34. A FOURTH VERSION OF THE SAME FABLE.
(From Sir James E. Alexander’s “Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa,” vol. i. p. 169.)
The Moon, they say, wished to send a message to Men, and the Hare said that he would take it. “Run, then,” said the Moon, “and tell Men that as I die and am renewed, so shall they also be renewed.” But the Hare deceived Men, and said, “As I die and perish, so shall you also.”[2] [[106]]
35. A ZULU VERSION OF THE LEGEND OF THE “ORIGIN OF DEATH.”
(From Manuscript, “Zulu Legends,” No. 214 of Sir G. Grey’s Library, vol. i. part i. p. 107.)
God (Unknlunkuln) arose from beneath (the seat of the spiritual world, according to the Zulu idea), and created in the beginning[3] men, animals, and all things. He then sent for the Chameleon, and said, “Go, Chameleon, and tell Men that they shall not die.” The Chameleon went, but it walked slowly, and loitered on the way, eating of a shrub called Bukwebezane.
When it had been away some time, God sent the Salamander after it, ordering him to make haste and tell Men that they should die. The Salamander went on his way with this message, outran the Chameleon, and, arriving first where the Men were, told them that they must die. [[107]]