Page:Where Animals Talk (West African folk lore tales).djvu/115



This story suggests that when a neighbor flatters another, suspicion is raised that he is plotting some evil. Squirrel and the Adder professed great friendship; but their friendship was soon broken.

Claims of seniority are a constant cause of native quarrels.

A certain fetish-charm or "medicine" (generally poisonous) is supposed to be able to decide, on its being drunk by accused parties, as to their guilt or innocence.

There is a common belief in premonitions by unusual beats of the heart, or twitching of any muscle.

Squirrel and Adder were great friends, living in the same town. Each of them had two wives.

One day, in the afternoon, Squirrel and one of his wives went into the house of Adder. The latter said to his wife, "Make ready food." So, she made a great deal of food. Then he said to his friend Squirrel, "Come, eat!" But Squirrel said, "I won't eat alone without my wife." So he called his wife to eat. His wife came and ate at the table. Then he said to Adder, "Also, you call your wife to eat with us." So Adder's wife came. And Squirrel said to Adder, "Now let us eat; for, everything is right." So they began to eat.

While they were eating. Adder said, "I have a word to say about you, Ihendi." Squirrel replied, "Speak your word;