Etanda (Cockroach) Kudu (Tortoise) Kuba (Chicken) Uhingi (Genet) Njĕ (Leopard) A Man

NOTE

A Cause, from which came the enmity between Leopards, and other wild animals, and Mankind.

Observe the resemblance to “The House that Jack Built.”

Tortoise was a blacksmith, and allowed other people to use his bellows. Cockroach had a spear that was known of by all people and things. One day, he went to the smithy at the village of Tortoise. When he started to work the bellows, as he looked out in the street, he saw Chicken coming; and he said to Tortoise, “I’m afraid of Kuba, that he will catch me. What shall I do?” So Tortoise told him, “Go! and hide yourself off there in the grass.” At once he hid himself.

Then arrived Chicken, and he, observing a spear lying on the ground, asked Tortoise, “Is not this Etanda’s Spear?” Tortoise assented, “Yes, do you want him?” And Chicken said, “Yes, where is he?” So Tortoise said, “He hid himself in the grass on the ground yonder; catch him.” Then Chicken went and caught Cockroach, and swallowed him.

When Chicken was about to go away to return to his place, Tortoise said to him, “Come back! work for me this fine bellows!” As Chicken, willing to return a favor, was about to stand at it, he looked around and saw Genet coming in the street. Chicken said to Tortoise, “Alas! I’m afraid that Uhingi will see me, where shall I go?” So, Tortoise says, “Go! and hide!” Chicken did so. When Genet came, he, seeing the spear, asked, “Is it not so that this is Etanda’s Spear?” Tortoise replied, “Yes.” Genet asked him, “Where is Etanda?” He replied, “Chicken has swallowed him.” Genet inquired, “And where is Chicken?” Tortoise showed him the place where Chicken was hidden. And Genet went and caught and ate Chicken.