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3WAHILI TALES.
SWAHILI TALES.
AS TOLD BY NATIVES OF ZANZIBAR.
WITH
AN ENGLISH TRANSLA TION.
EDWAKD STEEEE, LLD.,
EECTOR OF LITTLE STEEPING, LIXCOLNSHIKE, AND CHAPLAIN TO BISHOP TOZEE.
LONDON: BELL & DALDY, YOEK STKEET, COVENT GARDEN.
1870.
PREFACE.
The following tales were taken down in the first place as a help to my
own endeavours to master the language of Zanzibar, and are now printed
chiefly as a help to those who are to follow me in the same work. I
have tried therefore to make the translation as literal as possible, and
to reproduce in English something like the mixtm-e of familiar phrases
and unfamiliar ideas which makes uji the originals.
All the tales are printed exactly as they were related, and most of
them have some touches put in by the narrator on the inspiration of the
moment. Of this kind is the substitution, out of compliment to us, of
church for mosque in the story of the ' Kites and the Crows.' Another
piece of local colouring occui'S in the story of ' Mohammed the Languid,'
where the merchants fii*e their cannon W'hen they get home, as all dhows
do when they enter the harboiu* of Zanzibar, though there is not a hint
of such a thing in the Arabic original.
I cannot pretend to give any complete account of the sources whence the
various tales are derived. Thi-ee of them occm- in the Arabian Nights, '
Mohammed the Languid' (p. 149), which is Chapter xiv. of Lane's trans-
vi PnEFACE.
lation, under tlic title of ' Aboo-Mobammed the Lazy (it will be seen
ou comparison tbat tbe variatious of tbe Swabili are almost all by way
of abridgement^ ; ' The Cheat and tbe Porter '{i3u_4 11), aud'Hasseebu
Kareem ed deen' (p. 331), which are not included in Lane's translation.
We have an Arabic MS. in the mission library at Zanzibar, containing the
story of ' Hasseebu,' but differing in many of the names and
circumstances from the form given in the Arabian Nights. I do not know
how far others of the talcs may come from Arab sources. It must be
remembered that as a Swabili is by definition a man ofmixed Xegro and
Arab descent, he has an equal right to ten_talcs of Arab and Negro
oripnri.
The ' Story of Liongo ' (p. 339) is the nearest approach to a bit of
real history I was able to meet with. It is said that a sister of
Liongo came to Zanzibar, and that her descendants are still living there.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Ali told mc that in his young days he had seen
Liongo's spear and some other relics then presei-ved by his family :
there seem, however, to be none such now remain- ing. No one has any
clear notion how long ago it is since Liongo died, but his memory is
warmly cherished, and it is wonderful how the mere mention of his name
rouses the interest of almost any true Swabili. There is a long poem, of
which the tale at p. 339 is an abridgement, which used often, to be
sung at feasts; and then all would get much excited, and cry like
children when his death was related, and particularly at the point where
his mother touches him and finds him dead. The poem at p. 45.5 is a
later composition. Though described by the author him- self as in stanzas
of five lines, and rhyming accordingly, the last two lines of each
stanza are always ^viitten as one ; and I was told that they are
supposed to have been
PREFACE. vii
Liongo's own, to which the three first were prefixed by Sheikh Abdallah
as a sort of commentary. The long lines may be read consecutively, and
make as good sense as the rest of the poem.
The most curious thing in this collection is perhaps the latter part of
the tale of ' Sultan Majnun,' from p. 254, where every one present
joins in singing the verses, if they may be so called, which besides
are not in Swahili. The words niulaga for the Swahili nimeua, and
nilaica for nalitoka, are such as occur in more than one mainland
language. I have heard stories referred to and partly told in which
the verse parts were in the Yao and the; '
Nyamwezi languages. But it is a constant riharn.p.teristir- pu^^ of
popular native tales to have a sort of burden, which all tjitU*^ join
in singing. Frequently the skeleton of the story \^-^ n^ seems to be
contained in these snatches of singing, whicli (j^j^^ the story-teller
connects by an extemporized account of the C^'u. , intervening history.
Something similar is very common in the songs of the mainland peoples.
Thus as Bishop Tozer and myself were descending the Zambesi in a canoe,
the boatmen sang a favourite ditty, the burden of which is a wail over
the ills caused by the wars of the Portuguese outlaw Mariano, or
Matekenya. The chief boatman took up the solo part, and instead of the
old verses made new ones on us, our losses, our generosity, and future
intentions, of which unfortunately we understood but very little.
The late M. Jablonsky, who was for a long time acting French consul in
Zanzibar, and who knsw far more than any other European of the habits
an:l superstitions of the people, had a large collection of native
stories, which, however, he had unfortunately written down, not in Swahili,
but in Polish, his reason being, as he told me, that he could translate
their niceties of expression and familiar
viii P EFFACE.
details into no language so Avell as into his own mother- tongue. Almost
all these stories had sung parts, and of some of these even those who
sung them could scarcely explain the meaning. I suppose they had been
brought down from the interior by slaves, and perhaps corrupted by them
as they gradually forgot their old language.
It will be observed that the place of the fox in om- stories is here
taken by the Sungura, which I ought perhaps to have translated by
rabbit, as European rabbits are called Smiguras. I asked a native friend
why Sunguras should be thought so cunning. He said, " Look at one ; it
is always moving its mouth, as though it had something to say about
everything." It is very common in the streets of Zanzibar to hear one
person call out to another — Ee Sungura icee ! as much as to say — You
fox, you ! but there is more of reproach in the Swahili than in its
English equivalent. There is a famous story of all the beasts agreeing to
dig a well, and the Sungura alone refused to help. When it was
finished, they watched in turn to prevent his getting water, but he
cheated them all except the spider. Again, whenever a snake is mentioned,
something more or less magical is sure to be connected \aih it.
Some likenesses to well-known English tales will strike every one. '
Sultan Darai ' is in its first part like all tales of stei^mothers, and
in its last curiously like ' Puss in boots.' In ' Sultan Majnim,' the
hero has a name as nearly like Cinderella as may be (p. 241), and his
exploits after all his elder brothers have failed are quite in the old
track. ' Goso the Teacher ' (p. 285) is absurdly after the pattern of
the ' House that Jack built.' Other stories will interest those who are
fond of comparing the fairy talcs of all nations.
PREFACE. ix
Tliere are specimens of several styles of Swahili. The best and purest
language of Zanzibar is represented by the tales told to me by Hamisi
wa Kayi, as he is commonly called, though his name is written Khamis
bin Abubekr. They are ' The Washerman's Donkey ' (p, 1), ' An Indian
Story ' (p. 139), ' Hasseebu Kareem ed deen ' (p. 331), ' The Kites and
the Crows ' (p. 363), ' The Hare and the Lion ' (p. 369), ' The
Spirit and the Sultan's Son,' (p. 379), Blessing or Property ' (p. 391),
and the ' Story of Liongo ' (p. 439); to these may bo added the short
tale (p. 411), ' The Cheat and the Porter,' told to me by Mohammed bin
Khamis.
The dialect spoken by a class less refined and educated, less exact in
its" style and with more Arabic words, is represented by the tales told
me by Masazo, who was for a long time our cook and house steward. They
are ' Sultan Darai ' (p. 11), ' Sultan Majnun ' (p. 197), and ' Sell
Dear ' (p. 295).
A third style is that represented by the story of ' Mohammed the
Languid,' which was begun by Mohammed bin Abdallah bin Ali, and taken up
at p. 160 by another Mohammed, who unfortunately died when he had got as
far as p. 180. It was completed by Mohammed bin Abdallah. This tale may
be said to be in the coiu't dialect, which is more Arabic in its forms
and vocabulary than the rest, and is characteristically represented by a
strict translation of an Arab story.
The dialect of Mombas has furnished only two short pieces, ' Goso the
Teacher ' (p. 286), and ' The Hare, the Lion, and the Hyaena ' (p.
325). They were written out for me by Mohammed bin Abd en Nuri,
commonly known as Kathi, who is on his mother's side a grandson of the
great Sheikh Mohe ed din, of whom Captain Burton said
X PREFACE.
that be was tlio one learned man of the east African coast.
The tales of ' The Lion, the Ape, and the Snake ' (p. 423), and ' The
Lioness and the Antelope ' (p. 435), were told me by Munyi Khatibn, a
native of Mtaug'ata, a place on the main land opposite the island of
Pemba. They represent the dialect of that coast, which has many small
peculiarities.
Nearly every Swahili town has some little difference in its talk, and
even the various quarters of the town of Zanzibar have their varieties.
Thus Kolconi is the home of a colony from Lamoo and Mombas who speak
very good Swahili ; Baghani was till lately inhabited by the Harthi Arabs,
who spoke a very corrupt Arabized dialect ; while the people of Ng'ambo,
being chiefly freed slaves, have a twang and a dialect peculiar to
themselves.
I am sorry not to be able to exhibit a larger collection of proverbs
and enigmas. The former may be supple- mented out of the story of '
Sultan Darai,' where the Gazelle's speeches are chiefly composed of
proverbial sayings. Some of these are in old or poetical Swahili, as in
Kazi mbi si intezo mwema ? which in Zanzibar would now stand Kazi mbaya
si mchezo mwema ? The word for bad, mhi, is not now used in spoken
Swahili : it is the common word in Nyamwczi. The proverb itself was
explained to me by the paraphrase, " Is it not better worth while to
quilt a scull cap however badly, than to go to a dance however good !"
A very common means of earning a little money among the poorer classes
of men in Zanzibar is by stitching or quilt- ing patterns on the white
linen scull caps which form the basis of a turban. This custom is
referred to in the 'Indian Story' (p. 143).
1 am not sure whether the language in which Swaliili
PREFACE. xi
poetry is written was ever generally understood. It certainly is not so
now, and the story of Liongo turns upon the fact that it was not so
in his time, though the drift of the particular verses about the files
(p.4-i3) would now I should suppose be clear enough to most people. Some
of the words used are Arabic, but many of the words and inflexions are
borrowed from other negro languages. Some verses, of which a copy was
given me by their author, introduced amongst others a Galla word which
happened to suit the metre. All these verses are intended to be sung,
not read, and they have their proper melodies, which resemble those of
Gregorian hymns and antiphons more than any other Euroj^ean music. The
first impression which all negro singing makes is that it is a mere
discordant jangle ; but when the ear is accustomed to it, it is found
to be music, and even to have its beauties and some very artificial
constructions, though the modes and progressions of sound are so unlike
ours that no European can at all successfully imitate them.
Swahili verse is generally marked by a sort of anapfestic accent, as in
a couplet directed against the people of Kilindi, a suburb of Mombas,
who sided with Seyed Sa'eed when he attacked that town.
AVakilindini si watii ni piinda mili'a,
Walikuza nti yao kwa reale inia. The people of Kilindi are not men,
they are zebras, They sold their country for a hundred dollars.
A poem was written on the struggle between the present Sultan and his
brother for the dominion of Zanzibar, of which I tried in vain to
procure a copy. I could only get the first line ; it is this : —
Kushindwa na mashujiia si unyonge.
To be l^eaten by heroes is no mean thing.
xii PREFACE.
There is a sort of rhyme made by the final syllable, which is generally
the same in each line throughout the piece. Thus the ' Dance Song ' at
p. 473 has zi for the final syllable, and that at p. 480 has ma. In
the ' Poem of Liongo,' which is one of the best known and most famous
of all Swahili j^oeins, the first four lines of each stanza rhyme
together, and the final syllable of the stanzas is identical throughout
the poem. The ' Utenzi on Job ' ex- hibits another form of
versification. In all these cases, however, the rhyme is to the eye more
than to the ear, as all the final syllables being unaccented, the
prominent sounds often destroy the feeling of rhyme. I suppose this system
of identical endings is copied from the Arabic, of which the accentuation
is very different.
The two chief kinds of poetry are the Dance Songs and the Utenzis. It
is the custom to meet about ten or eleven at night and dance on until
daybreak. The men and slave women dance, the ladies sit a little retired
and look on. I have a roll about two yards long containing songs for
one evening, of which two are printed at p. 473, the rest are in a
similar style. The first figure is danced by a single couple, the second
by two couples : the names refer to the sort of steps in which they
are danced. Each piece takes a long time to sing, as most of the
syllables have several notes and flom-ishcs or little cadences to them-
selves.
The Utenzis are religious poems. One, of which I had a rough copy, was
composed of an account of the sufierings after death of those who break
the Eamathan fast, and omit the regular forms of prayer. Another was an
account of a dispute between Moses and Mohammed as to which was the
greater, ending of course in the triumph of the latter. I should have
been glad to have exhibited the
PREFACE. xiii
whole of the ' Utenzi on Job,' which was the best I met with, but my
authority could give me no more than the beginning, my copy breaking off
short in the council of the fiends as to how to avail themselves of
the permission to vex Job. The stanzas I have printed are followed by a
confession of God's greatness and a long commemoration of Mohammed, his
family, and chief followers. Then there is an account of Job's
prosperity, mentioning amongst other things the ducks and fowls which he
had; then the colloquy between Satan and the Almighty, and the plan- ning
of the temptation. The language of this Utenzi is singularly clear and
intelligible.
There are also current a number of epigrams, of which I subjoin one,
which is said to have been composed by a famous poet of Mombas some
fifty years ago. He went with his king to fight against the people of
Lamoo, and was struck by an arrow. He asked the king to take it out,
which he refused to do until the poet had made some verses upon the
occurrence, so he recited to him the following : —
Nalishika gurumza kwa mkono kuslioto, Na niato liiyang'aiiza yakawaka kana
moto, Waamu hiwafukuza kama mbuzi ua ufito ; Nikatupwa majini, hapigwa
cbombo kizito. I held a musket ia my left hand, And glared with my
eyes, they blazed like fire, Driving the people of Lamoo like goats with
a switch, And I was cast into the water, and struck by a heavy weapon.
The translation of the ' Poem of Liongo ' into the current Swahili of
Zanzibar was made by Hassan bin Yusuf, and revised by Sheikh Mohammed
bin Ali, to whom I was indebted for a copy of the original with an
interlinear version in Arabic. The translation of the dance songs was made
by Hamisi wa Kayi.
xiv PREFACE.
Some of the obscurities and difficulties of the tales are explained in
the notes at the end of the volume. For all that relates to the
language 1 must refer the reader to my handbook of the Swahili of
Zanzibar, which is now ready for the printer's hands, and will I hope
soon be published. In order to read the Swahili it is only necessary to
re- member that the vowels are pronounced as in Italian, the consonants as
in English, and that there is always an accent on the last syllable but
one.
A short account of the town of Zanzibar and its in- habitants has been
published by Messrs. Bell and Daldy, as the Occasional Paper of the
Central African Mission, No. lY.
Edwakd Steeee. Little Steeping,
Michaelmas, 1SG9.
CONTENTS.
THE STOUY OF THE WASUEKMAN's DOKKEY .... 1
sultax dakai ii
an indian tale 139
jiohammed the languid 149
l^KOVERBS 191
SVLTAN 3IAJNUN 197
Goso the teacher 285
" SELL DEAR, DON't SELL CHEAP " 295
THE HARE, THE HY.ENA, AND THE LION .... 325 THE STORY
OF H.\!SSEEBU KAREEM ED DEEN AND THE KING OF
THE SNAKES 331
THE KITES AND THE CROWS 3G3
THE HARE AND THE LION ....... 3(j9
THE SPIRIT WHO WAS CHEATED BY THE SL'LTAN's SON .
. 379
BLESSING OK PKOPEIiTY 391
THE CHEAT AND THE PORTER 411
CuM^u
XVI
CONTENTS.
TOBACCO
ENIGMAS
THE APE, THE LIGX, AND THE SNAKE THE LIONESS AND THE
ANTELOPE THE STOKT OF LIONGO POEM OF LIONGO GUNGU DANCE SONG .
BEGINNING OF THE UTENZI ON JOB EXPLANATION OF WORDS IN
ITALICS NOTES
I'AGE.
415 417 423 435 439 455 473 485 490 490
EISA CHA PUXDA WA DOBI.
THE STORY OF THE AVASHEEMAX'S DONEEY.
EISA CHA PUNDA WA DOBI.
Aliondokea kima akafanya ui-afiki na papa. Pana mti mkubwa, jina lake
mkuyu, umeota katika kilindi, matawi yake nussu yako mjini, na nussu yako
bakarini. Yule kima kulla siku kwenda akila kuyu, na yule rafiki yake
papa huwapo cliini ya mti. Humwambia, utupie nami rafiki yangu vyakula;
bumtupia siku nyingi na miezi mingi.
Hatta siku biyo papa akamwambia kima, f;ithili zako uyingi, nataka twende
kwetu nikakulipe fathili. Kima akamjibu, ntakwendaje, nasi batuingii majini,
nyama wa barra, Akamwambia, ntakuchukua, tone la maji lisi- kupate.
Akamwambia, twende.
Wakaenda zao hatta nussu ya njia. Papa akamwa- mbia, rafiki yangu weye,
ntakwambia kweli. Akamwa- mbia, niambie. Akamwambia, buko kwetu tunakokwenda,
Sultani wetu hawezi sana, na dawa tumeambiwa ni moyo wa kima. Kima
akamjibu, bukufanya vema usiniambie kulekule. Papa akamwuliza, ginsi gani
?
Akafikiri kima akaoua, nimekwisha kufa ; sasa utaueua uwougo, labuda
utauifaa.
Papa akamwuliza, umenyamaza buncui ? Akamwambia, sina la kuucua, kwani
usiniambie kulekule, nikapata ku-
^1^n>iy^y^ Ui^tt^ A^j/l/iA /fe CCjAU^'c^ /^/^ . THE STORY OF THE
WASHERMAN'S DONKEY.
There was once a monkey which made friends with a shark. There was a
great tree, of the Sort called iukuj;a, which grewjiear the deep water ;
half its branches were over the town and half over the sea. The
monkey used to go every
day and eat the kuyu fruit, and his friend the shark was there ^
under the tree. He used to say, " Throw me some food, '^'^*^^ 1^
my friend ;" and he used to throw to him, many days and ^- y^ "^
^^'^
many months. A^^m^ <x-
Till one day the shark said to the monkey, " You have ^'o^ifl^
done me many kindnesses, I should like for us to go to my ^-yr-~~^y
home, that I may repay you for your kindness." The Z'***^
monkey answered him, " How shall I go ? We don't go fjvm^^/U'iA
into the water, we beasts of the land." And he said, "I o^iuiiaiv^
will carry you ; not a drop of water shall get to you." ^^A
And he said, " Let us go." ^n , .
They went half the way. And the shark said, "You / ^A'*^
are my friend, I will tell you the truth." He said, " Tell ^(^<iU.
me." He said, " There, at home, where we are going, rr I >, w'A
our Sultan is very ill, and we have been told that the /if -fr-h r^~
medicine for him is a monkey's heart." The monkey n ' ^^ ^^
replied to him, "You did not do well not to tell me there
xSifit/vvtA»»''^
on the spot." The shark said, " How so ?" 5<-'6/c. .
The monkey considered, and felt, "My life is gone tx^ fciri c^cl^
already; now I will tell him a lie, perhaps that may -f^^ frr^
serve me." 'TipjiJnl^iJK.
The shark asked him, " You have become silent ; don't ^ . ffTr^
you speak ?" He said, " I have nothing to say, because ^^
f / /■
your not telling me there on the spot, and I might have ^J
4 EISA CHA FUND A WA DOB I.
cliukua moyo wangu. Papa akamwuliza, liapa, kunao moyo wako ?
Huna kliabari yetu? Sisi tukitembea niioyo yctu huaclia mitini tukatembea
viwiliwili tu, wallakiui Imta- iiisadiki, utaniambia nimeogopa, sasa twende
zetu liatta huko kwenu, ukanichinje kama utauona moyo wangu.
Papa akasadiki, akamwambia kima, turudi sasa, ukatwae moyo wako. Kima
akamwambia, sikubali, ela twende Icwenu. Akamwambia, turudi kwauza ukatwae
moyo wako, tupate kuenenda.
Kima akawaza — ni liori kumfuata batta mtini, akili nnayo mwenyewe nikiisha
fika. Wakaenda wakarudi hatta mtini, akapanda juu yule kima akamwambia,
ningoje hapa, i^apa, naenda twaa moyo wangu, tujsate kwenda zetu.
Akapanda mtini akakaa kitako kimya. Papa akamwita. Akanyamaza. Akamwita
tcua. Akamwambia, twende zetu. Kima akamjibu, twende wapi ? Akamwambia,
twende kwetu. Akamwambia, una wazimo? Papa akamwuliza, ginsi gani ? Kima
akamwambia, unioni- fanya pimda wa dobi ? Papa akamwuliza kima, ginsi gani
punda wa dobi V Akamwambia, Ndiye hana moyo, wala liana masliikio. Papa
akamwuliza, ginsi gana Icisa clia punda wa dobi ? Nambie, rafiki yangu,
nipate kujua maana.
Akamwambia, Dobi alikuwa na punda wake, aki- rapenda sana mwenyewe,
Akakimbia punda akaingia mwituni siku nyingi, batta akamsabao mwenyewe
dobi. Akanenepa sana kule mwituni.
Akapita sungura, akamwona yule punda, mate yaka-
be said, " Let us go back first and take your beart, tbat we /
'^M yo may go on." yc
STORY OF THE WASHERMAN'S DONKEY. r, JhM^c/_
broiigbt my beart." ^ Tbe sbark asked, "Have you your y^fin^^ heart bere
?" iv^ rtoui/f —
" Don't you know about us ? Wben we go out we leave ^ ;
^ur bearts in tbe trees, and we go about with only our ^^y'-''^
bodies ; but you won't believe me, you will tell me I am ^ Oi^w-^
afraid ; let us go on now to your home there, and kill mu ''^*-^''*^
• if you find my beart." x/^^,^ajl^ .
Tbe sbark believed it, and said to the monkey, " Let us [ftAf-iJ-Hy go
back_no\v, and you get your heart." The monkey said, lL^^~jp " I
don't agree to tbat, but let us go to your place." And ^
Tbe monkey considered — I had better consent to him
as far as to the tree, I know what to do when I have got
there. They went and retm-ned to the tree, and tbe /^
monkey clunbed up, and said, " Wait for me here, shark, I -1^
am going to get my heart, tbat we may be off." _^^^ .^t.
He climbed into the tree and sat dowTi quite still. The __T_^^^^2^
shark called him. He held his tongue. Ho called him '^'L^j, again
and said, " Let us be going." The monkey answered c^^v£>«^4/*-4_ him,
"Let us go where?" He said, "Let us go to our ^■l^jJ—^ <j home."
He said, " Are you mad ?" The sbark said, " How fr- %iajJ( so ?"
The monkey said to him, " Do you take me foi" a , 'i/ —
washerman's donkey ?" The shark asked tbe monkey, ^fr— r^^
"What about a washerman's donkey?" He said, " That's -y TT^
what has neither heart nor ears." The shark said, " What -^ — 'n^T^ is
the story of the washerman's donkey? Tell me, my- friend, tbat I may
know what it means." ■^ And he said, "A washerman had a donkey, and
its /^^^^'^^ owner was very fond of it. And tbe donkey ran
away,^^^^^^__L-. and went into tbe forest many days, till its owner
the^^2I2_Zr;T_ washerman forgot it. And it got very fat there in
the /J^ftv^^l»» u forest.
hAAAAf- r> ■ And the hare went by and saw the donkey, and foam ^__
'
6 EISA CBA FUND A WA DOBI.
mtoka, akanena, nyama imenona liii. Akaenda akamwa- mbia simba. Na simba
atoka ugonjwani, amekoncla sana. Sungura akamwambia, ntakuleta nyama kesho,
tuje tule. Akamwambia, vema.
Sungura akaondoka, akaenda mwituni, akamwona punda, na yule piinda mke.
Akamwambia, nimetumwa kuja kukuposa. Na nani? akamwuliza. Akamwambia, na
simba. Akakubali, akafurahi sana punda. Aka- mwambia, Twende zetu, bass.
Wakaenda zao, hatta wakafika kwa simba. Akawaka- ribisba simba. Wakakaa
kitako. Sungura akamkonyeza simba, akamwambia, nyama yako biyo imekwislia
kuja, nami naondoka. Akamwambia punda, nnakwenda cbooni mimi, zumgumzeni
hapo na mnmeo.
Simba akamrukia, wakapigana, akapigwa sana simba kwa mateke, naye akampiga
makucba mengi. Akaangusba simba akakimbia punda, akaenda zake mwituni.
Akaja sungura, akamwambia, Je ! simba, umempata ? Aka- mwambia, sikumpata,
amenipiga kwa mateke amekwenda zake, na mimi nimemtia madonda mengi,
sababu sina nguvu. Sungura akamwambia simba, tulia we.
Wakakaa siku nyingi, hatta punda akapona madonda yale, na simba akapata
nguvu sana. Akaenda sungura kwa simba, akamwambia, waonajc sasa, nikuletce
nyama yako ? Akamwambia, kanilctca ntaikata vijiandc viwili.
Akaenda sungura mwituni. Punda akamkaribisha sungura, akamwuliza kbabari.
Akamwambia, na mcbumba wako anakwita. Punda akamwambia, siku ile
umenipeleka, amenipiga sana kwa makucba, naogopa sasa.
STORY OF THE WASHERMAN'S DONKEY. 7
coming from its moutli, and lie said, ' This beast is fat.' And he
went and told the lion. Now the lion was re- covering from an illness ;
he was very weakly. The hare said to him, ' I will bring you some
meat to-morrow, that we may come and eat.' The lion said, ' Very
good.' ^, ^ . .
"The hare arose and went into the forest, and foimd the j^ >/aUi.*^
donkey; now that donkey was a she. And he said to her, h'^<~n>-
Ul^<jj('< ' I am sent to come and ask you in marriage.' ' By whom ?'
f^-h^ *.(((y> she asked. And he said, ' By the- lion.' And the donkey
Cl,'^> jo^-iJCr consented, and was very glad. And she said, ' Let us
go, flUJ Ivii^ui^ that will do.' of £a^«/V—
" And they went, till they arrived at the lion's. And the xL!i/iihnv
. lion invited them in, and they sat down. • The hare gave /
the lion a sign with his eyebrow, telling him, ' This is your meat, it
has come with me abeady ; I am going out,' And he said to the donkey,
' I am going on private busi- ness, converse here with your husband.'
" The lion sjjrang upon her, and they fought : the lion \r^^tM was
kicked very hard, and he struck hard with his claws, hnuf << And the
donkey threw the lion down and ran away, and k Ui HxT went off into
the forest. The hare came and said, ' Hullo ! Jc\tXc^^'> lion, have
you got it ?' He said, ' I have not got it ; she kicked me and
went off, though I have made her many sore places, because I am not
strong.' The hare said to the lion, ' Don't put yourself out of the
way.'
" They stayed many days, till the donkey was well of her wounds, and
the lion had got very strong. And the hare went to the lion and said,
' What do you think now, shall I bring you youi- meat ?' He said, '
Bring it me, I will tear it into two pieces.'
" The hare went into the forest ; the donkey welcomed /Ax JujJ(,*.
( the hare, and asked the news. He said, ' You are invited cx-
4£Ua/\" by your lover.' The donkey said, ' That day you took me, 0-^^
U6^ he scratched me very much, and now I am afraid.' And %^
4rA^ <^. ,1 cu/i^ ^^'>
8 KISA CIIA PUXDA WA DOB J.
Akamwambia, liajxana ueuo yalio ndio nuizumgiimzo ya simba. Akamwambia,
twende zetu, bass.
Wakaeuda liatta wakafika. Simba alip()m\yfma tn, akamriikia akamkata vipande
viwili.
Hatta sungura alipoknja, akamwambia, chukiia nyama hiyo iikaokc, wallakini
sitaki kitu mimi, ela moyo na mashikio ya pimda. Sungiira akamwambia,
marababa. Akaenda akaoka nyama mabala mbali, simba hamwoni. Akatwaa moyo
i;le na masliikio akala yeye sungura, hatta akashiba. Na nyama ngine
akaziweka.
Akaja simba, 'akamwambia, niletee moyo na masliikio. Akamwambia, yako wapi
? Simba akamwuliza, kwa niui ? Akamwambia, huyu punda wa dol)i, buna
kbabari ? Akamwambia, ginsi gani kutoa kuwa na moyo na ma- sliikio?
Akamwambia, wewe simba mtu mzima baya- kuelei ? Kama ana moyo huyu na
mashikio, angalikuja tena hapa ? Kwani marra ya kwanza amekuja akaona
atakuuawa, akakimbia, marra ya pili amekuja tena, bassi kama ana moyo
angalikuja ? Simba akamwambia, kweli
maneuo yako.
Bassi kima akamwambia papa, nawe wataka unifanye
mimi punda wa dobi, sliika njia wende zako kwenu,
niimi bunipati tena, na urafiki wetu umekwisha. Kua
heri.
STOBY OF TEE WASBEBiVAX'S DOXKEY. 9
he said, ' That is nothing, it is only the lion's way of con-
versing.' She said, ' Let us go, then.'
" They went till they arrived. The lion, when he had ) kx.U'(/i^
only caught sight of her, sprang upon her and tore her in S (uJ
/iCr~ two pieces. ' ' ^ ' Jt^j^oLi^
"When the hare came, he said to him, 'JTake this meat '^'L /j j!
and roast it ; but myself I want nothing^^xcept the . IT/
donkey's heart and ears.' The hare said, ' Thanks.' And ^^*"*^ .
fy he went and roasted the meat in a place apart, where the r^^^ jfi ^
lion did not see him. And the hare took the heart and ^'*^A'frv-
ears, and went on eating himself, till he had had enough. ^
^<^iu/i{ And the rest of the meat he put away. ^Ac^^^
" And the lion came and said, ' Bring me the heart and CcMM^ ^''^L
ears.' He said, 'Where are they?' The lion asked him, OaaM QuJ~~ '
What does this mean ?' He said, ' This was a washer- %:;7^cwif~~'
man's donkey, did not you know ?' And he said, ' What "^TTTT"^^^ —
about there being no heart and ears ?' He said, ' You
lion, a gi-own-up person, and is it not clear to you? If this /
%i Ji^Jlf animal had had heart and ears, would it have come here a
%/iiq\{J — • second time ? For the first time it came, it saw it
would fi^^ flu^ be killed, and ran away ; and yet it came again the
second Oy>)jf~] ,. time. Now, if it had any heart, would it have
come ^' n- a I The lion said, ' There is truth in what you say.'
" / ~ /? tT^
So the monkey said to the shark, " And you want to V^ "^q" make a
washerman's donkey of me. Take your way and " ^^-^ 7 be off home,
you are not going to get me again, and our "*^ » friendship is
ended. Good-bye."
^Wv^ tcc^^ 7t^ A. ^^^^imJU Ga/^ ^^u^^
^ eoc^ ci*^-^Vtxw K>mJ ^o^t/^ A-i^ <x6i^<.-4^{
SULTANI DAEAL
SULTAN DARAl.
SULTANI DARAI.
Aliondoka sermala, akaenda kuoa mbe. Akakaa na mku waki miaka mingi,
katta akajjata kijaua mauamke. Yule mkewe akajiatikaua na iigonjwa liatta
akafariki duiiia, akakaa na mtoto wake mdogo,
Akanena, mimi liapo ndijio manamume, ni mtu \va kwcnda kazini, na kijana
cbangu nalionayc ni mdogu, afatliali nitafute mke, nioe, illi maksudi
apate kulea hnyii mtoto wangu; kama sikuwa na mke mtoto wangn atatliii.
Nduguye akamwambia, astahili uoc, kwaui wewe ni mwanamume, mtu mzima tena,
na mtoto mdogo, bassi Lutaweza, afatbali uoe mke, akaaye na mtoto wako,
na weyc mwenyewe upate kwenda kazini. Akamwambia, vema, masbauri yako mema,
bassi weyo walionipa sbanri bili, uifanyic sbauri jema, ni mke upeudayc,
umwonaye mwema, nami nikubali. Akamwambia, yuko mwanamke mmoja jirani yangu,
alikuwa mwanamke wa marebemu Salib, bassi robo yake nimemwona kuwa mwema,
kwani alikaa sana na mumewe, sikusikia kugomba, bassi sijui wewe na nasibu
yako, lakini mimi uimcmwoua mwanamke
SULTAN DARAI.
A CARPENTEE arosG, aucl went and married a wife. He dwelt with his wife
many years, and they had a child, a girl. His wife was seized with
sickness, so that she departed from this world, and he dwelt with his
young- child.
And he said, " For myself here, I am a man, and one who goes to work
; and my daughter whom I have is young. I had better seek for a wife
and marry, for the purpose that she may bring up my child. If I have
no wife my child will suffer by it."
A kinsman of his told him, " You ought to marry, for you are a full-
grown man and the child is young, so you can do nothing ; you had
better marry a wife who may stay with your child, aud you yourself may
be able to go to your work." And he said, " Well, your advice is
good ; now you who have given me this advice, take good advice for me.
Is there a wife whom you like, and think her good, that I may receive
her ?" And he told him, " There is a woman a neighbour of mine, she
was the wife of Salih who has found mercy. Now I have thought her
disposition a good one, for she lived long with her husband, and I
heard no disputing. Now I don't know as to you aud your luck.
14 SULTANI DAB AT.
mwema, naye ana mtoto mmoja mwanamke, alioacliiwa na marehemu mumewe,
Akamwambia, bass, enenda kamtake, usikie majibu atakayokwambia, nawe keslio
uje unijibu kwa wakati ntarudi kaziui. Akacnda, akamwambia yule mwanamke,
kuwa manamumc amekuja kiikutaka, nawe nijibu utaka- lonambia, nami nende
hamjibu. Akamwambia, mimi kiimkataa siwezi, kwani hapo nilipo ni mjani,
nami na mtoto, bassi nipatapo mume naona ralia zayidi. Aka- mwambia, vema,
nitakwenda kumjibn.
Akaenda hatta kwa ndugxiye. Akamwambia, nimekuja kukujibu majibu yako,
walionituma jana. Mwanamke nimemwambia, liakuuijibu maovu, ameni2)a maneno
mema ya sharia yenyi njia. Akamwambia, bassi mimi ntakui)a nguo na mahari
umpelekee, na ukieuenda mwambie, Laya mahari yako, na hizi nguo zako,
kama una neno lingine nambie nikamjibu. Mwanamke akamwambia, mimi sina
neno, maadamu yamewasili mahari na nguo, sina jambo nafsini mwangu lingine
la zayidi. Nami nakwambia mume wangu na aje siku ya Juma tano.
Akaeneuda kumjibu, nimempelekea mwanamke nguo na mahari, nimempa, hamwuliza,
una neno zayidi '? Akaniambia, sina neno nafsini mwangu zayidi, neno lake
ni moja alioniambia, mwache mume wangu aje siku ya juma tano, bass !
Akamwambia, Juma tano si mbali, tukijaliwa na Muungu, ni leo juma 'nne
hatta kcsho imekuwa juma tano. Akamwambia, fanya shughuli zako tayari.
Akamwambia, mimi sina shughuli teua, shughuli zangu zimekwisha, ni tayari
mimi na mw'anangu, lakini weye ndugu yaugu enenda kamwambia mke, nao
kwao
SULTAN DARAI. 15
but for myself I tliiuk her a good woman, and she has one daughter,
who was left by her deceased husband."
And he said, " Well, go and ask her, that you may hear what answer she
will make you, and do you come to- morrow and tell me the answer when
I come home from work." And he went and told the woman, " There is a
man who is come wanting you ; give me an answer, that I may go tell
him again what you say." And she said, " I cannot refuse him, for here
as I am, I am a widow, I and my child, and if I get a husband I
shall be more comfort- able." He said, " Very well, I will go and give
him the answer."
He went to his kinsman's house. He said, " I am come to give you the
answer you sent me about yesterday. I told the woman, and she did not
answer me ill ; she gave me a good message, and one to be acted upon."
He said, " Well, I will give you clothes and the dowry ; take them to
her, and when you go, tell her, ' This dowry is yours, and these
clothes are yours ; if you have anything else to say, tell me, that I
may rej^ort it to him.' " The woman said, " I have nothing to say now
that the dowry and clothes have reached me ; I have nothing more on my
part, and I say to my husband, let him come on Wednesday."
He went and gave him the answer : " I took the vTOmau the clothes and
the dowry, and gave them to her, and asked her, ' Have you anything
more to say ?' And she told me, ' I have nothing more to say on my
part.' She told me one thing only, ' Let my husband come on Wednesday,
that is all.' " He said, " Wednesday is not far off, if God prosper
us ; to-day is Tuesday, and so Wednesday is to- morrow." He said, " Get
your business ready." He said, " I have no further business, my business
is finished, I and my daughter are ready ; but you, my brother, go and
tell the woman to be ready there. If she tells you, we are
IG SULTANI DABAI.
tayari. Akikwambia, tu tayari, njoouiite t\veuen(le wakati umekuwapo
naliokwainbiwa kueueucla.
Akaeuda liatta kwa mke akamwambia, mnmewo akixsa- limu, nanyi liuku in
tayari ? Bwaua barriisi ataka kuja. Akamwambia, siye tu tayari twamiigoja
yeye kuja, na waljati unapita, euencla mwambia njiesi aje.
Akacuenda mbiombio akamkuta nduguye akisimama mlangoui, yu tayari kutaka
kutoka. Akamwambia, mkewo salaam. Akamwambia, Je ! liabari gani ?
Akamwambia, liakuua habari ilia wewe upesi unakwitwa, nao buku wa tayari
wakuugoja wewe kuenenda, haya, upesi, wakati unapita. Wakaondoka, wakitoka
nyumbani, wakaenda zao batta wakifika nyumba ya mkewe, akasimama nje.
Akaingia yule nduguye, akamwambia, baya waanawake, bwana barrusi amekuja
ataka kuingia nyumbani. Aka- mwambia, rubusa na apite. Akacnda.
Wakakaa nyumbani kwake, yee na mkewe na mwanawe na yule mtoto wa mkewe,
batta muda wa siku saba kwisba. Akamwambia, mke wangu. Akamwambia, lebeka
bwana. Akamwambia, kesbo siku alhamisi nitakweuda kazini, kaa Sana na
mwanao naye mtoto radogo. Hatta ussubui walipokucba, akaenda zake kazini.
