Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 7 1889.djvu/446

 102 TABULATION OP FOLKTALES.

so high that the earth looked like a star, but youth held fast ; then bird descended, and promised not to go to the tree again if he would set it free. Then the two made a cGvenant, the lad to save the bird from sun, and the bird to save him from rain. Bird promised to come if he took feather which it gave him and put it in the fire, the smell telling it when to come. Then bird set free. Lad went to date-tree. Felt glad, saying, " This is my luck,, Sit-in-the-Kitchen's." He slept. Headman came, with all the people, who returned with son to his father. Father refused dates at first, and then his son won his love, and the love of all except his mother. — (8) Sultan's cat caught animals and child, then caught and ate people ; but sultan would not interfere till it killed three of his sons. Seventh son went to avenge them, though the cat (Nunda, eater of people) should eat him. After killing animals, but not the Nunda, he went with slaves to mountain top, when they killed Nunda and carried it home. Then people brought gifts, and father gave him the country. Nunda buried in pit, and all who passed it com- manded to leave presents there. Father and mother died, son married, made his brothers high men of the state, and they all agreed together.

Alphabetical List of Incidents.

Animal, helpful to hero (7).

Bird eats dates from Sultan's tree (3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Cat, man-eating, killed by hero (8).

Covenant between bird and hero (7).

Son, seventh, successful when elder brothers fail (7).

Where published.— /SVy^^MZi Tales, by Edward Steere. London, 1870. Story No. 5, pp. 197-283.

Nature of Collection^ whether:—

1. OHginal or translation. — Translated from Swahili, in which is mixed

Arabic, by Edward Steere.

2. If hj word of mouth state narrator''s fiame. — Told to Dr. Steere by

Masazo, who was for a long time cook and house steward to him.

Special Points noted by the Editor of the above.— The most curious part

in this collection (of tales) is, perhaps, the latter part of the tale of " Sultan Majnun," from p. 254, when every one present joins in singing the verses, if they may be so called, which, besides, are not in Swahili. The words niulaga for the Swahili nimeua, and nilawa for nalitoka, are such as occur in more than one mainland language. In " Sultan Majniin '' the hero has a name as nearly like Cinderella as may be (p. 241), and his exploits, after all his elder brothers have failed, are quite in the old track.

Remarks by the Tabulator.— The likeness between the seventh son and the Boots of Norse Talcs is noticeable. For inc. 7 (helpful animal), cf. Miss Koalfe Cox's Remarks, ante, pp. 46, 47. Steere, Swahili Talcs, '• The Spirit and the Sultan's Son," and " The Ape, the Lion, and the Snake." For inc. 7 (talking bird), cf. Miss Roalfe Cox's Remarks, ante, pp. 16, .55, 56. Steere, Swahili Tales, " Story of the Kites and the Crows."

(Signed) Janet Key.

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