Preface
Thechildrenwhoreadfairybooks,orhavefairybooksreadtothem,donotreadprefaces,andtheparents,aunts,uncles,andcousins,whogivefairybookstotheirdaughters,nieces,andcousines,leaveprefacesunread。Forwhom,then,areprefaceswritten？Whenanauthorpublishesabook\'outofhisownhead,\'hewritestheprefaceforhisownpleasure。Afterreadingoverhisbookinprint——tomakesurethatallthe\'u\'s\'arenotprintedas\'n\'s,\'andallthe\'n\'s\'as\'u\'s\'inthepropernames——thentheauthorsays,mildly,inhispreface,whathethinksabouthisownbook,andwhathemeansittoprove——ifhemeansittoproveanything——andwhyitisnotabetterbookthanitis。But,perhaps,nobodyreadsprefacesexceptotherauthors;andcritics,whohopethattheywillfindenoughintheprefacetoenablethemtodowithoutreadinganyofthebook。
Thisappearstobethephilosophyofprefacesingeneral,andperhapsauthorsmightbemoredaringandcandidthantheyarewithadvantage,andwriteregularcriticismsoftheirownbooksintheirprefaces,fornobodycanbesogoodacriticofhimselfastheauthor——ifhehasasenseofhumour。Ifhehasnot,thelesshesaysinhisprefacethebetter。
TheseFairyBooks,however,arenotwrittenbytheEditor,ashehasoftenexplained,\'outofhisownhead。\'Thestoriesaretakenfromthosetoldbygranniestograndchildreninmanycountriesandinmanylanguages——French,Italian,Spanish,Catalan,Gaelic,Icelandic,Cherokee,African,Indian,Australian,Slavonic,Eskimo,andwhatnot。
Thestoriesarenotliteral,orwordbywordtranslations,buthavebeenalteredinmanywaystomakethemsuitableforchildren。Muchhasbeenleftoutinplaces,andthenarrativehasbeenbrokenupintoconversations,thecharacterstellingeachotherhowmattersstand,andspeakingforthemselves,aschildren,andsomeolderpeople,preferthemtodo。Inmanytales,fairlycruelandsavagedeedsaredone,andthesehavebeensofteneddownasmuchaspossible;thoughitisimpossible,evenifitweredesirable,toconcealthecircumstancethatpopularstorieswereneverintendedtobetractsandnothingelse。
Thoughtheyusuallytakethesideofcourageandkindness,andthevirtuesingeneral,theoldstory—tellersadmiresuccessfulcunningasmuchasHomerdoesintheOdyssey。Atleast,ifthecunninghero,humanoranimal,istheweaker,likeOdysseus,BrerRabbit,andmanyothers,thestory—tellerseeslittleinintellectbutsuperiorcunning,bywhichtinyJackgetsthebetterofthegiants。Inthefairytalesofnocountryare\'improper\'incidentscommon,whichistothecreditofhumannature,astheywereobviouslycomposedmainlyforchildren。
Itisnotdifficulttogetridofthiselementwhenitdoesoccurinpopulartales。
Theoldpuzzleremainsapuzzle——whydothestoriesoftheremotestpeoplesocloselyresembleeachother？Ofcourse,intheimmeasurablepast,theyhavebeencarriedaboutbyconqueringraces,andlearnedbyconqueringracesfromvanquishedpeoples。Slavescarriedfarfromhomebroughttheirstorieswiththemintocaptivity。Wanderers,travellers,shipwreckedmen,merchants,andwivesstolenfromalientribeshavediffusedthestories;gipsiesandJewshavepassedthemabout;Romansoldiersofmanydifferentraces,movedhereandthereabouttheEmpire,havetraffickedinthem。Fromtheremotestdaysmenhavebeenwanderers,andwherevertheywenttheirstoriesaccompaniedthem。TheslavetrademighttakeaGreektoPersia,aPersiantoGreece;anEgyptianwomantoPhoenicia;aBabyloniantoEgypt;aScandinavianchildmightbecarriedwiththeamberfromtheBaltictotheAdriatic;