Mwanamuke buku nyuma akapika cbakula akawajja sebemu zao watoto, killa mtu
mbali mbali, yule mwanawe akampa wall mwema, na yule m\vana wa mumcwe
akampa ukoko walioungua.
Hatta atbuuri akija babayc, Pakua, bibi, cbakula. Mwa- namke akaeuda
jikoni akapakua cbakula, akaenda kumwa- ndikia mumewe, akampa maji kuuawa.
Akamwambia, Waito watuto, tule cbakula. Mwanamkc akamwambia,
SULTAN DAB AT. 17
ready ; come and call me, that we may go when the time I was told to
go is come."
He went to the woman's, and told her, " Your husband greets you, are
you ready here ? the bridegroom wants to come." And she said, " Is it
not we who are ready and waiting for him to come, and the time is
jjassing ; go and tell him to come quickly."
He ran and found his kinsman standing at his door, ready and wanting to
start. He said, " Your wife sends her compliments." He said, " Now then
! what news ?" He said, " No news except for you to be quick ; you
are called, and they there are ready waiting for you to go ; come
along, quick, the time is passing." And they set out and left the
house, and went till they got to his wife's house, and he stood
outside. His kinsman went in and said, " Now then woman, the bridegroom
is come, and wants to come into the house." And she said, " He may,
let him pass," and he went.
And they stayed in her house, he and his wife and his child and his
wife's child, till the space of seven days was ended. And he said, "
My wife." She said, " Yes, master." He said, " To-morrow, Thursday, I
shall go to work ; take care and stay with your daughter and the young
child." So in the morning when it was light, he went away to his work.
The woman there behind cooked food and gave the children their shares,
each one sejiarately ; and she gave her daughter good rice, and her
husband's daughter she gave the hard dry scorched rice.
At noon when her father came, "Dish up the food, mistress." The woman
went into the kitchen and dished up the food, and went to lay for her
husband, and gave him water to wash with. And he said, " Call the
children and let us cat our food." The woman said, " Ah ! master, are
the
18 SULTAXI DAB AT.
All ! Bwana, watoto wale marra mbili, nami nimekwislia wai^a seliemii zao,
sikuwafuntlislia matheliebii mabaya, watoto wadogo wakiisba pewa cbakula
cbao, wakiisba kula marra moja, bass na tungojee cbakula cba jioni. Aka-
iiiwambia, bass mke wangu, natbauia bawajala, ndio ba- kwambia waite, kama
wamokula, bass.
Akatoka kwenda zake kazini, mwanamke akapika cbakula cba jioui,
cbalipokwisba cbakula, kabla bajaja mumewe, akawapa kulia watoto, akampa
mwauawe wali inwema, ua yule akampa ukoko, tena waliouugua. Kijana akala,
akanywa maji, akatoka akaenda kucbeza nje.
Hatta jioni mumewe akarudi, akija zake nyumbani, •akamwita, Mke wangu,
Akamwambia, lebeka, bwana. Akamwambia, cbakula kimekwisba? Akamwambia,
kimekwisba, bwana. Pakua. Ee walla, bwana. Akaenda akapakua, akaja
akaandika, akampa mumewe maji ya kunawa. Akamwambia, mke wangu !
Akamwambia, lebeka, bwana. Waite watoto, waje kula cbakula. Ab ! Bwana,
maneno naliyokwambia ussubui bayakukutosba ? Akamwambia, maneno gani, bibi
'? Sikukwambia, vijana bawali marra mbili cbakula, utawafundisba matbebebu
mabaya. Akamwambia, sina kbabari, mke wangu, kama vijana vimekwisba kula,
bassi ntakula pekeyangu, mke wangu ? Nawe nawa, tule wote. Akamwambia,
nnakuja. Akatwaa cbicba mwanamuke, akasugua mikono yake. Mumewe akamwambia,
mbona unakawia, mke wangu, nami nakungoja tule. Mikono yangu ina masizi,
nasugua Sana kwa cbicba, ipate kuwa meupe, nawe kula ntakuja ; upandc
wangu sitic nicbuzi, ntakula kwa kitoweo. Akaja
SULTAN DAB AT. 19
cliildren to eat twice over ? I have given them their shares already. I
have not taught them bad habits. When young children have had their food
given them, and they have eaten once, that is enough ; let us wait till
the evening meal." And he said, " Very well, my wife, I thought they
had not eaten yet, and that is why I said call them ; if they have
eaten, that will do."
And he went out and went away to his work. And the woman cooked the
evening meal, and when the food was ready, before her husband came home,
she gave the children to eat, and she gave her daughter good rice, and
she gave the other what was dry and scorched. The girl ate it and
drank water, and went out to play outside.
Then in the evening her husband returned, and came to the house, and
called, " My wife ;" and she said, " Yes, master." And he said, " Is
the food done ?" She said, " It is done, master." " Dish up." "
Directly, master." And she went and dished uj) and came and laid out
the things, and gave her husband water for washing. And he said, " Wife
!" She said, " Yes, master." " Call the children, that they may come and
eat their food." " Ah ! master, is not what I told you in the morning
enough for you?" He said, " What did you tell me, mistress ?" " Did
not I tell you that girls don't eat twice ; you will teach them bad
habits." He said, " I had not heard, my wife, that the girls had eaten
already ; then, shall I eat by myself, my wife ? You wash, and let us
eat together." And she said, "I am coming." And the' woman took the
cocoa-nut scrapings (chicJia) and rubbed her hands. Her husband said, "
What are you so long about, wife ? I am waiting for you that we may
eat." " My hands are grimy, and I am rubbing them with chicJia to get
them clean ; do you go on eating, I will come. Don't put any mchuzi
(gravy) on my side, I will eat it with the Tcitoweo (meat, etc.)."
The woman came and they sat down
20 SUL TAXI DAB AT.
mwauamke, wakakaa kitako kula, wakiislaa wakanawa mikono,
wakaondoka.
Akamwambia, mke wangii, nilctee tambuu. Mbona tumbako hamua, fuuua cLini
ya mchago, akamwambia, nalifabamu kuweka jaua tmnbako, bassi tezama
uniletee. Akaenda mwanamke, akafimua nicliagoni, tumbako asionc. Akamwambia,
bwana. Akamwambia, lebeka, bibi. Mboua nimefunua mcliagoni, tumbako sikuiona
? Akamwambia, tezama sana, ela tartibu, iikitezama kwa barraka, butaoua
kitu. Ec, bwaua, natezama kwa taratibii, na tumbako siioni. Akamwambia,
tezama ilia miguuni. Akafuuua kitanda yule mwanamke asione tumbako.
Akamwambia, Ee, bibi wee, labuda umekwenda kwa barraka bapo kitandaui,
tumbako natbani umeyangiisba cbiiii. Aka- mwambia, bwana cbini baikuanguka.
Akamwambia, kama liusadiki nitatwaa taa nimulike bapa cbini ya muimgu, kama
iko tumbako yako ntaioua. Bassi mulilca upesi, nami nimekwisba unga
tambuu, nangojep, biyo tumbako tu, unaitafuta kutwa kamma sindano, ndio
buioni, nawe ungeiona sembuse biyo tumbako, nalo jino zima si kipande
kidogo. Ab ! Bwana siwezi, njoo tafuta mwenweye nami huku. Siji
uimecboka, tafuta imiletce bass, ufunue mikeka yote Tikatezame ; biyo
tumbako, bass, imekweuda wapi ? Eee ! mke waugu, nimesabau iko ndani ya
mfumbati kitanda kidogo. Ab ! bassi wee, waliotaka kuniatbibu, nawe wajua
tumbako walipoweka. Walitaka kuniatbibu mimi, mwana wa mwcnzio. Akitwaa
cbini ya mfumbati tumbako, akampelckea. Sbika timibako yako, una wazimo
wako, batta mtu wall bujaislia kumsbuka matumboni, unaingia ukiuiatbibu.
Ab I mke wangu, nimeclioka, nami
SULTAN DAB AT. 21
to eat, and when they had done they washed their hands and got uji.
And he said, " Wife, bring me the tambiiu (betel leaf, &c.). Why is
there no tobacco in it ? Uncover the end of the bedstead, I remember
putting away some tobacco yesterday, so look and bring it me." The woman
went and uncovered the end of the bedstead, without finding the tobacco.
She said, " Master." He said, " Yes, mistress." " What is the good of
uncovering the bedstead ? I have not foimd any tobacco." And he said, "
Look carefully and gently; if you look in a hurry you will find
nothing." " Eh ! master, I do look gently, and I see no tobacco." He
said, " Look about the feet." The woman uncovered the bedstead without
seeing the tobacco. He said, " Eh, you mistress, I daresay yoti went to
the bedstead there in a hurry. I think you have thrown the tobacco
do^^ii." She said, " It has not fallen down, master. If you don't
believe it, I will take a lamp and show a light here imder the
bedstead, and if your to- bacco is there I shall see it." " Well, show
a light quickly. I have folded up the tamhim already, I am only waiting
for this tobacco ; you are all day looking for it as if it had been
a needle, so you don't see it ; you would much sooner sec this
tobacco ; it was a whole twist, not a little bit." " Ah, master, I
can't ; come and look yourself along with me here." " I am not coming,
I am tired ; take off all the mats and look. Where can this tobacco
b6 gone to ? Eh ! eh ! my wife, I forgot; it is inside the side
piece of the little bedstead." " Ah ! now you, you wanted to give me
trouble, and you know where you put the tobacco. You wanted to give me
trouble, me, the child of your equal." And taking the tobacco from under
the side piece, she brought it to him. " Take hold of your tobacco ;
you are not in your senses, before one's food has got down into one's
stomach, to begin to worry one." " Ah, wife, I am tired, and I had
22 SULTAXI DAE AT.
nalisahau, bassi kumekuwa wakati wa usika, waita watoto walale, ondoka
kafunga mlango. \Vatoto wakaingia kwao cliiimbani kulala, na baba zao
akaenda zake kulala.
Hatta ussubui walipokucba, akamwaita, Mke wangu. Akamwambia, lebcka, bwana.
Naenda zangu kazini, mtazama mtoto asitoke nje na acheze bapa ndani
uwanjani na nduguye. Akamwambia, Ee walla, bwana. Akaenda zake kazini.
Mwanamke akapika cbakula akawaita, Watoto ! Lebcka, Mama ! wakaja woto
wawili mbio. Yule mtoto wa mmnewe akamwambia, miye, mama. Ah ! nalikwitwa
mimi mama yako, nalikuzaa lini ? Mamako yule amekufa kule, mimi namwita
mwanangu, naliomzaa mwenyewe. Yule kijana akazunguka nyuma, akakumbuka,
akalia sana, batta yule mwenziwe akamwambia, dada, unalia nini ?
Akamwambia, mimi si dada yako, mama yako amcnia- mbia, mamako yule
amekufa, mimi si dada yako, mimi kuwa dada yako ningepewa ukoko wa wali
tena ulioungua ? Wewe ukapata wali mwema, na kitoweo kukupa, mimi bala
ukoko mkavu ila kuwa na mcbuzi sababu mimi sina mama, bass ; mimi si
dada yako. Yule kijana akaondoka aka- mwita, Mama ! Mwanangu ! Mbona yule
dada amezuuguka nyuma analia, mama, umemtendani ? Ab ! mimi, yule si
mwanangu, nalikuzaa pekeyako. Ab ! si mtoto wa baba ? Akiwa mtoto wa
babayo, bassi nimtendeni? Nimtie katika mboni ya maclio, utakapojua kwcli
kamma buyu ni nduguye. Uss, nyamae si nene, kamwita mle cbakula.
Akamwambia, dada unakwitwa. Nani ananiita? TJna- kwitwa na mama.
Unanikufm-u wewe, sina mama mimi.
SULTAN DAB AT. ■ 23
forgotten. Well, it is getting niglit-time ; call tlie cbildreu to go to
bed ; get up and fasten the door." The children went into their own
room to sleep, and their father went and slept.
Then in the morning when it was light, he called, " My wife." She
said, " Here, master." " I am going away to work ; see the child does
not go outside ; let her play here inside within the enclosure along
with her sister." She said, " Very well, master." And he went away
to his work.
The woman cooked the food, and called, " Children." " Here, mother." And
they both came running. Her husband's child said, " Me, mother." " Ah !
am I called your mother ? when did I bear you ? Your mother is dead
yonder, I call her my child whom I bore myself." The girl turned back
and thought in herself, and cried very much, till her companion asked
her, " Sister, what are you crying for ?"
She said, " I am not your sister ; your mother told me, ' Your mother
yonder is dead.' I am not your sister. If 1 were your sister should I
be given hard dry rice, and rice, too, that is burnt ? and you get
good rice ; and you are given the kitoweo, and I eat scorched rice by
itself, unless it be with mchizi, because I have no mother. There ! I
am not your sister." The girl went and called, " Mother !" " My child !"
" Why has sister gone round there behind, crying ; what have you done
to her, mother ?" " What, I, she is not my child ; I bore you, and
you only." " What, is she not father's child ?" " If she were your
father's child, how would I treat her ? I would put her in the apple
of my eye, and you would know the truth then that she was your sister.
Sh ! hold your tongue and say nothing, and call her, that you may eat
your food." And she said, " Sister, you are called." " Who is calling
me?" " Mother is calling you." " You are mocking me, you are, I
have
'-'4 SULTAN I BAR AT.
inamangii yule amokufa, mwcnyi mama wcwe tu. Hupcwa wall mwema ukila,
bassi, ucncle kwa mamayo. Ee dacla, si fauya basira, twencle zetu tukale.
Mimi buko sieudi, nileteeui waugu papa bai>a.
Akaoudoka, akaenenda, akainwita mama. Akamwitikia, mwanangii yu wapi nduguyo
? Akamwambia, mimemvvita, bataki kuja, akauiambia nipelokee wall kuko buko.
Akamwambia, yuko \\api ? Yuko nyuma uaui, Cbukiia, mpelekca. Akacbukua
yule kijana, akaenda akampelekea. Dada, dada, wali bmi nimepewa kukupa.
Akamwambia, wacbe bajja nitakula. Akiweka wali cbini, akasliika iijia kweuda
zake.
Je ! umempa wali nduguyo. Nimempa bajala na akauiambia, weka cbini, nami
nikaweka. Bassi kaa kitako, ule wali wako. Hatta akala, akaisba.
Kamtezame nduguyo amckwisba kula wake. Naye akaenda akamkuta ameuamia
cbini, na macbozi bumtoka, akumbuka yale yaliotendwa na yule mke wa
babaye. Akamwita, dada yangu, usilie sana, kitwa bicbo kitakuuma, iifatbali
ule wali. Akamwambia, robo yangu ina basira, nami nakumbuka ulimwengu
roboni mwangu, wali baui^iti, nami njaa ninayo. Kwa nini, ndugu yangu ?
Akaambia, liivyo tu. Akatwaa ule wali akampa mbuzi.
Marra babaye akaja, akapiga bodi ! Jlke akaitika bodi ! Karibu bwana!
Akamwambia, babari ya pwani? Kwema, jua kali, uipc maji kidogo ninywe.
Akapewa maji, akauy wa. Akamwita, Bibi ! Lcbeka, bwana !
SULTAX DAB AT. 25
no mother ; my mother there is dead ; it is only you who have a
mother ; you are given good rice to eat ; go along then to your
mother." "Oh, sister, don't be angry; let us go and eat." " I shall
not go there, bring me mine here where I am."
She arose and went and called her mother. She answered her, " My child,
where is your sister ?" She said, " I have called her and she won't
come ; she told me to take her her rice there where she is." She said,
" Where is she ?"' She said, " There, behind in the yard." " Take it
and carry it to her." The girl took it and went, and carried it to
her. '• Sister, sister, I have been given this rice to bring to you."
She said, " Leave it here and I will eat." She put down the rice
and took her way and went.
" Well ! you have given your sister her rice ?" " I have given it to
her, but she has not begun to eat ; she told me to put it down in
the yard, and I put it down." " Very well ; sit down and eat your own
rice." So she ate and finislied it.
" See if your sister has done eating." She went and found her bending
down, and shedding tears, thinking over how she was treated by her
father's wife. And she called, " My sister, don't cry so much, your
head will ache ; you had better eat your rice." She said, " My soul is
angry, and I am thinking over my circumstances in my soul. The rice will
not go down, and I am hungry." " Why so, my sister ?" She said, " It
is so." And she took the rice and gave it to the goat.
Just then her father came and knocked, " Hodi !" The wife answered, "
Hodi, come in, master !" And she said, " What is the news by the shore
?" " Good, the sun is fierce ; give me a little water to drink." He
was given water, and drank. He called, "Mistress." " Here, master." "Is
the food done ?" " Oh, it was done long ago, master, and
26 SULTAXI DAB AT.
Cbakula kimekwisba. Oh! kimekwislia zamani, bwaua, tena wali iimepoa.
Pakua upesi, nataka kulala.
Mwanamke akaenda jikoni, akapakua wali upcsi, akaja akamwandikia mymewe.
Akaleta maji ya kunawa. Mumevre akanawa mkono. Akamwambia, waite watoto
tupate kiila cbakula.
Ab ! mume wangii buua masbikio ? 31aneno yayo kwa yayo sikuzote, ela
vijana wakae kitako na cbakiila kime- kwisba wakungojea wewe batta urudipo
kazini, saa ya saba? Watoto bawa wangekiifa na njaa, lakini miye liupika
upesi makusudi, bawa vijana wale na mapema, wasione njaa. Bassi wewe,
killa siku unaporudi kazini, buwaite watoto ule nao, wataka kuwalisba
marra mbili ao tatu bawa, bassi bayo mambo gani ?
Ee bibi sina babari, kama watoto wamekwisba kula, bassi bibi, ningekuwa
na babari ningewaita marra ya pili ? Lakini nnanena, bawajala, udio
niaana bawaita, sasa wamekula, bass ! Kanawe, tulo.
Na mwanamke akaenda kunawa, wakarudi, wakala. Akamwambia, desturi, mume
wangu, ujapo ujc sbuti waite watoto, buwaambia watoto njooni mle, na
desturi za nyumba kwanza buulizwa mke, kwani ndiyo alionao nyumbani, kwani
ndiye ajuaye vitu pia vipikwavyo na vibicbi, na asbibaye na mwenyi njaa,
kwani mke ndiye ajuaye, kwani yee ndiye mpisbi, ndiyo apakuayo, bassi
ukija, mume wangu, sasa desturi ukiniuliza mimi, kwani ndiyo ulioniacbi;i
nyumba yako kwani nasikia, udio mkeo mimi.
Bassi, mke wangu, uwe ratbi kwa bili nalionena, na bili nalilokosa, baya
walioniambia ndio mancno ya sbcria ya
SULTAN DARAI. 27
the rice has got cold." " Dish up quickly, I want to go to sleep."
The woman went into the kitchen and dished up the rice quickly, and
laid for her husband, and brought water for washing. Her husband washed
his hands and said, " Call the children, that we may eat our food."
" Ah ! my husband, have you no ears ? Always the same words over and
over. Are the children to sit still when the food is cooked, and wait
for you when you come back from work, till one o'clock ? The girls
would die of hunger, but I, I cook quickly, on purpose that these girls
may eat in good time and not get hungry. And then you, every day when
you come back from work, call the children to cat with them. Do you
want to give them food twice or three times ; what does all this mean
?"
" Oh, mistress, I had not heard that the children had eaten already ;
well, mistress, if I had heard it, should I have called them a second
time ? But I said they have not yet eaten, that was why I called for
them ; now that they have eaten, that will do. Wash your hands, and
let us eat."
The woman went and washed and came back, and they ate. And she said, "
It is your custom, my husband, when you come you must call the
children, and say to the children, come and eat ; and the usual thing
in a house is first to ask the wife, it is she who [stays] in the
house, and it is she who knows everything that is cooked and not cooked,
and who has had enough and who is hungry, for it is the wife who
knows, for she is the cook, and she it is who dishes up the food ;
well then, my husband, when you come it is according to the custom for
you to ask me, for this is why you leave your house to me, because I
understand it, and it is I who am your wife."
" Well, my wife, forgive me for what I said, and for what I was wrong
in ; what you say is according to the rule,
28 SULTAXI DABJl.
mume atoka amwulize mkewe. Je ! biLi, umepika ? Je I bibi, watoto
wamekiila ? Je ! bibi, chakula uliehowapa watoto kimeu-atosba?
Bassi nami mke ndio niknjibupo. Ab! Bwana, watoto cbakula kimetosha. Xdipo
watu wanapokaa na wake wao katika majumba, ndij^o watu wakaoa makusudi
wakitoka nje wasimwiilize mtumwa, wala wasimwulizc mtoto, ni kiiulizwa mke
aliomo nyumbani, ndiyo mwenyi madaraka ya nyumba, ndio maana watu wakaoa
wake kutaka baya, akija akute killa kitu nyumbani tayari. Na kitapopungua
killa kitu katika nyumba asiulizwe mtumwa, wala asiulizwe mtoto, uniulize
mimi mkeo, nilio katika nyumba, ukitaka kimipiga, ukitaka kunifunga,
ukitaka kunitukana, ni lile ulipendalo, mume wangn, nikikosa ndilo.
Bassi, mke wangn, nisamehe kwa baya naliyofanya, wala sitafanya tena,
bassi nawe, twende zetu tukalale.
Hatta usiku nlipokucba, mumewe kuondoka, akamwa- mbia, bibi, leo mimi
siendi kazini, naona maungo yote yananiuma, lakini nitaondoka marra moja,
nitakwenda kwa jiraui, ntakwenda kucbeza bao. Bassi cbakula kikiisba, mtume
mtoto aje niite. Akamwambia, marababa, mume wangu.
Mwanamkc akaenda jikqni akavimja nazi. Alipokwisba pika wali jua limekuwa
mafungulia ng'ombe. Mumewe bajadiriki kwenda kwitwa, amekuja mwenyewc
nyumbani. Ee mke wangu umekawia mbona kupika. Nami bwana, nimekwisba
kupika, lakini bwana ninakosba sabani, nalitaka kumtuma mtoto kuja
kukwita, bassi, bwana,
SULTAN DABAI. 29
that a man who goes out should ask his wife, ' Now then, mistress,
have you cooked ?' ' Now then, mistress, have the childi-en eaten ?' '
Now then, mistress, did what you gave them suffice them ?' "
" Well, and I the wife am the one to answer you, ' Ah, master, the
children have had food enough.' This is how people live with their wives
in great houses, and this is exactly what people marry for ; that when
they go out they should not ask a slave, or ask a child ; it is the
wife who is in the house who is to be asked, she it is who manages
the house ; this is what people marry wives for, because they want when
they come (home) to find every- thing ready. And if anything shall be
wanting in the house, that they may not ask a slave, or a child. You
should ask me, your wife, who am in the house. If you want to beat
me, if you want to tie me up, if you want to abuse me, you are my
husband, and you can do what you like if I have done wrong."
" Well, my wife, forgive me what I have done, and I will not do so
again ; so wash yourself, and let us go to sleep."
Then in the morning, when it dawned, her husband, getting up, said to
her, " Mistress, to-day I am not going to work, I feel my back aching
all over, but I will just get up and go to a neighbour's, and play at
JBao. So when the food is done, send a child to go and call me." She
said, "Very well, my husband."
The woman went to the cooking-place, and broke a cocoa-nut. And when she
had finished cooking the rice, the sun had reached nine o'clock. Her
husbanel had not stayed long enough to be called, he had come home of
himself. " Eh ! wife, why have you been so long cooking ?" " Me,
master, I have done cooking, but I am washing the plates, and I wanted
to send a child to call you. Well then, master, shall 1 dish up '?"
" If you are ready, dish
30 SULTAXI DAnAL
nipalaie? Kama u tayari, pakua. Akaencla akaingia jikoni mwaDamkc, akipakua
sakani tatu, saliaui moja ya mumewe, sahani moja ya mtoto wa mumewe, na
sakani moja ya mwanawe. Na sakaui mbili zile za wali mwema, sakani ya
mumewe na sakani ya mwanawe, na sakani ya yule mtoto wa mumewe ametia
ukoko wa wali, na ukoko Tuneungua, na kitwa cka samaki, ndicko alickompa.
Mumewe akapelekewa wali, na mwanawe akackiikua wake wali, na mtoto wa
mumewe akackukua ukoko ule ulioimgua. Na yule mume roko yake inasikitika
kwa sababu kapati kula na mwanawe sakani moja, na kunena kwa yule
mwanamke katliubutu.
Akamwambia, bibi, watoto wamekula? Akamwambia, nimekwiska wapa sakemu zao,
wamekula yee na nduguye. Akamwambia, bass, nii^e maji uinawe, na akinawa
mkono, mume akatoka.
Na yule mtoto wake kule nyuma aliko kakula ule wali, analia, anasikitika
kuona mwenziwe ana mw^ema, naye kula ukoko. Akiacka ule i;koko, akaenda
katta kaburini kwa mama, akaenda akisikitika sana, na kulia sana.
Akizuuguka katika nyiuna ya kaburi, akaona mtango. Akatazama ckini, akaona
matango, akickuma mawili, moja akila, moja akackukua kufanya mtoto. Hatta
alipofika kule nyumbani. Tango kili umepata api ? Akamwambia, tango kili
nimeckuma kule skambani kwa watu. Aka- mwambia, nilete tango.
Akamnyang'anya, akimpa mwa- nawe. Yule akakaa kitako akilia.
Hatta babaye alipotoka, amkuta kijana analia. Jc ! mama, imalilia nini?
Akamwambia, sina katta kitu. Unalia burre ? Una jawabu udani ya roko
yako, nanibie
SULTAN DAB AT. 31
up." The woman went, and went into tlie kitchen, and served up three
pLates : one plate for her husband, one pkte for her husband's chikl,
and one plate for her own child. And two of the plates were of good
rice, her husband's plate and her own child's plate ; and into her
husband's child's jjlate she had put the dried skin of the rice and what
was scorched, and the head of the fish — this was what she gave her.
Her husband had rice brought him, and her child took her rice, and her
husband's child took the dried part that was scorched ; and the man's
soul was grieved because he could not eat out of one dish along with
his child, but he did not dare to speak to the woman.
And he said, " Mistress, have the children eaten ?" And she said, " I
have given them their shares ; they have eaten, she and her sister."
And he said, " Well then, give me some water that I may wash ;" and
the husband washed his hands, and went out.
And his child there, where she was behind, had not eaten that rice,
crying and sorrowing to see her companion having good rice and she
eating dry stuff. And she left the dry stuff, and went as far as to
her mother's grave ; and she went grieving very much and crying very
much.
And going round behind tlie grave she saw a tango plant, and she looked
down and saw tangos, and plucked two, eating one and taking the other
to make a doll of it. Till when she reached home, — " Where did you
get that tango "?" And she said, " I plucked it in people's shamhas
[gardens]." And she said, " Bring me the tango." And she took it away
from her, and gave it to her own daughter. And she sat down and cried.
When her father came out and found the girl crying — " Halloo ! mother,
what are you crying about ?" And she said, " There is nothing the
matter with me." " Are you crying for nothing? you have something on
your mind ;
3'J SULTAXI DAnAT.
jawalixi liii, hili linaloknliza nami nijiate kulijua. Aka- mwainbia, sina
liatta kitu, baba. Akamwambia. itayamkini kulia burre wee ? Akamwambia,
niualia tu.
Mkewe akaja. Wcye wafanya niui kwa mtoto ? Na- mtezama huyu kijana,
namwona akilia, namwuliza linao- mliza, hauambii. Akamwambia, wataka niui
na kijana, kijana buyu mpumbavu, ana wazimo, linyu amekwenda huko kwenda
kwiba tango la watu, amekuja hapa, nime- liona nimemnyang'anya lile tango,
nimewapa wenyewe. Bassi kijana buyu anataka kutuvumbulia vita, anataka
kutujongea kutukana na waty, atatujongea kupigwa na watu, tezama buyu
mtoto waugu, baendi kutwaa kitu cba watu, akiisba kula, bukaa kitako
akasuka ukili wake, akichoka kusuka bulala. Huyu mt(jto wako bakubali,
akiisba kula kwenda ndani ya masbamba ya watii, akitwaa vitu vya watu,
butaka kutujongea sisi maskini ya Muungu. Wakija watu wenyi vitu vyao
niimi simo, najitoa, nitawaambia enendeni kwa babayc, kama kulipa ulipe
wewe, kama kufungwa ufungwe wewe, kama kui)igwa upigwe wewe, na baya yote
yatakupata kwa sababu ya mwanao, kwani mwanao basikii, barudiki,
baambiliki. Bassi mtoto buyu mtu mtendani? Bassi mimi nimejitoa, mumc
wangu, mimi simo kwa sababu ya vitendo vj^a kijana biiyu.
Babaye akamsbika mkono yule mtoto, akaingia uaye ndani akamfunga mikono na
miguu, akamebimbia na mti kati, akamwambia sikufungulii, sbuti utakufa
pajio bapa.
Akamwambia, baba unifuugie niui, wanifunga kuiiionea
SULTAN DAB A I. 33
tell me what it is, this that makes you cry, that I too may know it."
And she said, " There is nothing the matter with me, father." And he
said, " Shall it be possible to be crying for nothing, eh ?" She
said, " I am only crying."
His wife came. " What are you doing with the child ?" " I look at
this girl, I see her crying, I ask her what makes her cry, and she
doesn't tell me." And she said, " What do you want with the girl ;
this girl is a fool, she is mad ; she had gone stealing somebody's
tangos, and came here ; and I saw the tango, and took it from her,
and gave it to the owners. So this girl wants to get us into a
squabble, she wants to get us abused by people, to get us beaten by
people. Look at my child here, she does not go taking anything of other
people's ; when she has done eating, she sits and plats her strips for
mats, and when she is tired of platting she lies down. This child of
yours won't do it ; when she has done eating she goes into people's
gardens and takes people's things. She wants to bring us poor peojile
into trouble. If people come after their things, I shall not be at
home, I shall be out, and I will tell them, ' Go to her father ;'
that if it is a matter of paying, you may jiay, if it is a matter
binding, you may be bound, if it is a matter of beating, you may be
beaten ; and all this will come upon you because of your daughter ; for
your daughter does not listen, she is not to be corrected, and she is
not to be spoken to. So then, what is any one to do with this
child ? Well, for me, my husband, I am not inside, I have turned
myself out of the house, because of the doings of this girl."
Her father took the child's hand, and went inside with her, and tied
her hands and feet, and dug a place for a I)ole to tie her to, and
said, " I shall not unfasten you ; you must stay here till you die."
And she said, " Father, what do you tie me up for ? Do
34 SULTAXI DAB AT.
kwa kuwa mwanao, ao nimetukana mtu, bass nmeuifuuga kuniriidi ili
sitiikaue tena mtu, ao nimekwiba mali va watii, umekuja kustakiwa, bassi
iimenifimga kiuiirucli, ili sitwae teua mali za watu ?
Akamwambia, wewe umckweuda katika sliamba la watn, mamayo ameniambia,
ukaeuda ukayacbuma mataugo ya watu, wenyewe wakaja wakusbtaki uyumbani,
mamako araekimyang'auya taugo, amewapa mwenyewe.
Baba yangu, sina la kunena, kinwa kimejaa maji, na uikinena nakuogopa,
baba yangu, kuona basira uyingi, ukagomba na mkeo, kwa bayo anitendayo.
Ee mwanangu, unieleze, wala sina basira, wala si- mwambii mke wangu,
nataka uiyajue mimi na robo yangu. Akamwambia, waniona baba ninapokonda.
Akamwambia» nakuona, mwanangu. Akamwambia, mimi sipewi wali, ila ukoko, tena
ukoko ulioungua, na kunena sitbubutu, na mwanawe bumpa kulia wali mwema,
akampa na mwingiuc, akamficbia, Tissubui ukitoka ukaenda kazini kumwita
mwanawe ebumbani, akampa ule wali uliomwekewa wa jaua. akala pekeyake, na
mimi najua sipewi, na knambia babangu naogopa, kwani ninyi wazee mmencna,
bawa waanawake ucbungu watoto wao u katika nyonga, na ninyi waanaume
mracnena, mtoto mwanamke kwa mamaye mwanamke, nawc, babangu, umeoa buyu
mwanamke, anitunze, na mimi mwanao ntaweza mimi kijana kizima mwanamke
nikija nikikwambia, baba nna njaa ? Nije nikwambie, baba nataka mtama ?
Mimi mwana mwanamke sbuti uiende kwa yule mama yangu, nenda bataki nikija
SULTAN DAB AT. 35
you tie me, to jiimisli me for being your child ? Have I used bad
words to anybody, and you have tied me to correct me that I may not
use bad words any more ; or have I stolen people's property and they
have come to accuse me, and have you tied me uj) to correct me that I
may not take people's property again ?"
And he said, " You went into people's gardens, your mother has told me,
you went and plucked other people's tangos, and they came to the house
to accuse you, and your mother took the tmigo away from you, and gave
it to the owner."
" My father, I have not what to say ; my mouth is full of water, and
if 1 speak, I fear you, my father, will be very angry, and quarrel
with your wife about the way she treats me."
" Ah ! my child, explain it to me, I am not angry, and I am not
going to tell my wife ; I want to know it, me and my own soul." And
she said, " You see me, father, how I am growing thin." He said, " I
see, my child." She said, " I am given no rice except the di-y part
and what is burnt, and I dare not speak, and her child, she gives her
good rice to eat of, and she gives her other, too, and hides it away
for her, and in the morning, when you go out to work, she calls her
child into the room, and gives her that rice which was put away for
her from the day before, and she eats by herself. And I, I know, get
nothing, and I fear to tell my father, because you old people say, '
These women, the trouble of their child is on their hips,' and you men
say, 'A child that is a female belongs to its mother that is a
female.' And you, my father, have married this woman that she may take
care of me, and I, your daughter, can I, a full-grown girl, come and
tell you, ' Father, I am hungry ;' am I to come and tell you, '
Father, I want corn ?' I, who am a woman, must go to my
36 SULTANI DARAI.
kwako, baba yangu, yiile mama kusikia batanipenda. Atanambia, yule mwana
si kitu, anauiacba kuniomba mimi mamaye, sbuti akamwombe baba yake, bassi
mimi mke wa nini nyumbaui ?
Akamwambia, kweli mwanangu. Bassi uipe babari ya tango bili, mwanaugu.
Akamwambia, taugo lile naliokuja nalo juzi, siku ilc ulipokuwa bawezi,
walipokwenda kwenda kwa jiraui kwenda kncbeza bao, ukarudi upcsi, kabla
mtu bajaja ku- kwita, ukamwuliza mama, mbona kimekawia, jua limekuwa
mafimgulia ng'ombe, bakukwambia cbakula kimekwisha, nali nikiosba sahani,
nipate kumtuma mtu, aje akwite? Ukamwambia, kama cbakula kimekwisba, ■
pakue. Aka- mwambia, kimekwisba, akaenda akapakua mwauamke sabani tatu, moja
yako baba, moja ya mwanawe, mqja yangu. Sahani yako ya wali, naye
mwanawe ya wali, yangu mimi imetiwa ukoko tena ulioungua, na kitwa cba
samaki. Wangu nikazunguka nao nyuma, bautazama ule wali siwezi kula,
nikasikitika sana, nikalia sana, nikanena na mimi mama yangu augekuwa
bayi, niugekula wali mwema na mimi, kama anavyokula mwenzaugu, anavyopewa
na mamaye. Bassi walipokwisba kula wcwe baba, wali- ponawa mkono wakatoka,
na mimi nikatoka kwa ucliungu wa roho yangu, nikaenda batta kaburini kwa
mama yangu, nikasikitika sana, uikalia sana, tena nikaondoka nikazu- nguka
nyuma ya kaburi, batazama cbini, baoua mtango, hacbuma matango mawili,
moja batafuna, na moja hacbukua mwenyewe kufanya mtoto. Nalipokuja bapa
nyumbaui, buyu mama akauiuliza, watoka wapi na taugo? Mimi simwambii,
natoka nalo kaburini kwa mama yaugu, nika-
SULTAN DABAI. 37
mother there ; she does not like my coming to you, if mother hears of
it she will not love me. She will say of me, ' That girl is good-for-
uothing, she omits to ask of me, her mother, and must needs ask of her
father ; what am I, his wife, in the house for, then ?' "
And he said, " Truth, my child, and then tell me about that tango, my
child."
And she said, " That tanrjo that I came with the other day, that day
when yoii were ill, when you went to a neighbour's to play at Bao, and
came back quickly before any one had come to call you, and asked mother
why it was so long, the sun had reached nine o'clock, did she not say
' The food is done, and I am washing the plates, that I may send some
one to call you ?' And you said, ' If the food is done, serve up.'
And she said, ' It is done.' And the woman went, and served up three
plates, one yours, father, one her daughter's, and one mine. Your plate
of rice, and her daughter's of rice, and my own had put in it the dry
part which was scorched and the head of the fish. And 1 went round
behind with mine, and I looked at that rice and could not eat it, and
I was very grieved, and cried very much, and I said, ' If my mother
were alive, I should eat good rice as my companion does, who is given
it by her mother.' Well, then, when you had finished eating, father, and
washed your hands and went out, I too went out in the bitterness of my
soul, and went to the grave o:^ my mother, and was much grieved, and
cried very much ; then I got up and went round behind the grave, and
looked down, and saw a tango plant, and I gathered two tangos, one I
munched, and one I took myself to make a doll. When I came here into
the house, mother here asked me, ' Where do you come from with the
tango f I did not tell her, ' I come with it from the grave of my
mother ;' I told her, ' I come with it from people's gardens
38 SULTAXI DAEAI.
mwambia, natoka nalo huko sliambani kwa watu, akinya- ng'anya lile tango,
akirnpa mwanawe. Bassi mirni tena nikafauya roho yangu hasii-a, nikafanya
rolio yaugu kuonewa, nikajiinamia hakumbuka mama yangu, bauena tango bill,
kama ningekuwa na mama yangu, bangeweza kuninyang'auya buyu, akampa
mwanawe. Nami naliogopa kumwambia, matango baya ninakweucla nikicbmna kule
katika kaburi ya mama yangu, angekwenda marra moja, akaenda akayacbuma
yote, akampa mwanawe, nami ninge- yakosa. Bassi mwenyewe mimi nimeyaacba
maksudi kule kaburini, nikiumwa na njaa nikapate moja nitafime, nidanganye
robo yangu, na moja nifanye mtoto. Bassi mimi matango yale sikuyaiba
baba, kama busadiki baba, mwenyewe euenda batta cbini ya kaburi, kuna
matango saba makubwa, na madogo yaliomo na maua, bayana idadi. Bassi
umeuifunga, baba, kwa kuniouea, sina naliolikosa kwako, wala kwa buyu
mkewo.
