As she walked to the stream she was followed by a crowd of girls, all suddenly having to fetch water for their mothers. Nomusa was kept busy answering dozens of questions. The girls were especially interested in hearing about the Pygmies, and they laughed uproariously when Nomusa told about the Pygmy who had asked her if she was married.
It took much longer than usual to fetch water on this exciting day. By the time they returned, everyone was busy preparing for the evening feast in celebration of the successful hunt and the safe return of the hunters.
A huge stack of brushwood was being piled up outside the kraal to make a fire. Over this fire a bullock would be roasted, together with mealie cobs. Soon Nomusa’s brothers began returning from the pasture with their mothers’ cows. They had to return earlier today to help with the preparations for the evening.
Nomusa rushed to greet her brothers. “Oh, Mdingi, Kangata, how much I have to tell you! Put the cows in the cattlefold and hurry back!”
Soon her brothers sat beside Nomusa while she told about the snake that had swallowed the spotted deer, the fascinating Pygmies, the lions she had seen, and finally of her adventure in the pit. Her brothers listened, spellbound.
“Think if the leopard had been alive!” Kangata said, frightened at the very thought.
Nomusa smiled at him. “Here is a present for you, Kangata,” she said. “The Pygmy told me this elephant-hair necklace would bring the wearer good luck.”
Kangata put on the necklace, marveling at Nomusa’s generosity. Mdingi rose.
“Your stories are exciting, my sister,” he said. “I want to hear more soon. But now I must milk our mother’s cows.”