Page:Where Animals Talk (West African folk lore tales).djvu/155

 And they told a lad, "Bring the Kudu that is suspended from the rafters."

The lad looked and reported, "I have seen no Kudu." They all went to look for it, and could see nothing of it. So, they said, "Let us eat these. Let the other go; for, it has run away."

This Tale seems to be a version of No. 17. The plea of Tortoise that he did not spoil the fruits of plantations is true; it does not injure the gardens of the natives.

These four Beasts were living in one town; Civet, in his own house; Tortoise in his; Antelope also in his; Genet too in his own. But their four houses opened on to one long street.

One day, in the afternoon, they all were in that street, sitting down in conversation. Tortoise said to them, "I have here a word to say." They replied "Well! Speak!"

At that time, their town had a great famine. So, Tortoise said, "Tomorrow, we will go to seek food." They replied, "Good! just as soon as the day, at its first break."

Then they scattered, and went to their houses to lie down for sleep. Soon, the day broke. And they all got up, and were ready by sunrise at six o'clock.