Akamfungua mwanawe, akamwambia, mama niwie ratbi kwa baya naliyokutenda,
nami sikuyajua, wala sikuyasikia, wala sikuyatambua. Ab ! baba yangu, mimi
ni rutbi kwa lo lote vmitendalo. Bassi kesbo, mwanangu, ntakimunulia mtumwa
mwanamke, na nyiunba nikiibamisbe, uikuweke nyumba ya marebemu mamayo,
wew^e na mtumwa wako, na cbakula ntakupa.
Hatta usiku walipokucba, akaenda zake sokoui, jua limekuwa saa ya tatu,
akazabuni mjakazi mzuri ampendaye, akampeleka nyumbaui. Akamwambia, mwanangu,
buyu mtumwa wako, buyu udiye ni yaya yako, buyu ndiye mama yako, bassi
nawe kaa naye. Wee Mjakazi! Lebeka, Bwana. Mimi nimekununua sababu ya
mwanangu, lunpikie
SULTAN DAB AT. 39
yonder.' And slie took away the tango and gave it to her daughter. And
so I was angry in my soul, and felt my soul oppressed, and bowed
myself down, and thought of my mother and said, ' If I had my mother,
this one would not be able to rob me of my tango, and give it to her
daughter.' And I feared to tell her that I w^ent and ga- thered this
tango there by the grave of my mother ; she would go at once and
gather them all and give to her daughter, and I should lose them. So I
myself left them on purpose there by the grave, that when hunger hurts
me, I may munch one and deceive my soul, and one I may make a doll
of. So I did not steal those tangos, father : if you do not believe
me, father, go yourself, and under the grave are seven large tangos, and
there are little ones and flowers without number. So you have tied me
up oppressively. There is nothing I have done wrong, either towards you
or towards your wife."
And he untied his daughter and said, " Mother, forgive mc for what I
have done to you, for I did not know, I had not heard, and did not
understand." " Ah ! my father, I am contented with everything you do to
me." " Well then, to-morrow, my child, I will buy you a female slave,
and you shall change houses, and I will put you in the house of your
deceased mother, you and your slave, and I will give you food."
When the night dawned, he went into the market, and the sun marked nine
o'clock, and he chose a fine woman slave, who pleased him, and sent her
to the house. And he said, " My child, this is your slave, she is
your nurse^ and she is yom- mother, and do you live with her." " You,
woman!" " Here, master." " I have bought you because of my child, that
you may cook for her good food, that you
40 SULTAXI BABAI.
chakula cliema, iimvike nguo njema, umtanclikie kitanda chema, umzumgumze
mazumgumzo mema, huyu ndiye mamayo, huyu ndiye babayo, huyu ndiye niumewo,
buyu ndiye shogayo, buyu ndiye mwauao. Bassi, tafatbali mtuuze Sana mtoto.
Mwanamumc akaondoka batta akafika kwake mwanamke wake. ]VIkewe amei^ata
babari, kama mumeo ameuunua suvia, ame'mweka nyumba marebemu mkewe, bassi
akanena mwanamke, nyumba bilo akija baiugii, atamrudia siu-ia hiyo,
aliko'mweka, ao tutakwenda zetu kwa Sbekbi sasa bivi, akanJacbe, simtaki
mume buyu tena. Ah ! mume akinunua suria, miye anitakia nini tena ?
Marra mwanamume amekuja, mwanamke akatwaa mguu moja buku, na moja buku,
akatanua katika mwango, ku- ngoja mumewe akija, asipate njia ya kuingia
ndani, aka- tanua na yote mikono miwili mwangoni.
Alipotokea mumewe, amwambia, Eudi, rudi, koma sije nyumbani kwangu, usije,
buko ulikonunua suria na nyvmiba ulio'mweka, rudi, kakae kuko buko, nyumba
hii yone paa usije mwangoni kwangu.
Ob ! Mwanamke, una wazimouniugoje kwanza ukaniuliza. Pa ! iikanirukia. Niite
faragbani nyumbani uniulize, umekaa mwangoni bapo mgim buku, mguu buku,
Uikono buku mkono buku, umewamba mwango, watu pia wakipita wakuone
umesimama bivyo katika mwango, hutabayai'i nafsi yako?
Sitaki niancno yako leo, rudi kuko buko, rndi kuko biiko, usiingie
nyumbani mwangu.
Ee, bibi yangu, tafiitbali uuiacbe baneuo nayo maneno matatu.
SULTAN DABAI. 41
may put ou her good clotlies, that you may spread for her a good bed,
that you may amuse her with good amusements, she is your mother, she is
your father, she is yom- husband, she is your friend, she is your
daughter. Well then, I beg of you, take great care of the child."
And the man went away, and reached his wife's house. His wife had got
news — your husband has bought a concubine, and has put her in the house
of his deceased wife. So the woman said, " If he comes to this house
he does not come in, he shall go back to his concubine there where he
has put her, or we will go to the Sheikh at once, and he shall
divorce me ; I don't want him for a husband any longer. Ah ! when a
husband buys a concubine, what does he want more with me ?"
Just then the man came, and the woman took one leg here and one there,
and stretched herself across the door, waiting for her husband, that when
he came he might find no way to get inside. And she stretched both her
hands across the doorway.
When her husband appeared she said, " Go back, go back ; stop coming to
my house ; don't come here. Go back where you have bought (your)
concubine, the house where you have put her, and stay there ; see there
the roof of the house, don't come to my door."
" Oh ! Woman, are you mad, not to wait for me first and ask about it
? Pa ! and you fly at me. Call me privately into the house and ask
me ; you stay here in the doorway, a leg here, a leg there, a hand
here, a hand there, you have filled up the doorway ; all the people as
they pass see you standing in this way in the door; are you not ashamed
your own self ?"
" I don't want your talk to-day ; go back yonder there, go back yonder
there, don't come into my house."
" 0, my mistress, I beg of you let me say three words with you."
42 SULTAXI BARAI.
Ee mwongo, mimi sitaki maneuo yako leo, mimi uataka uniaclie tii, ukae
na siiria yako.
Man-a pale akaja nitu, akamwita, Fundi ! Ameitika, lebeka. Akamwambia, nna
maneno matauo nataka kukwambia. Akamwambia, Ee walla. Akamvvambia, bassi
njoo, tukanong'one. Akamwambia, Ee walla. Akamwambia, kuna mtu ataka mwanao
kumoa. Aka- mwambia, vema mimi napenda sana. Akamwambia, wa- mwona iigomvi
kwa nyumba liapa, mimi na mke wangu, kwa sababu ya kijana huyu
nimemnunulia mtumwa, bassi mke wangu ameuena ni suria yangu mimi, bassi
afatlaali aolewe mwanangu, na mimi nipumzike. Akamwambia, na mimi
nimekubali. Bassi akaenda kwenda kumjibu yule mwanamume anaoposa maneuo
aliojibiwa ua babaye mchmnba wake.
Hatta alipokwenda akamwita yule mwanamume anao- posa, akamkuta nyumbani
amelala, akamwambia yule mtoto alioko nyumbani, mwamuslie marra moja,
amenituma maneno, nataka kumjibu majibu naliopewa buko ntokako. Akamwambia,
Ee walla. Akaingia mtoto hatta ndani, akamwamusba, baba ! Akaitika na'am,
mbona uniamsha ? Waniamusbia nini, usingizi wangu haujaniislia ? Aka-
mwambia, ni tume wako, waliokomtuma amekuja kukujibu. Akanena, bashire
kbeiri. Akaondoka batta nje. Aka- mkaribisba, Karibu, Je ! habari za buko
utokako. Aka- mwambia, buko njema, sijui wewe nafsi yako. Akamwambia, nafsi
yangu nimetangulia kuj^enda, haikutangulia kuiza,
Akamwambia, nimetmnwa na mkweo. Salaam nyingi, baada ya salaam, hapana
zema walizomtenda kamazo.
SULTAN DARAI. 43
" Oh, lies ! I don't want your words to-day I only want you to leave
me, and live wit'n youl- concubine.
All at once there came a man and called him, " Fundi /" [Master
workman.] And he replied, " Here." He said, " I have five words I want
to say to you." He said, " All right." He said, " Come, then, and let
us whisper." He said, " All right." He said, " There is a man wants
to marry your daughter." He said, " That is good, I am very glad ;"
and he said, " You see the disj^ute at this house hei-e, between me and
my wife, because of this girl, I have bought her a slave, and now my
wife says it is my own concubine, so my child had better be married
and I get some peace." And he said, " I, 1;oo, have agreed to it." So
he went to carry back to the man who had asked her in marriage the
words he had for answer from his sweetheart's father.
So when he went to call the man who asked her in marriage, he found
him in his house asleep, and he told a child who was there in the
house, " Wake him at once ; he sent me with a message, and I want to
give him the answer I got where I come from." And she said, " All
right ;" and the child went inside and woke him, " Father !" And he
answered, " Yes ; why are you waking me ? What do you wake me for
before my sleep is finished." And she said, "It is your messenger ; he
has come from where you sent him, to give you the answer." And he
said, " May it be a good omen," and went outside. And he invited him
in. " Come in ; well, what is your news from where you went ?" And he
said, " It is good there ; I do not know how it is with yourself."
And he said, " Myself has been the fii'st to like., and has not been
the first to refuse."
" I am sent by your father-in-law with many compli- ments, and after
compliments, there are no good things you could do him like these.
And so he is ready and you
44 SULTAXI DAUAI.
Bassi yeye ja tayari, fanye nawe yako sliauri. Aka- mwambia, mimi sina
sliauri, shaiiri yan^pi imekwislia, ni kuknpa nguo, na mahari, na mkaja,
na kilemba, na ubeleko.
Bassi nipe upesi, nipeleke kabla jua halijachwa. Aka- mwambia, zote
tayari, nimekwisha kuziweka, nalikungoja wewe kutwaa, na wewe wazitaka,
tayari, Ingie ndani kanipe upesi, nami nna shughuli, ntakwenda zangu.
Mwanamume akaingia nrlani, akaenda akatwaa mahari, akaeuda akatwaa kilemba,
akaenda akatwaa mkaja, akaenda akatwaa ubeleko. Akaisha akamwambia, na
kiosba miguu, cliukua, na kifungua mwango, cbukua. Akamwambia kijja mkono
ntachukua iiiwenyewe. Bassi nawe enenda uwapelekee na salaam, mimi huku ni
tayari, nangoja wao waje waniite.
Akatoka akachukua zote alizopewa, akaenda batta kwa babaye yule mke, bako,
akamwambia mkewe, kendapi buyu mumeo ? Ametwambia anazunguka nyiuna kwa
jirani, kwenda kucheza tiabu, alitwagiza, uje bapo tume, mtoto akamwite.
Akanena, bassi upesi, kaniitieui, nami bapa namngoja. Akaondoka mtoto,
akaenda mbio batta pale nymna kwa jirani, akamwona babaye anacbeza tiabu,
akampungia mkono kumwita. Babaye akatambua, akawaambia, Mimi naondoka jamaa,
akaja mtoto kuuiita, labuda nymnbani kuna sbugbuli. Wakamwambia, Haya,
enenda.
Akaenda batta kwake, akamwona tume wake anamngoja barazani, Je ! umekuja.
Amwambia, nimekuja, bwana. Habari za utokako ? Akamwambia, Habari za
nitokako njema sana, tena za kufurabisba, tena za kupeudeza, amana yako
imekuja, ya kwanza hii mahari, za pili hizi
SULTAN DABAI. 45
make your plans." And he said, "I have no plan, my plan is finished,
it is to give you the clothes, and the dowry, and the mkaja, and the
tiu'ban, and the ubeleko."
" Well, then, give me quickly, that I may take them before the sun
sets." And he said, " They are all ready, I have finished laying them
out ; I waited for you to take them, and you ask for them, all is
ready." " Go inside and give me quickly, I am busy and I will go
way."
The man went inside and took the dowry, and he took the turban, and he
took the mJcaja, and he took the uheleho. And then he said, " And the
feet-washing, take it, and the door-opening, take it." And he said, "
The gift in the hand, I will take myself. So go and take them with
com- pliments, I here am ready, and am waiting for them to come and call
me."
And he went out and took all that had been given him, and went to the
bride's father ; he was not there, and he said to his wife, " Where is
your husband gone ?" " He told us he was going round behind to a
neighbour's to play at Tiabu, and he directed us if the messenger should
come, a child should call him."
And he said, " Call him to me then quickly, and I wait for him here."
And a child got up and ran there behind to the neighbour's and saw her
father playing Tiabu, and waved her hand to him to call him. And her
father understood, and he said, " I am leaving the party, a child has
come to call me, perhaps there is something going on at home." And
they said, " Look sharp and go."
And he went home and saw his messenger waiting for him on the baraza.
" Hollo ! you ai'e come." He says, " I am come, master." " The news
of where you come from ?" And he said, " The news of where I come
from is very good, and more, it is gladdening, and more, it is
pleasing, your pledge is come ; first, this dowry ; secondly, these
clothes ;
46 SULTANI DAB AT.
nguo, clia tatu liiclii kilcinba, la uue liuu mkaja, la tano liuu
ubeleko, cLa sita hichi kiosha miguu, clia saba hichi kifungua mwango, na
Lizi ndizo nalizopewa kukabitbi, na kij^a mkono amesema atakuja nacho
mwenyewe, naye akasema yeye buko yu tayari akungoja wewe kwenda kiimwita.
Amwambia, nami sina sbugbuli, mubiiUa wangu leo, hatta kesbo atapata
mkewe.
Akachukua nguo zake, akaenda nazo ndani kwa mkewe. Akamwambia, mke waugu
mwite mtoto kumwonya nguo zake, kumwonya na mabari yake, afanye
atakalofanya.
Akamwita mtoto, Mama njoo, bizi nguo zako zimetoka kwa mcbumba wako, na
baya mabari yako, na bizo zalizo- baki ni ada zetu, ni mimi na babayo.
Akamwambia, bassi mama, laliokwisba kwenu, mimi naweza kulirudi? Ni lile
mpendalo nami nimependa, siwezi kimipaka baba angu uso mavi, apitapo
asipate kufunua macbo, napenda nimfurabisbe baba yangu ajjitapo afunue
macbo, acbeke kama ada, kama walimwengu wacbekavyo, anene kama ada,
walimwengu wanenavyo, atembee kama ada ya walimwengu, watembeavyo, nami
sipeudi kuipata kasarani ya baba yangu, napenda kama watu wakaavyo na
baba zao, nami ni vivyobivyo.
Akamwambia, vcma mwanangu, umenena maneuo ya- pendczao, mimi nalitbaui
mwanangu, utaniinamisba iiso mbele za watu nawo umeniinua uso mbele za
watu. Muungu akupe kukua mwanangu, uwe na moyo razuri kama baya
walionijibu, kwani ni maneno yenyi njia, nami baba yako nimofurabiwa.
Bassi, Avakakaa kitako nyumbani wakati kutcngeneza
SULTAN BAR AT. 47
thirdly, tliis turbau ; fourthly, this mkaja ; fifthly, this uhelel-o;
sixthly, this feet- ivashing ; seventhly, this door- opening, and these are
what were given to me to put into youi- hands, and the gift in the
hand he says he will come with it himself, and he says he is ready
there, he waits for you to come and call him." Says he, " I have no
engagement, my time is to-day, so to-morrow he will have his wife."
And he took her clothes and went with them inside to his wife. And he
said to her, " My wife, call the child to show her her clothes, and
to show her her dowry, that she may do what she will do."
And she called the child, " Come, mother, these are your clothes that
are come from your sweetheart, and this is your dowry, and these that
are left are the customary gifts for me and your father."
And she said, " Well, mother, what is finished with you, can I reverse
it ? It is what you like that I like, I cannot smear my father's face
with filth, that where he passes he may not be able to open his
eyes ; I love to. gladden my father, that where he passes he may open
his eyes, and he may laugh as is the custom, as the people of the
world laugh, that he may speak as the custom, as the people of the
world speak, that he may walk about as is the custom of the people of
the world, as they walk about, and I do not like to bring grief to my
father ; I wish as other people live with their fathers so to live with
mine."
And he said, " Good, my child, you have said pleasing words ; I
thought, my child, you would bow down my face before people, and you
have lifted uj) my face before people ; God grant you to increase, my
child, and keep a good heart like the answer you have given me, for
they are words that go forward, and I your father am delighted."
Well, they stayed in the house while they put their
48 SULTANI DAIIAT.
shughuli zao, hatta ussubui. Sikii ya pili ile wakampe- lekea Labari
mume, Umekiiwa wakati, njoo, uoe, iipate kuingia iiyumbani. Yule mjmnbe
akaenda hatta akafika kule nyumbani akamkiita ynle bwana amekaa barazani,
awangoja watakaomwita. Akamwambia, bwaua unakwitwa, wakati umewadia.
Akamwambia, mimi tayari, Ee wala.
Akaondoka yeye na jamaa zake, wakaenda, hatta wakifika katika ile nyumba
ya mkwewe, akapiga hodi! Akamwambia, hod! karibu Shekh, karibu na
wangwaua. Akamwambia, tumekaa, Wakapita barazani, wakaenda, wakaita mwalimu.
Akaja akawaoza. Kwa kuondoka wale watu wakapewa wali, wakala, wakafanywa
na nziiri Sana, wakaambiwa, wangwana karibuni. Wakamwambia, na wewe, bwana
harrusi, kua heri. Wakatoka, wakaenda zao.
Akaingia ndani katika nyumba yake, wakakaa katika nyumba ile ya mkwewe
muda wa siku saba, zalipotimu.
Akamwita mkwe, akamwitikia, labeka. Akamwambia, nna maneno matatu nataka
kukwambia. Akamwambia, Bwaua, Sheldii langu, licha ya matatu, hatta kumi
na matatu, sijione hasara kuuambia. Akamwambia, sina zayidi ya matatu haya.
Akamwambia, Ee walla, nambie. Akamwambia, la kwanza, nataka unipe rukhusa,
mimi na mke wangu kwenenda kwangu, la pili, sikasii-ike kwa haya
nnaokwambia, la tatu, nataka imipe ruksa leo kabla ya kesho, kwani
nimeona leo siku njema ya kutoka, mimi na mke wangu. Na wewe si nene,
tumekimbia, utatuona ussubui na jioni, hatta labuda wewe mwenyewe iishibe,
wewe, mwenyi kujiwa.
SULTAN DAEAI. 49
affairs in order, till the morning. And the next day they sent the
husband word, " It is time, come and be married that you may enter the
house." The messenger went, and when he arrived there at the house, he
found the master sitting on the haraza waiting for those who should call
him. And he said to him, " Master, you are called, the time is fully
come." And he said, " I am ready, all right."
And he arose, he and his party, and they went till they reached the
house of his father-in-law. And he cried, " Hodi ! " And he said to
him, " Hodi ! Come near, Sheikh, come near, gentlemen." And they said, "
We are seated." And they passed on to the baraza, and they went and
called the mualim. And he came and married them. When they were going,
those people had rice given them, and ate, and were treated very
handsomely. And they were told, " Gentlemen, come near." And they said,
" And you, bridegroom, good-bye." And they went out, and went away.
And he entered within his house, and they remained in the house of his
father-in-law till the space of seven days was completed.
And he called his father-in-law, and he answered, " Here." And he said,
" I liave three words I want to say to you." And he said, " Master,
my Sheikh, whether it is three or thirteen, think it no loss to you to
tell me." And he said, " I have only these three." And he said, " All
right, tell me." And he said, " The first is, I want you to give me
leave, me and my wife, to go on to my house ; the second is, do not
be vexed at what I say to you ; and the third is, give me leave to-
day before to-morrow, for I find to-day is a good day for going forth
for me and my wife. And do not you say we have run away, you shall
see us, morning and evening, till perhaps you yourself will have had
enough, you whom we shall come to."
50 SULTANT DAB A].
Akamwambia, miini sina kasarani kwonu, napenda killa siku mjc kwa killa
wakati, mje uimtazame nami mwauangu buyu mmoja, sipendi kurakosa sana.
Akamwambia, Insballab, bwana.
Hatta jua lalijiokucbwa wakibama yeye na mkewe, wakaenda zao kwake.
Wakakaa sana na yule mwanamke, wakapendana sana. Na yule mwanamke
akampenda sana mumewe, mapendo asiokuwa na kifani. Ampeuda sana mkwewe yule
mwanamume, asiokuwa ua kifani.
Wakakaa miaka mingi, wasigombe yeye na mkewc, wala wasigombe yeye na
mkwewe. Wakakaa watu bawa, masbam'i yao mamoja, batta yule mkwewe
akapatikaua na faratbi akafa. Wakasimama, yeye na mkewe, wakamzika.
Wakakaa muda ya miaka mingi kuj^ita, akapatikaua na faratbi mkewe, akafa,
akasimama akamzika.
Bassi akakaa kitako yeye pekeyake, akakaa muda ya siku nyingi kupita,
akafanya mambo ya asberati, killa alicbonacbo kikampotea, kwa uasberati
mwingi.
Akakaa mtu wa kuomba, killa nyumba buenda akiomba, akipata. Akapita siku
zile, nyumba alizo akaenda akiomba, asipewe kitu tena. Akaregea katika
jaa, akapekua kama kuku, akipata punje za mtama, akitwaa akila, muda ya
siku uyiiigi.
Hatta siku biyo, akienda jaani akaenda akipekua, akapata tbemuni ya
mzinga, akainama marra ya pili, akapekua jaani, asipate batta punje moja
ya mtama. Abb ! mimi nimepata tbemuni bii ya mzinga, bassi ntakwenda
zangu, nikalale. Akaenda batta nyimibani, akatwaa maji, akanywa, akatwaa na
tumbako. akatafuna. Ndicbo kitu
SULTAN DAUAI. 51
And he said, " I have no grief with you, I should like every day for
you to come at all times, come and let me see her, and I, this is my
only child, I don't like to miss her often." And he said, " Please
God, master."
So when the sun had set, they moved, he and his wife, and went away
to his home. And he lived long with that woman, and they were very
fond of one another. And that woman loved her husband with a love that
had no like. And that man loved his father-in-law so much that there was
nothing like it.
And they lived many years without quarrelling, he and his wife, nor did
he and his father-in-law quarrel. And these people lived all of one mind
till his father-in-law was met with by necessity, and died. And they
arose, he and his wife, and buried him. . [i
And they lived while many years passed, and his wife ()j\jJ^ was met
with by necessity and died, and he arose and ^^^^^^ bui'ied her.
Well, he dwelt by himself, and he lived while niauy days passed, and he
did dissii^ated things, and lost all that he had through much
dissipation.
And he lived a beggar man, every house he used to go to, begging and
getting. And those days passed, and the houses where he went begging, he
was given nothing more. And he went back to the dustheap and scratched
like a hen, if he got some grains of mtama he took them and ate them,
for the space of many days.
On a certain day going to the dustheap, he went and scratched and got
an eighth of a pillar dollar, and he bent down again and scratched in
the dustheap without getting one grain of mtama. " Ah ! I have got
this eighth of a pillar dollar, well I shall go my way and have a
sleep." And he went to the house and took water and drank, and took
also tobacco and chewed it. This was what lie got
52 ■ SULTANI DABAI.
alichokipata siku ile, ile tliemuui ya mzinga, iia maji ya kunywa, na
tumbako kutafuna. Akapauda kitandani kulala.
Hatta ussiibui walipokucba, akaenda zake jaani. Akitupa macbo njia kuu,
amwona mubadimu na tundu la mibaazi. Akamwita, Ee ! Mubadimu, umecbukua
uini iidani ya tundu bilo ? Akamwambia, Paa ! Paa ! Akamwambia, Lete !
Letc !
Paua watu wamesimama watatu, wakamwambia, wewe mubadimu, ima kazi. Kwa
nini, bwana zaugu ? Yule masikiui bana clio cbote, bobe babe. Akawaambia,
labuda bwana anayo. Hanayo, wamwona nawe jaaui baondoki, bupekua kama kuku,
killa siku bupata punje mbili za mtama, akatafuna ; karaa ana kitu,
bangaliuunua mtama akale, angetaka kununua jiaa? Hawezi kujilisba nafsi
yake, ataweza kumlisba paa ?
Akawaambia mubadimu, Yee, bwana, simjui mimi, nimccbuliua biasbara, auiitayc
yote namwitika, na akini- ambia njoo, nikaenda, nitamjua buyu mnunuzi ao
buyu si mnunuzi? Ntagomba na watuV nimecbukua biasbara nikiitwa nisiende ?
Ada ya mcbukua biasbara, aitwaye na yo yote bwenenda, akiwa mdogo akiwa
mkubwa, akiwa mke, akiwa maskini, akiwa fukara, mimi bayo siyajui, mimi
mcbukua biasbara, aniitayc yote buenenda.
Oo, bassi wewe busikii maneno yetu bayo tuliokwambia, tumeona kwake, nasi
twamjua kama buyu si nnumuzi. Akaondoka yule wa pili akamwambia, Hoo !
maneno gani bayo, labuda Muungu amempa, ao Muungu atakapompa, atakwambia
Ico fixllani nimcmpa, njoo mtezame ?
SULTAN DAE AT. 53
that day, the eighth of a pillar dollar, and water to drink and tobacco
to chew. And he got upon his bed to sleep.
In the morning when it dawned he went away to the dustheap. And casting
his eyes upon the gi-eat road, he sees a 3Iuhadiin with a cage of
baazi twigs. And he called him, " Hi ! Miihadim, what are you carrying
inside that cage ?" And he said, " Gazelles ! gazelles !" And he said,
" Bring them ! bring them !"
There were three men standing and they said to him, " You have got a
job, you Muhadim." " How so, my masters ?" " That poor fellow has
nothing at all, not a thing." And he said to them, " Perhaps, master,
he has." " He has not, you see him yourself on the dustheap, he does
not get up, he scratches like a hen, every day he gets two grains of
mtama and chews them. If he had any- thing, wouldn't he have bought
mtama and eaten it ? Would he want to buy a gazelle ? He can't feed
himself, will he be able to feed a gazelle ?"
And the Muhadim said to them, " He, masters, I don't know him, I have
brought merchandize, whoever calls me, I answer, and if he says come, I
go. Shall I know this one is a buyer or this one is not a buyer ?
Shall I dispute with people ? I have brought merchandize, if I am
called am I not to go ? It's the custom of a cari-ier of merchan- dize
whoever calls him, he goes, be he little, be he great, be it a woman,
be he poor, be he destitute. I don't know these things, I am a carrier
of merchandize, whoever calls me, I go."
" Oh, oh ! so you don't heed oui- words which we have told you ; we
have seen his home, and we know him that he is no buyer." And the
second arose and said, " Ho ! what words are these ? perhaps God has
made him a gift, or when God is going to make him a gift will he
tell you, ' To-day I have made such a one a gift, come and look at
him.' "
ft 1,-«^
o4
SULTANI DAB AT.
Akaondoka yule wa tatu, akanena, Hoo ! dalili ya mvua si mawingu ? Bassi
sisi liatta dalili zake hatukuzipata za kupata huyu.
Akaondoka yule muhadimu, akanena, mimi, waungwana, nitakwenda, kumsikiliza
anaoniita, kwani mimi nimetoka tokea kwangu shamba, hatta kufika hapa
ndipo, nimekwitwa na watu wengi, hawapungua khamsini ao kama si zayidi,
naye hapana mtu mmoja alionunua. Na hawa wote wana mali, si kwamba nga
maskini, nao hakununua, bassi nami pia bao nalionyesba wakatazama, wakaisba
wakaenda wakaniambia, Chukua. Killa endajio ikawa kazi ni biyo. Lete paa.
bupeleka wakatezama, Abb ! bassi, gbali, cbukua. Namibicbukua. Huondoka
nikienda mbele. Ewe mubadimu, ewe lete paa, lete. Nami bupeleka, nikatua
wakatazama. Ab ! paa wazuri, lakini gbali, cbukua paa. Nami bicbukua, nami
uisikasirike, ni ada ya mcbukua biasbara ya kwitwa bapa na bapa, na
kutua na kujitwika, nami nisikasii-ike, Icwani ni ada ya biasbara, bumjui
atakayonunua, wewe buuena, labuda buyu atanunua, buyu atanunua, batta upate
mnuuuzi batta kuniiuua.
Bassi wewe maneno yetu buyasbiki, umetolewa wingi wa maneno na wingi wa
masaala, enenda zako maskini.
Bassi wale wakanena wale watu watatu, 'M ! Bassi nasi tutamfuata,
kamtazame yule maskini, atanunua kweli.
Ee, bwana, apatc wapi yule 9 Maneno gani hayo ? 'M ! dalili za kupata
mtu bazionekani. 'M ! tokea kufa mkewe, yule akatoa mali yake akafanya
uasberati, baipungui mwaka wa tatu, bajui cbakula cba moto timiboni mwake.
Bassi mtu asioweza kupata cbakula cba moto tumboni
it ^' k
SULTAN DABAI.
55
'•*«iaj]'(li,
"»aiiniliiyo.
ai. li Divrake,
And the third arose and said, " Ho ! aren't clouds the sign of rain ?
And we have had no signs of his getting anything."
And the Muhadim arose and said, " I, gentlemen, shall go and attend to
him who is calling me, for I started from my home in the country till
I got here, and I have been called by many people, not less than
fifty, if not more, and there was not one who bought. And all these
have property, not as though they were poor, and they did not buy, well
and I showed them all, and they looked, and then went and told me, '
Take them away.' Wherever I go this is my business. ' Bring the
gazelles !' I take them ; they look. ' Ah, that will do, they are dear,
take them away.' And I do so. I get up and go forward. ' 0 you,
Muhadim, oh you bring the gazelles, bring them ;' and I take them and
put them down, and they look. ' Ah, beautiful gazelles, but dear ; take
the gazelles away.' And I take them away, and I am not vexed. It is
the custom of a carrier of merchandize to be called hither and thither,
to put it down and take it up ; and I am not vexed, because it's the
custom of trade : you don't know who will buy ; you say perhajis this
one will buy, this one will buy, till you find a buyer, till some one
buys."
" That will do, you pay no attention to our words ; you bring out
plenty of words and plenty of questions ; go your way, poor man."
Well, those three said, " 'M ! now let us follow him, and see whether
that poor man will really buy."
" Eh ! master, where is he to get it ? what words are these? 'M! one
can't see the signs of a man's getting anything. 'M ! ever since his
wife died he has spent his property and gone into dissipation, at least
for three years ; he has no experience of hot food in his belly. Now
a man who can't get hot food in his belly, not one day in ten, will
54 SULTANI DAB AT.
Akaoudoka ynle wa tatiT, akanena, Hoo ! dalili ya mvua si mawingu ?
Bassi sisi laatta dalili zake hatukuzipata za kupata huyu.
Akaondoka yule muliadimu, akanena, mimi, waungwana, nitakwenda, kumsikiliza
anaoniita, kwani mimi nimetoka tokea kwangu shamba, liatta kufika hapa
ndipo, nimekwitwa na watu wengi, hawapungua kliamsini ao kama si zayidi,
iiaye liapana mtu mmoja alionunua. Na hawa wote wana raali, si kwamba
uga maskini, nao hakunmiua, bassi nami pia liao nalionyesba wakatazama,
wakaisba wakaenda wakaniambia, Chukua. Killa endapo ikawa kazi ni hiyo.
Lete paa, bujieleka wakatezama, Ahh ! bassi, gbali, cliukua. Namiliichukua.
Huondoka uikienda mbele, Ewemubadimu, ewe lete paa, lete. Nami hui)eleka,
nikatua wakatazama. Ah ! paa waziiri, lakini gbali, cliukua paa. Nami
hichukua, nami uisikasirike, ni ada ya mcbukua biashara ya kwitwa hapa na
hapa, na kutua na kujitwika, nami nisikasirike, kwani ni ada ya biashara,
humjui atakayonunua, wewe hunena, labuda huyu atanunua, huyu atanuuua,
hatta upate imiunuzi hatta kummua.
Bassi wewe maneno yetu huyashiki, umetolewa wingi wa maneno na wingi wa
masaala, onenda zako maskini.
Bassi wale wakanena wale watu watatu, 'M ! Bassi nasi tutamfuata,
kamtazame yule maskini, atanunua kweli.
Ee, bwana, ajiate wajn yule ? Maneno gani hayo ? 'M ! dalili za kupata
mtu hazionekani. 'M ! tokea kufa mkewe, yule akatoamaliyake akafanya
uasherati, haiinmgui mwaka wa tatu, hajui chakula cha moto timaboni mwake.
Bassi mtu asioweza kupata chakula cha moto tumboni
SULTAN DABAI. 55
And tlie third arose and said, " Ho ! aren't clouds the sign of rain ?
And we have had no signs of his getting anything."
And the Miihadim arose and said, " I, gentlemen, shall go and attend to
him wlio is calling me, for I started from my home in the country till
I got here, and I have heen called by many people, not less than
fifty, if not more, and there was not one who bought. And all these
have property, not as though they were poor, and they did not buy, well
and I showed them all, and they looked, and then went and told me, '
Take them away.' Wherever I go this is my business. ' Bring the
gazelles !' I take them ; they look. ' Ah, that will do, they are dear,
take them away.' And I do so. I get up aud go forward. ' O you,
Muhadim, oh you bring the gazelles, bring them ;' and I take them and
put them down, and they look. ' Ah, beautiful gazelles, but dear ; take
the gazelles away.' And I take them away, and I am not vexed. It is
the custom of a carrier of merchandize to be called hither and thither,
to put it down and take it up ; and I am not vexed, because it's the
custom of trade : you don't know who will buy ; you say perhaps this
one will buy, this one will buy, till you find a buyer, till some one
buys."
" That will do, you pay no attention to our words ; you bring out
jilenty of words and i)lenty of questions ; go your way, poor man."
Well, those three said, " 'M ! now let us follow him, and see whether
that poor man will really buy."
" Eh ! master, where is he to get it ? what words are these? 'M! one
can't see the signs of a man's getting anything. 'M ! ever since his
wife died he has spent his property and gone into dissipation, at least
for three years ; he has no experience of hot food in his belly. Now
a man who cau"t get hot food in his belly, not one day in ten, will
56 SLUT AN I BAIfAL
luwake, itakai)oku\va siku kumi kwa siku moja, atapata kitii kuminua i^aa
? Lakini twencle tukamtazame, Mulia- dimn, twendo tukamtazame yule
asliarati anaosurabua nafsi yakc kupiga kelele, na kukusumbua wewe mwenyi
mzigo kitnani, ila twende tukamtazame atanunoa kweli, kama hatanunua killa
mtu atampiga bakora moja moja, apate kutubu, siku ya pili akimwona mtu
na mzigo wake, asimwite.
Wakaenda batta wakafika. Ab! bawa paa,nuiiua bassi. nataka paa, nataka
paa, bawa, ewe maneno si kitendo. 'M! Utatamani kwa maebo, butasbika kwa
mkono.
Akamwambia mubadimu, Paa wako kiassi gani ? Wa- karnka wale watu watatu.
Ee mwongo, Ewe unajua killa siku paa wanauzanya wawili kwa robe. Bassi,
aka- mwambia, nataka mmoja kwa tbemuni. Ee mwongo wee, una tliemuni wee,
umepata api ? Akamtia mduktio.
Wamenitilia nini, bwana, mdukuo burre ? Nimekute- ndani ? Nimekutukana,
nimekufyonya ? Nimekutwalia cbako ? Mimi namwita buyu mwenyi paa kununua
bawa paa wake, mmetokea ninyi pingamizi, mwataka kunibaribia bii biasbara,
nisipate? Akasbika utamvua wa nguo, akifungua ile tbemuni, akamwambia,
twaa, mubadimu, nipe paa wangu mmoja nitazame. Akatwaa mubadimu yule paa.
Huyu, bwana, clmkua. Mubadimu akacbeka yeye, mbona ninyi wenyi kanzu na
vilemba, na i)anga na majambia, na viatu miguuni, nanyi ni wangwana wenyi
mali, bamkosi, nanyi mmenambia, buyu ni fukai-a bobe babe, bana mbele
baua njuma, naye ameweza kunimua paa wa tbemuni, nanyi kuwa wangwana bora
na mali kwenu tele bamkuweza kununua batta nussu ya tbemuni,
SULTAN DARAI. 57
he get anything to buy a gazelle with ? However, let us go and see
him, Muhadim ; let us go and look at this dissi- pated fellow, who is
troubling himself to call out, and troubling you who have a burden on
your head ; but let us go and look at him whether he will really buy,
and if he will not buy every one shall give him one cut with his
stick, that he may repent, and another day if he sees a man with his
load he may not call him."
They went till they reached him. " Ah ! these are gazelles. Buy them.
' I want a gazelle, I want a gazelle.' Here they are, you words and
not deeds. 'M ! you will long with your eyes and won't lay hold with
your hands."
And he said to the Muhadim, " How much is one of your gazelles V"
Those three men started. " Eh, you cheat you, you know every day
gazelles are sold two for a quarter of a dollar." So he said, " I
want one for an eighth." " Eh, you cheat, have you got an eighth ?
where did you get it ?" And he gave him a push in the cheek.
" What do you give me a push in the cheek for nothing for, master ?
What have I done to you ? Did I abuse you ? Did I chirrup at you ?
Did I take anything of yours ? I called this man with gazelles to buy
his gazelles, and you have come interfering : you want to spoil the
bargain that I may not get it." And he took hold of the corner of his
cloth and unfastened the eighth and said, " Take it, Muha- dim : give
me my one gazelle that I may look at it." And the Muhadim took out a
gazelle. " Take this one, master." The Muhadim laughed. " How is this '?
you with kanzus and turbans, and swords and daggers, and sandals on
yoiu* feet, you gentlemen of property and no mistake, you told me this
man was destitute utterly, with nothing before and nothing behind him,
and he has been able to buy a gazelle for an eighth, and you, being
great gentlemen, and property at home in plenty, could not buy to the
value of
58 SULTANI DAB AT.
na yule rawaliomnena maskini naye fukara, hohe hahe, hana mbele liana
nyiima, naye ameweza yeye kunipungiiza mzigo wangu, nanyi wangwana bora
Lamkuweza akali ya nussu themuni.
