“Well,” ruminated the Gazelle, “I have found a way to win my wife, for these animals will believe any foolish thing so as to possess power to kill others. I must now try a big beast.”
Again he went to the forest, but he had not gone very far into it before he met a Buffalo running. “Where are you going?” asked the Gazelle.
“I am off to look after my farm, for I have no luck in hunting,” replied the Buffalo.
“I have a strong hunting-fetish,” said the Gazelle; “but before you can use it I must cut out your heart, and roast and dry you; after that I call you back to life and teach you my fetish, which will give you plenty of hunting skill.”
“All right,” said the Buffalo; “but I am a big person and your knife will not enter my body.” With that he fell on the ground, but directly the Gazelle had thrust his knife into the body the Buffalo cried out: “Please stop! do stop!” but the Gazelle said: “Just wait a moment only,” and he pushed in the knife, and the Buffalo died. In a very short time the Buffalo’s flesh was roasted, dried and carried to the store.
In this way the Gazelle caught and roasted the Lion, the Leopard, the Elephant and all the other animals and birds of the forest. By and by he carried all the dried meat to the mother of the beautiful girl, and said to her: “My respected mother-in-law, do not be angry because I have been a long time doing the task you set me. You know all about hunting, and that it is very slow and laborious work. Sometimes one shoots and does not kill; however, here is the meat for which you sent me.” The old woman answered: “I thank you, and now you can take your wife and go your way.”
XXI
The Gazelle is at last Punished
The Leopard and the Gazelle made a large farm together, and planted maize, sugarcane, cassava and various other things. To celebrate the finishing of their big farm they desired to make a feast. The Leopard wished to buy a goat, but the Gazelle said: “A goat is not big enough, let us buy a pig.” A large pig was bought, and when it was cooked the Gazelle said: “Friend Leopard, let us go and bathe first in the river, and then return to eat our feast slowly and enjoy it.” To this the Leopard agreed.
When they reached the river’s bank each wanted the other to dive in first, but at last the Leopard jumped into the water and quickly came out again.