about to become a mother.
+
+Boa also married a wife; and, after awhile, she also, was about to
+become a mother.
+
+In a short time, like the drinking of a draught of water, the
+month passed, both for Leopard's wife and for Boa's wife also. Then
+Boa's wife said, "It is time for the birth!" So she gave birth to a
+child. And she lay down on her mother's bed. When they were about to
+cook food for her, she said, "I want to eat nothing but Nje!"
+
+The next day, the wife of Leopard said, "It is time for the birth!" And
+she also gave birth to a child. Food was given to her. But she said,
+"I am wanting only Mbâmâ!"
+
+When told of his wife's wish, Boa said, "What shall I do? Where shall
+I go? Where shall I find Mangwata?" (A nickname for Leopard.) Also,
+Leopard said, in regard to his wife's wish, "Where shall I find
+Mbâmâ?" Then Leopard went walking, on and on, and looking. He met
+with Manima-ma-Evosolo (a nickname for Tortoise). Leopard asked him,
+"Can you catch me Mbâmâ?" Manima said, "What's that?" And he laughed,
+Kye! Kye! Kye; and said, "That is as easy as play." Leopard said,
+"Chum, please do such a thing for me." And Tortoise said, "Very good!"
+
+When they separated, and Tortoise was about to go a little
+further on ahead, at once he met with Boa. And Boa asked him,
+"Chum! Manima-ma-Evosolo! Where have you come from?" Tortoise answered,
+"I have come, going on an excursion." Boa asked to Tortoise, "But,
+could you catch me Nje?" He replied, "That is a little thing." Then
+Boa begged him, "Please, since my wife has born a child, she has not
+eaten anything. She says she wants to eat only Nje."
+
+Tortoise returned back at once to his village. He called to the
+people of his village, saying, "Come ye! to make for me a pit." They
+at once went, and dug a pit. When they had finished it, Tortoise went
+to Leopard, and said to him, "Come on!"
+
+Leopard at once started on the journey (thinking he was going to get
+Boa). When they came to the place of the pit, Leopard fell suddenly
+into it headlong, volomu! He called to Tortoise, saying, "Chum! Where
+is Mbâmâ?" (Leopard did not understand that he was being deceived.)
+
+Tortoise did not reply, but started off clear to the village of
+Boa. He said to Boa, "Come on!" Boa did not doubt at all that he was
+going to get Leopard. He started, and went with Tortoise towards the
+pit. When he was passing near the spot, Boa fell headlong into the pit,
+volumu! And Leopard exclaimed, "Ah! now, what is this?"
+
+Tortoise only said to them, "You yourselves can kill each other."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TALE 11
+
+A CHAIN OF CIRCUMSTANCES
+
+
+Persons
+
+    Etanda (Cockroach)
+    Kudu (Tortoise)
+    Kuba (Chicken)
+    Uhingi (Genet)
+    Nje (Leopard)
+    A Man
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+A Cause, from which came the enmity between Leopards, and other wild
+animals, and Mankind.
+
+Observe the resemblance to "The House that Jack Built."
+
+
+
+Tortoise was a blacksmith, and allowed other people to use his
+bellows. Cockroach had a spear that was known of by all people and
+things. One day, he went to the smithy at the village of Tortoise. When
+he started to work the bellows, as he looked out in the street, he
+saw Chicken coming; and he said to Tortoise, "I'm afraid of Kuba,
+that he will catch me. What shall I do?" So Tortoise told him,
+"Go! and hide yourself off there in the grass." At once he hid himself.
+
+Then arrived Chicken, and he, observing a spear lying on the ground,
+asked Tortoise, "Is not this Etanda's Spear?" Tortoise assented,
+"Yes, do you want him?" And Chicken said, "Yes, where is he?" So
+Tortoise said, "He hid himself in the grass on the ground yonder;
+catch him." Then Chicken went and caught Cockroach, and swallowed him.