Yule maskini akapokea paa wake, akacnda zake pale katika jaa, yeye na
paa wake rakononi, akainama kupekua pale jaani, akapata punje za mtama za
kutia kinwani mwake, akapata na kidogo punje za mtama akampa paa yake.
Akashika njia akaenda zake, akacnda kule nyumbani pale panapo kile kitauda
anacliolala, akatandika mkeka wake, akalala, yeye na paa wake, paliali
pamoja. Hatta usiku ukacha, akaondoka akamchukua na paa wake, akaenda zake
batta palepale jaani, akipekua akapata punje za mtama zinazopata ukufi,
akatia kinwani mwake, zaliobaki akamjia paa wake. Akaondoka akaenda zake
hatta nyumbani kwake, ikapata niuda wa siku tano.
Yule paa usiku akinena, akamwita, Bwana! Yule bwana wake akaitika, Labeka,
akamwambia, mbona mimi nimeoua ajabu ?
Paa akauliza, ya nini bii ajabu walioiona hatta ukasituka, hatta
ukaghumiwa, hatta ukadaghadagha nafsi yako ?
Akamwambia, haya nalioona si haba, ya wewe, paa, kuuena.
Akamwambia, wewe imiekuupuka na rehemaya Muungu?
Akamwambia, mimi toka asili za baba zctu na bibi zetu na jamii ya watu
waliomo katika ulimwengu, sikupata kusikia mtu mmoja kunihadithia kama paa
walifahamu kunena.
Bassi, wewe usitaajabu, Mwenyi ezi Muungu anawcza
SULTAN DAEAI. 59
half an eighth, and this man, who you told me was poor and destitute
utterly, with nothing before and nothing behind him, he has been able to
lighten my load, and you great gentlemen couldn't even to so much as
half an eighth."
The poor man received his gazelle and went away there to the dustheap,
he and his gazelle in his hand ; and he stooped down, scratching there
in the dustheap, and got grains of mtama to put in his mouth, and got
a little more of grains of mtama and gave to his gazelle. And he took
his way and went oif, and went to his house, there where the kitanda
was on which he lay; and he spread his sleeping-mat and laid down, he
and his gazelle together. When the night turned to dawn, he got up and
took his gazelle and went to the dustheap there, and scratched and got
grains of mtama : what he got, as much as one could grasp in one's
hand, he put in his mouth, and what were left he gave to his gazelle.
And he arose and went to his house : and so about five days passed.
And the gazelle spoke in the night, and called him, " Master !" Its
master answered, " Here !" and he said, " How is it that I see a
wonder ?"
The gazelle asked, " What is this wonder which you have seen to make
you startled, and to make you faint, and to put yourself all into
confusion ?"
And he said, " This that I see is not small, that you, a gazelle,
should speak."
And it said, " You do not accept the mercy of God,"
And he said, " From the beginning of my fathers and mothers, and all
the people that are in the world, I never heard any one man tell me
of a gazelle that knew how to speak."
" Well, do not you be astonished ; Almighty God is able to do all
things — to make me to speak, and others more
60 SULTAN I DABAL
yote, kuyafanya ya kunena mimi na mgine kuliko mimi. Wewe sasa liuna
haja, sikiliza liaya ninaokwitia.
Akamwambia, vema, sasa nitasikia, nami nieleze kiacla, hatta mambo nisikie.
Akamwambia, la kwanza, mimi nimekukubali kuwa wewe bwana wangu, tena
umenigbarimia kwa kitu ulicho- nacho, nami nimeona hali yako thaifu,
siwezi kukukimbia wallakini mimi uitakupa waliadi nitakaokwambia, nawe shika.
Akamwambia, Inshallah, wabadi wako utakaonipa iitapo- kuwa mwovu, kwangu
mwema, na uwapo mwema, na kwangu zayi<H kuliko mwema.
Akamwambia, la kwanza, bwana, nitakwambia wewe bwana maskini, na makuli
yako nami bwana nayajua, wewe mwenyewe wayaweza, na kuyaweza kwako ni
nkwasefu, bassi kama mimi mtumwa \vako wa zakula zile ulazo mimi kwangu
ni kutbii wala sina tabassam.
Akamwambia, Bassi wewe wapendaje ?
Akamwambia, Bwana wangu, ni mimi nipendalo, nataka uniwie ratbi sana,
kwani nitanena maneno yatakaokuwa bayakupendezi, ni maneno ya kukasiri.
Amwambia, wewe hukuwa paa tena, umekuwa mwanangu, na ucbungu wa mwana ni
katika nyongani mwa nina. Akamwambia, bassi wewe unene lo loto ndilo.
Akamwambia, nataka unipe ruksa, mimi tena unisamcbe, nataka unipe ruksa
nikienda nikilisha batta jioni, nikirudi nikija nikilala, kama robo yako
baistaamani kwa baya nnayokwambia. Kwani yale makuli yako ni macbacbe nami
ni kidogo, naye ndio maana nisiweze kukufuata tukila wote, bassi nataka
unisamebe tena, na robo yako nayo
SULTAN DAJRAI. 61
tlian I. You have no cause now, listen to what I called you for,"
And he said, " Good ; I shall hear now, and tell me in order that I
may understand things."
And it said, " Firstly, I have accepted you for you to be my master ;
further, you have been at expense for me of what you have, and I see
that your state is low ; I cannot run away from you, but I will give
you a promise, and what I tell you, observe."
And he said, " Please God ! Your promise that you shall give me, if it
be bad, will be good to me, and if it be good, to me it will be
more than good."
And it said, " First, master, I will tell you that you, master, are
poor, and yom- diet, I, master, know, it, you yourself can bear it, and
your ability is of necessity ; now though I am your slave, of those
victuals which you eat there is to me distress, and I have no
pleasure."
And he said, " Well, what is it you wish ?"
And it said, " My master, what I wish is this, — I want you to forgive
me, for I shall say words that will not be pleasing to you ; they are
irritating words."
He says to it, " You are a gazelle no longer, you are become my
child, and the weight of a child is on the hip of its mother." And he
said, " Well, then, tell me what it all is."
And it said, " I want you to give me leave, and further, forgive me,
I want you to give me leave to go and feed until the evening, and to
return and come and sleep, if your soul is at rest about this that I
am telling you. For that diet of yours is sparing, and for me is
little, and this is why I cannot follow you that we may eat together:
well, then, I want you to forgive me, and that youi- soul
62 SULTAN r DAB AT.
amini kama mimi nitarogca, nami Bwana, kua heri, nakuaga,
natoka naenda zangu.
Akamwambia, liaya enencla. Paa akitoka mbio, na yide maskini akatoka mbio
ndani, akasimama uwaujani. Na paa amezicli kwenda mbio. Yule maskini
akapigwa na msangao na macbozi yakamtoka. Akapiga ukelele moja, yule
maskini. Mama yangu, ee, na mikono katika kitwani. Akapiga ukelele wa
pili, Baba yangu, ee ! Akapiga ukelele wa tatu. Ee, paa wangu
amekimbia.
Wale jirani waliopo wakaja wakamzomea, wakamwambia^ wewe mpumbafu, wewe
barthuli, wewe asbarati, umekaa jaani siku katbawakatlia, umepekua kama
kuku, hatta Muuugu amoku2)a themuni ile, usiweze kununua mubogo, ukale,
ukanunua paa, tena umemwacbia, walia na nini sasa, kilio cba mwenda nguu.
Akanyamaa, sbukuru. Akaondoka, akaenda zake maskini, akaenda pale jaani
pake, akapata puuje za mtama, akai'udi nyumbani, akafanya ukiwa.
Hatta yalipokoma magbrebi akija paa wake. Akacheka Sana maskini, Muungu
akusimika, ah ! umekuja baba.
Akamwambia, si ule wabadi ualiokupa? Akamwambia, nakuona tliemuni
walionuniia mimi kwako, ndio lakki yako ya mali, nami naona basara utwae
lakki yako ya mali enda kuwapa watu wangine sasa nikikukimbia. Nime-
kwenda zangu mwituni, amekwenda mtu ameninasa ao methali amekuja mtu
amenipiga bunduki ; amenipata mtu mgine. Bassi utbia wote unipatao wa nini
nikutie hasarani, siwczi. Nikikweuda nikichuma, jioni nije nilalc.
SULTAN DARAI. 63
may be trustful that I shall return. And, master, good- bye, I take
leave of you ; I start and go away."
And he said, " Well then, go." The gazelle ran out, and the poor man
ran from inside and stood in the yard. And the gazelle ran faster and
faster. And the poor man was struck with astonishment, and tears started
from him. And that poor man made one cry — " Oh, my mother !" with his
hands to his head. And he made a second cry — " Oh, my father !" And
he made a third cry — " Oh ! my gazelle, it has nm away !"
The neighbours who were there came and groaned at him, and said, " You
fool, you idiot, you dissipated fellow ! you have staid on the dustheap
many many days, you scratched like a hen till God gave you that eighth,
and you could not buy muhogo and eat it, you bought a gazelle ; then
you have let it go ; what are you crying about, as if you were crying
for one lost for ever ?"
And he held his peace, comforting himself. And the poor man arose and
went away, and went there by his dustheap, and got some grains of
mtama, and retui'ncd to his house ; and it seemed desolate to him.
And when sunset was over his gazelle came. And the poor man was very
glad. " God sets you up. Ah ! you are come, father."
And it said, " Is not this the promise I gave you ?" And it said, "
I feel that for you the eighth you bought me with is a hundred
thousand out of your goods. And I feel it a loss that you should take
your hundred thousand, and go and give them to other people, if I run
away from you. I w^eut away into the forest, and if any one goes and
snares me, or in like manner any one comes and shoots me with a gun,
another man has got me. Well, then, whatever trouble takes me, why
should I grieve you ? I cannot. If I go and get myself something, in
the evening let me come and sleep."
64 SULTAN I DAB AT.
Ah ! vema baba yangu, Muungu akupe hm-uma. Wakaingia kitandani wakalala
yee na bwana wake. Paa siku ile tumbo limeshiba sana majani.
Hatta ussuLui walipokuclia, akamwambia bwana, naenda zangu, kulisba.
Akamwambia, enenda kwa afya na nguvu. Bassi paa akaenda zake, na bwana
wake akitoka kwenda zake jaani, wale jirani zake wakimnena. Ab ! maskini
mwenyi wazimu, labuda buyu mcbawi, paa jana siye tukanena batarudi tena ?
Kmnbe jana jioni akarudi, akalala hmnubumu ndani mwake? Sasa bivi ussubiu
huu, paa ametoka buyu mbio akaenda zake njiani, bassi yale makelele
aliyopiga jana, ana wazimo ya kumHlia paa wake, mbona leo amwacbia
tena ? Huyo si bm-re, natbani ana wazimo, tena wa siri baujawa wa
tbabiri. Bassi wakaondoka wale jirani, maskini akarudi kwake.
Na yule paa jua lalipokiicbwa akarudi nyumbani kwao, amekuta bwana wake
amelala anatafuna tumbako, alipokuja yule paa akitwaa mguu wake akawinua
aka'mweka nao ndevimi. Akamwita.
Ab ! buko utokako kwema ? Akamwambia, ab ! kwema sana, leo bwana
nimekwenda pabali paua majani mazm-i, tena pana ua mvili, tena pana na
baridi, bassi ualijwkula majani yale batta nikasbiba, tena pana na
faraglia, tena pana na mto, bassi bula nikilala nikapunga na upepo,
nikatelemka mtoni binywa maji, burudi nikaja nikalala, nikapunga na upepo,
kazi yalikuwa bii batta wakati wa kurudi, yalikuwa kazi ya kula, na
kidala, na kupunga upepo, kusbuka mtoni kuny wa maji, hirudi bii)unga
upejjo, bassi robo yangu yanena vema leo, sababu nimestarebe
SULTAN DABAI. 65
"All ! good, my father, God give you mercy !" And tliey weut iu to
where the bed was, aud slept, it and its master. The gazelle's belly
was very full that day with fodder.
Iu the moruiug, wheu it dawucd, it said to him, " Master, I am goiug
away to feed." He said, " Go iu health and strength." So the gazelle
weut away ; and wheu its master went out aud weut his way to the
dustheap, his neighbours said of him, " Ah ! poor mad fellow, perhaps he
is a wizard. Was uot that gazelle yesterday the one we said would never
come back ? How then, did it not come back yester- day evening, and
sleep there inside at his place ? Just now this morning this gazelle
ran out aud went away on the road ; he is mad to cry after his
gazelle. Why did he let it go again to-day '? This is uot for nothing ;
methiuks he is mad, but it is hidden ; it has uot got to be fully
evident yet." Aud so the neighbours weut oflf, aud the poor man weut
back home.
And the gazelle, when the sun had set, returned to their house, and
found its master lying down chewing tobacco. Wheu the gazelle came, it
took its foot and lifted it up aud laid it on his beard, and called
him.
" Ah ! is it nice there where you come from ?" Aud it said, " Ah !
very nice. To-day, master, I weut to a j)lace where there is fine
grass, and there is shade, and there is coolness ; and so when I had
eaten that grass till I had had enough, there was privacy, there was a
stream too, so I ate and laid down aud was fanned by the wind ; and I
ran down to the stream and drank water, and I re- turned and came and
laid down aud was fanned by the wind. This was my employment till the
time I came back. 1 was employed iu eating, aud lying down, and being
fanned by the wind, and going down to the stream and drinking water,
aud I returned aud I was fanned by the wind. So my soul speaks good
things to-day because I
fifi SULTAN 1 DAB AT.
Sana kwa majani liayo, na mvili liuo, na ujiepo wa hapo, gissi iilio
mwema, tena na mto karibu, tena paua na faragba, haj)ana njia, liapaua
nyumba karibu, batta mto wenyewe u katika magugu, na kesbo nikiamka
nitakwcncla kuko buko.
Amwambia, ukiamka ukaencle, bwana. Wakalala.
Hatta ussubui kulipopambauka akatoka paa mbio, akaenda zake, akakutana na
watii yule paa — buyo, buyo, jjaa wa maskiui mkamateni, buyo, buyo,
kamateni paa wa maskini, kamateni, kamateni, wasimpate. Paa akakaza mbio,
akaenda zake. Wale waHomfukuza wakarudi.
Hatta muda wa siku tano yule paa alipokwenda kulisba, akaenda palipo mti
mkubwa, u katika miiba, u katika msitu, yule paa amecboka jua, akaneua,
pale jJenyi mti mkubwa nikajificbe bapo pale pana mvili nijiumzike bili
jua. Akaenda, akalala, pale peuyi mti ule mkubwa. Muda mkubwa waliopita
kulala kwake yule paa pale penyi mti mkubwa ule.
Akiamka akizungukazunguka cbiui ya mti ule, akaona pabali pamefanya majani
kicbungu, akainua mguu wake, akapekua, akaona almasi kubwa mno, inang'ara
sana. Ooo yule paa akasangaa, baya ndio mali, bii ndio ufalme, lakini
nikimpelekca bwana wangu bii, atauawa, kwani maskini ataambiwa, umepata
api, akinena nimeokota basadikiwi, batta atakaponena nimepewa basadikim,
bassi ya nini miye kwenda kiuntia bwana wangu katika matata ? Ntatafuta
watu wenyi uguvu, nao ndio wawezao kuila.
Akaoudoka paa mbio, akaingia katika mwitu, naye almiis
SULTAN DARAI. 67
was much refreshed by that grass and that shade and the wind there ; it
was so good, and a stream near ; and there was privacy, no pathway, no
house near, even the stream itself is among imdergrowth; and to-morrow,
when I wake, I shall go just to that place."
He says to it, " When you wake, go, master." And they slept.
And in the morning, when it was getting light, the gazelle ran out, and
went away. And some people met with the gazelle. " That's him, that's
him ! the poor man's gazelle — catch him ! — that's him, that's him !
catch the poor man's gazelle! — catch himl^catch him!" but they did not
get it. The gazelle ran hard, and went away. Those who pursued it
turned back.
After five days, when the gazelle went to feed, it went where there was
a great tree ; it was among thorn-bushes, and in a thick wood. The
gazelle was tired with the sun, and said, " There where the great tree
is I will hide myself; there is shade there^ and I may rest from this
sun." And it went and lay down where the great tree was. A long time
passed while the gazelle was sleeping where that great tree was.
When it awoke it wandered about under the tree, and found a place where
the gi-ass was bitter ; it lifted its foot and scratched, and saw a
diamond exceedingly large and very bright. " O — o — o !" The gazelle
stood astonished. " This is property, this is a kingdom ; but if I take
it to my master he will be killed, for they would say to a poor man,
' Where did you get it ?' If he says, ' I picked it up,' he will not
be believed ; if he says, ' I was given it,' he will not be believed ;
well then, why should 1 be the one to go and get my master into
difficulties ? I will look for people of power — they are the people to
use it."
And the gazelle ran off and entered into the forest, and
08 SULTANI DAB AT.
akaiiima kinwaui, akacnda mbio sana katika mwitu asipate mji siku ile,
akalala mwituui, liatta iissubui wa pili, akaondoka kabla iissubui
baujapambauka, akaenda mbio batta jua Lalipokoma mafungulia ng'ombe makuu,
akapu- muzika, batta lalipokoma jua vitwani akacnda zake mbio Sana ua
almas yake kinwani, batta jua lalipokucbwa akalala ndiani. Hatta iissubui
walipopambauka, akaenda zakc mbio akajitabili kwenda mbio sana batta
lalipokoma mafungulia ng'ombe madogo akapumzika akaoua dalili za mji karibu
akaenda zake mbio akaenda mbio sana, batta lalipopinduka jua vitwani,
akiona dalili ya majumba na mji asiweze kusimama tena, akakaza mbio sana
akaenda batta akiwasili katika njia kuu ya katika ule mji, na ile njia
imekabili nyumba ya Sultani. Akaenda zake batta akiona nyumba ya Sultani
imefafanukia. Akazidi kukaza mwendo, na mle katika njia anapopita, watu
wamcsangaa, wamemwona paa mbio na kitu ndani ya majaui amekiuma kinwani,
amclekea nyumba ya Sultani.
Wale watu waliomo katika mji walisangaa batta paa akiwasili pale mwangoni
pa Sultani, na Sultani amekaa mbele ya mwango. Paa akapiga, bodi ! bodi !
Ameitujm cbini almas, naye amekaa kitako pale njiani kiuatweta, akapiga
marra ya pili, bodi ! bodi ! Sultani akanena, sikilizeni bodi inaopigwa
biyo. Wakamwambia, bwana, bodi inajiigwa na paa. Akawaambia mkaribisbeni,
mkari- bisbeni ! Wakaenda watu watatu mbio, wamwambia, baya, ondoka,
unakwitwa, karibu. Akaondoka paa, alvainua ile almasi yake, batta pale pa
Sultani, akiiweka cbini ya miguu ya Sultani.
Akamwambia, Bwana, Masalkberi, Sultani akamwitika, Allab masik bilkberi,
karibu. Nimekaa, Bwana. Sultani akaamuru asikari, leteni busati, Icta na
zulia, Icte na
SULTAN DARAI. 69
held the diamoud in its mouth ; and it ran far through the forest, and
found no town that day. And it slept in the forest ; and the second
morning it arose before the morning was quite light, and ran till about
ten o'clock, and rested till the sun had ceased to be overhead, and ran
very fast, with its diamond in its mouth, till when the sun went down
it slept on the way. In the morning, when it was light, it ran off
and exerted itself in running till when eight o'clock was past it
rested, it saw signs of a town near, and ran off and ran hard till as
the sun in- clined from overhead, seeing signs of great houses and of a
town, it could not stop again, and ran very hard and went until it
arrived in the main road of that town, and that road lead up to the
Sultan's house. And it went until the Sultan's house lay open before it.
And it went the harder ; and as it was passing in the road, people
stood staring, seeing a gazelle running and something wrapped in leaves
between its teeth in its mouth, and it going towards the Sultan's house.
The people who were in the town stood staring till the gazelle arrived
at the Sultan's door ; and the Sultan was sitting before his door. The
gazelle cried, " Rodi ! Hocli .'" It had thrown down the diamond, and
sat there in the road panting. And the second time it cried, " Hodi !
Rodi J" And the Sultan said, " Listen to this cry of ' Rodi!' " And
they said, " Master, it is a gazelle that is crying ' Rodi !' " And
he said, " Invite it to come near ! invite it to come near !" Three
people went running and said to it, " Come, get up ! you are called ;
come near." The gazelle got up and took up its diamond till where the
Sultan was, and laid it at the Sultan's feet.
And it said, " Master, Masallclieri." The Sultan replied, " AUaJi masik
hilkheri, come near." " I am seated, master," The Sultan ordered the
soldiers, " Bring also a carpet, and
70 SULTANI DAB AT.
takia. Marra pale yamekuja yakataudikwa pale. Aka- mwambia paa, kaa kitako
pale. Ah ! bwana, hapa patosha iialipokaa, mimi mtumwa wako, mimi kulala
ckini ni kuona vema, scmbuse hapa pametantlikwa jamvi. Akamwambia, huna
bucldi ukaondoke ukakae palepale. Akaondoka akaeuda akakaa. Akaamru Sultani
kuletewa paa iiiaziwa, akaamru kulcta wali, yakaja maziwa na wall, akala,
akaisha wali akauywa na yale maziwa ; akaachwa pumzika muda kidogo.
Akamwuliza, nipe khabari yako waliojia. Akamwambia, bwana, nikupe habari
naliojia mimi, nimetumwa kuja kukutiikana, nimetumwa kuja kukutaka shari,
mimi nime- kuja kutaka kwako ugomvi, mimi nimetumwa kuja kutaka kwako
udugu na ahali.
Sultani akamwambia, Auu ! paa, wewe wajua kunena, akamwambia, mimi
namtafuta mtu wa kunitukana, mimi namtafuta mtu wa kunisengenya, mimi
namtafuta mtu wa kutakana udugu na ahali, nami nimempata kheri, aka-
mwambia, bassi ukanambia maneno yako.
Akamwambia, u rathi Sultani ? Akamwambia, elfu marra. Akamwambia, bassi
kama u rathi, fimua hiyo amana yako. Sultani akainama akaitwaa, akaiweka
panapo paja lake, akifuugua mwenyewo bi nafsi yake, alipoona almas ilc,
akataajabu sana .Sidtani, kwa ginsi yalivyo njema, kwa ginsi inavyot \u
nuru. Akaona roho yake Sultani, ametenda zema 8;;.ua, zisizokuwa na kifani
zema zile. Akamwambia, nimeona amana yangu.
Akamwambia, bassi nimekuja na amana hiyo, uimepewa na bwana wangu, Sultani
Darai, bassi amcsikia, una mtoto
SULTAN DARAI. 71
bring a large cushion." Immediately they came, and were spread there. And
he told the gazelle, " Lie down there." " Ah ! master, here is enough
where I am lying. I am your slave. I feel it good for me to lie on
the ground, much more here where there is a mat spread." And he said, "
You must get up and lie just there." And it arose and went and lay
down. And the Sultan ordered that milk should be brought for the
gazelle, and he ordered that rice should be brought ; and the milk and
the rice came, and it ate, and when it had finished with the rice it
drank the milk, and was left to rest a little while.
And he asked it, " Give me the news yoii have come with." And it
said, " Master, let me give you the news I came with. I am sent to
come and insult you. I am sent to come and ask ill of you. I am come
to seek a quarrel with you. I am sent to come and ask kinship and
family alliance with you."
The Sultan said, " Hulloo ! you gazelle, you know how to speak ;" and
he said, " I am looking for some one to insult me. I am looking for
some one to make mocking signs about me. I am looking for some one to
ask kinshij) and family alliance between us, and I have met with good
luck." And he said, " Now then, tell me your message."
And it said, " You have forgiven me. Sultan ?" And he said, " A
thousand times." And it said, " Well then, if you have forgiven me,
open this your pledge." The Sultan stooped and took it, and put it upon
his lap, and opened it himself by himself. When he saw the diamond, the
Sultan was greatly astonished, it was so good and it was so brilliant.
And the Sultan's soul felt, " He has done me a great benefit, so that
there is none like it." And he said, " I have seen my pledge."
And it said, " Well then, I am come with this pledge, given me by my
master, Sultan Darai. Now he has heard
72 SULTAXl DAUAI.
mwanamkc ; bassi amekuletea liii, uawe mwie rathi, mstaliimilie, amekuletea
kitu kisichokuwa sawa nawe, kwa niui kitu kidogo.
Sultani akamwambia, Allabu, mimi ui ratbi sana, mimi ni ratbi sana, batta
kaburi yaugu nikifa i ratbi kwa baya aliouiteudea Sultani Darai.
Akamwambia, marababa, absante, ni ratbi sana, mko mkewe, ndugu uduguye,
mtumwa mtumwa wake, atakapo wakati wo wote, Sultani Darai nimwoze
mwanangu, sitaki pisbi kwake, sitaki kisaga kwake, sitaki kibaba kwake ;
sitaki nussu ya kibaba kwake, sitaki robo kibaba kwake, walakini aje yee
mtupu, baada ya bizi asizidi kitu tena, baya alioniletea si baba,
yaliobaki na yacbe kuko buko, bassi ndiyo maneno yangu, ukamweleza Sultani
Darai.
Bassi paa akaondoka, akamwambia, Bwana, kua beri ! nami niwie ratbi sana
mtumwa wako. Akamwambia, mimi nimetangulia kupokea ratbi zako, nami nataka
uniwie ratbi sana, wewe paa, kwa baya naliokujibu. Akamwambia, ratbi,
bwana, batta kwa mangine, nami, bwana, ni ratbi, nami, bwana, ninakwenda
zaugu batta mjini kwctu, batuta- kaa siku nyingi, labuda siku nane, ao
siku edasbara, tuta- kuwa tutawasili wageni wenu. Akamwambia, Ab ! kua
beri.
Na yule bwana wake paa katika ule mji watu wana- mzoniea, na watu
wanamcbeka, na baatbi ya watu wana- mguna, na baatbi ya watu wangine
wanamsema, amba buyu maskini ana wazimu zayidi sasa, alikuwa na tbemuni
yake, akacnda akanunua paa, na yule paa akamwacbia, sasa anazunguka na
mji, na kilio, maskini paa wangu ee, maskini paa wangu. Na watu
nukumcbeka, naye akili zake zimcpotca kwa sababu ya paa yule.
SULTAN DAE AT. 73
that you have a daughter, so he has sent you this ; and do you
forgive him, do you bear with him, that lie has sent you something not
worthy of you, because it is but a small thing."
The Sultan said, " Allalm, I am quite content ; I am quite content ;
even my grave when I die is content with what Sultan Darai has done
toward me." And he said, " Many thanks, thanks ; I am quite content ;
the wife is his wife, the family is his family, the slave, is his
slave. Let him come at any time whatsoever. I will marry Sultan Darai to
my daughter. I don't want a pislii of him ; I don't want a hiscuja of
him ; I don't want a hihaha of him ; I don't want half a hihaha of
him ; I don't want a quarter of a hihaha of him ; but let him come
emj^ty-handed. Whatever there is more, let him leave it there where it
is. This then is my message, and do you make it clear to Sultan
Darai."
So the gazelle got up and said, " Master, good-bye, and be content with
me your slave." And he said, " I have already received contentment from
you. I wish you to be content with me, you gazelle, in what I have
answered you." And it said, " Content, master, even with another answer ;
and, master, I'am content ; and I, master, am going away to our town.
We shall not stay many days ; perhaps in eight days, or in eleven
days, we shall arrive as your guests." And he said, " Ah! good-bye."
And as for the gazelle's master in the town there, people groaned at
him, and people laughed at him, and some people grunted at him, and
some other people said of him, " This poor man is madder now ; he had
his eighth of a dollar, and he went and bought a gazelle, and he let
his gazelle go, and now he wanders about the town crying, " Oh ! my
poor gazelle ! my poor gazelle." And people laughed at him, and he had
lost his wits because of the gazelle.
74 SULTANI DARAI.
Hatta sikii ile akaondoka, akaenda kwake, kadiri ya kukaa kitako, jma
akatokea. Akiondoka kitandani mbio yule maskini, akaenda akamkumbatia na
kulia. Paa akamwambia, nyamaa bwana, silie, nikupe habari nilizo nazo.
Ab ! paa wangti siku nyingi umepotea, inimi buku iiyuma nikalia,
nikasikitika, natbania umekufa. Aka- mwambia, Ab! bwana, mzima mimi, bassi
kaa kitako, bwana, nikueleze nalio nayo.
Bwana wake akakaa kitako, akamwambia, baya nieleze. Akamwambia, Bwana
ntakueleza mambo, nawe sbarti uyaweze. Akamwambia, jambo lo lots
utakaloniambia, kwa sababn robo yangu inavyokupenda, ntayaweza utaka-
poniambia, bwana lale cbani, nikupindulie jabali, nami nitalala. Akamwambia,
bwana nimeona vyaknla vingi, vyakula vya kusbiba, vingino vya kuviacba
baki, lakini vyakula bivyo vyakula vitamu sana, bwana.
Akamwambia, katika ulimwengu kuna mema matupu ? Shuti mema na maovu, ndio
ulimwengu, na vyakula ni tamu na ucbungu, ndio vyakula vema, viwapo
vyakula vitamu tujiu, bivyo baviwi vyakula vya sumu ?
Akamwambia, bassi sasa tukalale, batta ussubui nita- kapokwenda unifuate.
Wakalala, batta ussubui walipo- pambauka wakitoka yeye na paa wake,
wakaiugia katika mwitu. Wakaenda siku ya kwaiv.a, wakaenda siku ya pili,
katika mwitu, batta yalipok'iwa siku ya tano katika mwitu, paa akamwambia
bwana wake, kaa kitako, napo karibu na mto. Akamtwaa bwana wake, akampiga
sana, batta bwana Avake akapiga kelele, Nimetubu, bwana wangu.
Akimwacba pale, akamwambia, usioudoke bapa, mirai
SULTAN DAE A I. 75
And on that day he arose and went home according to his time for
staying, and the gazelle came in to him. And the poor man, getting oS
the bed in haste, came and embraced it with weej)ing. And the gazelle
said, " Be still, master ; don't cry, that I may give you the news I
have with me." " Ah ! my gazelle, you have been lost many days, and I
here behind cried and was grieved, and thought you were dead." And it
said, " Ah ! master, I am well enough ; now sit down, master, that I
may explain to you what I have with me."
His master sat down and said, " Go on, explain it." And it said, "
Master, I shall explain matters to you, and you must be equal to them."
And he said, " Anything what- ever that you tell me, because my soul
loves you so, I shall be equal to it ; if you tell me, ' Master, lie
on your back that I may roll you over the hill,' I should lie down."
And it said, " Master, I have seen many kinds of food — food to
satisfy, and other food to leave of — but this food is sweet food
indeed, master."
And he said, " Are there things in the world that are nothing but
good? They must be good and bad to- gether ; this is what the world is
; and food is sweet and bitter, that is good food ; if food was
nothing but sweet, would not that be poisonous food ?"
And it said, " Well then, let us sleep now ; and in the morning when
I go, you follow me." And they slept till the morning ; and when it
was light, they went out, he and his gazelle, and went into the forest.
And they went the fii'st day, and they went the second day through the
forest, till, on the fifth day in the forest, the gazelle said to its
master, " Stay here, here near the stream." And it took its master, and
beat him soundly, till he cried out, " I repent, 0 my master !"
And leaving him there it said, " Do not go away from
70 SULTAN I DAB AT.
ninakwencla zangii, nije nikukute papa bai^a. Paa akatoka mbio hatta jua
lalipopata mafnngulia ya ug'ombe makuu, ametokea ile nyumba ya Sultani.
Marra asikai'i walio- wekwa katika njia kumugojea Sultani Darai
atakapokuja, alikwenda asikari mbio, akamwambia Sultaui, Sultani Darai
anaknja, nimemwona paa anakuja mbio.
Sultani akatoka na watu wake kwenda kumlaki kule katika ujia. Alijiokwenda
hatta aliijokoma nussu ya njia, wakakutana na paa. Paa akamwambia,
Sabalkbeiri, bwana. Akamwambia, marababa paa, hujambo. Aka- mwambia, bwana,
sasa si niulize neno, siwezi kuvuta batua haj^a na bapa.
Sultani akancna, gissi gani paa ? Akamwambia, Nimekuja na Sultani Darai,
na katika njiaui, nimetoka mimi naye peke yetu, bakufuatana na mtu yo
yote, zayidi yangu mimi. Tukaja batta katika mwitu, tukakutana na baramia,
wakamkamata bwana wangu, wakamfunga, akai)igwa na baramia sana,
wakamnyang'anya na vyombo vyake alivyokuwa navyo vyote, batta kitambi cba
kuvaa cbini wamemvua. Bassi bapo alipo bwana kama siku aliozaliwa na
mamaye.
Sultani akatoka mbio na waaskari, wakaeuda mbio tena batta nyumbani kwake.
Akamwita mtunga frasi, aka- mwambia, Tandika frasi katika banda, alio mwema
katika frasi wangu, na matandiko yale yalio mema ninaopandia mweuyewe.
Akamwita mjakazi wake — Hcnzerani ! Akamwitika, Labeka, bwana. Akamwambia,
fungua kasba kubwa la njumu, toa babasba moja ya nguo. Akaenda akifungua,
akaleta babasba ya nguo. Sultani akifungua, akatoa jobo moja uycusi ilio
ujcma sana, akatoa
SULTAN DABAL 77
liere. I am going away ; let me come and find you just here." And the
'"gazelle ran oif '; and when the sun had reached about ten o'clock it
came out upon the house of the Sultan, Immediately of the soldiers who
were placed on the path to attend on Sultan Darai when he should come,
one ran and told the Sultan, " Sultan Darai is coming. I have seen the
gazelle ; it is coming running. "
The Sultan set out with his people to go and meet him in the road.
And when he had gone till half the way was finished they were met by
the gazelle. The gazelle said to him, " Sabcdkheiri, master." And he
said, " Thanks, gazelle, how are you ?" And it said " Do not ask mo
anything now, master. I cannot draw a step hither or thither."
The Sultan said, " How is that, gazelle ?" And it said, " I have come
with Sultan Darai, and while in the way we set out, he and I by
ourselves — he was not accompanied by any one whatever besides myself — we
came till in the forest we were met by robbers, and they seized my
master and bound him, and he was much beaten by the robbers, and they
robbed him of all his goods that he had with him — even to the loin-
cloth to put on underneath, they took it off. So there my master is as
on the day when his mother bare him."
The Sultan hastened away with the soldiers, and they ran on to his
house. And he called a groom and told him, " Saddle a horse in the
stable, the best of my horses, and the best harness which I ride with
myself." And he called a woman slave, " Henzerani !" And she answered "
Here, master." And he said, " Open the great inlaid chest and take out
a bag of clothes." And she went and opened it and brought the bag of
clothes. The Sultan opened it and took out a joho, black and very good
; and he took out a
78 SULTANI DAB AT.
na kanzu moja ya daria ilio njema sana, akatoa na kikoi kimoja cha
albunseyidi kilicho clieina saua, akatoa na kitambi kimoja kariyati kilicho
ckema sana, akatoa na shatoriima ilio njema sana. Akaencia kuleta kitara
kimoja kiliclio chema sana cha thahabu. Akaenda akaleta jambia moja la
temsi la tliahabu lilio jema sana. Akaleta na jozi moja ya viatii,
akapewa na bakora moja la mtobwi lilio jema sana.
Akamwambia paa, Chukua vitu hivi na waaskari hawa hatta kwa Sultani, mpe,
apate kuja zake. Akamwambia, Ah! bwana, itayamkini kuchukua askari hawa,
minii kwenda kufazehi bwana wangu, na hapo alipo ni kama alivyozaliwa na
mamaye? Mimi pekeyangu natosha, bwana.
Akamwambia, Utatoshaje wee pekeyako, na huyu ni frasi, na nguo hizi? Am
wambia, Bwana huyu frasi nifungeni hapa shingoni pangu, na hizi nguo
zifungeni juu ya mgongo wa* frasi, mzifunge sana, kwani mimi nitakwenda
mbio na frasi. Sultani akamwambia, Kama waweza nita- kufanyia. Akamwambia,
Bwana, kama siwezi singe- kwarabia, hatta hakwambia naliweza.
Akafimgia frasi shingoni pake, zikafungwa na nguo juu ya mgongo wa frasi.
Akamwambia, Ah ! bwana, kua heri, naenda zangu. Siiltani akamwambia, Je!
paa, tukungoje lini "? Akamwambia, mshuko wa alasiri kasu'i. Akamwambia,
Inshallah .
Paa akatoka mbio na frasi wake, paa mbelc, frasi nyuma. Walo watu
waliomo mji ule, na Sultani, na maamiri, na mawaziri, na maakida, na
makathi, na jamii waugwana walio nao matajiri katika mji, wakataajabu paa
SULTAN DARAJ. 79
Icanzu of daria, and very good ; aud a loin-cloth of alhu- nseyidi, and
very good ; and he took out a turban cloth of hariyati, and very
good ; and he took out a shawl for the waist, a very good one. And
he went and fetched a curved sword with a gold hilt, and very good.
And he went and fetched a curved dagger with gold filigree, very good.
And he fetched a pair of sandals, and they gave him a walking stick of
mtobwi wood, very good.
And he told the gazelle, " Take these things with these soldiers to the
Sultan, and give them to him, that he may be able to come." And it
said, " Ah ! master, can I take these soldiers, to go and put my
master to shame, and he is there just as his mother bare him ? I am
enough by myself, master."
And he said, " How will you be enough, and here is a horse and these
clothes ?" Says it, " As for the horse, tie it to my neck here, and
fasten these clothes on the back of the horse — fasten them well, because
I shall go fast with the horse." The Sultan said, " If you can manage
I will do it for you." It said, " If I could not I would not say so
to you, so far as I have said I can manage."
And he fastened the horse to its neck, and the clothes were fastened on
the horse's back. And it said, " Ah ! master, farewell ; I am going."
The Sultan said, " Well then, gazelle ! when shall we expect you ?" It
said, " About five o'clock." He said, " Please God."
