[When the Alo Man made the Cat and Rat noises, the listeners made them too, and there was a great deal of laughing. Nkunda’s own cat was cuddled up in the little girl’s arms, her yellow eyes shining like two little moons, and she seemed to know that this was her very own story.]
But while the Cat slept, the Rat stayed awake and thought. Suddenly he remembered that the boat itself was made of manioc. He had eaten so much while he was gnawing out the hollow that he had not wanted any more for some time, but now he said, “Good! I will eat a little more and make the hollow deeper.”
So he began—nibble, nibble, nibble!
“What is that noise?” exclaimed the Cat, waking at the sound.
But the Rat had shut his eyes and made himself as if he were fast asleep.
“I must have been dreaming,” said the Cat, and she laid her head down on her paws and went to sleep again.
The Rat began again—nibble, nibble, nibble!
“What is that noise?” cried the Cat, waking up.
But the Rat made himself seem to be fast asleep.
