Page:Swahili tales.djvu/115

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SULTAN DARAI.
95

he only comes every other day, just when the sun is over head. Where, then, will you be a match for him, father? And this snake has seven heads. They were not a match for him who were as great as queen bees; and will you be a match for him, father?"

And it said, "Mother, you mind your own business, and don't mind other people's; has this snake a sword?" And she said, "He has a sword, and it is a fine one, and a good one, and this sword is like a flash of lightning." And it said, "Give it me, mother." And she went to the peg and took it down, and came and gave it to it. And it said, "Is this it, mother?" And she said, "This is it, my son." And she said, "And be quick, too, for he is coming about this time; you have come to kill yourself, and to kill me also." And it said, "How so, mother?" And she said, "Don't I tell you you will not be a match for him." And it said, "As for dying, we are dead already, we have only to decay; but do you, mother, call up your courage, and I will try to-day, if those who were as great as queen bees could not match with this snake, I, to-day, will be a match for him." And she said, "Ah! my son."

Immediately it hears a storm blowing. The old woman told him, "Do you hear the manly one coming?" And it said, "I, who am inside, am a manly one; two bulls cannot live in one cattle-pen; he will live in this house, or I shall live in it." The old body laughed much at the words the gazelle uttered. The old woman thought she must die, for that old body had seen people a thousand times stronger than the gazelle, and they were no match for the snake, and he overcame them. And it said, "Mother, drop that; all fruit are not mazu, mazu are red, so wait, mother."

Immediately the strong youth came to the house