People wondered, saying, “What is this? Since we were born, we have not heard this, that hunting is carried on with the legs of one who remains behind in the town.” When others, coming to the funeral, from other towns, asked the children, “Who was the person who counseled you such advice as that?” they said, “Himself it was who told us; he said to us ‘Cut.’ So we cut.”

Then, on farther investigation, the people said, “The blame belongs to Koho,” so, they called Parrot to account. But, Parrot said, “It is not mine. I did not tell him to cut off his leg.” So, the charge was dismissed. And the burial proceeded.

TALE 5

A Question of Right of Inheritance

Persons

Utati-Mboka (A Sparrow) Koho (Parrot) A Man

NOTE