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?"