Tortoise asked, “You, Man, what skin is this?” Njambo answered, “Of Vyâdu. I killed him on account of this eating my Plantation.” Then Tortoise asked, “And that skin?” Njambo answered, “Of Uhingi; and I killed him for eating my Kuba.” Tortoise again asked, “And this other?” Njambo answered, “Of Njâbu; for eating my sugar-cane.”

Then Tortoise said, “There were four of us in the Plantation. What have I eaten? Tell me. If I have eaten, then I should die.” Njambo told him, “I’ve found no reason against you.” Tortoise then asked, “Then, why should I die?” So, Njambo untied Tortoise from the roof, and said to Ivenga, “Let Kudu go; for, I find no reason against him. Let him go as he pleases.”

So, Ivenga set Tortoise free; and he hasted back to his town in peace.

TALE 19

The Deceptions of Tortoise

Persons

Njâ (Leopard) Kudu (Tortoise) Ngâmbi (Igwana) Mbâmâ (Boa) Ngando (Crocodile) With Men, A Woman, and Child