Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/54

46 said, "My good fellow, my fine clothes are enough for me to be troubled with."

Then he passed a crow, who said to him, "Just peel this raw earth-nut for me, Andriamatòa." But he said, "My good fellow, my fine clothes are enough for me to be troubled with."

Then he passed a wasp, who said to him, "Just make me a little ball of clay, Andriamatòa." But he said, "My good fellow, my fine clothes are enough for me to be troubled with."

Then he passed a crocodile, who said to him, "Just kill an ox for me, Andriamatòa." But he said, "My good fellow, my fine clothes are enough for me to be troubled with."

So he came to the house of Ramitòviàmindréniny's father and mother, and told them that he desired their daughter for a wife. But they said to him, "If you desire Ramitovy for a wife, go and dig yonder field of ours east of the village, and finish it all to-day." Then Andriamatóa went and worked, but hardly accomplished anything, and was weary, and so went home.

And they said again, "If you desire Ramitovy for a wife, go and gather up all those three measures of white rice lost yonder in the sand west of the house, and if you get it all we will give her to you for your wife." Then Andriamatóa went to gather up the rice, but did not get a single handful until it was evening, and he went home.

Then again said Ramitovy's parents, "If you would really have her for a wife, go and fetch the ox called Sambilo from the forest; for, if you can bring him here, Ramitovy shall be your wife." So Andriamatóa went to fetch the ox, and endeavoured to drive him, but without success, for he was exceedingly fierce; so he returned without bringing the ox.

Then again said Ramitovy's father and mother, "If you wish to marry her, Andriamatóa, go and fetch those two eggs in yonder lake east of the village, for if you can obtain them we will give you Ramitovy for a wife." So he went to fetch the two eggs in the lake, but when he came to the water-side and saw the numerous crocodiles basking in the sun he was afraid and returned.

Then said Ramitovy's father and mother to him, "You shall not have her, for you have accomplished nothing at all." So Andriamatòa