Upon this, the father of Mbwa said, “Catch ye both of the women!” And they were bound in that self-same hour. (They had supposed that the twins had died when they had struck them in the hamlet of Mbwa’s mother.) They could not deny. In their anger, as they were led away, they called out to Mbwa, “Mbwa-O!” He assented, “Eh? What is it?” They replied in anger, for having informed on them. And they laid a curse on him, saying, “You will never speak again with the voice of a human being. You shall be a dumb beast.”

But, the people took them, to be thrown into the depth of the sea.

TALE 23

The Savior of the Animals

Persons

Njambo and Wife and Son Utigebodi Ngwayi (Partridge) The Prophet Njambi Yungu (Eagle) Etoli (Rat) Njâku (Elephant) Nyati (Ox) Kudu (Tortoise) Njâ (Leopard) Ngomba (Porcupine) Inâni (Bird)

NOTE