Page:Where Animals Talk (West African folk lore tales).djvu/82

 me dead. After you have shot me, these men will find fault with you, saying 'Ah! you shoot your horse, and did not care for it?' But, do not say anything in reply. Cut me in pieces, and burn the pieces in the fire. After this, carefully gather all the black ashes; and, very early in the following morning, in the dark before any one is up, go out of the village gateway, scatter the ashes, and you will see what will happen."

The young man did all this. On scattering the ashes, he instantly found himself changed again to a woman, and sitting on Horse's back; and they were running rapidly away.

That same day, in the afternoon, they came to the town of the father Ra-Mborakinda. On their arrival there, they (but especially Horse) told their whole story. Ilâmbe was somewhat ashamed of herself; for, she had brought these troubles on herself by insisting on having a husband with a perfectly fine skin. So, her father said, "Ilâmbe, my child, you see the trouble you have brought on yourself. For you, a woman, to make such a demand was too much. Had I not sent Kabala with you, what would have become of you?" The people gave Ilâmbe a glad welcome. And she went to her house, and said nothing more about fine skins.

According to native law of hospitality, duty to a guest requires almost any sacrifice. This is oriental. (See Genesis Chap. 19, vs. 8.) A plantain-stalk bears but one bunch.