oraSidoniantoOphir,whereverOphirmayhavebeen;whilethePortuguesemayhavebornetheirtalestoSouthAfrica,ortoAsia,andthencebroughtbackothertalestoEgypt。ThestorieswanderedwherevertheBuddhistmissionarieswent,andtheearliestFrenchvoyageurstoldthemtotheRedIndians。Thesefactshelptoaccountforthesamenessofthestorieseverywhere;andtheuniformityofhumanfancyinearlysocietiesmustbethecauseofmanyotherresemblances。
InthisvolumetherearestoriesfromthenativesofRhodesia,collectedbyMr。Fairbridge,whospeaksthenativelanguage,andoneisbroughtbyMr。CrippsfromanotherpartofAfrica,Uganda。ThreetalesfromthePunjaubwerecollectedandtranslatedbyMajorCampbell。
Varioussavagetales,whichneededagooddealofediting,arederivedfromthelearnedpagesofthe\'JournaloftheAnthropologicalInstitute。\'Withtheseexceptions,and\'TheMagicBook,\'translatedbyMrs。Pedersen,from\'EventyrfraJylland,\'byMr。EwaldTangKristensen（StoriesfromJutland）,allthetaleshavebeendone,fromvarioussources,byMrs。Lang,whohasmodified,whereitseemeddesirable,allthenarratives。
CONTENTS
TheStoryoftheHeroMakomaTheMagicMirrorStoryoftheKingwhowouldseeParadiseHowIsurotheRabbittrickedGuduIan,theSoldier\'sSonTheFoxandtheWolfHowIanDireachgottheBlueFalconTheUglyDucklingTheTwoCasketsTheGoldsmith\'sFortuneTheEnchantedWreathTheFoolishWeaverTheCleverCatTheStoryofManusPinkeltheThiefTheAdventuresofaJackalTheAdventuresoftheJachal\'sEldestSonTheAdventuresoftheYoungerSonoftheJackalTheThreeTreasuresoftheGiantsTheRoverofthePlainTheWhiteDoeTheGirlFishTheOwlandtheEagleTheFrogandtheLionFairyTheAdventuresofCovantheBrown—hairedThePrincessBella—FlorTheBirdofTruthTheMinkandtheWolfAdventuresofanIndianBraveHowtheStaloswereTrickedAndrasBaiveTheWhiteSlipperTheMagicBookTheOrangeFairyBookTheStoryoftheHeroMakomaFromtheSenna（OralTradition）
Onceuponatime,atthetownofSennaonthebanksoftheZambesi,wasbornachild。Hewasnotlikeotherchildren,forhewasverytallandstrong;overhisshoulderhecarriedabigsack,andinhishandanironhammer。Hecouldalsospeaklikeagrownman,butusuallyhewasverysilent。
Onedayhismothersaidtohim:\'Mychild,bywhatnameshallweknowyou？\'
Andheanswered:\'CallalltheheadmenofSennaheretotheriver\'sbank。\'Andhismothercalledtheheadmenofthetown,andwhentheyhadcomeheledthemdowntoadeepblackpoolintheriverwhereallthefiercecrocodileslived。
\'Ogreatmen！\'hesaid,whiletheyalllistened,\'whichofyouwillleapintothepoolandovercomethecrocodiles？\'Butnoonewouldcomeforward。Soheturnedandsprangintothewateranddisappeared。
Thepeopleheldtheirbreath,fortheythought:\'Surelytheboyisbewitchedandthrowsawayhislife,forthecrocodileswilleathim！\'
Thensuddenlythegroundtrembled,andthepool,heavingandswirling,becameredwithblood,andpresentlytheboyrisingtothesurfaceswamonshore。
Buthewasnolongerjustaboy！Hewasstrongerthananymanandverytallandhandsome,sothatthepeopleshoutedwithgladnesswhentheysawhim。
\'Now,Omypeople！\'hecried,wavinghishand,\'youknowmyname——IamMakoma,\"theGreater\";forhaveInotslainthecrocodilesintothepoolwherenonewouldventure？\'
Thenhesaidtohismother:\'Restgently,mymother,forIgotomakeahomeformyselfandbecomeahero。\'Then,enteringhishuthetookNu—endo,hisironhammer,andthrowingthesackoverhisshoulder,hewentaway。
MakomacrossedtheZambesi,andformanymoonshewanderedtowardsthenorthandwestuntilhecametoaveryhillycountrywhere,oneday,hemetahugegiantmakingmountains。
\'Greeting,\'shoutedMakoma,\'youareyou？\'
\'IamChi—eswa—mapiri,whomakesthemountains,\'answeredthegiant;
\'andwhoareyou？\'