The gazelle ran oft' with his horse, the gazelle in front, the horse
behind. The people of that city who were there, and the Sultan, and the
Emirs, and the Vizirs, and the officers, and the judges, and all the
gentry and rich men of
80 SULTAXI DAB AT.
yulo kujna kuiicna ua kiiweza kusarifu maucno ku'a uzuri. Hatta akacbukua
frasi yul3. Akaamini roko yake yule paa. Frasi ni mkuu kuliko paa, frasi
na yule paa, akiinama yule frasi akimtazama paa, liuona kama sisi
tunavyooua chungu chini, naye frasi ndivyo amwonavyo paa chiui yake.
Lakini liatutambui busara ya paa yule.
Sultani akaneua, Hee ! paa yule ametoka katika mkono wa mngwana, katika
miango ya Sultani, ametoka katika macbo ya watu wenyi nguvu, nclio maana
ya paa yule. Akawa mtu bora yeye kwa Sultani huyu.
Bassi akaenda yule paa batta akafika kwa bwaua wake pale alipo,
alipomwambia, bapa usiondoke, nayo aka- mkuta palepale, bakuondoka.
Yule bwana aliposikia sbindo alipotupa macbo nyuma, aona paa na frasi,
akacbeka sana, batta paa akifika, aka- mwambia bwana wake, Hodi ! bodi !
Akamwambia, Hodi ! bwana waugu. Akamwambia, karibu mfatbili wangu, karibu
msemaji wangu, karibu takarima wangu. Aka- mwambia, Nimekaa bwana wangu,
nimekaa seyedi yangu. Akamwambia, nimekuletea vyakida bivi vitamu. Aka-
mwambia, nivipendavyo vyakida bivi, kwani vyakula vikiwa vitamu vitupu
vyakula buwa sumu.
Akamwambia, uondoke bwana, uoge. Akaingia katika mto bwana wake. Akamwambia
bapa mtoni maji baba, ingia pale ziwani. Akamwambia, pale ziwani mbona
unaogopa, pana maji ungi ungi tele, na pabali panapokuwa na maji ungi
tele, panapo ziwa, bapakosi nyama walio adui.
Akamwambia, nyama gani, bwana ? Akamwambia kwanza. kntika maziwa bamkosi
cbatu, na wa pili, ba-
SULTAN DARAl. 81
the town wondered at that gazelle's knowing how to speak, and knowing
how to arrange its words elegantly. Then it took away the horse. And
the soul of the gazelle was confident. A horse is bigger than a
gazelle. As to that horse and that gazelle, if the horse stooped and
looked at the gazelle, it would see it as we see an ant on the
ground, just so the horse looked down on the gazelle. But we do not
recognize all the prudence of that gazelle.
And the Sultan said, " Eh ! that gazelle comes from gentle hands, from
the doors of a Sultan, he comes from the eyes of people of power ;
that is why this gazelle is what he is." And it became a person of
great consequence with that Sultan.
And so the gazelle went till it arrived where its master was, there
where it had told him, " Don't go away from here ;" and it found him
just there ; he had not gone away. Its master, when he heard the noise,
when he cast back his eyes, he saw the gazelle and the horse, and was
very- glad, till the gazelle arrived and said, " Master, hodi ! hodi !"
Aud he said " Hodi, my master !" and he said, " Come near, my
benefactor ! come near, my orator ! come near, my largess-giver !" And
it said, " I am seated, my master; I am seated, my lord;" and it
said, "I have brought you this sweet food." And he said, " This is the
food I like, for food that is only sweet is poisonous food." And it
said, " Get up, master, and bathe." And its master went into the
stream. And it said, " Here in the stream there is little water ; go
there into the pool." Aud he said, " There in the pool, why I fear
is, that there is water exceedingly plenty ; and where there is great
plenty of water^ where there is a pool, there are sure to be noxious
animals."
And it sa'd, " What animals, master ?" And he said, •' First, in lakes
there are surely crocodiles, and secondly.
82 SULTANl BAR A].
kosi keuge, na wa tatu liamkosi nyoka, na la nne akali ya kitu ni
vyura, nao huuraa watu, nami liivi vyote naviogopa. Bassi bwaaa, koga
pajia hapa mtoui.
Bwana wake akiingia katika mto, akaoga. Akamwa- mbia, jisugue sana na
udongo. Akamwambia, utwae rncbanga, uyasugue meno yako sana kwa mcbanga,
kwani meno yako yana ukoga. Akajisugua kwa udongo sana, akasugua meno kwa
mcbanga sana. Akamwambia, baya bassi, toka, jua limekucbwa, twende zetu.
Akileta pale zile nguo, akamwambia, Fungua, bwana. Akafungua zile nguo,
akavaa. Akavaa kikoi seyediya, akavaa na kanzu doria, akajifimga na jambia
la temsi la tbababu, akavaa na joho yake nyeusi, ilio njema sana,
akajipiga kilemba kariyati, kitambi kilicbo cbema sana. Akavaa na viatu,
akitia kitara kwapani, akasbika bakora mkononi ya mtobwe.
Akamwambia, Bwana ! Akamwambia, Lebeka mwa- naugii, lebeka mfatbili wangu,
lebeka mzisbi wangu, lebeka msemaji wangu, lebeka nuni yaugu. Akamwambia,
liuko tunakokwenda usitoke na neno, liwa lo lote katika kinwa chako,
zayidi ya kuamkiana na kutakana babari, usizidi neno tena, maneno yote
uiacbe mimi, buna lako neuo kutia. Akamwambia, Vema. Akamwambia, Huk^) mimi
mimekuposea mke, namabari, na nguo, namikaja, ii;i vilemba, na ubeleko, na
jamii za ada za mke na za mamaye, na za babaye pia nimewapa.
Akamwambia, mimi sitanena kitn. Akamw^ambia, bass, panda fras, twende zetu.
Paa akacnda mbio, akasimama mbali, akamwambia, bwana, bAvana !
Akamwnmbia, labeka. Akamwambia.
SULTAN BAB AI. 83
there are surely Jcenges, and thirdly, there are surely snakes, and
fourthly, whatever there be, there are frogs, and they bite people, and
I fear all these things." " Well, master, bathe just here in the
stream."
Its master went into the stream and bathed. And it said to him, " Eub
yourself well with earth." And it said, " Take some sand and rub your
teeth well with sand, for yoiu- teeth are dirty," And he rubbed himself
well with earth, and rubbed his teeth well with sand. And it said, "
Come along then, come out, the sun has gone down, let us be off."
And it brought the clothes and said, '• Open it, master ;"' and he
opened the clothes and put them on. And he put on the lordly loin-
cloth, and he put on the kanzu of doria, and fastened on the dagger
with the gold filigree, and he put on the black jolio, which was a
very good one, and twisted on the turban of haryati cloth, and that
very good, and he put on the shoes, and put the sword under his arm-
pit, and took in his hand the mtdbwi walking-stick.
And it said, "Master!" And he said, " Here, my sou, here, my
benefactor, here, my burier, here, my orator, here, my light." And it
said, " There, where we are going, don't you let any one word
whatsoever come out of your mouth, beyond saluting and asking the news.
Don't add a word more, leave all the talking to me, you have no word
to put in." And he said, " Very good." And it said, " Yonder I have
asked a wife for you ; and the dowry, and the clothes, and the
mTcajas. and the tui-bans, and the uheleko, and all the customary gifts
for the wife and her mother and her father, I have given them all."
And ho said, " I will not say anything." And it said, '' Mount the
horse, and let us go."
The gazelle went running, and stopped at a distance and said, " Master,
master !" And he said, '• H'jre !" And
84 SULTANI DAllAI.
mke, nguo, mgomba ua kulimiwa, ndiwo wapo mnono. Akamwambia, bwana wangu,
wewe kuko uliko mbali, walipoi)anda frasi huyo ulivyovaa na kisua hicho,
mtu hakujui kama walikuwa jana ukipckua, licba ya huku ugeniui twendako
tutakaporegea katika inclii yetu tuli- potoka, Lutaambiwa ndiye maskini
aliopekua jaani, watu hatasadiki gissi ulivyokuwa mzuii, gissi ulivyotakata
uso. Akamwambia, akali ya neno, na akali ya jawabu, hatta meno yako leo
yalivyokuwa meupe, mtu haneni ila mwezi arobatashara ndio mwezi mwenyi
wanga. Akamwambia, hiiyote ni takai'imu yako walio nikerimu.
Bassi wakaenda zao. Wakaenda — a-^a, batta alipotiipu macbo yule paa,
akaiona ile nyumba ya Sultani. Aka- mwambia, Bwana wayona nyumba ile ?
Akamwambia, uimeyona. Akamwambia, bassi ndio nyumba tunaoi- kwenda, bassi
wewe tena huku si maskini, nawe jina lake walijua ? Akamwambia, ualijua.
Jina lako nani ? Akamwambia, nimekwitwa Hamdaui. Akamwambia, sili jina lako
bilo. Je ! baba, jiua langu nani ? Aka- mwambia, jina lako Sultani
Darai. Akamwambia, vema.
Marra wakawaona asikari wanakuja mbio, na waasikari \vangine wakaenda mbio,
kwenda kumwambia Sultani. Wakawasili pale waaskari arobatashara, hatta
wakienda kidogo, wamwona Sultani, na mawaziri, na maamiri, na makathi, na
matajiri yalionao katika mji wanakuja.
Paa akamwambia, Shuka juu ya frasi, bwana, mkwewc anakuja kukulaki, na
mkwewc ni yule alio katinakati, yule mwenyi kuvaa joho ya samawi.
Akamwambia. vema. Akashuka juu ya frasi, wakaitwa waaskari, waka- I)okea
frasi.
SULTAN DAnAI. 85
it said, " A wife, and clothes, a banana tree, and cultiva- tion, these
are a fat gift." And it said, "My master, there where you are at a
distance, when you have mounted the horse, as you have put on this
suit, no one would know you had been scratching yesterday ; though from
there in a foreign land where we are going when we return to our
country whence we came out, they will not say of you, This is the poor
man that scratched in the dust-heap, people will not believe it, you
have become so fine, and your face is so clean." And it said, "
Whatever the matter, and whatever the thing, even your teeth to-day are
so white, no one will mention anything except the moon of the four-
teenth, that is the moon which is bright." And he said, " All this is
your largess, which you have lavished on me."
So they went their way ; and they went and went, till when the gazelle
cast its eyes it saw the house of that Sultan. And it said, "Master,
you see that house?" He said, " I see it." And it said, " That is
the house we are going to, and you there are not a poor man any
longer ; and do you know your name ?" He said, " I know it." " What
is your name ?" He said, " I am called Ham- dani." And it said, "
That is not your name, that one." " Eh ! father, what is my name ?"
And it said, " Your name is Sultan Darai." And he said, " Very
good."
Immediately they saw soldiers coming running, and other soldiers went
running to go and tell the Sultan, And fourteen soldiers came to them ;
and going on a little they saw the Sultan, and the Vizirs, and the
Emirs, and the Judges, and the rich men of the city coming.
And the gazelle said to him, " Get off your horse, master, your father-
in-law is coming to meet you, and your father-in-law is that one in the
middle, wearing a sky-blue jolu). And he said, " Very good." And he got
off his horse ; and the soldiers were called and took the horse.
86 SULTANl DAB AT.
Wakaenda hatta wakakvitaua. Sultani Darai na mkwewe, wapaua mikono, killa
mtu akambusu mwenziwe sana' wakafuatana liatta nyumbaui.
Walipokwenda hatta nyumbani, akawaambia yule kijana, mtengeni mbali cbumba,
asicbomwona mtu. Kwani mchu- mbawe amekuja. Sultani pale akaamru cbakula,
wakaja wakala, wakazumgumza sana, hatta walipokoma wakati wa usiku, akatiua
ndaui Sultani Darai, yeye na paa wake, na waaskari watatu kumngojea
mwangoni hatta siku ukacba.
Walipokucba usiku paa akaenda, akamwambia Sultani, akamwambia, bwana kazi
hii mtu ajiayo ndio atendayo, bassi bwana, twataka utuozc mke wetu, kwani
Sultani Darai robo yake na inamkumutika. Akamwambia, tayari mke, kamwiteni
mwalimu waje. Akaenda akaita mwalimu akaja. Haya twataka umwoze bwana
huyu. Ee wala, tayari. Akitwaa akimwuza. Sultani akaamrn kupiga mizinga,
ikapigwa mizinga sana. Sultani akaamru kupiga ngoma, killa taifa ipige
ngoma yake. Bassi Sultani Darai akaingia nyiimbani.
Hatta muda siku ya pili, paa akamwambia bwana wake, mimi ninatoka
nasafiri, muda wa siku saba nitarudi, na nisiporudi muda wa siku saba
usitoke ndaui ilia nije. Akamwambia, vcma, inshallab. Akamwambia, kua beri
Sana bwana.
Akaenda akamwaga yule Sultani mwenyi iucbi, aka- mwambia, Bwana. Akamwambia,
lebeka, i)aa. Aka- mwambia, Sultani Darai ameuituma kwenda mjini kwake,
kweuda kutengeneza uyumba. Ameniambia. muda wa
SULTAN BAB A I. 87
And they went on till they met, Sultan Darai and his father-iu-law, and
they gave their hands to one another and each kissed his fellow warmlyj
and they went together to the house.
And when they went to the house, the. young lady said to her people, "
Put him apart in a room where no one will see him," because her lover
was come.
The Sultan ordered food, and they came and ate, and conversed much till
the time of the night was come ; and Sultan Darai was put in an inner
room, he and his gazelle, and three soldiers at the door to attend upon
him, till the night was over.
When it dawned, the gazelle went and said to the Sultan, and it said, "
Master, the work a man comes for is what he attends to ; so then,
Master, we want you to marry us our wife, for the soul of Sultan Darai
is eager." And he said, " The wife is ready, call the mualim, and let
him come." And they went and called the mualim, and he came. " Come
now, we want you to marry this gentleman." " By all means, I am
ready ;" and he took and married him. The Sultan ordered the cannon to
be fired, and they fired the cannon many times. And the Sultan ordered
the music to play, that every nation should play its own music. And
so Sultan Darai went into the house.
Then the next day the gazelle said to its master, " I am setting out
on a journey, in seven days I shall be back ; and if I am not back
in seven days, don't you go out of the house till I come." And he
said, " Very good ; please Grod I will not." And it said, " Farewell,
fare very well, master."
And it went and took leave of the Sultan of the country, and said to
him, " Master." And he said, " Here, gazelle." And it said, " Sultan
Darai has sent nie to go to his town, to get the house in order ; he
has told me to be back in
«S SULTAXT DAB AT.
siku saba niriidi, kama sikurudi mnda wa siku saba, hata- toka ndani
ilia nije. Akamwambia, vema, kua lieri.
Sultani akamwambia, hutaki watu wakufuate, Aka- mwambia, mimi nalitumwa
kwetu na wingi wa mali, nikai- iigia katika nyika na katika nyika bamna
jambo jema, killa jambo baya asili yake yatoka na nyikani, nami nalikuja
bajja i)ekeyangu nisiogope, sembuse leo nisipo- cbukua kitu uitaogopa mimi
? Kua beri bwana, naenda zaiigu.
Akaenda — a — a katika msitu na nyika batta akawasili katika mji. Mji ule
mkiibwa, una majumba mazuri. Akaona ule mji umejiinama, akasangaa, asiweze
kwenda, wala asiweze km-udi, akanama, akafikiri, akawaza, akata- zama,
bakutanababi jawabu, ilia kuingia katika mji. Akaingia. Akafuata njia
mkubwa, batta mwisbo wa njia kubwa, kuna nyumba kuu, nyumba mzuri mno
isiyokuwa ua kifani katika ule mji. Akaiona nyumba umejengwa kwa yakuti,
kwa fieruzi, kwa mawe mazuri ya marmar.
Paa akasangaa, akawaza, akafikiri, alipotanababi, aka- ncna, bii ndio
nyumba kwa bwana wangu. Nami nitapiga moyo konde, nende niwatazame watu
walio katika nyumba bii, ina ratu ao baina mtu. Kwani nimeanza kuingia
katika mji, tokea mwanzo wa mji batta nimefika hapa kati ya mji,
sikupata kumwona mtu awe yote katika mji huu, sikumwona mume, wala mke,
wala mzee, wala kijana, batta nimewasili bajja. Bassi na nyumba hii
ntapiga moyo konde niingie. Akanena, kama kufa nitakufa. kama kupona
nitapona, kwani mimi bapa sasa uilipo sir a bila kwani nitokako mbali,
bassi kama kitaka- cboialiwa kuniua ua kiniue.
SULTAN BAR AT. S9
seven days ; if I am not back in seven days lie will not leave the
bouse till I come." And be said, " Very good, farewell."
And tbe Sultan said, " Do you not want people to attend you ?" It
said, " I was sent from our place with rich pro- perty, and entered tbe
wilderness, and in tbe wilderness there is nothing good, every evil thing
comes by origin from the wilderness, and I came here by myself without
fearing. Much rather now, when I have nothing to carry, shall I be
afraid ? Farewell, master, I am going."
And it went and it went through the forest and the wilderness, till it
arrived at a town, and that town was liirgu with fine bouses. And it
saw that the town was bowed down, and it was struck with astonishment.
It could neither go forward nor back, and it bent down, and con-
sidered, and thought, and looked, and could not resolve on anything,
except to go into the town. And it went, and followed the main road.
And at the end of the main road there was a great house, exceedingly
beautiful, so that there was none like it-in the town; and it saw the
bouse was built of sapphire, and of turquoise, and beautiful marbles.
The gazelle was struck with astonishment, and thought and pondered. When
it had collected its thoughts it said, " This is the house for my
master, and I will call up my courage and go and look at the people
who are in this house, whether there are any people or no. For I
entered at the end of the town, and till I got here in the midst of
the town I have not seen any one at all ; in this town I have seen
neither man nor woman, old nor young, till my arrival here. So then I
will call up my courage and go into this house." And it said, ''If I
die I die, if I live I live ; for here now where I am I have now
no stratagem, for the place I came from is far oif ; and so if
anything has been empowered to kill me, let it kill me."
90 SUITANI DA II AT.
Akapiga mwaugo konde, akiipiga liodi ! Akapiga tcna, hodi ! asipato mtu
ndani wa kumjibu. Ah ! nyumba hii haina mtu. Mbona mwango haukufungwa kwa
'nje ? Labuda wenyewe wamelala, ao labuda wenyewo wako inbali,
liawauisikii. Lakini sasa nitajiiga hodi Sana, wakiwa mbali wanisikie, na
kama wamelala waamke.
Akapiga ho-o-o-di ! bo-o-o-o-di ! Akaitika buko ndani mzee, hodi !
Akamwuliza, nani wewe unayopiga hodi ? Akamwambia, mimi, bibi mkubwa,
mjidiuu wako. Aka- mwambia, kama ni mjukuu wangu, baba, rudi kuko uliko-
toka, iisije ukafa liapa, ukanijougea na mimi kufa.
Akamwambia, bibi, fungua, nna maneno yangu matatu nataka kukwambia.
Akamwambia, mjukuu wangu, sikatai kufuugua, nacliclea kuponza robo yako,
yaponza na yangu. Akamwambia, bibi robo yangu haitakwenda, wala yako
baitakwenda, wallakini, bibi mkubwa, tafatbali fungua, nikwambie maneno
yangu matatu.
Akafungua mwango yule kizee. Akamwambia, nasbika moo, bibi. Akamwambia,
marahaba, mjukuu wangu, aka- mwambia, Je! babari utokako, mjukuu wangu.
Aka- mwambia, bibi mkubwa, nitokako kwema na bapa nijapo pema. Akamwambia,
Ab ! mwanangu, bapa ndio si pema kabisa, kama wewe watafuta njia 5 a
kufa, wala kama bujaona kufa, bassi loo ndio siku ya kuona kufa, ndio
siku ya kujua kufa.
Akamwambia, bibi mkubwa, nzi kufia tuini, si basara. Akamwambia,
yatakapokuwa hayo, mwanangu, mimi nakuonea basara, k vani wamekufa watu
wengi, wana na
SULTAN DAIIAI. 91
And it knocked at the door with its fist, and cried, " Kodl .'" And it
cried again, " Hodi !" without finding any one inside to answer it. "
Ah ! is there no one in this house? Why then is not the door fastened
outside? Perhaps the peoj)le are asleep, or perhaps they are far oflf and
don't hear me. However, I will cry liodi now very loud, that if they
are far off they may hear me, and if they are asleep they may wake."
And it cried, '^' Ho — o — di ! Ho — o — o — di f And an old person from
inside answered, " Hodi ;" and asked, " Who are you who are crying hodi
T And it said, " I, great mistress, your grandchild." And she said, "If
yon arc my grandchild, father, go back again to where you came from ;
don't come and die here, and bring me to my death as well."
And it said, " Mistress, open, I have three words I want to say to
you." And she said, " My grandson, I don't refuse to open ; I fear to
put your life in danger, and to put my own in danger too." And it
said, " Mistress, my life will not pass away, nor yours either ; but,
gi-eat mistress, l^lease to ojien that I may tell you my three words."
And the old body opened the door. And it said, " I embrace your feet,
mistress." And she said, " Thanks, my grandson;" and she said, ''Well;
what is the news where you come from, my grandson?" And it said, "
Great lady, where I come from it is well, and here where I am come to
it is well ?" And she said, " Ah, my son, here it is not well by
any means ; if you are looking for a way to die, or if you have not
yet seen death, then to-day is the day for you to see death, and the
day for you to know what dying is."
And it said, " Great mistress, for a fly to die in, cocoa- nut juice
is no loss to it." . And she said, "If so it shall be. my son ; I
foresee loss for you, for many people have
92 SVLTANI DABAI.
panga na ngao. Akamwambia, mama, liayo yamepita, tazama na yangu.
Akamwambia, baba, kuwa hawakuwa wenyi miguu miwili, utakuja kuwa wewe,
mwenyi miguii miune. Akamwambia, mama, masifiwa sikuoua sifa, nda kujionea.
Akamwambia, napenda mtoto, urudi nlikotoka. Aka- mwambia, si jambo la
kupatikaua, mama, pale, naliko- kwambia niregee nyuma tena. Walinambia nini
kwanza ? Akamwambia, sikuambia, nzi kufia tuini si basara? Akamwambia,
kweli umeniambia, nami, mwanangu, sime- kujibu? Akamwambia, walinijibu nini
mama? Aka- mwambia, sikukwambia, nakuonea basara ? Akamwambia, hasara yako
mbona sipendelei sana. Akamwambia, mimi sina buddi kukuuliza pindi
usiniambie, lakiui ntakuuliza, mwenyi nyumba bii naui ?
Akamwambia Ob ! — baba wee, nyumba liii ina wingi wa mali, ina wingi wa
watu waliomo, ina na wingi wa zakula ziliomo, ina na wingi wa frasi
waliomo, bassi na mwenyewe mji liuu wote ni nyoka mkuu mno wa ajabu.
Ebee ! mzee, nipe busara nipate nyoka buyu, batta nimpate nimwuc.
Akamwambia, Ob ! mwanangu, maneno baya usinene, utanicbongea, tena kuko
aliko yeye mwen- yewe alisikia tena, nimewekwa mimi iiekcyaiigu liajia, mimi
mzee, kazi yangu ya kupika zakula ; wayaoiia masufuria yale, bassi
anapokuja yule joka bajia, kuvuma baridi na vumbi kuruka kama metbili ya
tufaui inapokuja. Bassi akija, bufikia pale uwanjani, akala batta akasbiba,
akaingia liapa udaui kuuywa maji. Akiisba kuuywa maji.
SULTAN DABAI. 93
died who Lad swords and shields." And it said, " Those affairs are
over, look to mine." And she said, " If they were not who had two
feet, shall you be who have four?" And it said, " Mother, I have not
thought much of what was praised, praise I foresee for myself."
And she said, " I wish, child, you would go back where you came from."
And it said, " That is not a matter to be had, mother, that I should
return back again to the place I tjld you of." "What did you tell me
at first?" And it said, " Did I not tell you, for a fly to die in
cocoa- nut juice is no loss to it ?" And she said, " True, my sou,
you did tell me so; and did! not answer you?" And it said, " How did
you answer me, mother ?" And she said, " Did I not tell you I foresee
loss for you ?" And she said, " Your loss is the cause of my not
favouring you much." And it said, " I cannot but ask you, though you
tell me not, but I will ask you. Who is the ovvner of this house?"
And she said, " Ah, father ! in this house is abundance of wealth, and
abundance of people, and abundance of food, and abundance of horses ; and
the owner of this whole town is an exceedingly and wonderfully great
snake."
" Ahaa ! old lady, give me a clever plan that I may get at this
snake, so that I may get to kill him." And she said, " Oh, my son,
don't say w^ords like these ; you will put me in danger, and there,
where he is, the owner has heard. I have been put here by myself — I,
an old woman — and it is my work to cook food. You see the pots there
? Well, when the great snake is coming, there blows a wind, and the
dust flies as if a storm were coming. AVell, when he comes, and arrives
here in the courtyard, he eats till he has had enough, and goes inside
there to drink '.vater. When he has drunk water, he goes away ;
94 SULTANI DAB AT.
huenda zake, liaji ilia kwa siku ya pili, wakati ulenle jua vitwani,
Bassi uta'mweza api, baba, nj'oka liuyu ? Naye ana vitwa saba,
liawaku'mweza kindakindaki wafakne wa nyuki, uta'mweza wewe baba ?
Akamwambia, mama, ona ulicbo naclio usione usiclioku- wa nacko. Huyu nyoka
hana upanga ? Akamwambia, ana upanga, tena mzuri, tena mwema, tena npanga
huu ni wa radi. Akamwambia nipe, mama. Akaenda hatta cbangoni, akiwangna,
akija akimpa. Akamwambia, ndiwo huu mama ? Akamwambia, ndio kuu, mwanaugu.
Akamwambia, tena upesi, anakuja tena wakati liuu, wewe umekuja kujiua wewe,
uje uniue na mimi. Akamwambia, kwa nini, mama ? Akamwambia, si
nnakwambia, liuta'mweza. Akamwambia, Kama kufa, tumekwislia kufa, tumesalia
kuoza, nawe mama piga moyo konde, nami nijaribu leo, kama hawa wakiwa
kindakindaki wafaume wa nyuki, liawaku'mweza nyoka kuyu, bassi mimi leo
nita'mweza. Akamwambia, All ! mwauangu.
Marra asikia tufaui inavuma. Yule mzec akamwambia, wamsikia mwanamumc
anakuja. Akamwambia, nami nilio ndani mwanamume, mafahali mawili hayakai
zizi moja, atakaa yeye nyumba bii, ao nitakaa mimi. Yule kizee akacheka
sana kwa maneno auaotoa yule paa. Yule mzee akaona nafsi yake amekufa,
kwani yule kizco, aliwaona watu wauao nguvu marra elfu kuliko huyu paa,
nao hawaku'mweza nyoka huyu, aliwashinda. Aka- mwambia, mama, ache haya,
matunda si mazu, mazu ni mwekuudu. Bassi saburi, mama.
Marra nibeja wa kani akiwasili nynmbani alikowasili.
SULTAN DARAI. 95
lie only comes every other clay, just when the sun is over , head.
Where, then, will you be a match for him. father ? And this snake has
seven heads. They Avere not a match for him who were as great as
queen bees ; and will you be a match for him, father V"
And it said, " Mother, you mind your own business, and don't mind other
people's ; has this snake a sword r" And she said, " He has a sword,
and it is a fine one, and a good one, and this sworcLia,like a
fla,shj^f UglitTjjj^." And it y^ 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 ?" x\nd she said, " Don't I tell you you will not be
a match for him." And it said, " As for dying, we ai*e 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 he.irs 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 h(Mise
9(J SULTANI DAllAI.
akaingia katika sufuria zako kula, hatta alipokwislia kula, akaja liatta
akafika pale mlangoui. Akasikia harufu ya kitu chingine kiwamo ndani.
Akamvvita, wee kizee, mboua leo nasikia harufu nyingine, liumo ndani ?
Aka- mwambia, bwana, mimi liapa pekeyangu, nimekaa siku uyiugi, sikupata
kujisinga, leo nimejisinga, bassi ndio unaposikia harufu hii, unanena ndio
kmia kitu kingine ndani. Kitatoka wapi kitu hapa, Bwana ?
Na yule paa ameutoa upanga amekaa tayari. Yule nyoka akitia kitwa ndani,
paa upanga umemtoka, akamkata kitwa, yule nyoka asijue kama amekatwa
kitwa. Akipe- nyeza cha pili, yule paa umemtoka upanga, akamkata kitwa cha
pili. Yule nyoka akainua kitwa akamwambia, umekuja nani katika nyumba
yangu kunikunakuna ? Akikitia kitwa cha tatu kutaka kuingia ndani, paa
umemtoka upanga, akimkata kitwa cha tatu.
Hatta alijwtimiza vitwa sita, ghathabu za nyoka, akajiacha mapiudi, yeye
paa na yule kizee wasionane kwa vimibi. Hatta alipotia kitwa cha saba,
alipokitia inwangoni, paa akamw^ambia, Leo ndio mauti yako, aka- mwambia,
miti pia umepanda huu ndio mparamuzi. Akai- nua kitwa kuingia nyoka ndani,
paa upanga mnemtoka, akamkata kitwa cha saba. Paa akianguka akizimia.
Bibi yule kizee, akapiga kigelcgele, akapiga na hoihoi, akajiona mwili
wake na macho yake, na roho yakc, na nguvu zakc ni kama mtoto wa miaka
tissa, naye ni mtu wa miaka khamsi u sabwini. Akaondoka mbio yule kizee,
akamchukua yule paa, na yule paa amezimia. akamtia maji, na kumpepca, ua
kii'mweka pahali palipo- kabili baridi, liatta paa akatwcta,
liatta i)aa akaenda
SULTAN DAB AT. 97
whither he came, and went to his pots to eat ; and when he had
finished eating, he came to the door. And he per- ceived a smell of
something inside. And he called, " You old body, how is it I smell a
different smell there inside?"' And she said, "Master, I am here by
myself ; I have stayed many days withol^t scenting myself, to-day I have
scented myself, and this is the smell you perceive, and you say there
is something difterent inside. Where could anything come from, master ?"
And the gazelle had drawn the sword, and stood ready. The snake put his
head inside, the gazelle had the sword di-awn, and cut off his head
without the snake's knowing f his head was cut off. And he put through
the second, the gazelle had the sword drawn, and cut off that head. The
snake lifted up his head, and said, " Who has come to my house to
scratch me ?" and putting in his third head to try to get inside, the
gazelle had the sword di-awn, and cut his third head off.
Till when it had finished six heads, in the fury of the snake he
unfolded his rings, and the gazelle and the old woman could not see one
another for dust. And when he put in his seventh head, the gazelle
said, " To-day is your death ;" and it said, " You have climbed all
sorts of trees, but this you can't climb." And the snake lifted his head
to go in, the gazelle had the sword drawn, and cut off his seventh
head. And the gazelle fell down fainting.
The old lady set up screams and cries of delight, and she felt her
body, and her eyes, and her spirit, and her strength like a girl of
nine, and she was a person of seventy-five. And the old woman ran and
took up the gazelle, and the gazelle had fainted, and put water upon
it, and fanned it, and put it in a place opposite to the wind, till
the gazelle drew a breath, and the gazelle sneezed, " che !"
98 SULTANI DABAI.
chafya, clicee. Mzee yule akafiirabi sana, akamwona yule paa akienda
chafya. Akampepea sana, akamtia maji saua, ua kumgeuzageuza, hatta paa
akaoudoka.
Yule bibi akascma, ah ! mjukuu waugu wee, pole mwanangu, wala sikukuthania
kama uta'mweza huyu. Akamwambia, mama, nalitangulia kukwambia, masifiwa
sikuona shani, nda kujionea. Akamwambia, kweli, mwanangu, akamwambia, kwani
nimeona.
Akamnambia, njema unipe habari. Akamwambia, kama ipi, mwanangu? Akamwambia,
hapana piugamizi tena mbele yetu ? Akamwambia, mbele kwen na nyuma kweu,
sijui ya Muuugu. Bassi nataka unionya uyumba liii, mvvanzo hatta mwisho,
chini hatta juu, ndani hatta nje. Akamwambia, Ee walla, b^iba. Akamwambia,
kwanza na tupite uani. Akamwambia, nitakupitisha, baba, kwcnda kukuonya cha
siri na cha thahiri zalizowekwa. Aka- mwambia, vema, mama yangu, zema
liaziozi. Aka- mwambia, kweli, mwanangu.
Bassi tena akamwonya ghala za mali, akamwonya na vyumba, vilivyotiwa
vyakula vya mali. Akamwonya ua vyumba vilivyotiwa watu wazuri, waliofungwa
tokca zamaui, Akampandislia hatta orofani, akamwonya kama kilichomo kinenacho
nakisichouena. Hizi, bwana, mali zako. Akamwambia, Mali haya yaweke wewe,
hatta mimi hamwite bwana wangu, ndiye mwenyi mali haya.
Yule paa akafurahi sana. lie nyumba imempendeza sana, na atakapokuja yeye
na mkwewc, na mkewe, na jamii ya watu watakaofuatana nao, killa
atakaokuja, akiona nyumba hii, atanena hii ndio nyumba, bassi, kwani kule
mii wan liukuna uyumba yapatao ruisu ya ile. A«i ! bassi, paa
SULTAN DAB A I. 99
And the old woman was very glad when she saw the gazelle sneeze, and
she fanned it, and put water on it, and turned it this way and that,
till the gazelle got up.
The mistress said, " Ah, my grandson ; gently, my son ; and I did not
think you could be a match for him." And it said, " Mother, I told
you before, ' I have not seen things that were praised as wonders, I
foresee it for myself.'" And she said, " True, my son;" and she said, "
for I have seen it."
And it said, '' Good, tell me the news." And sho said., " Of what, my
son?" And it said, " There is n< one to interfere before us." And she
said, "It is clear before and clear behind ; I don't know as to God."
" Well, then, I want you to show me this house from the beginning to
the end, from bottom to top, from insidie to out." And she said, " All
right, father." And it said, " First, let us pass on into the court."
And she said, " I will lead you, father, and go and show you the
secret and the open, all that is stored up." And it said, " Good, my
mother ; good things don't spoil." And she said, " True, my son."
So then she showed it storerooms full of goods, and showed it chambers
where was put food of price, and she showed it rooms where were put
handsome people, who had been long imprisoned, and she took it up to
the upper rooms, and showed it all that was in them, slaves and goods.
"These are yom- goods, master." And it said, " Do you keep these goods
till I call my master — he- is the owner of these goods."
And the gazelle was very glad. The house pleased it much, and when he
shall come, with his father-in-law, and his wife, and the people in
their company, every one that shall come, when he sees this house will
say this is a house, for there in their town there is no hoixse half
as
100 SUIT AX I DARAJ.
akanena, bwana waugu atafurahiwa kwa liayo naliyo- mtendea, kwani bwaua
wangu akiwa na nyumba hii, naye mtu aliyekuwa mbali, atakuwa kama
aliozaliwa marra ya pili, giusi atakavyojiona mzuri.
Akakaa nyumbani akizuiugumza na kizee yule, hatta baada ya siku ya tatu,
.akaenda zake.
Akaenda batta akawasili katika iile mji, alioko bwana wake. Sultani
aliposikia yule paa amekuja, alifurabi sana, akaona kama mtu aliosbusbiwa
jaba. Hatta alipopata babari bwana wake ndani aliko, akaona nafsi yake
kama mtu alioyona leilat al kadri. Bassi akaondoka aka'mbusu Sana. Baba
yaugu, umekawia, umeniacba sikitiko, nime- kaa kukumbuka, siwezi kula,
siwezi kunywa, siwezi kucbeka, moyo waugu baukuona tabassamu kwa jawabu
liwe lote, na sababu kukumbuka wewe.
Akamwambia, mimi mzima, na nitokako kwema, nami napenda baada ya siku
nne, kutukua mkewo, twende zetu kwetu. Akamwambia, Ni ibtiari yako, ni
Iile unambialo ndilo nitafuata. Bassi, akamwambia, mimi nnakwenda kwa
mkwewo, bamkbubiri babari bizi. Akamwambia, Enenda.
Akaenda batta barazani, akamwambia, Bwana nimekuja kwako. Akamwambia,
Bashiri kbeiri, nambie uliyojia. Akamwambia, Nimekuja, nimetumwa na bwana
kuja kukwambia, baada ya siku nne, atakwenda zake, yeye na niKewe, nawe
nimekupasba babari. Akamwambia, mimi sipendi kuoudoka ujiesi, kwani
batujakaa sana, mimi na Sultani Darai, wala batujazumgumza sana, mimi
naye, tokea alipokuja batta leo siku arobatasbara, batujapata kukaa mimi
naye tukazuiiignmza, wala batujajmta kupanda
SULTAN DAB AT. 10 L
good as this. " Ah, then," the gazelle said, " my master will be very
glad about what I have done for him. For if my master has this house,
and he a man that was so diflferent, he will be as though he were
born again, he will feel himself so fine."
And it stayed in the house, and conversed with the old woman, until
after the third day it went away.
And it went, until it reached the town where its master was. And when
the sultan heard that the gazelle was come, he rejoiced much, and seemed
like a man who has his i^etition sent down to him. And when his master
got the news where he was within, he felt himself like a man who has
found the time when all prayers are granted. So he arose and kissed it
much. " My father, you have been a long time, you have left sorrow
with me, I have sat thinking, I cannot eat, I cannot drink, I cannot
laugh ; my heart felt no smile at anything, because of thinking of you."
And it said, " I am in health, and where I come from it is well, and
I wish that after four days you should take your wife and let us go
home." And he said, " It is as you choose ; what you tell me, that I
will follow." " Well then," it said, " I am going to your father-in-law
to tell him this news." And he said, " Go."
