Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/176

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PAPUAN FAIRY TALES

Borevui cut down a tree which was in the road, and helped her husband clear the ground for a great distance. At last he said, "Go home now, when thou shalt have dug up some food, and cook it. I will follow thee."

Borevui obeyed and went home, carrying the heavy bag of food slung from her head. She cooked a great pot full, and then went to the bowl of water where lay the livers of her three brothers. Leaning over the bowl, she blew gently on the water, and slowly the brothers began to take form, until at last they stood before her alive and well as they had been before.

When Borevui saw them thus her heart was filled with joy.

"Eat, my brothers," she cried, and set before them the food she had cooked.

They sat down at her word, and soon made an end of the food. Then Borevui cooked some stalks and poor food, such as was the portion for the pigs, and laid it ready for her husband. And it came to pass that when she heard his voice at the door, she went out, saying, "Come in, my lord, and eat."

The man entered the house, but when he saw the refuse which had been made ready for him, he lifted up his voice in fury, and would have fallen upon Borevui but that her brothers, hearing his shout, rose up and fell upon him, and slew him. Then they cut his body in pieces and laid them in the house, and they set fire to the house ere they left.