Another piece speaks of
Things here on Earth not enduring;
and after referring to the different leaves, fruit, and flowers of various trees, proceeds to moralize thus:—
Thou dost not perhaps remember the sayings of the ancestors: Consider, young folks, your stay here on the earth, for the trees grow only, but are not joined together, for if they were they would reach the skies. But it is not thus, for they have their time of springing, and of growing, and of being cut down. And just so with men: to them come prosperous days and days of misfortune; they have their days of youth, and of old age, and of death; but those who die happy and in heaven follow Impòina[1] and Radàma,[1] they are the fortunate ones.
A feature in native ideas is shown by another piece, which enforces the doctrine that “It is better to die than to suffer affliction.”
Many of the compositions in this section of the book are in praise of wisdom and denunciation of folly; in fact no people perhaps are more ready to give and receive good advice than are the Malagasy. It is universally recognised as the privilege of all to give admonition to others, even to those highest in rank, if it is administered in the form of advice or anatra. There are a great many references to animals in these admonitions; almost every bird known to the Malagasy is used as a simile, and its habits are described with great accuracy; so that a complete collection of all the references to the animal life of Madagascar found in the proverbs and fables would throw no little light upon the fauna of the island.
Here is a curious piece in the form of a dialogue, exhorting those in sorrow not to hide it from their friends:
The Bereaved one questioned and attempting to hide (Sorrow.)
Who is that person before thee?
I know not, for I did not overtake him.
Who is yonder person behind thee?
I know not, for he did not overtake me.
Why then are you so erect?
I am not erect, but chanced to rise.