\'IamMakoma,whichsignifies\"greater,\"\'answeredhe。
\'Greaterthanwho？\'askedthegiant。
\'Greaterthanyou！\'answeredMakoma。
Thegiantgavearoarandrusheduponhim。Makomasaidnothing,butswinginghisgreathammer,Nu—endo,hestruckthegiantuponthehead。
Hestruckhimsohardablowthatthegiantshrankintoquitealittleman,whofelluponhiskneessaying:\'YouareindeedgreaterthanI,O
Makoma;takemewithyoutobeyourslave！\'SoMakomapickedhimupanddroppedhimintothesackthathecarrieduponhisback。
Hewasgreaterthanevernow,forallthegiant\'sstrengthhadgoneintohim;andheresumedhisjourney,carryinghisburdenwithaslittledifficultyasaneaglemightcarryahare。
Beforelonghecametoacountrybrokenupwithhugestonesandimmenseclodsofearth。Lookingoveroneoftheheapshesawagiantwrappedindustdraggingouttheveryearthandhurlingitinhandfulsoneithersideofhim。
\'Whoareyou,\'criedMakoma,\'thatpullsuptheearthinthisway？\'
\'IamChi—dubula—taka,\'saidhe,\'andIammakingtheriver—beds。\'
\'DoyouknowwhoIam？\'saidMakoma。\'Iamhethatiscalled\"greater\"！\'
\'Greaterthanwho？\'thunderedthegiant。
\'Greaterthanyou！\'answeredMakoma。
Withashout,Chi—dubula—takaseizedagreatclodofearthandlauncheditatMakoma。Buttheherohadhissackheldoverhisleftarmandthestonesandearthfellharmlesslyuponit,and,tightlygrippinghisironhammer,herushedinandstruckthegianttotheground。
Chi—dubula—takagrovelledbeforehim,allthewhilegrowingsmallerandsmaller;andwhenhehadbecomeaconvenientsizeMakomapickedhimupandputhimintothesackbesideChi—eswa—mapiri。
Hewentonhiswayevengreaterthanbefore,asalltheriver—maker\'spowerhadbecomehis;andatlasthecametoaforestofbao—babsandthorntrees。Hewasastonishedattheirsize,foreveryonewasfullgrownandlargerthananytreeshehadeverseen,andclosebyhesawChi—gwisa—miti,thegiantwhowasplantingtheforest。
Chi—gwisa—mitiwastallerthaneitherofhisbrothers,butMakomawasnotafraid,andcalledouttohim:\'Whoareyou,OBigOne？\'
\'I,\'saidthegiant,\'amChi—gwisa—miti,andIamplantingthesebao—babsandthornsasfoodformychildrentheelephants。\'
\'Leaveoff！\'shoutedthehero,\'forIamMakoma,andwouldliketoexchangeablowwiththee！\'
Thegiant,pluckingupamonsterbao—babbytheroots,struckheavilyatMakoma;buttheherosprangaside,andastheweaponsankdeepintothesoftearth,whirledNu—endothehammerroundhisheadandfelledthegiantwithoneblow。
SoterriblewasthestrokethatChi—gwisa—mitishrivelledupastheothergiantshaddone;andwhenhehadgotbackhisbreathhebeggedMakomatotakehimashisservant。\'For,\'saidhe,\'itishonourabletoserveamansogreatasthou。\'
Makoma,afterplacinghiminhissack,proceededuponhisjourney,andtravellingformanydaysheatlastreachedacountrysobarrenandrockythatnotasinglelivingthinggrewuponit——everywherereignedgrimdesolation。Andinthemidstofthisdeadregionhefoundamaneatingfire。
\'Whatareyoudoing？\'demandedMakoma。
\'Iameatingfire,\'answeredtheman,laughing;\'andmynameisChi—idea—moto,forIamtheflame—spirit,andcanwasteanddestroywhatIlike。\'
\'Youarewrong,\'saidMakoma;\'forIamMakoma,whois\"greater\"thanyou——andyoucannotdestroyme！\'
Thefire—eaterlaughedagain,andblewaflameatMakoma。Buttheherosprangbehindarock——justintime,forthegrounduponwhichhehadbeenstandingwasturnedtomoltenglass,likeanoverbakedpot,bytheheatoftheflame—spirit\'sbreath。
ThentheheroflunghisironhammeratChi—idea—moto,and,strikinghim,itknockedhimhelpless;soMakomaplacedhiminthesack,Woro—nowu,withtheothergreatmenthathehadovercome。
