The African moon shone big and full and yellow. The outlines of trees were dark against the sky, and the leaping flames of the fire danced higher and higher.
The people had eaten and drunk all they could hold, and now they sat in a great circle around the fire, listening as different singers chanted stories about the great Zulu hunters and warriors. Most of the stories had been told over and over, but the people always wanted to hear them again.
Only Nomusa was not surprised when Mdingi stood up and walked out into the open space. Facing his people, he began to sing in a clear strong voice:
“High in the hills roams the mighty elephant, lord of the forest;
The trees quiver as he passes, and the earth trembles under his terrible feet.”
His father looked astonished as Mdingi went on, telling of the preparations for the elephant hunt, the great care the chief took for the safety of his men. A teller of tales was greatly to be admired, and Zitu had not realized that his son possessed such talents.
All the people listened eagerly, and Nomusa’s heart swelled with pride in her brother. How thrilling it was to hear the story told so eloquently! Everyone was tense with excitement as Mdingi sang of Sihkulumi,
“the hunter with eyes like an eagle,”
who had first seen the wounded elephant in the gathering dusk. Knowing no fear, the hunter had leaped forward. But the vengeful elephant had only feigned death, and attacked the hunter.
Then came the heroic climax, and Mdingi did it full justice in his song. When he finished, the people cheered the singer loudly. They shouted, “Hau! Hau!” for their brave and kind leader. Yo! It was a day long to be remembered.