Where Animals Talk: West African Folk Lore Tales — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Where Animals Talk: West African Folk Lore Tales
John Stuart Mill · en
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.