And it went to the baraza, and said to him, " Master, I have come to
you." He said, " May it be a good omen ; tell me what you have come
for." And it said, " I am come, sent by the master to come and tell
you, that after four days he will go away with his wife, and I have
brought you the news first." And he said, " I don't like his going
away quickly, for we have not yet sat much together, I and Sultan Darai
; nor have we yet talked much together ; since he came till to-day it
is fourteen days, and we have not yet got to sit together and converse,
lOL' SULTJyj DAB AT.
frasi mimi nayc tiikateinbeti, wala liatujajiata kutanganya mimi naye
tukala, na kuondoka naona basara. Aka- mwambia, Bwana liuna buddi kwani
yeye auataka iipesi kwenda kwao, baada yeye aiueuiambia, kama yeye amekaa
siku nyingi. Akamwambia, Veraa. Akaenda zake, aka- nijibu bwana wake.
Akamwambia, nimem wainbia mkwewo uiasliauri yako, amerithika. Akamwambia,
Bassi amnini waambie jamii ya watu, kama muda ya siku nne Sultaiii
mwauawe anakwenda kwa mumewe, nanyi mwe na habari.
Sultani akawaambia watii walio katika mji, wake kwa waume, siku ya
kvvenda mwanangu, na waanawake wa kiungwana wamfnate. Akatoa na watu,
akawaambia, ninyi kaeni mkimtazama mwanangii katika njia.
Hatta muda ilijiokoma siku ya nne wakatoka wangwana wote waanawake walio
bora, na watumvva wao, na frasi zao, wakaingia katika kundi kumpeleka
mwaua wa Sultani kwa mumewe, Sultani Darai. Wakatokea, wakaingia katika
njia, wakaenda hatta lilipokoma jua vitwani, wakapumzika. Paa akaamru
kufanyiza vyakula vema, wakala tokea wangwana batta watumwa, wakashiba Sana
na robo zao zikafurahi kwa zakula kuwa zema.
Wakaenda batta ilipokoma saa kumi na moja. Aka- waambia, wangwana bajja na
tukac, mabali pa kulala. Vikafanyizwa vyakula vema na wali mzuri, wakala
wa- ngwana hatta watumwa. Wakafurahi wangwana hatta watimiwa wakalala pahali
pale. Bassi usiku alianza tokea l)embe hatta pembe, tokea mwanzo hatta
mwisho, kwa wangwana na watumwa, hatta kwa nyama zalizopandwa, pasiwe mtu
nnnoja alioikosa heshima yakc, tokea watumwa hatta wangwana, hatta nyama
zao walizopauda, na wote walifurahi kwaui yeye ajienda saua kumfurahisha
hwana wake. Akamwita, Baba ! akamwambia, naona umcchoka
SULTAN DARAI. 103
nor have we yet ridden out together, nor Lave we eaten together, and
going away I look upon as a loss." And it said, " Master, you cannot
help it, for he wishes to go quickly home, and he has told me that he
has now stayed a long while." And he said, " Very good." And it went
and gave its master the ansjver. And it said, " I have told your
father-in-law your plans, and he is satisfied." And he said, '• Give
orders, then, to tell all the people that in the space of four days
the sultan's daughter is going to her husband's house, and do you all
know it."
And the sultan told the people who were in the town, women and men, "
The day my daughter goes, let the ladies follow her." And he chose out
people and told them, " Do you stay and look after my daughter on the
road."
So when the space of four days was ended, all the great ladies went
forth with their slaves and their horses, and formed a comj^any to
convey the sultan's daughter to the house of her husband, Sultan Darai.
And they went out, and entered on the road, and went on until the sun
had ceased to be overhead, and they rested ; and the gazelle ordered
good food to be got ready, and they ate, from the gentry to the
slaves, and they were well filled, and their souls rejoiced because the
food was so good.
And they went on till after five o'clock. And it said to them, "
Gentlefolks, here let us stay, it is our sleeping- place." And good food
was prepared, and beautiful rice, and they ate, gentry and slaves ; and
they rejoiced, gentry and slaves, and slept in that place. So at night
it began from corner to corner, from beginning to end, as to gentry and
slaves, even as to the beasts that were ridden, there was not one that
had not its honour. From the slaves to the gentry, even to the beasts
they rode, all were glad, because it wished much to please its master.
And he called it, " Father !" And he said, " I think you
101 SULTANI BAB AT.
Sana, tokea lalikwanza kutoka jua, hatta kuchwa ku-ake hukui^ata kupumzika
hatta marra moja, hatta huu usiku. Akamwambia, tafathali nawe laha. Nawe
usikasirike, baba, mkuu ni jaa, ratukuzi ni atukuaye, asiotiikua si
mtukuzi. Akamwambia, kweli. Wakalala.
Hatta ussubui kabla hakiijapambauka vema, akaamsha wangwana. Wangwana,
Wangwana, amkeni. Wajoli, Wajoli, Wajoli, amkeni. Wangwana naweni uso, na
wajoli wangu naweni iiso.
Akawaambia, njooni wangwana mfungue Idnywa, na wajoli, wajoli, njooni
mfungue kiny wa, tiipate kimbia jua. Wakaondoka wale wangwana wakala
vyakula vema, waka- furalii, roho zao hatta watumwa. Na wote waliopo,
watumwa kwa wangwana wakampenda yule paa kuliko Sultani Darai.
Wakiisha, wakaondoka. Je ! Wangwana mmeshiba ? Wakamwambia, tumeshiba.
Wakamwambia, sisi ni wang- wana, hatta kama hatukula chakula hichi, kwa
heshima zako na kwa mambo yako sisi pekeyetu hushiba. Aka- mwambia, ahsant.
Akauliza, Je ! jamaa zangu mmeshiba? Wakamwambia, Hapo tulipo sisi hatta
ukope twaonea mzito kutia timaboni mwetu, kwa ginsi tulivyoshiba.
Akamwambia, Haya tusafivi sasa. Wakaenda hatta lalipokoma jua vitwani,
wakatua. Na tupumzike hapa tunywe maji, tule chakula. Bassi kikaja
chakula, wakala, wangwana kwa watumwa, wakashiba, wangwana kwa watumwa,
wakafurahi, wangwana kwa watumwa.
SULTAN DABAI. 105
are very tired ; from the beginning of sunrising till its setting you
have not once rested, till this night;" and he said, " I beg of you
lie down." " Do not you grieve, father, a great man is like a dustheap
; he makes it greater who carries something ; he who bears nothing makes
it no greater;" And he said, " True." And they slept.
In the morning, when it was scarcely light, it awoke the gentry. "
Gentlefolks, gentlefolks, awake ! Fellow-ser- vants, fellow-servants, fellow-
servants, awake ! Gentle- folks, wash your faces ! Fellow-servants of mine,
wash your faces."
And it said, " Come, gentlefolks, open your mouths ; and fellow-servants,
fellow-servants, open your mouths, that we may escape from the sun." And
the gentry arose and ate good food, and their souls rejoiced, and so
did the slaves. And all the slaves that were there, and even the gentry,
loved that gazelle more than they did Sultan Darai.
When they had finished they arose. " ^^'ell, gentlefolk, have you had
enough ?" And they said, " We have had enough;" and they said, "we are
gentlefolks, and if we had not eaten this food we should have been
satisfied with only the honour you do us and the arrangements you have
made." And it said, '' Thank you." And it asked, •'Well, all my
company, have you had enough?" And they said, " Here as we are, even
an eyelash would seem to us a heavy thing to jjut in our bellies, we
are so full."
And it said, " Come then, let us start." And they went till the sun
had ceased to be overhead, and they stopped. " Let us rest here, and
drink water and eat food." So the food came and they ate, gentry and
slaves, and they were filled, gentry and slaves, and they were glad,
both gentry and slaves.
106 SULTANI DARAl.
Wangwana wale wakampenda yiile paa mapenzi yalio bora yasiokuwa ua kifani.
Na wale watiimwa wao wali- mwona yule paa kamma mboni zao za maclio,
gissi wana- vyompenda kwa ginsi walivyomwona tamu.
Akawauliza, wangwana mmesliiba? Wakamwambia, bapa tulipo batta pumuzi
twajiona kuwa ndogo nasi. Akawauliza, ewe wajoli wangu, wake kwa waume,'
anao njaa asiuificbe. Wakamwambia, sisi batuna njaa. Aka- waambia, Haya
wangwana, twendezetuni. Wakaondoka, wakaenda batta yalipokoma saa edasbara,
akawaambia, wangwana bakuna mwendo wa usiku. Akawaambia, na tukae. Wakakaa
kitako. Kikaletwa cbaknla, wakala, wangwana na watiimwa, wakasbiba, wangwana
na w^atumwa, wakafurabi, wangwana kwa watumwa, kwa zile besbima walizozipata
kwa paa, wakamwona yeye bora angawa paa, wakamwona zayidi kuliko bwana
wake Sultani Darai. Akaanza toka mwanzo batta mwisbo, mngwana kwa mabali
pake, na mtumwa kwa pabali pake, na mkubwa kwa pabali pake, na mdogo
kwa pabali pake. Bassi akai'udi, akaja akalala batta jogoo la kwanza la-
lipowika. Akaondoka, akamwambia bwana wake. Akam- wambia, Bwana !
Akamwambia, Labeka baba, akaitika, labeka, azizi wangu, labeka mvika nguo
yangu, nambie ulilo nalo, baba. Akamwambia, Hapo tulipo na nyumba
tunaokweuda nnavyoaza, uapenda nafsi yangu tuondoke na mapema bapa.
Akamwambia, Vema. Bassi mimi nitaamsbe wangwana wafunguc kiuy wa na mapema,
tupate kwenda zetu. Akamwambia, balitupata atbuuri tutauona mji.
Akamwambia, Vema.
Akawaamsba, Wangwana ! Wangwana ! Wakamwitika, labeka. Akawaambia,
Ondokeni na nawe uso. Wakao-
SULTAN DAB AT. 107
And those gentlefolks loved the gazelle with a very great love, such as
had no like. And those their slaves looked upon the gazelle as the
apple of their eye, they loved it so, and they thought it so sweet.
And it asked the gentry, "Have you had enough?" And they said, " Here
as we are, even breath we see to be little to us." And it asked, "
You nay fellow-servants, men and women, if anybody is hungiy, don't hide
it from me." And they said, " We are not hungry." And it said, " Come
then, gentlefolk, let us go our way." And they arose and went until
five o'clock was past, and it told the gentry, " There is no travelling
in the night." And it said, " Let us stay here," and they sat dov/n.
And food was brought, and they ate, gentry and slaves, and were filled,
gentry and slaves, and were glad, gentry and slaves, for the honour they
received from the gazelle. And they looked upon it as very great,
although it was a gazelle, and they thought more of it than of its
master, Sultan Darai. And it began from the beginning to the end, the
gentry in their place, the great in his place, and the small in his
place, and the slaves in their place. And then it returned, and came
and slept till the fii-st cock crowed. And it arose, and spoke to its
master, and it said, " Master." And ho said, " Here, father ;" and he
answered, "here, my loved one, here, putter on of my clothes, tell me
what you have to say, father." And it said, " Here where we are, and
the house where we are going, as I think, I for myself should like
that we leave this early." And he said, " Very good." " Then I will
wake up the gentry, that they may open their mouths early, so that we
may go on om- way." And it said, " Noon will not come before we shall
see the town." And he said, " Very good."
And it awoke them, " Gentry ! gentry !" And they answered, " Here."
And it said, " Get up and wash your
108 SULTAXI DAB AT.
ndoka. Akawaambia, "Wajoli ! Wajoli ! Wakamwitika, Labeka baba. Oudokeni,
nawe uso. AVakamwambia, tumeondoka, baba. Waandikiwa chakula, wangwana kwa
watumwa, \Aakubwa kwa wadogo. Haya, waugwana, fungueni kinywa. Akaenda
akawaambia, baya wajoli, ftmgueni kinywa. Watu wakala hatta wakasbiba.
Wali- pokwisha kula bakujapambauka bado. Haya, wangwaua, twendezetuui.
Wakaondoka wakaenda zao. Wakaenda batta alipokoma jua vitwani paa akaona,
na wale wangwana waliofuatana nao wakaona daliH ya jumba mbele yao.
Wakamwita, Paa ! Akaitika, Labeka, bibi zangu. Wakamwambia, mbele yetu
twaona kama dalili ya nymuba. Akawaambia, Ob ! bibi, bassi buu, si buu
mji wetu ? Ndio nyumba ya Sultani Darai.
Waanaake wakafurabi sana, na wale watumwa waka- furabi sana. Wakaenda
batta yalipokoma muda wa saa mbili, wakawasili katika mwango wa mji.
Akawaambia paa, Waugwana kaeni bapa, wangwana kwa watumwa, wake kwa waume,
niacbeni mimi na Sultani Darai twende nyumbaui. Wakamwambia, Vema. Akao-
ndoka paa na bwana wake, batta wakiwasili katika nyumba.
Yule kizee aliyo katika nyumba alipomwona paa, anakuja, aliruka na
kigelegele na boiboi, na kuranda, na kweuda mbio batta akawasili katika
migim ya paa. Akimcbukua, aki'mbusu. Paa akamwambia mzee, Nacbe, wa
kuchukidiwa ni buyu bwana wetu, wa kubusiwa ni huyu bwana wetu, kwani
mimi nikiisba fuatana na bwana njia moja, besbima za kwanza apewe bwana,
bassi ndio nikapewe mimi. Akamwambia niwie ratbi, baba, sana.
SULTAN DAB AI. 109
faces." And it said, " Fellow-servants ! fellow- servants !" And they
answered, " Here, father." " Get up and wash your faces." And they
said, " We are up, father." And they had food laid for them, gentry
and slaves, great and small. " Come then, gentry, open your mouths." And
it went and said, " Come then, fellow-servants, open your mouths." And
the people ate till they had had enough. When they had finished eating,
it was still not. very light. " Come then, gentry, let us be going."
And they aross and went on their way. And they went until, when the
sun ceased to be overhead, the gazelle saw, and those gentry who
accompanied them saw, signs of a house before them. And they called, "
Gazelle !"' And it answered, " Here my mistresses." And they said, "
Before us we see like the signs of houses." And it said, "Ah,
mistresses, is not this our town? That is .the house of Sultan Darai."
And the women rejoiced much, and the slaves rejoiced much. And they went
till, when the s^^ace of about two hom's had ended, they came to the
gate of the town.
And the gazelle said, " Gentry, stay here, gentry and slaves ; leave me
and Sultan Darai to go on to the hoiise." And they said, ''Very good."
And the gazelle went off with its master till they arrived at the
house.
The old woman who was in the house, when she saw the gazelle, came and
jumped with screams and cries of joy, and dancing about and running,
till she came to the gazelle's feet, and she took it up and kissed it.
The gazelle said, " Old woman, leave me alone ; the one to be carried
is our master here, and the one to be kissed is our master; for when
I go with my master on one road, the first honour should be given to
the master, and then it may be given to me too." And she said, "
Forgive me, father, I did not know this was our master." And she
110 SULTAXI DAB AT.
sikumjtia kama udiye bwana wetu. Akamwambia, nawe, bwana, niwie rathi
saua, mtiimwa wako, sina babari kama wewe ndio bwana wetu. Akamwambia,
ni ratbi.
Akaondoka pale, ukifunguliwa mwango, tokea cbini batta juu, na vynmba
vyote, na gbala zote, ya mini wa sbemali. Akaingia yule kijana,
akawaambia, wafungueni hawa watu waliofungwa. Wangine ua wafagie, wangine
watandike vitanda, ua wangine wapike, na wangine wateke maji, na wangine
watoke nje wapate kwenda kumtwaa bibi.
Yule Sultani Darai akaona nyumba ile mzuri sana, akaona, vitanda vizui'i
mno, akaliona pambo la nyumba, bakupata kuliona, wala bakupata kulisikia
pambo kama lile. Eobo yake ikafurabi saua, moyo wake ukaona, kama mtu
alioletwa babari ua 3Iuungu, kama wewe umekwenda ingia peponi, kwa robo
yake yalivyofurabi.
Wakaenda watu kule, wakaeuda wakamcbukua bibi na wale waugwaua waliokuja,
na wale watumwa wao waliokuja nao, ua mwenyewe pambele, wakaja nao batta
wakafika nyumbani. Akawaambia, Karibuni wangwana, piteni waugwaua. Akawaambia,
karibuni jamaa, piteni ndaui jamaa zangu. Waauawake mwende dariui. Walipo-
kwenda waugwaua wakapita, akawaambia, na bawa frasi, waliokuja ua wangwana,
na wapelekwe uani, wakakaa.
Bassi wakaenda wakafiiuya vyakula vingi saua, waka- fanyiziwa wali mzuri
saua, wakala, wangwana kwa wa- tumwa, kwa killa mtu, akasbibia nafsi yake.
Wale waa- uaake waliokuja, wakamwambia, Ah ! paa wee, eb ! baba wee, sisi
tuuicona majumba, sisi tumeona watu, sisi tumesikia mambo. Wallakini nyumba
bii, na wewe ginsi ulivyo, batukupata kuona wala batukuj^ata kusikia, ua
mwenyi kutaka kuf)na, na one nyumba kama bii, as-zidi
SULTAN DARAI. Ill
said, " And you, master, forgive me, your slave ; T liad not heard
that you were our master." And he said, " I am satisfied."
And he went thence, and the doors were opened from the bottom to the
top, and all the chambers and all the storerooms on the right and left.
And the master went in, and he said, " Unfasten these horses that are
tied up, and let loose these people who are bound. And let some sweep,
and some spread the couches, and some cook, and some draw water, and
some come out to go and receive the mistress.'"
And Sultan Darai saw that house very beautiful, and saw exceedingly
beautiful couches, and saw the furniture of the house ; and he had
never seen, or heard of furniture like that. His soul was very glad,
and his heart felt like a man to whom is brought news from God, that
he is going to enter Paradise, his soul was so glad.
And the people went and brought the mistress and the ladies who were
come, with their slaves who came with them, and himself in front, and
they came with them till they arrived at the house. And it said, "
Come near, ladies, pass in, ladies." And it said, " Come near, com-
panions, pass inside, my companions, womenfolk, go upstairs." And when the
ladies were gone and passed, it said, " And the horses which came with
the ladies, let them be taken into the yard," and they remained so.
So they went and got ready very much food, and they prepared very fine
rice, and the ladies and slaves ate till every one had satisfied
himself. The women who had come, said, "Ah, you gazelle, you, eh,
father, you! we have seen great houses, we have seen people, we have
heard of things. But this house and you, such as you are, we have
never seen or heard of ; and he who vsdshes to sec, let him see such
a house as this, he cannot excel such a
H'J SULTANl DARAT.
nyumba kama hii. Na atakayokwambia iko nyiimba zayidi kuliko hii, mtu
huyo ni mwongo, na mtu atakayo- kwambia, yuko mtu mwenyi akili na
busara, na kujua makazi ya wangwana na watumwa, na kujua, huyu mkubwa na
huyii mdogo, akupitaye wewe, mtu huyo mjua kuwa inwongo. Akiwa akitokea
wa kwanza hnwa buyu, wa pili ni wewe. Na mtu atakaokwambia zayidi,
mwambie kuwa mwongo.
Wakikaa siku nyingi katika ile nyumba, batta wakaomba rukiisa, wale
waanaake, Twataka kweuda kwetu. Aka- waambia, Ee, wangwana wangu, eliee,
bibi zangu, ee seyidi zangu, mmekuja jana ussubui, leo jioni mtaondoka?
Wakamwambia, Tumeknja sikn nyingi, baba, tumemleta harriisi kwa mumewe,
nasi tumefika salama, nasi twataka kurudi, tukatazame sbauri ya kwetu.
Akawaambia, Ee walla, bibi, Ee walla bibi zangu, Ee walla, na jamaa
zangu.
Akawafanya zawadi uyingi, akawapa wale wangwana, akawapa zawadi nyingi,
akawapa watumwa wa wale wangwana. Wangwana wale wakafurahi sana, na wale
watumwa wakafurahi sana kwa zawadi walizopewa. Wakamwona yule paa ni bora
marra elfu kuliko yeye, bwana wake, Sultaui Darai. Wakatoka, wakaenda zao
kwao. Akawapa na watu wakawasindikiza.
Wakakaa kitako, paa na bwana wake, katika nyumba, mubulla wa siku nyingi.
Paa akanena na bibi yule kizee, Mimi nimekuja na bwana wangu katika
nyumba hii, katika mji huu, nami niraemfanyia mambo mengi bwana wangu,
tena mambo mema, tena mambo ya kumwinua uso wake mbele za watu, hatta
tumefika bapa, hatta Ico bajaniuliza, Je ! baba, jc !
SULTAN DAB AT. 113
liouse as this, and he who says there is a house better than this,
that man is a liar ; and he who shall tell you that there is anybody
with understanding, and prudence, and knowing the positions of gentry and
slaves, and knowing that this is great and this is little, who surpasses
you, you may know that that man is a liar. And if it should happen
that there should be any one first, you are the second. And any one
who tells you anything else, tell him he is a liar."
And they stayed many days in that house, till the women begged leave to
go, " We want to go home." And it said to them, " Eh, my ladies !
eh, my mistresses ! eh, my dames ! you came yesterday in the morning,
and will you go to-day in the evening ?" And they said, " We have come
many days, father, we have brought the bride to her husband, and we
have arrived safely, and we wish to return, that we may look after our
places at home." And it said, " All right, mistresses ! all right, my
mis- tresses ! all right, my companions !"
And it made them many gifts and presented to those ladies, and it gave
many gifts and presented to the slaves of those ladies. And the ladies
were very glad, and the slaves were very glad, becaiise of the gifts
they were pre- sented with. And they thought the gazelle greater a
thousand times than his master. Sultan Darai. And they set out, and went
away home. And it gave them people, and they saw them on their way.
And the gazelle and its master remained in the house for a term of
many days.
And the gazelle said to that old woman, " I came with my master to
this house, and to this town, and I have done many things for my
master, good things, and things to lift up his countenance before people,
till we arrived here ; and till to-day he has never asked me, ' Well,
father,
114 SULTANI DARAI.
paa wangu, je ! mtumwa wangu, je ! kiatu cliangii ! nyumba hii
umejiataje ? Mji him mwenyewe nani ? Nyumba liii inwenyewo naai ? Ao
uyumba hii miapanga, ao nyumba hii umenunua, ao mji huu umepewa, ao mji
huu hamiia watu kumi hatta moja. Bassi, mama, mambo haya, mambo gani?
Zema zote nuazomteuda bwana, uaye hatta siku moja hajanitenda jambo jema,
alijua mtu aliokuja naye hajja, nyumba hii si yake, wala inchi hii si
yake, tokea alipozaliwa hatta leo hakupata kuiona nyumba kama hii, wala
hakupata kuuona mji kama huu. Bassi yeye anga hauiiti kwa thikaka,
akaniuliza. Laldni watu wamenena, hakuna wema watu mtenda zema cha nina,
na wazee walinena ukitaka kumtenda mtu vema, simtende mema matupu, mtende
na mabaya, ndipo mtakapopataua wewe naye. Akamwambia, bassi mama,
nimekwisha, nataka kutazama fathili nalivyomtenda bwana wangu, nami atani-
fathili. Akamwambia, Vema baba, wakalala.
Hatta ussubui walipokucha, paa akaugua tumbo na homa na miguu yote
kumwuma. Akamwambia, mama ! Akamwitika, Labeka, baba. Akamwambia, Enenda
ka- mwambia bwana darini, jjaa hawezi sana. Akamwambia, vema, baba, na
akiniulizu, hawezi nini, nimwambieje? Mwambia, Maungo yote yaniuma sana
sina i)ahali pamoja pasiponiuraa.
Akacnda yule mzee hatta darini. Akamkuta bibi na bwana wamekaa katika
kitanda cha mawe ya marmari, na godoro ya mdarahani, na takia huku na
huku, wakati Jiutafuna tambuu, mke na mumc.
Wakamwuza, Je! kizee, umekuja taka uiui. Aka- mwambia, kwambia bwana, yule
paa hawezi. Yule mwa-
SULTAN DABAI. 115
well, my gazelle ; well, my slave ; well, my slioe ! How did you get
this house? How did you get this town? Who is the owner of this
town ? Who is the owner of this house ? Or have yoM rented this house
? Or have you had this town given you ? Or this town, were there no
people in it, ten or even one ? Well then, mother, what state of
things is this ? All the good things I have done for the master, he
has not one day done me any good thing ; he knew who came here with
him ; this house is not his, and this land is not his ; ever since he
was born he never saw a house like this, nor ever saw a town like
this. Well, he never called me even in sport, and asked me. But people
say, it is not well to do people good like a mother ; and the elders
said, ' If you want to do any one good, don't do him good only, do
him evil also, then there will be peace between you.' " And it said, "
So, mother, I have done ; I want to see the favours I have done to my
master, that he may do me the like." And she said, " Very good,
father." And they slept.
And in the morning when it dawned, the gazelle was sick in its stomach
and feverish, and its legs all ached. And it said, "Mother.'' And she
answered, "Here, father." And it said, " Go and tell my master upstairs,
the gazelle is very ill." And she said, " Very good, father ; and if
he should ask me, what does it ail, how ani I to answer him ?" "
Tell him, all my body aches badly ; I have no single part that does
not pain me."
The old woman went upstairs, and she found the mis- tress and master
sitting on a couch of marble, with a mattress of mdarahani, and a large
cushion on this side and that, while they were chewing betel leaf, both
wife and husband.
And they asked her, " Well, old woman, what have you come wantiug?"
And she said, " To tell the master that
116 SULTANI DARAI.
uarake akasituka, akauliza, hawezi nini ? Akamwambia, mwili wote, bwana,
wamwuma, Lana pahali pamoja j^asi- pomwuma.
All ! bassi, miye nifauyeje, tazama mtama, ule wa fele- fele, mfanyizia
uji, mpe. Yule mkewe akasangaa, amwa- mbia, Bwana, unakwencla kumwambia
kufanyiziwa paa uji mtama wa felefele, hatta frasi anaopewa Lali aukataa
'? Eh I Bwaua, si mwema wee.
Akamwambia, Ob ! ondoka Luko, una wazimu wali watu hutupa tu, buko kupata
mtama yeye ni haba ?
Akamwambia, Kama j^ule, bwana, si paa, ni mboni yakwe ya jicho, likiingia
mchanga, utaingia na sbugbuli.
Ab ! maneno yako mengi, mwamamke saa !
Akaenda yule mzee batta chini. Yule mzee alii^o- mwona j)aa, akasangaa,
akitoka na macbozi saua, akalia Sana. Ab ! paa !
Akam\A'uliza. gissi gani, mama ? Nimekutuma na kurudi na kidia tu,
bunijibu naliokutuma ? Likiwa jema, nijibu, na likiwa baya, uijibu, kwani
bii ndio bali ya ulimwengu wakimtenda vema mtu atakutenda mabaya, Bassi
sikutendwa mimi tu, wametangulia na watu zamani wakatendwa kama baya.
Akamwambia, bassi nambie.
Akamwambia, kinwa kimejaa mate, na ulimi wangu umejaa kinwani, siwezi
kukwambia kama hayo ualioa- mbiwa, wala siwezi kukutendea kama baya
nalioagizwa.
Akamwambia, Mama wewe waliloagizwa na waliloa- mbiwa kunitendea, nitendee,
na uliloagizwa kunambia, nambie. Wala usiogope kwambia, wala si tabayari
kimiambia, kwani baya hukuuiambia wewe, alionambia mwenyewc namjua, nicleze
mama.
SULTAN DABAJ. 117
the gazelle is ill." The woman started, and asked, " What ails him ?"
She said, " All his body, master, pains him, he has no part without
pain."
" Oil ! very well, what am I to do ? Look out the mfnma, that
felefele sort, and make it some gruel and give it." His wife stared,
she says, " Master, are you going to tell her to make the gazelle
gruel of the felefele mtama, which if a horse had it given him he
would not eat, but would refuse it ? Eh ! master, you are not doing
well."
And ;he said, " Oh ! get out there, you are mad ; rice they give to
us people ; is it little for it to get mtama ?"
And she said, " This, master, is not like a gazelle ; it is the apple
of your eye ; if sand got into that, it would trouble you."
" Ah ! you have plenty to say, you woman there."
The old woman went down-stairs. When the old woman saw the gazelle, she
stood astounded, and tears started out abundantly, and she wept much. "
Ah ! gazelle."
And it asked her, " How is it, mother '? I sent you, and to come back
and do nothing but cry, do you not give me an answer as to what I
sent you about '? If it be good, give me the answer, and if it be bad
give me the answer ; for this is the state of the world, if you do a
man good, he will do you evil. So I am not served this way myself
only, people have gone before in old times who were treated in this
way." And it said, " Tell me now."
And she said, "My mouth is full of spittle, and my tongue fills my
mouth. I cannot tell you the things I was told, nor can I treat you
as I was directed."
And it said, "Mother, what you were directed, and what you were told to
do for me, do for me, and what you were told to tell me, tell me.
And do not fear to tell, and do not be ashamed to tell me, for it is
not you who tell me. I know him who said it ; explain it to me,
mother."
118 SULTAXI DABAl.
Akamwambia, nimekwenda hatta darini nnamkuta bibi na bwana, wamekaa kitako
katika kitanda cha mawe ya marmari, na godoro kitambaa cha mdarahani, na
takia huku na huku, wanatafuna tambuu, mke na mume. Akaondoka bwana,
akaniambia, umekuja taka nini, kizee ? Xikamwambia, nimetnmwa na mtumwa
wako paa, knja kukwambia kama hawezi. Yule mkewe akaruka, akaisba
akasaugaa, akaniuliza, hawezi nini paa ? Hamwambia, maongo yote yameuma,
hana pahali pamoja pasipomwnma. Akaniambia bwana, Katwae nle mtama wa
felefele, rafanye iiji mpe. Bibi akanena, Eh ! bwana, paa ndio mboni yako
wa macho, wewe huna mtoto, humfanya paa kama mwanao, wewe huna karani,
humfanya paa ndio kama karani wako, wewe huwezi kusimamia, humfanya paa
kama msimamizi wako, bassi bwana kumi kwako hatta moja halipatikani lilio
jema kwako, paa huyu, l)waua, si wa kutendwa mabaya, huyu ni paa umbo,
si paa Ivwa moyo, moyo wake na mambo yake ampita mngwana, alio yee yote,
bora.
Akamwambia, Wewe mpuzi, maneno yako mengi, thamani yake mimi namjua yule,
nimemnunua kwa thamani ya thcmuni, bassi mimi nina hasara gani ?
Akamwambia, Bwana sitazame liayo yaliopita, tazama haya yalio usoni pako,
Huyu si paa wa thamani ya themuni, wala lakki, huyu neno lake na
tasfida yake anapotuliza ulimi wake kunena na akili yako, yapita lakki
mbili.
Eh ! maneno yako mengi, mwanamkc sua, hupunguzi ? Yule mzee akamjibu
paa, Nikaambiwa na bwana, utwaliwe mtama wa felefele, ufanywe uji
unywe.
SULTAN DABAI. 119
And she said, " I went up-stairs and found the niistress and master
sitting on a marble couch, with a mattress of mdaraliani cloth, and a
large cushion on this side and that, chewing betel leaf, both wife and
husband. And the master got up, and asked me, ' What have you come
wanting, old woman ?' And I told him, ' I am sent by your slave, the
gazelle, to come and tell you that it is ill.' His wife started, then
stared, and said, ' What ails the gazelle ?' And I told her, ' Its
whole body aches, it has not a single place without i:)ain.' And the
master told me, ' Take that felefele nitania, and make it some gruel
and give it.' The mistress said, ' Eh ! master, the gazelle is the
apple of your eye ; you have no child, you make this gazelle like your
child ; you have no clerk, you make this gazelle like your clerk ; you
cannot overlook things, you make this gazelle your overlooker. So master,
neither ten nor even one, he does not get what is good from you ; this
gazelle is not one to be done evil to, this is a gazelle in form, but
not a gazelle in heart, his heart and his be- longings are better than
a gentleman's, be he who he may.'
" And he said to her, ' You are a silly chatterer, your words are
many. I know its price, I bought it for the price of an eighth, so
what loss will it be to me ?'
" And she said, ' Master, do not look at what is past, look at what
is before your face. This is not a gazelle at the price of an eighth,
nor of a hundred thousand. His words and his good manners when his
tongue rests from speaking, and his understanding passes twice a hundred
thousand.'
' Eh ! you have much to say, you woman ; can't you shorten it ?' "
The old woman answered the gazelle, " And T was told by the master,
that you were to have felefele mtama taken fur you, and gruel made for
you to drink."
120 SULTANI DARAI.
Paa akanena, Ha ! mimi ndio kufanyiwa nji Imyo, akakwambia yeye bwana ?
Bassi naweza kukwambia uwongo, baba ? Akaniambia mwenyewc bwana na mkewo
yuko, hatta mkewe akigo- mbana uaye bwana kwani kumfanyia liivyo paa, na
bibi akatukanwa kwa sababu wewe kukugombca.
Paa akanena, Wazee walinena, mtenda mema cha niua, nami nimcmtenda zema,
nami nimepata baya walionena
Akamwambia, Mama, enenda tena juu kwa bwana, usichoke kwa baya
ninayokuagiza, ukamwambie bwana, — ■ jjaa hawezi sana, na ulc uliouambia
mtama kiimfanyizia uji, bakunywa.
Akaenda yule mzec, akamknta bwana na bibi, wamekaa katika dirisba,
wanakunywa kabawa. Alipotupa macbo yule bwana nyuma yake, amwoua yule
kizee. Akamwa- mbia, Una nini wee kizee ? Akamwambia, Nimetumwa bwana na
paa, ule mtama walioniagiza kumfanyizia iiji ; bakunywa, naye bawezi sana
paa.
Akamwambia, Eee ehiib! zuia ulimi wako, uzuie na miguu yako, ufumbe na
macbo yako, uzibc na masikio yako kwa nta, akikwambia paa, panda juu,
mwambia miguu yangu baiwozi kupanda darajani, imekunjika. Akikwambia sikia,
mwambia masikio yaugu bayasikii mancno yako, yamezibwa na nta, akikwambia,
nitazame, mwambia, macbo yangu yametiwa vijamanda kama anavyofnngwa ngamia,
akikwambia njoo tunene, mwambia, ulimi wangu nimetiwa kulabu, bauwezi
kunena nawe.
Yulo mzee akasangaa, kwa sababu ya maneno yalc kwambiwa, na sababu
alipomwona paa kuja katika mji ulc akaja kuuza robo kununua mali, lakini
robo akapata, na mali akapata, na Ico anavyomwona besbima yake bana
SULTAN DARAI. 121
The gazelle said, " Is it for me that this gruel is to be made, and
did the master himself tell you ?"
" Now could I tell you a lie, father ? And the master told me
himself, and his wife was there, and even his wife disputed with the
master because he treated the gazelle so, and the mistress got abused
because she strove for you."
The gazelle said, " The elders said, ' One that does good like a
mother,' and I have done him good, and I have got this that the elders
said."
And he said, " Mother, go again up to the master ; do not weary of
what I send you to do, and tell the master the gazelle is very ill,
and the mtama which you told me to make gruel of for him, he has not
drunk it."
And the old woman went ujj-stairs, and found the master and mistress
sitting in the window, drinking coffee. And when the master cast his
eyes behind him, he sees the old woman. And he said, " What is the
matter with you, old woman ?" And she said, " I am sent, master, by
the gazelle ; the mtama that you told me to make him gruel of, he has
not drunk, and the gazelle is very ill indeed."
And he said, " Eh ! Ssht ! hold your tongue, and stay your feet, and
close your eyes, and stop up yom- ears with wax ; and if the gazelle
tells you to come up-stairs, tell it, I cannot mount the stairs, my
legs are bent ; and if it tells you to listen, tell it, my ears do
not hear your words, they are stopped up with wax ; and if it tells
you» look at me, tell it my eyes have blinders put upon them, such as
they tie on camels ; and if it says to you, come, let us talk ; tell
it my tongue has a hook put in it, I cannot talk with you."
The old woman stared at being told such words, and because, when she
saw the gazelle come to that town, it came to sell its life to buy
wealth ; but it got both its life and wealth : and now to-day she sees
that it has no honour
122 SULTAXl DABAL
kwa bwana wake, anamwonca hiiruma, taabu yaliompata huyu paa, ntlio manibo
ya ulimwengu.
Yule mkewe Sultani, aliposikia mancuo yale miimcwe kumwambia mzee,
akapotewa na nui"u za uso, akaingiwa na imani roho yake, akatoka na
machozi katika macho yake, hatta mumewe, alipomwona anatoka na machozi, na
mu'u za uso zimempotea, akamwuliza, una niui, binti Sultani ? Akamwambia,
katika ulimwengu asio mengi ana machache, na mtu wazimu wake ndio akili
yake.
Kwa nini, bibi, ukanena maneno haya ?
Akamwambia, nakusikitikia wewe, mume wangu, kwa haya unayomtenda paa, Idlla
ninapokwambia neno jema kwa paa, mume wangu, butaki wewe na akili yako
tu. Nakuona hiu-uma mume wangu, akili yako kukupotoza.
Akamwambia, Kwani ukanambia neno hilo ?
Akamwambia, Sham-i mbaraka tu, watu wawili katika nynmba, mke na mume,
mke akipata neno, amwambie mume, na mume akipata neno, amwambie mke,
kwani shauri mbaraka.
Akamwambia, mwanamke wewe una wazimu, tena wazimu wako u thahiri, tena
wataka kutiwa pingu.
Akamwambia, Bwana, mimi sina wazimu, kana mimi nna wazimu, huu wazimu
wangu ndio akili yangu.
Akamwambia, Ec kizee, usisikilize maneno ya huyu bibi, ukamwambie, potelea
mbali. Kamwambia paa, asinifanye uthia, tena asikae huko chini akajifanye
yeye ndio Sultani, mimi huku sipati usingizi wa usiku, wala wa mchana,
sipati kula, wala sipati maji ya kunywa, kwa uthi wa yule paa
auaokuja akiniuthi. Marra
I
SULTAN DAEAI. 123
with its master. She felt pity for it, for the troiable the gazelle
had suffered ; such are the ways of the world.
The Sultan's wife, when she heard those words her husband was saying to
the old woman, her countenance lost its light, and she was still, and
tears started from her eyes, so that her husband, when he saw her tears
coming from her eyes, and the light of her countenance gone, he asked
her, " What is the matter with you, Sultan's daughter ?" And she said,
"In the world he that has not much has little, and a man's madness
that is his vmder- standing."
