Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/160

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118
PAPUAN FAIRY TALES

own gardens, where the shoots grew and waxed strong. And many did eat of the roots, and found them good indeed, for the name of the plant is Taro, which is the chief of all food. Thus was it that taro came to us, and for this reason is it that the people of Bolanai have it ever in their gardens in plenty and of great size.


THE ANT AND THE PHEASANT.


In the old days, so our fathers have told us, the Ant and the Pheasant were friends, and one day they made a plan to go hunting. So they took their pig-net and set out. When they had reached the proper place, they put up their net, and the Pheasant said he would watch while the Ant drove beasts towards it.

It came to pass that after a time the Ant found a pig, and drove it into the net. Now when the Pheasant saw the wild pig rushing upon him he was much afraid, and flew up into a tree. Then was the pig glad, and he made his way out of the net with haste, for there was none to let him. Then came the Pheasant down from the tree, and laid mud upon his wings, and waited for his friend. In a little the Ant came and said, "Where is the pig?"

The Pheasant made answer, "I caught the pig