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
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!"