+
+When Chicken was about to go away to return to his place, Tortoise said
+to him, "Come back! work for me this fine bellows!" As Chicken, willing
+to return a favor, was about to stand at it, he looked around and
+saw Genet coming in the street. Chicken said to Tortoise, "Alas! I'm
+afraid that Uhingi will see me, where shall I go?" So, Tortoise says,
+"Go! and hide!" Chicken did so. When Genet came, he, seeing the spear,
+asked, "Is it not so that this is Etanda's Spear?" Tortoise replied,
+"Yes." Genet asked him, "Where is Etanda?" He replied, "Chicken has
+swallowed him." Genet inquired, "And where is Chicken?" Tortoise
+showed him the place where Chicken was hidden. And Genet went and
+caught and ate Chicken.
+
+When Genet was about to go, Tortoise called to him, "No! come! to
+work this fine bellows." Genet set to work; but, when he looked into
+the street, he hesitated; for, he saw Leopard coming. Genet said to
+Tortoise, "I must go, lest Nje should see me!" Then Tortoise said,
+"Go! and hide in the grass." So, Genet hid himself in the grass.
+
+Leopard, having arrived and wondering about the Spear, asked Tortoise,
+"Is it not so that this is the Spear of Etanda?" Tortoise answered,
+"Yes." Then Leopard asked, "Where is Etanda?" Tortoise replied, "Kuba
+has swallowed him." "And, where is Kuba?" Tortoise answered, "Uhingi
+has eaten him." Then Leopard asked, "Where then is Uhingi?" Tortoise
+asked, "Do you want him? Go and catch him! He is hidden yonder
+there." Then Leopard caught and killed Genet.
+
+Leopard was going away, but Tortoise told him, "Wait! come! to work
+this fine bellows." When Leopard was about to comply, he looked around
+the street, and he saw a Human Being coming with a gun carried on
+his shoulder. Leopard exclaimed, "Kudu-O! I do not want to see a Man,
+let me go!" Then Tortoise said to him, "Go! and hide." Leopard did so.
+
+When the Man had come, and he saw the Spear of Cockroach, he inquired,
+"Is it not so that this is Cockroach's wonderful Spear?" Tortoise
+answered, "Yes."
+
+And the Man asked, "Where then is Cockroach?" Tortoise answered,
+"Kuba has swallowed him."
+
+Man asked, "And where is Chicken?" Tortoise answered, "Uhingi has
+eaten him."
+
+Man asked, "And where is Genet?" Tortoise answered, "Nje has killed
+him."
+
+Man asked, "And where is Leopard?" Tortoise did not at once reply;
+and Man asked again, "Where is Leopard?" The Tortoise said, "Do you
+want him? Go! and catch him. He had hidden himself over there."
+
+Then the Man went and shot Leopard,
+
+Who had killed Genet,
+
+Who had eaten Chicken,
+
+Who had swallowed Cockroach,
+
+Who owned the wonderful Spear,
+
+At the smithy of Tortoise.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+INDEX
+
+of Names of Animals, etc., among Certain Tribes on the West African
+Equator.
