Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/319

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Each of the fingers, it is said, had their own thoughts, and after this fashion:—

The little finger said, "I am so hungry."

The next to it answered, "If you're hungry go and steal, that you may be satisfied."

Then said the next also, "Bring plenty, for we shall want some."

And said the forefinger (in Malagasy "the pointer" fanòndro), "These fellows turn their back on (or give bad advice) to the little one; if one steals won't he be punished?"

But the thumb said, "I do not understand these fellows' talk, so I'll separate, for I'm big, since you are plotting mischief."

And that, they say, was the reason of the fingers separating into five, and the thumb opposing the rest. And the two middle fingers have no special name, because they had bad thoughts, and they have no particular business to do, and no work they are skilful to perform.

The people in former days, it is said, when they wanted to pass away the time told a story as follows:—"Once upon a time the earth rose up and mounted aloft in order to fight the sky. So all parts of the earth agreed to set off at the same time, and the rocks, they say, were to be the cannon balls to fire at the sky. And early morning was the time fixed to go up. But it is said that the plains and the valleys crept slowly and sluggishly, and it was full day before they ate their breakfast, and so they lagged behind; and that is the reason of the inequality of the valleys and the plains and the mountains, for they did not all keep step together. And so the heavens and the earth did not mingle, because all the earth did not mount up at the same time.

Once upon a time all the birds on the earth agreed together to choose one who should be their king and leader, but the owl did not