This story plays on the meaning of the name U-tige-bode. It is an ancient word, not now used, meaning, “He-Who-Saves-People.” In the Son’s given name; his saving of the unworthy, in response to their appeals for mercy; his bearing of his father’s wrath; his punishment on a tree; the derision of the very passers by, for whom he was to die, I think the legend echoes, even though faintly, the story of the Christ.
Njambo married two women. He begot twenty-three children. And they all died. Also one of the wives died. There were left only himself, and one wife.
The woman was old, and the man also was old. But, the woman was again to become a mother; and, at the proper time, she bore a child. The child was a male. The woman called the husband, saying, “Come! and give your boy a name.” The husband said, “The name of the child is Utigebode.”
After this, the child grew to be a large man. One day, he said to his father, “Paia! I’m going to set snares in the forest.” The father replied, “Yes! go! and catch me food!” He went. And he returned that morning. In the afternoon, he went back to examine the snares. And he found that two Partridges were caught. He exclaimed, “I’m very glad! My father shall eat one today, and the other shall be kept for tomorrow.” Then the Partridges asked him, “What is your name?” He answered, “One-Who-Saves-People.” Then the Partridges said, “If that is so, why are you about to kill us?”
On another day, in the morning, he went again to examine his snares. And he found two Antelope (Tragelephas). He was glad; and he said, “I feel very good! My father shall eat one; and the other can be cooked for another day.” The Antelopes asked him, “What’s your name?” He answered, “One-Who-Saves-People.” Again, they asked, “Why then are you about to kill us?” He replied, “That’s so! Well! go!” And he returned to town.
That afternoon he went out again, and found two Gazelles. And he said, “I’ll take these two to town at once; and my father shall eat one today, and the other tomorrow.” But the Gazelles said, “No!—you are the One-Who-Saves-People! Why then should you kill us?” So he loosed them, and let them go.
He did the same way to two Elephants. And with two Oxen. At another time he found two Tortoises. And the Tortoises spoke to him as had done the others. And on another day, he found two Leopards. And, he released the Leopards, in the same way. At another time, two Porcupines, in the same way.
One after another, almost all the Beasts were thus trapped and released. There was not one beast brought by Utigebode to his village; he freed them all.
So, his father said to him, “My child! since you have set your snares, I have not seen you bring in a single beast, even an Etoli. What are you doing? I shall change your name. For, now that I am old, it is right for you to save me, and help me with food.”