+
+
+==================+=============+===========+===========+=========+=========
+ENGLISH           | BENGA       | MPONGWE   | BAPUKU    | KOMBE   | FANG
+------------------+-------------+-----------+-----------+---------+---------
+Adder             | Edubu       |           |           |         |
+Ant, red          | Kedi        |           |           |         |
+Ant, black        | Hako        |           |           |         |
+Antelope          | Vyâdu       | Nkambi    | Vyâdu     |         |
+Antelope,         |             |           |           |         |
+  tragelephas     | Mbalanga    |           |           |         |
+Antelope, red     | Ehibo       | { Njivo   | Ehibo     |         |
+                  |             | { Eziwo   |           |         |
+Bat               | Ndemi       |           |           |         |
+Beast             | Tito        | Nyama     |           |         |
+Bird              | Inâni       | Nyâni     | Inâni     |         |
+Boa Constrictor   | Mbâmâ       | Mbâmâ     | Mbâmâ     |         |
+Chameleon         | Yongolokodi |           |           |         |
+Chicken           | Kuba        | Njâgâni   | Kuba      |         | Ku
+Chimpanzee        | Kwiya       |           |           |         |
+Civet             | Njâbâ       |           |           |         |
+Cockroach         | Etanda      |           |           |         | Fefaye
+Crab              | Jâmbâ       | Igâmbâ    | Jâmbâ     |         |
+Crocodile         | Ngando      | Ngando    | Ngando    |         | Ngane
+Dog               | Mbwa        | Mbwa      | Mbwa      |         |
+Dove              | Ibembe      |           |           |         | Yum
+Eagle             | Mbela       | Kungu     | Yungu     |         | Ndowe
+Ear               | Ditâ        | Oroi      | Itâi      |         |
+Elephant          | Njâku       | Njâgu     | Njâku     | Râku    | Yâwo
+Frog              | Jonda       | Rânge     | Eloto     |         |
+Gazelle (forest)  | Iheli       |           |           | Vizyele | Okwen
+Gazelle (prairie) | Embonda     |           |           |         |
+Genet             | Uhingi      | Osinge    | Uhingi    |         | Nsin
+Goat (domestic)   | Tomba       | Mboni     | Mbodi     |         |
+Goat (wild)       | Mbindi      | Mbinji    | Mbindi    |         | Mvin
+Gorilla           | Ngiya       | Njina     | Ngiya     |         | Nji
+Hippopotamus      | Ngubu       | Nguvu     |           |         |
+Hog               | Ngweya      | Ngowa     |           |         | Ngowe
+Igwana            | Ngâmbi      |           |           |         |
+Jackal            | Ibâbâ       |           |           |         |
+Lemur             | Po          |           |           |         | Ojam
+Leopard           | Njâ         | Njegâ     |           |         | Nje
+Lizard            | Ehelele     |           |           |         |
+Manatus           | Manga       | Manga     |           |         |
+Millepede         | Ngângâlâ    |           |           |         |
+Monkey            | Kema        | { Ingenda |           |         |
+                  |             | { Telinga |           | Tyema   | Kowe
+Mosquito          | Ikungu      | Mbo       |           |         |
+Mouse House       | Mpogo       |           | Ihuka     |         |
+Mouse, shrew      | Unyunge     |           |           |         | Mbasume
+Ox                | Nyati       | Nyare     |           |         |
+Oyster            | Itandi      | Orandi    | Itambi    |         |
+Palm-tree, oil    | Mbila       | Oyila     | Ilende    |         |
+Partridge         | Ngwayi      | Nkwani    |           |         |
+Parrot            | Koho        | Ngozyo    |           |         | Kos
+Plantain          | Ekâi        | Akândâ    |           |         |
+Porcupine         | Ngomba      |           |           |         |
+Rat (domestic)    | Etoli       |           |           |         |
+Rat (wild)        | Ko          |           |           |         |
+Sheep             | Udâmbe      | Odâmbe    |           |         |
+Shrike            | Asanze      |           |           |         | Asanze
+Snail             | Kâ          |           |           |         |
+Snail (giant)     | Idibavolo   |           |           |         |
+Snake             | Mbâmbâ      | Omwamba   |           |         |
+Sparrow           | Utatimboka  |           |           |         | Moakumba
+Squirrel          | Ihende      | Senji     | Mbala     |         |
+Sun               | Joba        | Nkombe    |           |         |
+Tortoise          | Kudu        | Ekaga     |           |         | Kulu
+Viper             | Pe          | Ompene    | Pe        |         |
+Wag-Tail          |             |           | Indondobe |         |
+------------------+-------------+-----------+-----------+---------+---------
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Where Animals Talk, by Robert Hamill Nassau
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 58900 ***