Andnow,truly,Makomawasaverygreathero;forhehadthestrengthtomakehills,theindustrytoleadriversoverdrywastes,foresightandwisdominplantingtrees,andthepowerofproducingfirewhenhewished。
Wanderingonhearrivedonedayatagreatplain,wellwateredandfullofgame;andintheverymiddleofit,closetoalargeriver,wasagrassyspot,verypleasanttomakeahomeupon。
Makomawassodelightedwiththelittlemeadowthathesatdownunderalargetreeandremovingthesackfromhisshoulder,tookoutallthegiantsandsetthembeforehim。\'Myfriends,\'saidhe,\'Ihavetravelledfarandamweary。Isnotthissuchaplaceaswouldsuitaheroforhishome？Letusthengo,to—morrow,tobringintimbertomakeakraal。\'
SothenextdayMakomaandthegiantssetouttogetpolestobuildthekraal,leavingonlyChi—eswa—mapiritolookaftertheplaceandcooksomevenisonwhichtheyhadkilled。Intheevening,whentheyreturned,theyfoundthegianthelplessandtiedtoatreebyoneenormoushair！
\'Howisit,\'saidMakoma,astonished,\'thatwefindyouthusboundandhelpless？\'
\'OChief,\'answeredChi—eswa—mapiri,\'atmid—dayamancameoutoftheriver;hewasofimmensestatue,andhisgreymoustacheswereofsuchlengththatIcouldnotseewheretheyended！Hedemandedofme\"Whoisthymaster？\"AndIanswered:\"Makoma,thegreatestofheroes。\"Thenthemanseizedme,andpullingahairfromhismoustache,tiedmetothistree——evenasyouseeme。\'
Makomawasverywroth,buthesaidnothing,anddrawinghisfinger—nailacrossthehair（whichwasasthickandstrongaspalmrope）cutit,andsetfreethemountain—maker。
Thethreefollowingdaysexactlythesamethinghappened,onlyeachtimewithadifferentoneoftheparty;andonthefourthdayMakomastayedincampwhentheotherswenttocutpoles,sayingthathewouldseeforhimselfwhatsortofmanthiswasthatlivedintheriverandwhosemoustachesweresolongthattheyextendedbeyondmen\'ssight。
Sowhenthegiantshadgonehesweptandtidiedthecampandputsomevenisononthefiretoroast。Atmidday,whenthesunwasrightoverhead,heheardarumblingnoisefromtheriver,andlookinguphesawtheheadandshouldersofanenormousmanemergingfromit。Andbehold！rightdowntheriver—bedanduptheriver—bed,tilltheyfadedintothebluedistance,stretchedthegiant\'sgreymoustaches！
\'Whoareyou？\'bellowedthegiant,assoonashewasoutofthewater。
\'IamhethatiscalledMakoma,\'answeredthehero;\'and,beforeIslaythee,tellmealsowhatisthynameandwhatthoudoestintheriver？\'
\'MynameisChin—debouMau—giri,\'saidthegiant。\'Myhomeisintheriver,formymoustacheisthegreyfever—mistthathangsabovethewater,andwithwhichIbindallthosethatcomeuntomesothattheydie。\'
\'Youcannotbindme！\'shoutedMakoma,rushinguponhimandstrikingwithhishammer。Buttherivergiantwassoslimythattheblowslidharmlesslyoffhisgreenchest,andasMakomastumbledandtriedtoregainhisbalance,thegiantswungoneofhislonghairsaroundhimandtrippedhimup。
ForamomentMakomawashelpless,butrememberingthepoweroftheflame—spiritwhichhadenteredintohim,hebreathedafierybreathuponthegiant\'shairandcuthimselffree。
AsChin—debouMau—girileanedforwardtoseizehimtheheroflunghissackWoronowuoverthegiant\'sslipperyhead,andgrippinghisironhammer,struckhimagain;thistimetheblowalighteduponthedrysackandChin—debouMau—girifelldead。
Whenthefourgiantsreturnedatsunsetwiththepoles,theyrejoicedtofindthatMakomahadovercomethefever—spirit,andtheyfeastedontheroastvenisontillfarintothenight;butinthemorning,whentheyawoke,Makomawasalreadywarminghishandstothefire,andhisfacewasgloomy。