" Why is it mistress you say these words ?" And she said, " I am
sorry for you, my husband, because of what you are doing to the
gazelle. Whenever I say a good word for the gazelle, my husband, you
dis- like it with yom* understanding. I feel pity for you, my husband,
that your understanding is gone."
And he said, " Why do you talk in this way to me ?" And she said, "
Advice is nothing but a blessing ; there are two i)eople in a house,
wife and husband ; if the wife comes by a matter, let her tell her
husband ; if the husband comes by a matter, let him tell his wife.
Advice is a blessing."
And he said, " You woman, you are mad, and your madness is manifest,
and you ought to be put in fetters."
And she said, " Master, I am not mad ; if I am mad, this madness is
what is my understanding."
And he said, " Oh, old woman, don't listen to the mis- tress's talk ;
tell it to perish out of the way, and tell the gazelle not to make a
bother ; and more, not to stay do\\Ti there and make itself the Sultan.
I cannot get sleep here, night nor day ; I cannot eat, and I cannot
get water to drink, for the bother of that gazelle coming worrying me.
One time some one comes, The gazelle is
124 SULTAN I DAKAI.
amekuja mtu, paa hawezi, marra amekuja mtn, jiaa liataki kula, na potelea
mbali, akitaka kula ua nlc, bakutaka, na apotelee mbali. Mama yangu
amekufa, na baba yangu amekufa, nami ninakula ua kunywa, sembuse yule l^aa
mmoja, naliomuuuua kwa tbemuni, atakuwa akinipanza na kunisbusba ? Nenda
kamwambia paa ataadabu.
Akisbuka yule mzee, buku anatoka damn, buku anatoka uzaba. Akaenda batta
akimwona paa, yule mzee aka- mkumbatia paa, akampakata, akamwambia,
Mwanangu, mema yako walioyatenda yamepotea, yaliosalia stabamili.
Akamwambia, Mama, matumbo yangu yamejaa, na ulimi wangu mzito, na macbo
yamefanya kiwi, kwa baya ninayoyasikia. Wakalia sana wote wawili, paa
ua mzee.
Akamwambia, Mama, mimi ntakufa, kwani robo yangu umejaa gbatbabu sana,
imejaa na ucbungu sana, na uso wangu nimetabayari kumtenda bwana wangu
vema, kuni- lipa maovu.
Akamwambia, Abb ! mwanangu, sina la kunena.
Akamwambia, Mama, mali yaliomo katika nyumba bii mimi paa mmoja nnakula
gani ? Killa siku angenipikia nussu kibaba, naye bangepungukiwa na kitu
bwana wangu. Nimesumbuka mimi kucbuma, mimi kuugua, kwambiwa nikatwaliwe
felefele, asiokula frasi, nifanyiziwe uji mimi ? Wazee walineua, mtenda
mema eba uina.
Akamwambia, Enenda baada juu kamwambia bwaua, paa bawezi sana, mwambia,
kumwona kwetu, twamwona kufa ku karibu kuliko bayi.
Akaenda batta darini, akamwona bwana, atafnna 'uma.
I
SULTAN DARAI. 125
sick. Another time some one comes, The gazelle does not like to eat.
Perish out of the way ! If it likes to eat let it eat, and if it
does not, let it perish ont of the way. My mother is dead, and my
father is dead, and I am eating and drinking ; much less that one
gazelle, that I bought for an eighth, shall it be setting me up and
putting me down. Go and tell the gazelle to leai'n how to behave
itself.''
The old woman went downstairs, blood was coming from it in one place,
and matter in another. She went on till seeing the gazelle, she put her
arms round it and took it on her lap, and said to it, " My son, the
good you did is lost, there remains patience."
And it said, " Mother, my stomach is full, and my tongue is heavy, and
my eyes are dazzled at what I hear." And they wept much, both the
gazelle and the old woman.
And it said, " Mother, I shall die, for my soul is very full of
indig-nation, and is very full of bitterness ; and my face is ashamed,
doing good to my master and he repaying me evil."
And she said, " Ah ! my son, I have nothing I can say."
And it said, "Mother, of the goods that are in this house, I, one
gazelle, what do I eat ? He might cook for me every day half a basin
full, and would my master be any the poorer ? I was at the trouble of
getting it, and when I am ill, to be be told that felefele is to be
taken for me, which a horse would not eat, and 1 am to have gruel made
for me. The elders said, ' He that does good like a mother.' "
And it said, " Go up presently and tell the master the gazelle is very
ill ; tell him, as we think, we think him nearer death than life."
And she went upstairs and found the master chewing
126 SULTANI DAUAI.
Akaambiwa bwana, na huku mzee analia. Akamwambia, Bwaua, jiaa liawezi
saiia, twamwoua kufa ku karibu kuliko kuwa mzima.
Akamwambia, nimekwambia usiniuthi.
]Mkewe akamwambia, Ee bwaua, liushuki ukaeuda kumtazama paa wako, bushuki
kimitazama kiatu cbako, husbuki kumtazama mboni yako wa jicho, busbuki
kweuda kumtazama karani wako, husbuki kumtezama msimamizi wako? Na kama
hutaki kusbuka wewe, nacbe nimi nikamtazame. Bassi kwako kumi batta moja
halii^atikani jema.
Akamwambia, Enenda kamwambia paa, kama watu hufa marra moja, yeye na afe
marra kumi ua moja.
Mke akamwambia, Ab ! bwana, amekutenda nini paa, amekukosa nini paa ?
Maueuo baya bamwambii mtu iUa adui yake, asiopenda kuoua. Ebe, weye na
paa, bwaua, mna wadui gaui ? Bwana, mambo yako unao- mtenda si mema,
wala wewe kuyafanya baya, wala kumfa- nyizia paa. Watu wakisikia
watakucheka, kwaui buyu paa si mdogo, paa amepcudwa tokea waugwana batta
na watumwa, paa amependwa na wadogo hatta nao wakubwa, paa amependwa na
wake batta na waume. Bassi wewe bwana, kwani ukamcbukia paa buyu, wala
siyo mau- ngwana. Mugwana akitendwa jema kulipa jcma. Mugwana batendwi jcma
akalipa maovu, sicbo kiungwana. Bassi kwako mambo kimii hatta moja,
balipatikaui jema kwako. Kama paa huyn wewe bumpendi kwa uziu-i, mpende
kwa kunena, kama bumpendi kwa kuncna, mpende kwa sababu kuwa mtu wako,
uuamtuma hai)a na hapa, kama bumpendi kwa bilo, mpende kwa sababu
anavj^ojua besbima za watu, kama bumpendi kwa bayo, mpende kwa
SULTAN DAEAl. 127
sugar-cane, and the master was told, " The old woman is here crying."
And she said, " Master, the gazelle is very ill, we think him nearer
dying than getting well."
And he said, " I have told you not to bother me,"
His wife said to him, " O master, won't you go down and see the apple
of your eye ? won't you go down and see your gazelle ? won't you go
down and see your shoe ? won't you go down and see your clerk? won't
you go down and see your overlooker ? And if you don't like to go
down, let me go and see him. Now from you ten nor even one, he gets
no good thing."
And he said, " Go and tell the gazelle, as people die once, let it die
eleven times."
His wife said to him, " Ah ! master, what has the gazelle done to you
? What has the gazelle failed you in '? Such words as these a man
only uses to his enemy, whom he does not like to see. You and the
gazelle, what enmity have you ? Master, the things you are doing to him
are not good, either for you to do, or to do them to the gazelle.
People when they hear it will deride you. For this gazelle is not
insignificant, the gazelle is loved from the gentry to the slaves, the
gazelle is loved by the small even to the great, the gazelle is loved
by women and by men. Well then, you, master, why do you hate this
gazelle ? And this is not like a gentleman. A gentleman, if he is done
good to, pays back good. A gentleman is not done good to and pays
evil, this is not being a gentleman. Now with you, ten things even to
one, he has no good from you. If you do not love this gazelle for his
beauty, love him for his speech ; if you do not love him for his
speech, love him because he is your man, whom you send hither and
thither ; if you do not love him for this, love him because he knows
the honour due to different people ; if you do not love him for these
128 SULTANI DAEAI.
kuwa msimamizi Avako katika uyumba. Tena paa yule, bwana wangu, mume
wangu, Sbeki langu, Eh ! Sialtani Darai, mimi nalinena una akili nyingi,
kumbe buna akili hatta kidogo, bwana, kumi batta moja kwako balipatikani
jema. Bwana, ukuu si pembe kama mtu ataota, ukuu sbuti astabamiii, na
buyu mkuu ni jaa, killa mwenyi taka yake bumwaga, kwani bili jaa balina
mtu mmoja, balina tajiri, wala balina Sultaui, wala balina Katbi, wala
balina maskini, wala balina mkubwa, wala balina nidogo, wala balina mke,
wala mume.
Akamwarabia, wewe una wazimu mke wangu. Aka- mwambia, Maneno yako yote
bayo, ni nguo yangu ya pili ya kujitanda.
Bassi bwana, mzee aualia, baliki batafuniki.
Akasbuka mzee batta akifika ^kwa paa, akamkuta paa, anatapika, akiondoka,
akimdaka, akimpakata, paa na yule mzee wakalia saua.
Akaondoka yiile bibi darini, akaiba maziwa, akaiba na mcbele kidogo,
akatwaa na mjakazi, akamwambia, twaa ukampikie paa cbini mpe, akamwambia,
twaa na nguo bii, ukampe ya kujifunika, na mto buu kampe, aulalie, na
killa anacbotaka, na anacbotamani, na amtume mtu aje kwangu, asimwambie
bwana wake, kwani bwana wakt' hatampa. Atapotaka bapa, nimpe watu
wampeleke kwa baba yangu, akafanywe dawa, atatazamwa sana buko. nitampclcka.
Akasbuka yule mjakazi batta cbini, akamwambia paa. Salaam sana bibi, baya
si yake, ni ya bwana wako,
SULTAN DABAl. 129
things, love him because he is your overlooker in the house. And this
gazelle, my master ! my husband ! my sheikh ! Oh, Sultan Darai, I said
you had great understanding ; is it that you have not even a little ?
Ten or even one, master, he does not get good from you. Greatness,
master, is not a horn, as if a man should grow it ; greatness must be
waited for, and a gi'eat man is like a dust-heaj), every one brings his
dirt to throw upon it. For a dust-heap does not depend upon one man,
it does not depend upon a rich man, nor on a Sultan, it does not
depend on a jixdge, nor on a poor man, neither on a great man, nor on
a little one, neither on a man, nor on a woman."
And he said, " You are mad, my wife." And he said, " All your words
are like my second garment, which I hang on my shoulder."
" Well, master, the old woman is crying."
The old woman went down till she reached the gazelle and she foimd it
vomiting, and she arose and caught it, and took it on her lap, and the
gazelle and the old woman cried very much.
And the mistress arose up-stairs and took secretly milk, and took
secretly a little rice, and she took a woman -servant, and said to her.
" Take and cook for the gazelle down- stairs, and give him," And she
said to her, " Take this cloth, too, and give it him to cover himself,
and this pillow, and give it him to lie upon ; and whatever he wants
and whatever he longs for let him send some one to come to me without
telling his master, for his master will give him nothing. If he likes
now, let me give him people to take him to my father, and they will
give him medicine, and he will be well seen to there, and I will send
him."
And the woman-servant went down, and told the gazelle, " The mistress
sends her compliments ; these things are not her doing, they are your
master's ; she
130 SULTANI DAB AT.
yeye apenda kiitia katika maclio akixweke, lakiui batliu- butu, hana amri
mwanamke, nami nimepewa kukuletea maziwa haya, na mchele huu, na nguo ya
kujifunika, na mto liuu, na killa unachotaka, nambie wala iisinificbe,
ana- kwambia bibi, na kama wataka kwenda kwa babaye, atakupa watu
wakupeleke, wakucbukiie polepole, na hiiko utakwenda fanywa dawa sana
utatazamwa sana,una hesbi- ma nyingi huko sana. Bassi nijibu,
nikamwambie bibi.
Marra paa akafa.
Alipokwisba kiifa, nyumba nzima watu wakalia, watiimwa kwa waugwana, mkubwa
kwa mdogo, mke kwa mume.
Akaoudoka yule Sultani Darai, akawaambia, Mnalia nini, mnalia nini ?
Akawaambia, mnalilia paa kama naliokufa mimi. Yule aliokufa ni paa tu,
tbamani yake tliemuni.
Yule mkewe akamwambia, Bwana twalimwona paa batta kukuona wewe. Paa ndio
aliokuja kunitaka kwa baba yangu, paa ndio alionicbukua kwa baba yangu,
paa ndio aliopewa mimi kwa baba yangu.
Wakamwambia, Sisi hapa batukukuona wewe, twali- mwona paa ndio aliokuja,
akakuta taabu bapa, ndio alioku- ja, akakuta nafasi bapa. Bassi na mtu
yule kuondoka katika buu ulimwcngu sisi twalilia yctu, hatumlilii paa.
Wakamwambia, Paa amekufanya vema vingi, na vikiwa vema na viwe kama bivi,
wala visizidi, na anenayo viko vem£c vizidio bivi mtu buyu mkanye tena
mwongo. Ee bassi, sisi tusiokutenda vema, utafanyaje? Yule paa aliotenda
vema vyote, wala bukumjua kwa kberi, wala
SULTAN DAHAI. 131
5vould like to put you in her own eye to keep you ; but she dare not,
it is not a woman's business. And I was given this milk to bring to
you, and this rice, and a cloth to cover you, and this pillow ; and
whatever you want, tell me, and hide it not from me ; and the mistress
says to you, that if you wish to go to her father's, she will give you
people to take you, to carry you gently, and there you will get jjlenty
of medicine, and be well seen to ; you have very much honour there.
Give me an answer then, that I may tell my mistress."
Immediately the gazelle died.
When it was dead, throughout the house the people wept, slaves and free
people, great and small, women and men.
And Siiltan Darai arose and said, " What are you weeping for ? What
are you weeping for ?" And he said, " You are weeping for the gazelle,
as if I had died myself. It is only a gazelle that is dead, and its
price was an eighth."
His wife said to him, " Master, we looked upon the gazelle as we look
upon you. It was the gazelle that came to ask me of my father, it was
the gazelle who brought me from my father's, it was the gazelle to whom
I was given by my father."
And they said, " We here never saw you, we saw the gazelle, it was he
who came and met with trouble here, it was he who came and met with
rest here. So, then, when such a one departs from this world, we weep
for ourselves, we do not weep for the gazelle."
And they said, " The gazelle did you many benefits, and if there are
benefits, they must be like these, and no greater ; and if any one
says there are greater benefits than these, contradict that man, he is a
liar. So then, to us who have done you no good, what will you do ?
That gazelle who did every good thing, you took no
132 SULTANI DAB A/.
kwa sliari, liatta paa amekufa kwa gliathabu na iichungu katika nafsi
yake, tena iimeamru watu wakamtui)a ndani ya kisima ! Ah ! twaclie
tulie.
Akachukuliwa paa akatupwa ndani ya kisima kili- cliotekwa maji.
Yule bibi aliposikia clarini, akaaudika bania mbiombio, npesi upesi,
barraka barraka, akamwambia, Baba yangii nimeknletea barua biyo ukiisba
kuisoma, ingia iijiani nje. Akaiba punda watatu, akawapa watumwa watatii,
aka- waambia, pandeni, mweuende mbiombio na punda, hatta mkipa baba yangu
barua, akiisba isoma, mwambieni upesiuposi twenende. Na wewe nimekuacha
huru, na wewe wa pili nimekuacha huru, na wewe wa tatu nimekuacha huru,
kwa sababu ya barua hii mwipeleke upesi.
Watu wale wakaeuda mbiombio na punda, usiku na mchana, hatta wakafika,
wakampa barua Sultaui. Ali- poisoma barua hili Sultani akanama, akalia
sana, kama mtu aliofiwa na mamaye, akaona huzuni sana Sultani. Akaa- muru
Sultani kutandikwa frasi. Akaenda akaitwa liwali, akenda wakaitwa makathi,
wakaitwa na jamii matajiri, waliomo katika mji. Akawaambia, haya, nifuateni
upesi, tumefiwa, twendeni tukazike.
Akatoka Sultani, akaenda usiku na mchana, hatta akawasili pale kisimani,
alipotujiwa yule paa.
Akaingia mwenyewe, binafsi yakc Sultaui, ndani ya kisimani, akaingia na
waziri binafsi yake, wakaingia makathi binafsi yake, kisimani, wakaingia na
matajiri makuu ndani ya kisima, wakamfuata Sultani. Sultani alipomwona paa
ndani ya kisiwa, alilia sana, na wale
SULTAN BAB A I. 133
notice of him for good or for evil, till the gazelle has died for
indignation and bitterness within himself, and you have ordered people to
throw him into the well. Ah I leave us alone and let us weep."
And the gazelle was carried, and thrown into a well, whence water was
drawn.
When the mistress up-stairs heard of it, she wi'ote a letter in great
haste, and with the greatest speed, and said, " My father, I have sent
you this letter, when you have finished reading it, get upon the road
and come." And she took secretly three donkeys, and gave them to three
slaves, and said, " Mount and go with the greatest haste with the
donkeys till you give my father the letter, and tell him. Let us go
forward as quickly as we can. And you, 1 have made you free, and you
the second, I have made you free, and you the third, I have made you
free, because of this letter, that you may take it quickly."
Those men went with speed with the donkeys night and day, till they
arrived and gave the letter to the Sultan. And when the Sultan had read
the letter, the Sultan bowed down his head and wept much, like a man
who has lost his mother. And the Sultan was very sad. And the Sultan
ordered horses to be saddled, and he went and called the governor, and
he went and called the judges, and all the rich men in the town were
called. And he said, " Come now, go with me quickly, we have had a
loss by death ; let us go and bury him."
And the Sultan set out and went night and day, till he came to the
well where the gazelle was thrown.
And the Sultan himself went in in his own person into the well, and
the vizir went in in his own person, and the judges went in in their
own persons into the well. And the chief rich men went into the well,
and followed the Sultan, When the Sultan saw the gazelle in the
134 SULTAN I DARAl.
waliomo wakalia sana, kwa sababu ya uchungu wa yule paa. Akimtoa
Sultani paa nje. Wakimcbukua.
Na wale watu watatu wakarudi wakaenda kumjibu bibi. Wakamwambia, Babako
amekuja na waugwana bora walio katika mji, nao walikuja, nao wamecbukua
paa, wame- kwenda zao. Wainwambia bibi, Si kilio kilicbokuwako ndani ya
kisima ? Watu wote walilia kama siku aliokufa mamaye Sultani.
Akawaambia, na mimi tokea siku aliokufa paa yule, sijala chakula, wala
sijanywa maji, sijaneua, wala sijacheka.
Yule babaye akaenda akazika paa. Akamfanyizia matanga makuu sana,
akamfanyizia na msiba mkuu sana katika mji.
Hatta baada ya kwisha msiba, yule mwauamke amelala na mumewe usiku,
katika usingizi yule mwanamke akiota, yuko kwa babaye, na yule wakati
anaota ule umekuwa ussubui, akafunua macho yule mwauamke, anajiona katika
mji wa babaye, na nyumba ileile aliokuwa nayo kule.
Yule mwanamume akiota kama yuko pale jaani, aka- pekua. Na yule wakati
anaota, limekuwa jua wakati wa saa ya pili, nao ndio wakati anaokwenda
kupekua, killa siku. Hatta alipofunua macho, Sultani Darai akaona mkono
wake u katika jaa, uuapekua. Akasangaa, Ah ! nimekuja na nani huku ?
Akatazama ya mini wa shemali haoni kitu. Akatazama mbele, aona giza, na
akitazama nyiima aona vumbi. Marra pale watoto wakipita, ame-
SULTAN DARAl. 135
well, he wept much, and those who were there wept much because of the
grief of that gazelle. And the Sultan took the gazelle out, and they
carried it away.
And those three men returned, and went to tell their mistress. And they
said, " Your father has come, and the great gentry of the town came
with him, and they have taken the gazelle, and are gone away." And they
told the mistress, " Was it not a weeping which was in the well ? All
the people weeping as on the day when the Sultan's mother died."
And she said, " I, too, since the day the gazelle died, I have not
yet eaten food, nor drunk water. I have not spoken, and I have not
laughed."
Her father went and buried the gazelle, and made a very gi-eat public
mourning for it, and there was great mourning for it throughout the
city.
Now after the mourning was over, the woman was sleeping with her
husband, and at night in her sleep, the woman dreamed that she was at
her father's, and while she was dreaming it became morning, and the woman
opened her eyes, and saw that she was in her father's town, and in the
very house she had there.
And the man dreamed that he was there on the dust- heap, scratching.
And, as he di'eamed, the sun reached the time of eight o'clock, and
that was the time of his going to scratch every day. And when Sultan
Darai opened his eyes, he saw his hand was on the dust heap, scratching.
And he stared. " Ah ! who did I come here with?" And he looked on
the right and on the left, and saw nothing, and he looked before and
saw darkness, and he looked behind and saw dust. Immediately there were
children going by — he had retm-ned to his former
36 SULTAN I DAB AT.
rudi hali yake kama kwanza, watoto wakamzomea, Huu ! huu ! Amekwenda
waj)! huyu ? Atoka wapi liuyu ? Siye twalinena amekufa, kumbe mzima bado
?
Na yule mwanamke akajikalia na mali yake kule, yeye na babaye, na
nduguye, na jamaa yake, ralia mustarehe.
Na yule babangu mimi, maskini, akawa kazi yake ileile, kama kwanza, ya
kupekua chini, na hupata punje za mtama akitafuna.
Ikiwa njema, njema yetu wote, na ikiwa mbaya, ya mwenyewe mosi, aliofanya
baditlii hii.
SULTAN DARAI. 137
state — and the children groaned at him. " Hoo ! Hoo ! where has he
been to ? Where does he come from ? Is it not him we said was
dead ? Is he alive still !"
And the woman lived for herself with her goods there, she, and her
father, and her brothers, and her family, in rest and peace.
And that my father the poor man, it was his work just as at fii-st,
to scratch in the ground, and to get grains of mtama and chew them.
If this is good, it's goodness belongs to us all, and \ if it is bad,
its badness belongs to that one alone who \ made this story. ^
EISA CHA KIHINDI.
AN INDIAN TALE.
KISA CHA KIHINDI.
Aliondokea Sultani wa Kiliindi, akazaa mtoto mmoja, akimpenda sana. Hatta
alipokufa, akaagiza mawaziri yake, ufalume mpeni mwanangu, naye mmpende
sana, kana iiiimi. Akafa.
Wakaondoka matanga, akatawala mtoto. Na waziri ana mtoto wake, wakipendana
sana wale vijana, waka- tumia mali siku nyingi, wakatiunia na ufalme.
Hatta siku moja, mtoto wa Sultani akamwambia mtoto wa waziri, na
tusafiri, tukaangalie miji, Akamwambia, liaya. Wakafanya marikabu, ikapakia
vyakula, na fetha, na askari, wakasafiri.
Hatta baharini wakavunja, wakafa watu katLiiwakatha. Mtoto wa waziri
akaliwa na papa, na yule mtumwa wake imnoja akachukuliwa kwa maji.
Akapona yeye mtoto wa Sultani, na mtumwa wake mmoja. Wakaangukia niji
mgeni.
Walipofika mjini wakakaa mashamba. Yule mtoto wa Sultani akamwambia mtumwa
wake ; enenda nijini, kata- fute vyakula, tuje tule.
Alipofika mjini kuna machczo, wamekusanyika watu wangi. Sultani wa mji ule
amekufa, wanatafuta Sultani mgine ku'mweka. Hutupa ndimu itakayempiga marra
tatu ndiye Sultani.
AN INDIAN TALE.
There was once an Indian sultan who had one son, and he loved him
much. A nd when he was dying, he directed his vizirs, " Give the
kingdom to my son, and love him much, even as myself;" and he died.
And they ended their mourning, and the lad governed. And the vizir had
a son of his own, and those youths were very fond of one another, and
they went on spending their proi^erty many days, and they spent the
kingdom too.
Till one day the sultan's son said to the vizir's son, " Let us
trsivel and see various towns." And he said : " Let us go." And they
got ready a ship, and put in it provisions, and money, and soldiers,
and set out on their journey.
While at sea they were wrecked, and many of the people died. The
vizir's son was eaten by a shark, and one of his slaves carried away
by the water. The sultan's son and one of his slaves were saved. And
they fell in with a strange city.
When they reached the town, they stopped in the fields, and the sultan's
son said to his slave : " Go into the town and look for food, and
let us come and eat."
When he arrived in the town there were games going on, and many people
were collected. The Sultan of the town had died, and they were looking
for another Sultan to put in his place. They used to throw a lime, and
whoever it struck three times he was the Sultan.
142 EJSA CHA EIHINDT.
Ikatupwa marra ya kwanza. Ikampiga yule mtwana. Wakamtazama, wakaneiia,
haifai, tupeni marra ya pili. Wakatupa. Ikampiga yeye yule mtwana. Waka-
mwondosha pale alipokuwa, waka'mweka mahali mbali. Wakatupa tena marra ya
tatu. Ikampiga yeyc yule. Wakanena, bassi, buyu udiye Sultaui wetu.
Wakamchukua wale mawazii-i yule mtwana. Wakaenda naye mjini, kwa fm-aha,
na machezo, na mizinga mingi ikapigwa. Wakamtawaza ufalme, akakaa kitako
raha.
Mle mjini mna bedui, huchinja nyama akiuza ya mbuzi. Na watu huchinja,
akitanganya pamoja, ndio kazi yake, na wale waliomo mjini hawaua khabari
ile.
Yule mtoto wa Sultani akaja mjini, akapita mlangoni kwa bedui. Akamkamata
akamtia ndani, akamfimga mkataleni, Akaona watu wengi wamefungwa na mbuzi.
Hatta assubui akatwaliwa mtu mmoja na mbuzi, waka- chinjwa. Akatanganya
nyama, akaenda akauza barazani. Kulla siku ndiyo kazi yake.
Yule mtoto wa Sliltani amekonda kwa hamu, akamwita mtumwa wa yule bedui,
akampa sarafu. Akampa, aka- mwambia, kaninunulie uzi na kitambaa.
Akamuunulia, akamletea. Akashona kofia mzuri, akaandika mashairi ndani ya
kofia. Akaandika,
Ajabtu rangadida na kitun hiraja Illahi Eke kordenai, eke kordeshire, Kaja
bondekana, gulam batashahi ; Ajabtu rangadida kitun liiraja Illahi.
Akampa yule bedui. Akafnrahi sana. Akamwambia,
AN INDIAN TALE. 143
It was thrown the first time, and it struck that slave lad. And they
looked at him and said, " It is of no use, throw a second time." And
they threw, and it struck that slave lad. And they made him go away
from where he was, and set him in a place at a distance. And they
threw again the third time, and it struck him. And they said : " So
then it is he who is to be oui- sultan."
And the vizirs took the slave lad, and went with him through the city,
with rejoicing and games, and many cannons were fired. And they made him
rule over the kingdom, and he remained in enjoyment.
There was in that city a Bedouin, who slaughtered animals and sold
goats' flesh. And he used to slaughter peoj^le, and mix their flesh with
his meat. This was his employment, and those who were in the town knew
nothing of it.
The sultan's son came into the town and passed by the Bedouin's door,
and he took hold of him, and put him inside, and fastened him in the
stocks. And he saw many people bound along with the goats. Now in the
morning, one person and a goat were taken and killed, and their flesh
was mixed together, and he went and sold it on the seat at his door.
And every day this was what he did.
The sultan's son was very thin through grief, and he called a slave of
the Bedouin's and gave him a small coin. And he gave it to him and
said, " Buy me some thread and a little bit of cloth." And he bought
it, and brought it to him. And he stitched a beautiful cap, and wrote
verses inside the cap, and he wrote —
" Ajabtu rangadida na kitun hiraja Illahi Eke kordenai, eke kordeshire,
Raja boudekana, gulam batashabi ; Ajabtu rangadida, kitun biraja Illabi."
And he gave it to the Bedouin, and he was very glad.
144 KISA CHA KIHIXBI.
enenda kauze kofia liii kwa Siiltani, ndipo utakapopata tbamaui.
Akaenda akauza.
Alipoiona yule Sultani, akajim kazi ile ya kofia ni ya bwana wake.
Akasoma na yale mashairi, akayajua maana yake, na maana yake hii :
Ajabu ya Mmmgu,
Mmoja ametwaliwa na maji,
Mmoja ametwaliwa na papa,
Mngwana nimefungwa,
Mtumwa wangu amepata usultani,
Ajabu ya Muungu.
Akamwuliza yule bedui, umeipata wapi kofia' hii? Akamwambia, mke wangu
ndiye aliyeifanya. Akampa reale kbamsini, akamwambia, mwambie mkewo
anifanyie nyingine. Akaenda zake yule bedui.
Akatoa askari, akawaambia, mfuateni nyuma, mkimwona nyumba atakayoingia,
mrudi, mje mniambie. Waka- mfuata batta, kwake. Akaingia ndani. Wale
asikari wakarudi. Wakaenda wakamjibu Sultani. Wakamwa- mbia, tumeiona nyumba
yake.
Wakatolewa askari mia, wakaenda kwake. Akawaa- mbia, mkamateni mmfunge na
watu wote waliopo kwake 'mwalete, kama mje uao. Wakaenda, wakamkamata,
wakamfunga, wakaja naye, na watu Mote walionio ayumbani. Akaulizwa, wee
ndiyo kazi yako, kukamata watu ukiwafunga nyumbani mwako, kupata
kuwacbinja, ukiwalisba watu ? Asiweze kukana. Wakaulizwa wale, wakancna
ndiyo kazi yake. Akafungwa gerezani.
Akamtwaa yule bwana wake, akawaamrisha watu walca- mwoga, akampa nguo,
akavaa. Akampa chakula, akala.
AN INDIAN TALE. 14-5
And be said to him : " Go and sell this cap at the sultan's house ;
it is there where you will get its price." And he went and sold it.
And when the sultan saw it, he knew that the work of that cap was his
master's. And he read the verses, too, and knew their meaning, and their
meaning was this :
"A Wonder from God, One was taken by the water, One was taken by tlie
shark, I, a free man, am bound, My slave has got a kingdom, A Wonder
from God."
And he asked the Bedouin, " Where did you get this cap V" And he
said, " It was my wife who made it." And he gave him fifty dollars,
and said, " Tell your wife to make me another." And the Bedouin went
his way.
And he chose out soldiers, and told them, " Follow after him, and when
you see the house he goes into, return and come and tell me." And they
followed him home. And he went inside. The soldiers returned and told
the sultan, and said, " We have seen his house."
And a hundred soldiers were chosen out to go to his house. And he told
them, " Seize him and bind him, and bring all the people that are in
his house, that jow may come with them,"
And they went and seized him, and bound him, and came with him, and
with all the people that were in his house. And he was asked, " Is
this your employment, to seize people and bind them in your house, to
kill them, and give them to people to eat '?" And he could not deny it.
And the people were asked, and they said, " This is what he does."
And he was imprisoned in the fort.
And he took his master and ordered some people to give him a bath, and
he gave him clothes, and he dres.^ed,
L
146 KISA CIIA EIIIINDI.
akasliiba. Akamwiiliza Labari yake. Akamwambia vote. Na mimi ni Sultani
kwa Lai)a mjiui, lakini keslio utaji- uzulu niloipe wewe, bwana 'vvaugu,
sitbubutu kuwa Sultani mbele yako. Akamwambia, vema.
Hatta assubui akakusanya watu wote mjini, wakaencla kwa Sultani. Na yule
bwana wake akampamba saua, aka'm\dka nguo zile za mfalme, Alipotoka
wataajabu watu, — ginsi gani Labari hii? Akawaambia, nimowaita kuwaambia,
Usultani bi;u mmenipa kwa kweli ao kwa ubislii ? Wakamwambia wale
mawazii-i, tmnekupa kwa kweli. Akawauliza, nilipendalo mimi, na nyinyi
mwali- penda ? Wakamjibu, twalipenda.
Akawaambia, mimi napenda Sultani awe liuyu bwaua wangu. Wakamjibu,
tumekubali. Wakamwuliza, huyu nani ? Akawaambia, buyu bwana ^^augu balisi,
ni Sultani Luko kwao, wallakini bii anu-i ya Muungu.
Wakafui'abi sana wale waliomo mjiui, na yule bedui akacnda akatoswa, na
mali yake yote wakapewa maskini. Wakakaa ralia mustarehe hatta kbatinia.
AN INDIAN TALE. 147
And he gave liim food, and lie ate and was satisfied. And he asked
what had hapjieued to him, and he told him all. " And I am sultan
here in the town, but to-morrow I will resign it and give it to you,
my master. I dare not be sultan before you." And he said, " Very
good."
In the morning he gathered all the people in the town, and they went
to the sultan. And he adorned his master bravely, and clothed him with
the royal robes. And when he came out, the people wondered — what sort
of news is this ? And he said, " I have called you to say, ' Have
you given me this kingship in truth, or in jest ?' " And the vizirs
said, " We have given it you in truth." And he asked, " What pleases
me, does it please you also T And they answered, " It pleases us."
And he said, " It pleases me that this man should be our sultan." And
they answered, " We consent." And they asked, " Who is this man ?" And
he said, " This is my rightful master and sultan there at home, but
this is God's ordering."
And those that were in the town had great joy. And that Bedouin was
drowned, and all his property was given to the poor. And they lived in
peace and enjoyment till tlie end.
HEKAYA YA MOHAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
THE HISTOEY OF MOHAMMED THE LANGUID.
HEKAYA YA MOHAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
Yalikuwa zamani za Kalifa, Amiri al Muhminina, Hanmi Easliidi, alikaa
kitako katika baraza yake, na mawaziri yake. Akamwona kitwana akiingia.
Akamwambia, Bibi salaamu, sitti Zubede, baada ya salaam, amefanyiza taji
ya kuvaa, ameimngukiwa na joliari moja, bassi mtazamie joliari moja, ilio
kubwa. Akatazama katika makasha yake, akatafuta, asipate ilio kubwa kama
atakaye.
Akamwambia, niletee ile taji, niitazame. Akamletea taji, imefanywa kwa
jobari tupu. AkaM'aambia mawaziri yake, waliokaa naye. Akawaonyesba ua
taji, akawaambia nataka johari itakayofaa juu ya taji.
Ika«-a kulla mtu kutoka kwenda nyumbani kwake kutafuta jobari, atakayo
kalifa, killa mtu akatafuta asipate. Walizo uazo ndogo, bazifai juu ya
taji. Akaingia mjini kwa matajiri, kutafuta jobari ilio kubwa, isipatikano.
Mtu mmoja akanena, akamwambia Kalifa, Johari itakayofaa, bajia katika
inclii ya Baglidadi haiiiatikani :
THE HISTORY OF MOHAMMED THE LANGUID.
It was in the time of the Caliph, the Prince of the Faithful, Haroun
al Eashid, he sat in his court with his vizirs. And he saw a young
slave come in. And he said, " My mistress, the Lady Zubeydeh, sends her
compliments, and after compliments, she has made a crown to be worn, and
has fallen short one jewel ; so look out for her one jewel, a large
one." And he looked in his chests, and searched without finding one so
large as she wanted.
And he said, " Bring me the crown, that I may look at it." And he
brought him the crown, which was made of jewels only. And he told his
vizirs who sat mth him. And he showed them the crown, and told them, "
I want a jewel fit for the top of the crown."
And so it was, each man went out and went to his house to seek for
the jewel the calij)h wanted, and each one searched without finding it.
What they had were too small to serve for the top of the crown. And
he went into the town to the merchants, to seek for a jeuel large
enough, without finding one.
A certain man spoke, and said to the caliph, " No jewel that will do
is to be found hei'e in the district of Bagdad. Perhaps in the district
of Bussorah, there is a certain man,
1.".2 MOHAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
labudii katika iuchi ya Bassara kuua mtu mmoja kijana jina lake Mohammadi
mtepetevu, hiiko itapatikaua.
Kalifa akamuita waziri wake Masruri Sayafi. Aka- m\\'ambia, twaa kliati,
usafiri wenende Biissara kwa liwali Moliammad Zabidi. Naye ndiye liwali
wake, kalifa, alioko inchi ya Bassara.
Akapewa kbati Masruri Sayafi, akafuatana na jeshi ilio nyingi, wakasafiri
kwa njia barra, wakaenenda batta il Biissai-a. Wakaingia katika iucbi ya
il Bassara, wakafikilia kwa liwali Mohammad Zabidi.
Akatoa khati akampa, akasoma. Alipokwisha soma, akamkaribisha nyumbani,
akamcfaiiyizia karamu ilio kubwa, wakaingia wakala chakula. \\' alipokwisha,
akamwambia, Siua amri mimi ya kukaa kwako. Amri yangu niliopewa ya kukupa
khati, ukiisha soma, twenende kwa Mohammad mtepetevu. Na sasa toka
twenende, Wakatoka waka- fuutaua, wakaenda kwa Mohammad mtepetevu,
Waziri Masruri Sayafi akatoa khati itokayo kwa Ilarun Rashidi. Akapokea
kwa mikono miwili, akafungua kwa adabu, akaisoma khati itokayo kwa kalifa.
Alipokwisha soma, akamwambia, Karibu nyumbani. Akamwambia, sina amri mimi
ya kuingia nyumbani mwako, nimeambiwa nikupe khati, ukiislia soma tufanye
safari, twenende, Kwani kalifa ameniambia, usikae, mpe khati uje zenu,
mfuatane naye yule. Alipoambiwa vile akanena, sema'a wa ta'a, lakiui
tafathali unywe kikombe cha kahawa, Akamwambia, sikuamriwa mimi kimywa
kahawa kwako. Akamwambia, liuna buddi kuny wa kahawa
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 153
a youth named Moliammed the Languid, there it will be found."
The caliph called his vizir, Mesroor Sayafi. And he told him, " Take a
letter, and journey and go to Bussorah, to the governor, Mohammed
Zabidi." And this was the caliph's governor, who was in the district of
Bussorah.
And Mesroor Sayafi had the letter given him, and was accompanied by a
great host, and travelled by the way of the desert, and went to
Bussorah. And they entered the district of Bussorah, and arrived at the
house of the governor, Mohammed Zabidi.
