Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/145

Rh the wind blew hard the tree was broken; whereupon Ibotìty fell and broke his leg. So he said, "The tree indeed is strong, for it can break the leg of Ibotìty."

Then said the tree, "I am not strong, for it is the wind that is strong." Then said Ibotìty, "The wind it is which is strong! for the wind broke tree, and the tree broke the leg of Ibotìty."

"I am not strong," said the wind, "for if I were strong should I be stopped by the hill?" "Ah, it is the hill which is strong!" said Ibotìty, "for the hill stopped wind, wind broke tree, the tree broke the leg of Ibotìty."

"Nay, I am not strong," said the hill, "for if I were strong I should not be burrowed by the mice." "Ah, it is the mouse which is strong!" said Ibotìty, "for mouse burrowed into hill, hill stopped wind, wind broke tree, tree broke the leg of Ibotìty."

"Nay, I am not strong," said the mouse, "for am I strong who can be killed by the cat?" "Ah, it is the cat which is strong!" said Ibotìty, "for the cat killed mouse, mouse burrowed into hill, hill stopped wind, wind broke tree, tree broke the leg of Ibotìty."

"Nay, I am not strong," said the cat, "for am I strong who am caught by the rope and cannot escape?" "Ah, it is the rope which is strong," said Ibotìty, "for the rope caught the cat, cat killed mouse, mouse burrowed into hill, hill stopped wind, wind broke tree, tree broke the leg of Ibotìty."

"Nay, I am not strong," said the rope," for am I strong and am cut by the iron?" "Then it is the iron which is strong," said Ibotìty, "for the iron cut rope, rope caught cat, cat killed mouse, mouse burrowed hill, hill stopped wind, wind broke tree, tree broke the leg of Ibotìty."

"Nay, I am not strong," said the iron, "for am I strong which am softened by the fire." "Ah, it is the fire which is strong," said Ibotìty.

"Nay, I am not strong," said the fire, "for am I strong and am put out by water?" "Ah, it is the water which is strong," said Ibotìty, "for water quenched fire, fire softened iron, iron cut rope, rope caught cat, cat killed mouse, mouse burrowed hill, hill stopped wind, wind broke tree, tree broke the leg of Ibotìty."