\'Inthedarknessofthenight,Omyfriends,\'hesaidpresently,\'thewhitespiritsofmyfatherscameuponmeandspoke,saying:\"Gettheehence,Makoma,forthoushalthavenorestuntilthouhastfoundandfoughtwithSakatirina,whohadfiveheads,andisverygreatandstrong;sotakeleaveofthyfriends,forthoumustgoalone。\"\'
Thenthegiantswereverysad,andbewailedthelossoftheirhero;butMakomacomfortedthem,andgavebacktoeachthegiftshehadtakenfromthem。Thenbiddingthem\'Farewell,\'hewentonhisway。
Makomatravelledfartowardsthewest;overroughmountainsandwater—loggedmorasses,fordingdeeprivers,andtrampingfordaysacrossdrydesertswheremostmenwouldhavedied,untilatlengthhearrivedatahutstandingnearsomelargepeaks,andinsidethehutweretwobeautifulwomen。
\'Greeting！\'saidthehero。\'IsthisthecountryofSakatirinaoffiveheads,whomIamseeking？\'
\'Wegreetyou,OGreatOne！\'answeredthewomen。\'WearethewivesofSakatirina;yoursearchisatanend,fortherestandshewhomyouseek！\'AndtheypointedtowhatMakomahadthoughtweretwotallmountainpeaks。\'Thosearehislegs,\'theysaid;\'hisbodyyoucannotsee,foritishiddenintheclouds。\'
Makomawasastonishedwhenhebeheldhowtallwasthegiant;but,nothingdaunted,hewentforwarduntilhereachedoneofSakatirina\'slegs,whichhestruckheavilywithNu—endo。Nothinghappened,sohehitagainandthenagainuntil,presently,heheardatired,far—awayvoicesaying:\'Whoisitthatscratchesmyfeet？\'
AndMakomashoutedasloudashecould,answering:\'ItisI,Makoma,whoiscalled\"Greater\"！\'Andhelistened,buttherewasnoanswer。
ThenMakomacollectedallthedeadbrushwoodandtreesthathecouldfind,andmakinganenormouspileroundthegiant\'slegs,setalighttoit。
Thistimethegiantspoke;hisvoicewasveryterrible,foritwastherumbleofthunderintheclouds。\'Whoisit,\'hesaid,\'makingthatfiresmoulderaroundmyfeet？\'
\'ItisI,Makoma！\'shoutedthehero。\'AndIhavecomefromfarawaytoseethee,OSakatirina,forthespiritsofmyfathersbademegoseekandfightwiththee,lestIshouldgrowfat,andwearyofmyself。\'
Therewassilenceforawhile,andthenthegiantspokesoftly:\'Itisgood,OMakoma！\'hesaid。\'ForItoohavegrownweary。ThereisnomansogreatasI,thereforeIamallalone。Guardthyself！\'andbendingsuddenlyheseizedtheheroinhishandsanddashedhimupontheground。Andlo！insteadofdeath,Makomahadfoundlife,forhesprangtohisfeetmightierinstrengthandstaturethanbefore,andrushinginhegrippedthegiantbythewaistandwrestledwithhim。
Hourbyhourtheyfought,andmountainsrolledbeneaththeirfeetlikepebblesinaflood;nowMakomawouldbreakaway,andsummoninguphisstrength,strikethegiantwithNu—endohisironhammer,andSakatirinawouldpluckupthemountainsandhurlthemuponthehero,butneitheronecouldslaytheother。Atlast,uponthesecondday,theygrappledsostronglythattheycouldnotbreakaway;buttheirstrengthwasfailing,and,justasthesunwassinking,theyfelltogethertotheground,insensible。
Inthemorningwhentheyawoke,MulimotheGreatSpiritwasstandingbythem;andhesaid:\'OMakomaandSakatirina！Yeareheroessogreatthatnomanmaycomeagainstyou。Thereforeyewillleavetheworldandtakeupyourhomewithmeintheclouds。\'AndashespaketheheroesbecameinvisibletothepeopleoftheEarth,andwerenomoreseenamongthem。
[NativeRhodesianTale。]
TheMagicMirrorFromtheSennaAlong,longwhileago,beforeevertheWhiteMenwereseeninSenna,therelivedamancalledGopani—Kufa。
Oneday,ashewasouthunting,hecameuponastrangesight。Anenormouspythonhadcaughtanantelopeandcoileditselfaroundit;theantelope,strikingoutindespairwithitshorns,hadpinnedthepython\'snecktoatree,andsodeeplyhaditshornssunkinthesoftwoodthatneithercreaturecouldgetaway。
