After due time the day of their marriage arrived, and the rich man told all his pedigree, gave a great, fat pig for the feast, and sent his bride a piece of velvet, a piece of white cloth, and a piece of satin; but the poor man could only send some fowls for the feast and give his bride one piece of ordinary cloth. After the marriage festivities were over the new wives went to live in the houses of their husbands.
Before many days had passed the younger bride committed a small fault, and her husband in his anger cut off her ears. She cried out for help, but her family could not help her, as they had consented to the marriage. In a week he was angry about some other small matter, and he cut off her nose, and the next time she vexed him with some small mistake he cut off her head. Thus she did not live long to enjoy her fine things. As for the poor husband, he said to his wife: “It is not until death comes to me that we shall separate.” Riches do not always bring with them happiness and contentment.
XXVII
Why the Chameleon cut off his own Head
One day the Frog, on going to work in her farm, left her two children in the house with plenty of food to eat. She had not been gone very long when a Chameleon arrived, and took possession of the house and the children. She dressed them with knives and bells, and made them dance. The Frog, returning from her work, found the Chameleon in her house, and when she attempted to enter, the Chameleon threatened to tread her into a pulp. The Frog went crying to the Elephant, and he, on hearing her story, promised to get the Chameleon out of the house with his large trunk, but when he went to the door of the house, the Chameleon snarled at him, and he turned and fled.
The Frog then went to the Leopard and told him of her trouble, and he said: “Don’t worry, I will quickly have her out of the house.” But no sooner did he show himself at the door than the Chameleon snarled at him, and he ran away. Thus it was with all the animals. They all boasted of what they would do, but were all afraid to do it.
As the Frog went crying she met a flock of Sparrows, and said to them: “Friend Sparrows, go and drive the Chameleon out of my house.” The Sparrows went in front of the Frog’s house, dried their drums at the fire, and as they began to dance they chanted a chorus: “Sparrows, when you dance, don’t dance with your heads on.” Some of the Sparrows then went forward, and having put their heads under their wings, they began to dance. The Chameleon, looking out of the door, saw this wonderful sight, and seeing the Sparrows dancing very nicely without any heads, she thought they had cut them off, and as she was a great dancer,[[74]] and wanted to imitate the Sparrows in their marvellous dance, she cut off her own head, and fell dead. The Frog thanked the Sparrows for their help, and went into the house to nurse her children. What the big animals could not do with all their strength the Sparrows did by their cleverness.
XXVIII
Why the Congo Robin has a Red Breast
“Kinsidikiti” is a small bird with red round its mouth and red spots on its breast. The female has no red spots on the breast, and the following is the legend accounting for the difference--