Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/22

2 bamboo, and pierced small holes in it. Thus was the first duraio or flute born.

Webubu then built himself a platform high in a corkwood tree, which we call "tioba," on the beach, and seating himself there, he began to play his duraio.

The women sat patiently round Nagari while he sounded his one note "U-u-u." But on a sudden, upon the still air, broke the sweet voice of Webubu's duraio. (Thou hast asked of me a tale, therefore I tell it.)

High and sweet were the notes which Webubu sent forth from his duraio.

"M! m!" said the listening women.

"U-u-u-u," sang Nagari.

"Ah, ss-ss-ss!" cried the women. "Deafen us not with thine 'U,' when we would fain hear this strange music!"

Nagari was much troubled at this saying, and marvelled greatly. Then one woman made bold to rise up, and saying, "I shall return," she went to seek the sweet music. Now this woman lied, for she never returned.

After a time, another woman arose, and said, "Stay here, my friends; I shall return." Then she went in like manner to look for the music. And she also lied, for she returned not. And so with each woman, until Nagari was left sitting alone as he had been at the beginning.

Now Webubu was still playing his duraio on the platform he had built in the tioba tree, when the