Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/58

50 but it said, "I do not like to be smoked." After some time, it said, "Make a big fire of wood." So they made it. Then it said again, "Swallow a knife for me, and take me west of the hearth." So he was taken there. And having come there, with the knife his mother had swallowed he ripped up his mother's womb, and then leaped into the fire which burned brightly there, after having patted the wound which he had made by ripping up his mother, so that it was healed. Then his father and mother endeavoured to save him, lest he should be killed through going into the fire; but when they thrust out their hands to take him they were broken and unable to take hold of him; and so it happened with their feet as well.

And after a while the child spoke thus: "Give me a name." Then said his mother, "Perhaps yon should be called Fòzanatokòndrilàhy, for I hear that he was a strong man." But the child did not like it; so his mother mentioned another name, and said, "Perhaps Ravàtovòlovoày then, for he, I understand, was famous for his strength." But he did not like that either. So the child gave himself a name, and said, "I am Ibonìamàsy, Ibonìamanòro: breaking in pieces (manòro) the earth and the kingdom; at the point of its horns, not gored; beneath its hoofs, not trampled on; on its molar teeth, not crushed. Rising up, I break the heavens; and when I bow down the earth yawns open. My robe, when folded up, is but a span long; but when spread out it covers the heavens, and when it is shaken it is like the lightning. My loin-cloth, when rolled together, is but the size of a fist, but when unfolded it surrounds the ocean; its tongue (when girded) causes the dew to descend, and its tail sweeps away the rocks. Ah! I am indeed Ibonìamàsy, Ibonìamanòro." And having spoken thus he came out from the fire and went upon his mother's lap.

And after he had grown up he had a dog called Rampélamàhavàtra. One day while he was hunting in the fields, there came that famous man called Fòzanatokòndrilàhy to seek for Ibonia, and inquired of his parents, "Where is Ibonia?" They replied, "He has gone for pleasure into the forest." So he took Ibonia's dog, for the parents could not prevent it. And as soon as Ibonia returned from hunting he asked his parents, "Where has my dog gone?" They replied, "Fòzanatokòndrilàhy has taken him." So he said, "I am going to fetch my dog, father." But his father would not let him, for he said, "Why, child, even the crocodiles in the water are sought by Fòzana-