Little Jackal thereupon struck Lion’s wife in the face, and went back to the place where the ox was killed. Lion gave him a large piece of meat, and said: “Take this to my wife.”
Little Jackal took it to his own wife. This continued till the ox was finished. Then they both went home. When Lion arrived at his house he found there was weeping in his family. His wife said: “Is it you who sent Little Jackal to beat me and my children, and is it you who sent this shin? Did I ever eat a shin?”
When Lion heard that, he was very angry, and at once went to Little Jackal’s house. When he reached the rock. Little Jackal looked down and said: “Who are you, and what is your name, and whose son are you, and where are you from, and where are you going to, and whom do you want, and what do you want him for?”
Lion replied: “I have merely come to see you. I wish you would let the rope down.”
Little Jackal let down a rope made of mouse skins, and when Lion climbed a little way up, the rope broke, and he fell and was hurt. He then went home. [[191]]
PROVERBS AND FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONS.
The language of a Kaffir is adorned with figurative expressions, some of which are readily understood by an Englishman, but others, when literally interpreted, are to us meaningless. Such expressions, however, are found upon inquiry to refer to some circumstance in their mode of living, or some event in their traditional history, which makes the meaning very clear. A few of their commonest proverbs and figurative expressions are here given:—
Isikuni sinyuka nomkwezeli.
A brand burns him who stirs it up.