17. THE JUDGMENT OF THE BABOON.
(The original, in the Hottentot language, of this little Namaqualand Fable, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, pp. 33, 35.)
One day, it is said, the following story happened. The Mouse had torn the clothes of Itkler (the tailor), [[66]]who then went to the Baboon, and accused the Mouse with these words:—
“In this manner I come to thee:—The Mouse has torn my clothes, but will not know anything of it, and accuses the Cat; the Cat protests likewise her innocence, and says the Dog must have done it; but the Dog denies it also, and declares the Wood has done it; and the Wood throws the blame on the Fire, and says, ‘The Fire did it;’ the Fire says, ‘I have not, the Water did it;’ the Water says, ‘The Elephant tore the clothes;’ and the Elephant says, ‘The Ant tore them.’ Thus a dispute has arisen among them. Therefore I, Itkler, come to thee with this proposition: Assemble the people and try them, in order that I may get satisfaction.”
Thus he spake, and the Baboon assembled them for trial. Then they made the same excuses which had been mentioned by Itkler, each one putting the blame upon the other.
So the Baboon did not see any other way of punishing them, save through making them punish each other; he therefore said—
“Mouse, give Itkler satisfaction.”
The Mouse, however, pleaded not guilty. But the Baboon said, “Cat, bite the Mouse.” She did so.
He then put the same question to the Cat, and when [[67]]she exculpated herself, the Baboon called to the Dog, “Here, bite the Cat.”
In this manner the Baboon questioned them all, one after the other, but they each denied the charge. Then he addressed the following words to them, and said—
“Wood, beat the Dog.
Fire, burn the Wood.
Water, quench the Fire.
Elephant, drink the Water.
“Ant, bite the Elephant in his most tender parts.”
They did so, and since that day they cannot any longer agree with each other.
The Ant enters into the Elephant’s most tender parts, and bites him.
The Elephant swallows the Water.
The Water quenches the Fire.
The Fire consumes the Wood.
The Wood beats the Dog.
The Dog bites the Cat.
And the Cat the Mouse.
Through this judgment Itkler got satisfaction, and addressed the Baboon in the following manner:— “Yes! Now I am content, since I have received satisfaction, and with all my heart I thank thee, Baboon, because thou hast exercised justice on my behalf, and given me redress.” [[68]]
Then the Baboon said, “From to-day I will not any longer be called Jan, but Baboon shall be my name.”
Since that time the Baboon walks on all fours, having probably lost the privilege of walking erect through this foolish judgment.(?) [[69]]