Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/35

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DABEDABE THE GOOD
15

"Is it my mother thou hast killed?" asked Dabedabe.

"Yea truly, it was thy mother, my son," answered the man.

Then Dabedabe went into the house and brought forth a mat, and spread it in the sight of all, saying, "When ye eat throw no bone away, but lay all upon the mat which I have spread before you." And they did even as he had said. Then when all had eaten Dabedabe wrapped up the bones of the pig, and slung the bundle on his shoulder, and said, "Friends, we were to-day making a garden that I might have wherewithal to give my mother to eat when she hungered, but she hath been slain, and ye have eaten her, therefore I can no longer stay here, but must leave you. Farewell."

Thus he left the village, and journeyed until he came to Peubua. There he sat down, and would fain have remained there, but, turning himself, he saw his mother's village behind him, and his heart burned. Therefore he rose up, and journeyed until he came to Reborebo. And in like manner, on looking behind him, he could see his mother's village in the distance, and for grief at the sight he tarried not, but went on until he came to Doula. But, even at Doula, when he turned he still saw the same sight, and set out once more, resting not until he reached Qamana. And there, turning whither he would, he no longer saw his mother's village, and he said in his heart, "At Qamana I will remain."