“It belongs to me,” answered the thin voice of Rabbit. “The little one belongs to Elephant.”
“Very fine indeed. A good cow that,” replied the people, and passed on.
Vexed and annoyed, Elephant cried angrily to Rabbit, “Why did you not answer as I told you? Now mind, do as I tell you at the next meeting with strangers.”
“Very well,” answered Rabbit, “I will try and remember.”
By-and-by they met another party going home with fowls and palm wine, who, when they came up, said, “Ah that is a fine beast, and in prime order. Whose is it?”
“It is mine,” quickly replied Rabbit, “and the little scabby heifer belongs to Elephant.”
This answer enraged Elephant, who said, “What an obstinate little fool you are. Did you not hear me ask you to say it was mine? Now, remember, you are to say so next time, or I leave you to find your own way home, because I know you are a horrible little coward.”
“Very well, I’ll do it next time,” replied Rabbit in a meek voice.
In a short time they met another crowd, which stopped when opposite to them, and the people said, “Really, that is an exceedingly fine cow. To which of you does it belong?”
“It is mine. I bought it from the Watusi,” replied Rabbit.