\'Help！\'criedtheantelope,\'forIwasdoingnoharm,yetIhavebeencaught,andwouldhavebeeneaten,hadInotdefendedmyself。\'
\'Helpme,\'saidthepython,\'forIamInsato,KingofalltheReptiles,andwillrewardyouwell！\'
Gopani—Kufaconsideredforamoment,thenstabbingtheantelopewithhisassegai,hesetthepythonfree。
\'Ithankyou,\'saidthepython;\'comebackherewiththenewmoon,whenIshallhaveeatentheantelope,andIwillrewardyouasIpromised。\'
\'Yes,\'saidthedyingantelope,\'hewillrewardyou,andlo！yourrewardshallbeyourownundoing！\'
Gopani—Kufawentbacktohiskraal,andwiththenewmoonhereturnedagaintothespotwherehehadsavedthepython。
Insatowaslyingupontheground,stillsleepyfromtheeffectsofhishugemeal,andwhenhesawthemanhethankedhimagain,andsaid:
\'ComewithmenowtoPita,whichismyowncountry,andIwillgiveyouwhatyouwillofallmypossessions。\'
Gopani—Kufaatfirstwasafraid,thinkingofwhattheantelopehadsaid,butfinallyheconsentedandfollowedInsatointotheforest。
Forseveraldaystheytravelled,andatlasttheycametoaholeleadingdeepintotheearth。Itwasnotverywide,butlargeenoughtoadmitaman。\'Holdontomytail,\'saidInsato,\'andIwillgodownfirst,drawingyouafterme。\'Themandidso,andInsatoentered。
Down,down,downtheywentfordays,allthewhilegettingdeeperanddeeperintotheearth,untilatlastthedarknessendedandtheydroppedintoabeautifulcountry;aroundthemgrewshortgreengrass,onwhichbrowsedherdsofcattleandsheepandgoats。InthedistanceGopani—Kufasawagreatcollectionofhousesallsquare,builtofstoneandverytall,andtheirroofswereshiningwithgoldandburnishediron。
Gopani—KufaturnedtoInsato,butfound,intheplaceofthepython,aman,strongandhandsome,withthegreatsnake\'sskinwrappedroundhimforcovering;andonhisarmsandneckwereringsofpuregold。
Themansmiled。\'IamInsato,\'saidhe,\'butinmyowncountryItakeman\'sshape——evenasyouseeme——forthisisPita,thelandoverwhichIamking。\'HethentookGopani—Kufabythehandandledhimtowardsthetown。
Onthewaytheypassedriversinwhichmenandwomenwerebathingandfishingandboating;andfartherontheycametogardenscoveredwithheavycropsofriceandmaize,andmanyothergrainswhichGopani—Kufadidnotevenknowthenameof。Andastheypassed,thepeoplewhoweresingingattheirworkinthefields,abandonedtheirlaboursandsalutedInsatowithdelight,bringingalsopalmwineandgreencocoanutsforrefreshment,astoonereturnedfromalongjourney。
\'Thesearemychildren！\'saidInsato,wavinghishandtowardsthepeople。Gopani—Kufawasmuchastonishedatallthathesaw,buthesaidnothing。Presentlytheycametothetown;everythinghere,too,wasbeautiful,andeverythingthatamanmightdesirehecouldobtain。
Eventhegrainsofdustinthestreetswereofgoldandsilver。
InsatoconductedGopani—Kufatothepalace,andshowinghimhisrooms,andthemaidenswhowouldwaituponhim,toldhimthattheywouldhaveagreatfeastthatnight,andonthemorrowhemightnamehischoiceoftherichesofPitaanditshouldbegivenhim。Thenhewasaway。
NowGopani—KufahadawaspcalledZengi—mizi。Zengi—miziwasnotanordinarywasp,forthespiritofthefatherofGopani—Kufahadenteredit,sothatitwasexceedinglywise。IntimesofdoubtGopani—Kufaalwaysconsultedthewaspastowhathadbetterbedone,soonthisoccasionhetookitoutofthelittlerushbasketinwhichhecarriedit,saying:\'Zengi—mizi,whatgiftshallIaskofInsatoto—morrowwhenhewouldknowtherewardheshallbestowonmeforsavinghislife？\'
