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.)