\'Biz—z—z,\'hummedZengi—mizi,\'askhimforSipaotheMirror。\'Anditflewbackintoitsbasket。
Gopani—Kufawasastonishedatthisanswer;butknowingthatthewordsofZengi—miziweretruewords,hedeterminedtomaketherequest。Sothatnighttheyfeasted,andonthemorrowInsatocametoGopani—Kufaand,givinghimgreetingjoyfully,hesaid:
\'Now,Omyfriend,nameyourchoiceamongstmypossessionsandyoushallhaveit！\'
\'Oking！\'answeredGopani—Kufa,\'outofallyourpossessionsIwillhavetheMirror,Sipao。\'
Thekingstarted。\'Ofriend,Gopani—Kufa,\'hesaid,\'askanythingbutthat！Ididnotthinkthatyouwouldrequestthatwhichismostprecioustome。\'
\'Letmethinkoveritagainthen,Oking,\'saidGopani—Kufa,\'andto—morrowIwillletyouknowifIchangemymind。\'
Butthekingwasstillmuchtroubled,fearingthelossofSipao,forthemirrorhadmagicpowers,sothathewhoownedithadbuttoaskandhiswishwouldbefulfilled;toitInsatoowedallthathepossessed。
Assoonasthekinglefthim,Gopani—KufaagaintookZengi—mizi,outofhisbasket。\'Zengi—mizi,\'hesaid,\'thekingseemslothtograntmyrequestfortheMirror——istherenotsomeotherthingofequalvalueforwhichImightask？\'
Andthewaspanswered:\'Thereisnothingintheworld,OGopani—Kufa,whichisofsuchvalueasthisMirror,foritisaWishingMirror,andaccomplishesthedesiresofhimwhoownsit。Ifthekinghesitates,gotohimthenextday,andthedayafter,andintheendhewillbestowtheMirroruponyou,foryousavedhislife。\'
Anditwasevenso。ForthreedaysGopani—Kufareturnedthesameanswertotheking,and,atlast,withtearsinhiseyes,InsatogavehimtheMirror,whichwasofpolishediron,saying:\'TakeSipao,then,OGopani—Kufa,andmaythywishescometrue。Gobacknowtothineowncountry;Sipaowillshowyoutheway。\'
Gopani—Kufawasgreatlyrejoiced,and,takingfarewelloftheking,saidtotheMirror:
\'Sipao,Sipao,IwishtobebackupontheEarthagain！\'
Instantlyhefoundhimselfstandingupontheupperearth;but,notknowingthespot,hesaidagaintotheMirror:
\'Sipao,Sipao,Iwantthepathtomyownkraal！\'
Andbehold！rightbeforehimlaythepath！
Whenhearrivedhomehefoundhiswifeanddaughtermourningforhim,fortheythoughtthathehadbeeneatenbylions;buthecomfortedthem,sayingthatwhilefollowingawoundedantelopehehadmissedhiswayandhadwanderedforalongtimebeforehehadfoundthepathagain。
ThatnightheaskedZengi—mizi,inwhomsatthespiritofhisfather,whathehadbetteraskSipaofornext？
\'Biz—z—z,\'saidthewasp,\'wouldyounotliketobeasgreatachiefasInsato？\'
AndGopani—Kufasmiled,andtooktheMirrorandsaidtoit:
\'Sipao,Sipao,IwantatownasgreatasthatofInsato,theKingofPita;andIwishtobechiefoverit！\'
ThenallalongthebanksoftheZambesiriver,whichflowednearby,sprangupstreetsofstonebuildings,andtheirroofsshonewithgoldandburnishedironlikethoseinPita;andinthestreetsmenandwomenwerewalking,andyoungboysweredrivingoutthesheepandcattletopasture;andfromtherivercameshoutsandlaughterfromtheyoungmenandmaidenswhohadlaunchedtheircanoesandwerefishing。AndwhenthepeopleofthenewtownbeheldGopani—Kufatheyrejoicedgreatlyandhailedhimaschief。
Gopani—KufawasnowaspowerfulasInsatotheKingoftheReptileshadbeen,andheandhisfamilymovedintothepalacethatstoodhighabovetheotherbuildingsrightinthemiddleofthetown。Hiswifewastooastonishedatallthesewonderstoaskanyquestions,buthisdaughterShasasakeptbegginghimtotellherhowhehadsuddenlybecomesogreat;soatlastherevealedthewholesecret,andevenentrustedSipaotheMirrortohercare,saying:
\'Itwillbesaferwithyou,mydaughter,foryoudwellapart;whereasmencometoconsultmeonaffairsofstate,andtheMirrormightbestolen。\'
ThenShasasatooktheMagicMirrorandhiditbeneathherpillow,andafterthatformanyyearsGopani—Kufaruledhispeoplebothwellandwisely,sothatallmenlovedhim,andneveroncedidheneedtoaskSipaotogranthimawish。
Nowithappenedthat,aftermanyyears,whenthehairofGopani—Kufawasturninggreywithage,therecamewhitementothatcountry。UptheZambesitheycame,andtheyfoughtlongandfiercelywithGopani—Kufa;but,becauseofthepoweroftheMagicMirror,hebeatthem,andtheyfledtothesea—coast。ChiefamongthemwasoneRei,amanofmuchcunning,whosoughttodiscoverwhencesprangGopani—Kufa\'spower。SoonedayhecalledtohimatrustyservantnamedButou,andsaid:\'Goyoutothetownandfindoutformewhatisthesecretofitsgreatness。\'
AndButou,dressinghimselfinrags,setout,andwhenhecametoGopani—Kufa\'stownheaskedforthechief;andthepeopletookhimintothepresenceofGopani—Kufa。Whenthewhitemansawhimhehumbledhimself,andsaid:\'OChief！takepityonme,forIhavenohome！WhenReimarchedagainstyouIalonestoodapart,forIknewthatallthestrengthoftheZambesilayinyourhands,andbecauseIwouldnotfightagainstyouheturnedmeforthintotheforesttostarve！\'
AndGopani—Kufabelievedthewhiteman\'sstory,andhetookhiminandfeastedhim,andgavehimahouse。
Inthiswaytheendcame。FortheheartofShasasa,thedaughterofGopani—Kufa,wentforthtoButouthetraitor,andfromherhelearntthesecretoftheMagicMirror。Onenight,whenallthetownslept,hefeltbeneathherpillowand,findingtheMirror,hestoleitandfledbackwithittoRei,thechiefofthewhitemen。
Soitbefellthat,oneday,asGopani—Kufawasgazingupattheriverfromawindowofthepalaceheagainsawthewar—canoesofthewhitemen;andatthesighthisspiritmisgavehim。
\'Shasasa！mydaughter！\'hecriedwildly,\'gofetchmethemirror,forthewhitemenareathand。\'
\'Woeisme,myfather！\'shesobbed。\'TheMirrorisgone！ForIlovedButouthetraitor,andhehasstolenSipaofromme！\'
ThenGopani—Kufacalmedhimself,anddrewoutZengi—mizifromitsrushbasket。
\'Ospiritofmyfather！\'hesaid,\'whatnowshallIdo？\'
\'OGopani—Kufa！\'hummedthewasp,\'thereisnothingnowthatcanbedone,forthewordsoftheantelopewhichyouslewarebeingfulfilled。\'
\'Alas！Iamanoldman——Ihadforgotten！\'criedthechief。\'Thewordsoftheantelopeweretruewords——myrewardshallbemyundoing——theyarebeingfulfilled！\'
ThenthewhitemenfelluponthepeopleofGopani—KufaandslewthemtogetherwiththechiefandhisdaughterShasasa;andsincethenallthepoweroftheEarthhasrestedinthehandsofthewhitemen,fortheyhaveintheirpossessionSipao,theMagicMirror。
StoryoftheKingWhoWouldSeeParadiseOnceuponatimetherewaskingwho,onedayouthunting,cameuponafakeerinalonelyplaceinthemountains。ThefakeerwasseatedonalittleoldbedsteadreadingtheKoran,withhispatchedcloakthrownoverhisshoulders。
Thekingaskedhimwhathewasreading;andhesaidhewasreadingaboutParadise,andprayingthathemightbeworthytoenterthere。
Thentheybegantotalk,and,by—and—bye,thekingaskedthefakeerifhecouldshowhimaglimpseofParadise,forhefounditverydifficulttobelieveinwhathecouldnotsee。Thefakeerrepliedthathewasaskingaverydifficult,andperhapsaverydangerous,thing;butthathewouldprayforhim,andperhapshemightbeabletodoit;onlyhewarnedthekingbothagainstthedangersofhisunbelief,andagainstthecuriositywhichpromptedhimtoaskthisthing。However,thekingwasnottobeturnedfromhispurpose,andhepromisedthefakeeralwaystoprovidedhimwithfood,ifhe,inreturn,wouldprayforhim。
Tothisthefakeeragreed,andsotheyparted。