And he took out the letter and gave him. And he read it. And when he
had read it, he invited him into his house, and prepared a great feast
for him, and they went in and ate food. And when they had done, he
said to him, " My order that was given me was to give you the letter,
and when you had read it, for us to go to Mohammed the Languid. And
now set forth, and let us go." And they set out, and were attended,
and went to Mohammed the Languid.
And the vizir, Mesroor Sayafi, took out the letter that came from Haroun
al Eashid. And he received it with both his hands, and opened it
reverentially, and read the letter which came from the caliph.
And when he had read it, he said, " Come into my house." And he said,
" I have no business to go into your house. I was told to give you
the letter, and that when you had read it we should make our journey
and go ; for the caliph told me, ' Do not stay, give him the letter
and come on your way, and let him come with you.' " And when he had
heard that, he said, " I hear and obey ; but I pray you drink a cup
of coffee." And he said, " I was not ordered to drink cofiee with
you." And he said, " You must drink my coffee," And he besought him,
and he consented
] 54 MOITAMMABI MTEPETE VU.
yangu. Akamnasilii, akakubali kwa uguvn, akaingia ndaui ya nyumba, akapanda
dariui katika sebule yake. Akamkaribisha, akaingia ndani, akakaa kitako.
Alipokaa kitako akaletewa mfuko wa diuari kliamsi mia. Akam\vambia,
tafiUbali uiugie katika haniami, kwaui siku nyingi iimetaabika kwa safari
mwendo ^^•a barra, buna buddi na kucboka. Bassi tafiitbali iiingie
katika bamami.
Bassi akaondoka akaingia katika bamami, na maji yake, yalio katika bamami,
marashi mawaridi, ndio maji yake yaliomo. Akaingia akaoga. Wakajana
vitwanamatowasbi, wakaja, wakamsngua kwa vitambaa vya bariri. Alipo- kwisba,
akatoka, akapewa nguo za kukankia maji, na killa nguo ni nguo bariri na
zari, Akakaiikia maji. Alipo- zivua, akaletewa baksba ya nguo nyingino,
nguo zayidi ya zile za kukaukia maji. Akavaa, na zile zikakunjwa,
zikawckwa na ule mfuko aliopewa kwanza. Akaenda zake sebuleni akakaa
kitako.
Alipokaa, akainua macbo akatezama sebule, pambo lake, na matandiko yake
yaliotandikwa cbini. Akaona ajabu kuu, akawaza moyoni mwake, batta cbumba
cba kalifa bakikupambwa kama bivi. Akaletewa maji, akanawa, yeye Masruri
Sayafi, na liwali, Mobammad Zabidi, na waliopo sebuleni wote. Walipokwisha
nawa w-akaona vitwana wakaingia na vyakula, wakaja wakaandika, wakala.
Walijiokwisba kula, akawaza, vyakula vile ni vyakula ambavyo bavimo katika
ulimwengu.
Akapewa cbumba cba kulala, Akiiingia cbumbani mwake, alicbofanyiziwa kulala,
wakaja vijakazi, wamevaa
MOHAMMED THE LAXGUID. 155
perforce, and went within his house, and mounted up-stairs to his
reception room. And he invited him in, and he entered within, and sat
down.
And when he had sat down, there was brought to him a jjurse of five
hundred deenars. And he said, " I beg of you enter the bath, for you
have been harassed many days in the journey coming by the desert, and
you must be tired ; so, I beg of you, enter the bath."
Well, he arose and entered the bath, and the water which was in the
bath was scented with roses, that was the kind of water that was in
it. And he entered and bathed. And eunuch slaves came, and rubbed him
with silken towels. And when he had finished, he came out and he was
given clothes to dry off the water, and each garment was of silk and
gold thread. And he dried off the water. And when he took them off, he
was brought a packet of other clothes, clothes better than those for
drying off the water, and he put them on. And the others were folded
up and put with the purse which had been before given to him. And he
went into the reception room and sat down.
And when he had sat down, he lifted up his eyes and looked at the
reception room, its furniture, and what was spread on its floor. And he
found it very marvellous, and thought in his heart, " Even the caliph's
chamber is not fm-nished in this way." And water was brought and he
washed, he, Mesroor Sayafi, and the governor, Mohammed Zabidi, and all
that were there in the reception room. And when they had washed, they
saw young slaves enter with food, and they came and laid it out, and
they ate. And when they had eaten, he thought, " These viands are such
as are not in the universe."
And he was given a sleeping chamber. And he entered his chamber which
was prepared for his sleej)ing, and
156 MOHAMMAD I MTEPETEVU.
lebasi njema njema, killa inmoja na kiuanda, wakaingia wakapiga kinanda,
wakaimba, ili kumtnmbuiza, na wangine kucheza, na kutoa mashairi ya
kumsifu. Akapata usingizi akalala usingizi wa mcbana.
Alipoamka watu wamekaa tayari mlangoni, kumngoja kwenda naye katika
liamami. Akaenda katika bamami, akavua nguo, zikakunjwa zikawekwa pamoja na
zile za kwanza. Akaingia katika bamami, na bali ile ile ya kwanza na
ziyada. Bassi alipotoka katika bamami, akapewa nguo za kiikaukia maji.
Alipokwisba kukaukia maji, akavua na nguo bizi za bariri na zari.
Akaletewa nguo nyingine ya kutokea sebuleni, na kilbi nguo me- tbmini.
Akavaa, akatokea nje.
Akitoka, cbakula tayari, wakaingia, wakala cbakula. Wakaisba wakajizmngumza
batta usiku ukaingia, aka- tandikiwa cbumba kiugine. Akaenda kulaba.
Akitezama cbumba cbile, pambo lake liliomo, na samani zake, cbapita cbumba
alicbolala mcbana. Akalala batta assubui.
Akaamka, wakaja watU wakamtwaa, wakaeuda naye katika bamami. Akitoka
akapewa nguo nyingine za ku- kaukia maji, akaisba akaletewa nguo nyingine,
akavaa. Na zile alizovaa kwanza zikakimjwa, zikawekwa, na killa anapoletewa
nguo, buletewa na mfuko wa dinari kbanisi mia.
Akatoka nje akaenda akala cbakula. Walipokwisba kula, akamwambia Mobammad
mtepetcvu, ]\Iimi sina itbiui ya kukaa siku mbili, na Ico siku ya pili
bii, bassi fanya safari twende zetu.
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 157
there came girls wearing exquisite dresses, each one with a musical
instrument ; and they entered and played their instruments and sang, that
they might lull him, and others danced, and made verses in his praise.
And he fell asleej), and slept the midday sleep.
And when he awoke, peoijle were sitting ready at the door waiting for
him, to go with him to the bath. And he went to the bath and put off
his clothes, and they were folded up and put with the former ones, and
he went into the bath, and its condition was just as before, and
better. Then when he went out from the bath he was given clothes to dry
off the water. And when he had dried off the water, he put off those
clothes of silk and gold thread. And other clothes were brought him, to
go out into the reception room in, and all the clothes were of price.
And he put them on and went out.
And when he went out, food was ready, and they went in and ate food.
Afterwards they conversed together till night came on, and another chamber
was prepared for him. And he went to lie down. And he looked at that
chamber, and the furniture that was in it, and its utensils, and it
surpassed the chamber in which he lay down at noon And he slept until
the morning.
And he awoke, and people came and took him, and went with him to the
bath. And when he came out, he was given other clothes to dry off the
water, and afterwards other clothes were brought him, and he put them
on. And those he had worn before were folded up, and put away, and
every time clothes were brought him, a purse of five hundred deenars was
also brought to him.
And he went out, and went and ate food. And when they had eaten, he
said to Mohammed the Languid, " I have no directions to stay two days,
and to-day is the second ; so make your journey and let us go."
158 MOIIAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
Akamwambia, ningoje siku ya leo islii kwani nataka bagliala wa kupakia
zawadi zangu uitakazo kumpelekea kalifa. Akamwambia, nimekupa ruksa ya leo.
Akafauya shugbuli zake, mchana kutwa. Siku lie ikawa kustarebe batta jua
likachwa. Akaingia katika bamami waziri yule Masruri Sayafi. Alipotoka
akapelekewa kama zile za kwanza akavaa. Na killa nguo anazovua bukunjwa
zika- tiwa ndani ya kasha na mfuko wa dinari kbamsi mia. Xa nguo bizo
na fetba bizo zake mwenyewe Masruri Sayafi.
Wakakaa batta assubui wakafanya safari yao. Wakalctwa bagbala aroba mia,
mabagbala bao kupakia baja zake Mobammadi mtepetevu. Wakapakia, akaamrisba
kuta- ndikiwa bagbala wake wawili, kwa seruji ya tbababu, na lijamu zake
za tbababu, na vigwe vyake vya baru-i. Mmoja akapanda yule mwenyewe
Mobammadi mtepetevu. na mmoja akapanda yule waziri Masruri Sayafi. Na
liwali Mobammadi Zabidi, wakaingia katika safari, kusafiri kwenenda kwa
Kalifa, incbi ya Bagbdadi. Wakasafiri jesbi kuu. Wakaeuda njiani.
Jua likicbwa wakafanya kbema zao, wakalala. Na Idiema ya Mobammadi
mtepetevu, kbema yake bariri, na miti yake yauudi, wakalala, yeye na
waziri Masruri Sayafi.
Assubui wakaamka Makatoa vyakula vyao na vinywa vyao, wakala wakinywa.
Wakaisba wakatandikwa nyama zao, wakapanda. Ikawa ball biyo, jua likicbwa
wakalala, na usiku ukicba wakaeueuda. Na katika safari mle, yule waziri
Masruri Sayafi akawaza ndani ya moyo wake, aka- nena, Mimi nitakapofika
kwa Kalifa nitamwambia, amuulize sababu yake ya kupatia mali mengi bivi.
Nami namfabamu babave. ulikuwa muumisbi katika bamami.
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 159
And lie said, " Wait for me till after to-day, for I want mules to
carry my presents which I wish to take to the caliph." And he said, "
I give you leave for to-day." And he was transacting his business all
that day. And that day the vizir Mesroor Sayafi had only to rest imtil
sunset. And he entered the bath. And when he came out, there was
brought to him as before, and he put them on. And all the clothes he
took off were folded up and put into a chest, with a purse of five
hundred deenars. And these clothes and that money were for Mesroor Sayafi
himself.
And they waited till the morning, and made their journey. And foiu*
hundred mules were brought, and these mules were to carry Mohammed the
Lauguid's things. And they loaded them. And he ordered his two mules to
be got ready, with saddles of gold, and bits of gold, and reins of
silk. One Mohammed the Languid mounted himself, and one the vizir,
Mesroor Sayafi mounted. And the governor, Mohammed Zabidi, and they went
on their journey, journeying to go to the caliph, in the laud of
Bagdad. And they set out a great host. And they went along the road.
And when the sun set they got ready their tents and slept. And the
tent of Mohammed the Languid, his tent was of silk, and its poles of
aloes wood ; and they slept, he and the vizir, Mesroor Sayafi.
In the morning they awoke, and they brought out their food and their
drink, and they ate and drank. After that, their beasts were saddled and
they mounted. And so it was, when the sun set they slept, and when the
night was over they went on. And in the course of that journey, the
vizir Mesroor Sayafi pondered in his heart, and said, " When I reach
the caliph, I will speak to him, to ask this man how he got himself
these great riches. I remember his hither, he was a cupper at a public
bath."
IGO MOHAMMAD I MTEPETEVV.
Wakaenda wakafika kwa Khalifa, wakatoa salamu mbele yake Khalifa. Naye
Khalifa amekaa, na mawaziri wake pale. Akamkaribisha. Akaanguka chini ya
miguu yake Khalifa yule mtepetevu. Akamwambia, nataka msamaha kwako, nna
maneno nataka kwambia. Akamwambia, sema. Bassi akaiuua iiso wake, akatazama
jnu. Akatikiza midomo yake, zikapasuka juu ya nyumba, yakatoka kama
majumba, na bustani, na miti ndani ya bustaui, na miti ilc majaui yake
ya lulu, na matunda yake ya marijani.
Khalifa akastaajabu mno. Akamwuliza, Mali haya umepata wapi wee ? Nawe
hatukufahamu ela Mohammad i mtepetevu, na baba yako alikuwa muumishi
katika hamami. Bassi ilikuwaje hatta ukapata mambo haya weye? Akamjibu,
akamwambia, ukiniamuru ntakupa hadithi yangu. Na haya pia sikukuletea kwa
kuogopa, lakini nimetazama haya hayafai ela kwako weye mfalme. Bassi kama
wataka nikupe hadithi yangu, ntakwambia. Mfalme akampa amri, akamwambia,
lete hadithi yako.
Akamwambia, zamani za kwanza nilipokuwa mdogo, na baba yangu alipokufa,
nilikuwa mvivu sana, hatta chakula akinilisha mama yangu. Na nijapolala,
siwezi kugeuka ubavu wa pili, sharti aje mama anigeuze. Ikawa mama akienda
kuomba, akipata kitu akinilisha. Nikakaa hali hiyo miaka khamstashira
katika uvivu.
TIatta siku raoja akaonda mama, akaenda akaomba, akapata dirhamu tano,
akinijia knle nyumbani kwangu nilipolala, akanambia, Ico nimekwenda omba,
nimcpata hizi dirhamu tano, bassi, twaa hizi dirhamu tano umpelekee Sheikh
Abalmathfar. Naye Sheikh anasafiri,
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 16 i
And they went till they reached the caliph, and made their salutations
before the caliph. And the caliph was sitting there with his vizirs. And
he welcomed him. And the Languid one fell down at the feet of the
caliph, and said to him, " I ask pardon of you, I have a matter I
wish to tell you." And he said, " Say on." Then he lifted his face,
and looked upward. And he moved his lips, and the top of the house
opened, and there came out, as it were, palaces, and gardens, and trees
in the gardens, and the leaves of those trees were pearls, and their
fruit coral.
And the caliph was excessively astonished. And he asked him, " Where did
you get this wealth ? And we only remember you as Mohammed the Languid,
and your father was a cupper at the baths. How then did it happen that
you got into such circumstances ?" Aud he answered and said, " If you
so order me, I will give you my story ; and all these I have not
brought you through fear, but I looked upon these as suitable only for
you, the king. If then you wish me to give you mj' story, I will tell
it you." And the king gave him the order, and said, " Bring your
story."
And he said, " At first when I was young, and when my father died, I
was very lazy, so that my mother even fed me. And even when I lay
down, I could not turn on the other side, my mother must come and turn
me over. And so it was, my mother used to go and beg, and when she
got anything she gave me food. And I remained in this state fifteen
years in idleness.
Till one day my mother went and begged, and got five du'hems, and she
came to me there in the house where I was lying, and told me, ' To-
day I have gone begging, and have got these five dirhems ; so take
these five dirhems and carry them to Sheikh Abalmathfar; the
162 MOIIAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
anakwenda katika inclii ya Sini. Bassi twaa dirhamu tano hizi mni^elekee,
labuda huko aendako, atakununulia bithaa, uje upate fayida hapa, kwani
Sheikh ni mtu mmoja mtaowa, apenda maskini, bassi ondoka ukampelckee hizi
dirhamu tano. Nikamjibu, mamangu, kwenda siwezi, wala usiuiambie tena
maueno haya. Akaniambia, kana hutaki kwenda, bassi nami nitakutupa, sikupi
chakula, wahi sikupi inaji. Wala ukilala juani, sikuondoi, nita- kuacha
kufa njaa yako. Akauiapia ua kiapo. Nikaona tena utakufa mimi.
Nikamwambia kama buna buddi, nisogezee vyatu vyaugu. Akanisogczea,
nikamwambia, nivike miguuni, akanivika. Nikamwambia, nipe na kanzu yangu,
akani- letea. Nikamwambia, nivike. Akanipa ua uguo ya kuji- tanda. A
ikamwambia nipe na gongo langu mkongojo, nipate kujigougojea. Akanisogezca.
Nikamwambia, niondoe bassi, nisimame, akaniondoa. Nikamwambia, kaa kwa nyuma
ukanisukuma, nipate kwenenda. Bassi ikawa hali hiyo, akinisukuma, hiinua
mguu moja, hatta tukafika pwaui. Tukamtafuta Sheikh Abalmathfur. Yu katika
kupakia.
Aliponiona akastaajabu, akaniambia, Vilikuwaje leo, hatta ukafika pwani huku
? Nikampa dirhamu zaugu tano zile, nikamwambia, amana yangu hii,
uichukulie huko wendako, uninunulie bithaa, ndilo jambo nilihilvujia pwani.
Akazipokea Sheikh Abalmathfar,
I
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 163
sheikh is going on a voyage to the land of China. So take these iive
dirhems and carry them to him ; perhaps where he is going he will buy
you some merchandize, so that you may get profit here, for the sheikh
is one of the devout men, he loves the poor ; so get up and take him
these five dirhems.' And I answered her, ' I cannot go, my mother, and
don't talk to me any more about it.' And she said, ' If you don't
choose to go, I will just cast you off", I will not give you food,
and I will not give you water, nor if you are lying in the sun will
I take you out of it ; I will leave you to die in your hunger.' And
she swore it to me by an oath. And I felt that I should die.
" And I said, ' If you must, then put my sandals ready for me.' And
she put my sandals by me. And I said, ' Put them on my feet,' and
she put them on. And I said, ' Give me my Icanzu.' And she brought it
me. And I said, ' Put it on me.' And she gave me a cloth to throw
over my shoulder. And I said, ' Give me my staff to lean upon, that I
may prop myself with it.' And she put it ready for me. And I said to
her, ' Take me up then, that I may stand,' and she took me up. And I
said, ' Keep behind and push me, that I may get forward.' And so things
were, she pushing me and I lifting one foot at a time, till we reached
the shore. And we looked for the Sheikh Abalmathfar. He was putting his
goods on board.
" When he saw me, he was astonished, and said, ' What has happened to-
day, that you have got to the shore here ?' And I gave him my five
dirhems, and I said, ' This is my deposit, take them for me where you
are going, and buy me some merchandize ; this is the business which I
came to the shore for.' And the Sheikh Abalmathfar received them.
164 MOHAMMAD I MTEPETEVC.
Nami uikajiriulia uyumbaui kwaugu, ikawa liali yangu ile ile, kulala iia
kulishwa, na kunywesliwa maji.
Sheikh akasafiri yule, akaenda zake katika inchi ya Sini. Wakafanya
biashara zao hatta wakaisha. Wakasafiri, wakaenda mwendo wa siku mbili,
dii-hamu zangii zile akazisahao, asinimmulie kitu. Akazikumbuka baada ya
siku mbili. Akawaambia matajiri wenziwe, kama hatuna buddi na kurudi,
amana ya Mohammadi mtepetevu ni- meisahao. Wakamjibu matajii'i wenziwe,
wakamwambia, utarudi kwa sababu ya dirhamu tano, naswi tumepakia mali mengi
ndani ya merikebu? Akawaambia kana hamtaki kurudi mkamfauyizie killa mtu
kitu maalum. Wakakubali wale matajiri.
Bassi wakaja safii'ia wakaenda hatta wakawasili katika kisiwa. Na kisiwa
kile kimekwitwa, kisiwa cha Sunudi, ndio jina lake. Wakashuka pale, ili
kwenda kupumzika kwa taabu ya bahari ile. Wakatembea mjini mle.
Yule Sheikh niliyempa amana yangu, akapita mahali dukani, akaona kima
wamefungwa, pana na mmnja mdogo wao amenyonyoka manyoya pia, na wale
wenziwe humpiga. Bassi Sheikh alipomwona, akamwonea huruma, akamtaka kwa
mwenyewe, akaranunulia kwa dirhamu zangu tano. Naye Sheildi nia yake
kuniletea kuchezea, kwani amenijua ni mtu sina kazi.
Wakasafiri wakaja zao hatta kisiwa cha pili. Kisiwa kile kiuakwitwa kisiwa
cha Sodani, kwani wenyewe na wa- tu wenzi wao hula nyama za waana
Adamu. Walipoona merikebu imefika pale, wakaipandia wakaenda wakawa- funga
watu waliomo pia wotc, wanginc wakachinja, wakala
I
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 165
" And I got myself back to my house, and my condition was just tlie
same, lying down and being fed, and having water given to me to drink.
" And the Sheikh set out, and went his way to the land of China. And
they did their trading, and then set out. and went two days' journey.
And he forgot my dirhems and had bought me nothing. And he remembered
them after two days. And he told the merchants his com- panions, "■ We
must go back, I have forgotten the trust of Mohammed the Languid.' And
the merchants his com2)anions answered and said to him, ' Will you go
back for the sake of five dirhems, when we have put so many goods on
board the ship V' And he said, ' If you will not go back, let each
one of you make up for him something certain.' And the merchants
consented.
" So they came on their journey and proceeded till they reached an
island. And that island was called the island of Simudi, that was its
name. And they landed there, in order to go and rest from the troubles
of the sea, and they walked about in the town.
" The Sheikh to whom I had given my deposit passed where there were
shops, and saw monkeys tied up, and there was one little one which had
all its hair pulled off, and its companions beat it. So when the sheikh
saw it, he felt compassion for it, and asked for it from the owner, and
bought it with my five dirhems. And the sheikh's idea was to bring it
to me to play with, for he knew that I was a man without employment.
" And they set out and came on their way to a second island. And that
island was called the island of Sodani, for the inhabitants and their
companions eat the flesh of men. And when they saw the shij) arrive,
they went on board and bound the people who were in it, and some they
slaughtered, and ate their flesh. And the Sheikh
16G MOIJAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
nyania zao. Akasalia Sheikh Abalmathfar na jamaa zake watu wawili, na
nuss ya baharia. Wakafungwa, ili ku- chinjwa assubui.
Hatta ilipofika usiku akaondoka yule kima, akafungua yeye kwanza, akaisha
akafungua Sheikh Abalmathfar, akaisha akafungua na wale jamaa waliosalia,
hatta aka- waisha pia yote. Sheikh alipoona wamefunguliwa, waka- kimbia
wakaenda zao merikebuni kwao wakaiona bado mzima, haijavunjika, wakatweka,
wakakimbia. Wakaenda katika bahari kulc katika kuja zao.
Na watu katika morikebu mle huzaniia lulu. Alipoona kima yule watu
wanazimia lulu, naye akajitosa pamoja nao. Sheikh akasema, nimekwisha potea
kwa bakhti ya yule maskiui ya Muungu. Hatta zamani waliportj"oa watu, naye
akarejea nao. Amechukua na lulu, na lulu zake njema kuliko za watu.
Akamtupia bwana wake miguuni pake.
Bassi akawaambia jamaa wale, kama sisi hatungepona ela kwa sababu ya kima
huyu, bassi killa mtu na atoe dinari thenashara mia, tumpelekee bwana
wake, killa mtu dia ya roho yake. Wakatoa, akazikusanya Sheikh Abal-
mathftir, akatanganya na lulu zile alizopata kima. Na fayida ya dii-hamu
tano zangu akatia ndani ya makasha akafunga, akaandika alama ya Mohammadi
mtepetevu.
Bassi wakasafiri hatta wakafika inchi ya Bassava, waka- piga mizinga,
wakashuka.
Mama yangu akasikia kama Sheikh Abalmathfar amekuja, akaja akaniambia, toka
wenende ukamtazame Sheikh Abalmathfar, ukampe mkono wa salama. Nika-
mwambia, siwezi kwenda, njoo niondoe. Akaniondoa, aka-
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 167
Abalmathfar was left, and two men of his Idnsnien, and half the crew.
And they were bound, to be killed in the morning.
" But when night was come, the monkey arose and unbound itself first,
and then unbound the Sheikh Abal- mathfar, and then unbound his kinsmen
who were left, until it had unbound them all. When the Sheikh saw that
they were unbound, they fled and went away to their ship, and they
found it still sound, it was not yet broken up, and they hoisted their
sail and fled. And they went over the sea on their journey home.
" And the people who were in the ship used to dive for pearls. And
when the monkey saw the people diving for pearls, it plunged in with
them. And the Sheikh said, ' I have lost all the luck of that poor
man.' But when the people returned, it too returned with them. And it
had brought pearls ; and its pearls were better than other people's. And
it threw them down at the feet of its master.
" Then he said to the company, ' Since we should not have escaped, had
it not been for this monkey, let each one then give twelve hundred
deenars, and let us take them to its master as each man's ransom for
his life.' And they gave them, and Sheikh Abalmathfar collected them, and
put with them the pearls that the monkey had got. And the profits of
my five dirhems be put in chests and locked them, and wrote on them
the mark of Mohammed the Languid.
" So they journeyed until they reached the country of Bussorah, and they
fired their cannons and landed.
"My mother heard that Sheikh Abalmathfar was come, and she came and told
me, ' Go out and go and see Sheikh Abalmathfar, and give him the hand
of safety.' And I told her, " I cannot go, come and take me up.'
And she
168 MOHAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
nivika viatu vyangu na nguo zangu. Bassi nikamwambia, nipe fimbo yangu,
akanipa fimbo yangu. Nikamwambia, kaa nyuma ukanisukume. Akakaa nyuma
akanisukmna, nikainua mguu moja, akanisukmna, nikainua mguu moja, hatta
tukafika.
Nikaonana naye nikampa mkono. Akaniuliza bali, akaisba akaniambia, amana
yako italmwasilia nyumbani. Tulipok^isha onaua, tiikatoka, na mama yangu
akanisu- kuma, batta nikafika nyumbani kwetu. Nikafika, nikarejea mabali
pangu, nikalala.
Kitambo kidogo nikaona mtu akaingia, akaja akinipa kima. Yule akaniambia,
Salaam Sbeikb Abalmathfar. Nikapokea kima yule, nikamwacba, akatokea yule
mtu alioleta kima.
Nikamwita mama yangu, akaja, nikamwonyesba, nika- mwambia, kitu kikubwa
alicboniletea Sbeikb Abalma- tbfar, bapa petu kima wauakuzwa kumi kwa
dirbamu, na dii'bamu tano ameniletea kima moja.
Sijadiriki kwisba kusema maneno baya na mama yangu, nikamsikia mtu,
akibisba — Hodi ! Nikamwambia — karibu. Akaingia na funguo, akanipa funguo
zile. Naona na mabamali nyuma yake, wakaingia wanaebukua makasba makubwa
mno ajabu. Akaniambia, bizi funguo za makasba baya. Nikamwuliza, makasba
baya ya nini kuniletea mimi ? Akaniambia, bii ndio amana yako uliompa
kwenda kukununulia bitbaa.
Nikamwambia, bana baja Sbeikb Abalmatbfar ya kuni- thihaki, mimi maskini
ya Muungu. Mimi kijana mbele zake, na yeye mtu mzima mbele yangu.
Hana haja
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 169
took me up, and put on my shoes, and my clothes. Then I told her, '
Give me my stick,' and she gave me my stick. And I said to her, '
Keep behind and push me.' And she kept behind and pushed me, and I
lifted up one foot, and she pushed me, and I lifted one foot till we
arrived.
" And I met with him and gave him my hand, and he asked after my
state. And then he told me, 'Yoiir deposit will come to you in the
house.' And when we had met, we set out again, and my mother pushed me
until we arrived at om- house. And I reached it and got back to my
place and lay down.
" In a little while I saw a man come in, and he came and gave me a
monkey. And he said, ' With the Sheikh Abalmathfar's compliments.' And I
took the monkey and let him go, and the man who had brought the monkey
went out.
" And I called my mother and showed it to her, and said, ' The Sheikh
Abalmathfar has brought me something great ; here at home ten monkeys arc
sold for a dirhem, and he for five dirhems has brought me one.'
" I had not yet had time to finish saying these words to my mother,
when I heard a man at the door calling Hodi ! And I said, ' Come in.'
And he came in with some keys, and gave me the keys, and I saw
porters behind him, and they came in and brought some wonderfully big
chests. And he said to me, ' Those are the keys of these chests.' And I
asked him, ' Why are these chests brought to me ?' And he said, '
These are your deposit which you gave to him, to go and buy you
merchandize.'
" And I said, ' The Sheikh Abalmathfar had no call to make game of
me, who am a poor man. I am a youth before him, and he is a full-
grown man before me. He has no call then to make game of me. What
was it that I
170 MOHAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
ya kunitbiliaki. Ni kitu gani nilichompa hatta kuniletea inakaslia haya ?
Mimi nalimpa dirliamu tano, na tlaamani ya du'hainu tano ni huyu kima
alioniletea. Bassi, hana liaja ya kunifanya tliiliaka, mimi maskini ya
Muungu.
Na yule aliopeleka amana ile, makaslia, akaniambia, hakutliiliaki, walaye,
si mtu wa kukiifauyizia tliiliaka. Na yee mwenyowe atakuja sasa liivi.
Tusijaislia knsema maneno yale, marra nasikia — liodi ! Nikimtazama, ni
Sheikh Abahuathfar nikaondoka mwe- nyewe nikakaa kitako, nikamkaribisha.
Akakaa kitako akauieleza khabari yake, toka mwanzo hatta mwisho iliowapata
tangn kusafiri kwao. Akaniambia, na haya makasha ndiyo fayida yako, na
viliomo ndani ; na huyii kima, ndio ras il mali yako. Akanitaka rathi
sana, akaniambia, mimi si mtu wa kukufanyizia thihaka wewc. Tukaagana,
akatoka akaenda zake.
Tukafimgua kasha, tukatazama tukaona mali mengi. Mama yangu akaniambia,
walikuwa mvivu, hukuona kitu na sasa Mwenyi ezi Muungu amekupa kheri.
Bassi ondoka ukatafute nyumba ilio njema, ukae. Bassi nikaondoka nikaenda
nikatafuta nyumba, nikanunua nyumba ilio njema, nikanunua na pambo la
nyumba, nikanunua na watumwa wa nyumba, vijakazi, na wazalia, na Eabashi,
nikatia katika nyumba yangu. Na killa kilichoihtajia nyumba, nikanunua
nikatia. Nikanunua na bithaa, nikafanya dnka.
Na mimi mwenyowe liukaa dukani, na nyaui wangu hukaa nami pamoja. Hatta
assubui nyani akaondoka, akaenda, harudi ilia jioni, na anapokuja huchukua
mfuko
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 171
gave liim that he should send me these chests ? I gave him five
dirhems, and the price of the five dirhems is this monkey, which he has
brought me. He has no call then to make a jest of me, a poor man.'
" And he who brought the deposit, the chests, said to me, ' Tie is
not making in game of you, by Allah, he is not a man to make a jest
of you, and he will come himself directly.'
" We had not yet finished talking in this way, when at once I heard,
Hodi ! And I saw it was the Sheikh Abal- mathfiir, and I arose of
myself and sat up and welcomed him.
" And he sat down, and explained to me his news, from beginning to the
end, what had occurred to them from their setting out. And he told me,
' These chests are your profit, and what is in them ; and this monkey
is the chief of your possessions.' And he begged my forgive- ness
heartily, and said, ' I am not the man to make a jest of you,' and
we took leave of one another, and he went out and went away.
" And we opened a chest and looked, and saw great wealth. And my
mother said to me, ' You were idle, you saw nothing ; and now Almighty
G od has given you good hick. Get up then and look for a house that
is good, and live in it.' So I got up and went and looked for a
house, and bought a good house, and bought furniture for the house, and
bought slaves for the house, girls, homeborn slaves and Abyssinians. And
I put them in my house, and everything that was wanted for the house,
I bought and put into it. And I bought merchandize and set up a shop.
" And I sat myself in the shop, and my ape sat with me. But in the
morning the ape got up and went away, and did not retui-n until the
evening: and when it came it
172 MOHAMMAD I MTEPETEVU.
katika kinwa chake, akaja liatta nilipo, akaniwekea mbele yangu, nikaushika
mfuko ule nikaufungiia, nikatazama ndani mna tliahabu, nikazimimina tliahabu
ile masLklias, nikabasibu Idiamsi mia, nikazitoa nikaziweka, nikakaa batta
subui. Zamani nilipokula akaja bula sote, nikakaa ball bivo, butoka
assubui, biikarudi akatoa mfuko masbkbas. Hatta sikn uyingi zikapita.
Hatta siku biyo usiku, nimelala katika orafa yangu, yule nyani akanijilia,
akampa salamu, nikamwitikia. Lakini moyo wangu nimefazaika, nikafanya kbofu
sana, kwa sababu kuona nyani kusema. Akaniambia, Mobam- madi, usifanye
kbofu, mimi, Mwenyi ezi Muungu ameni- jalia kuwa nyani, lakini si nyani
mimi, mimi ni Jini il Maradi. Mwenyi ezi Muungu amenijalia kuwa iftabi
yako, kukutoa katika umaskini, nawe usifanye kbofu. Nna maneno nataka
kukwambia. "Wewe walikuwa mtu mmoja fukara, buna mbele buna nyuma. Mwenyi
ezi Muungu amefanya mimi kunigeuza kuwa nyani kwa ndio sababu yako, ya
kupatia mali. Na sasa ulionayo bayajawa mali, kwani buna mke. Bassi
nimekujiatia manamke, nataka nikuoze, na ukipata mke buyu, utastarebe nafsi
yako, na mali utapata zayidi.
Nikamwuliza, ni yupi mke buyo ? Akaniambia, kesbo assubui fanya uzuri,
uvae nguo borabora, na bagbala yako utandike matandiko ya tbababu,
ufuatane na vitwana Avalio wema miongoni mwa watumwa wako, ucuende batta
soke il alaf. Wencnde batta baraza ya fullani, utamwona Sberifu amevaa
nguo za kitaowa. Bassi mkaribia buyu, mpe salamu, mweleza kbabari yako ya
kutaka mke, ya
MOHAMMED TEE LANGUID. 173
brought a bag in its mouth, and it came where I was, and put it
before me, and I took hold of the bag and oi^ened it, and saw that it
had gold inside ; and I poured out the gold, and counted five hundred
pieces, and I laid them out and put them away, and waited until the
morning. And when I ate, it came and we used to eat together, and I
remained in this state : it going out in the morning and coming back
and producing a bag. And many days passed.
" Till one day at night, I was lying down in my chamber, the ape came
to me and gave me a salutation, and I answered it. But my heart was
troubled, and I was much afraid, because of finding an ape speak. And
it said to me, ' Mohammed, be not afraid, as for me, Almighty God has
ordered for me to be an ape, but I am not an ape, I am a Jin of
the the Marids. Almighty God has ordered for me to be a bringer of
good fortune to you, to take you out of poverty, and on your part have
no fear, I have a matter I wish to tell you. You used to be one of
the poorest, with nothing before and nothing behind. Almighty God made me
turn into an ape for your sake, to be the cause of your getting
wealth. And now the wealth you have is not completed, for you have no
wife. I have got you a wife then, I want to marry you, and if you get
this wife you will yourself be at rest, and you will get an increase
of wealth.'
" And I asked, ' Who is this wife ?' And he said, ' To-morrow in the
morning adorn yourself, and put on your best clothes, and let your mule
be harnessed with its golden harness, and take with you slave lads of
the best from among your slaves, and go to the grass market. Go on as
far as the seat of such a one, you will see the Shereef wearing the
gai-ments of a devotee. Go up to him and salute him, and explain to
him your news of
174 MOHAMMAD I MTEPETEVU.
kuja kiiposa binti yake. Atakwambia, hima asili wala fasili. Mwambia,
asili ni dinari elfu, na fasili dinari elfu. Bassi ukamwambie na kiilla
utakalo, na ukiisha mpa asili na fasili, atakubali, lakini atakuihtajia
mali mengi. Atakacbotaka cbo cbote mpe, wala usionc cboyo, na xikiisba oa,
mali yako bayo utakayoyatoa utajilipa na zayidi. Tukaagana nikalala.
Hatta kulipokucba uikafanya kama alioniambia. Nika- fanya uziiri mimi, na
watumwa wangu, na biigbala yangu, nikapanda, uikaenenda batta katika soko
ile, uikaenda nikamwoua Sbcrifu, nikampa salaam, akaniitikia. Nika- mwambia,
jongolea, nikamweleza kbabari yangu, akanijibu maneno kama yale aliyonena
nyaiii. Akanambia, buna asili wala bima fasili. Nikampa dinari elfain,
elfu za asili, na elfu za fasili. Akakubali, akanipa sburuti zake.
Akaniambia, dinari elfu mabari, na dinari elfu nguo, na dinavi elfu
kilemba cbangu. Nikampa dinari kbamsi elafu, nikatoa na dinari elfu,
nikawapa waliobutburia, nikaoa. Nilipokwisba oa nikaenda nikaniwambia nyaui
kama nimekwisba laioa.
Akaniambia ulimwengu wako utakufanikia, bassi katake saa ya kuiugilia
nyumbani, uina kbabari nataka kuja kukupa. Nikaenda uikataka saa ya
kuingilia nyumbani, nikaisba nikamwambia, nimepata.
Bassi akaniambia, usiku utakayoingia nyumbani ukij)ita mlango wa kwanza,
tezama katika bebcwa, utaona mlango upande wa sboto, pana na pete katika
mlango ule, katika
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 175
wanting a wife, of coming to ask in marriage his daughter. He will say
to you, ' You have neither root nor branches.' Tell him, ' My root is
a thousand deenars, and my branches are a thousand deenars.' Then tell
him all you want, and then give him root and branches, and he will
consent, but he will want from you much wealth. What he asks of you,
whatever it may be, give him, don't be stingy, and when the marriage is
comjileted you will repay yourself all the wealth you have laid out and
more. And we bid each other good-night, and I slept.
" And when it was light I did as he had told me. And I adorned
myself, and my slaves, and my mule, and mounted and went to the market
and saw the Shereef and saluted him, and he replied to me. And I said
to him, ' Attend,' and I explained to him my news, and he answered me
in the words the ape had said. And he said to me, ' You have neither
root nor branches.' And I gave him two thousand deenars, a thousand for
the root and a thousand for the branches. And he consented, and gave me
his contract.
" And he said to me, ' A thousand deenars is the dowry, and a
thousand deenars the clothes, and a thousand deenars my turban.' And I
gave him five thousand deenars, and I took out a thousand deenars and
gave to the bystanders, and I was married. When the marriage was
finished I went and told the ape that my marriage was finished.
" And he said to me, ' Your circumstances will be pros- perous to you,
and ask about the hour for your going into the house, I have news
which I wish to como and tell you.' And I went and inquired about the
hour for going into the house, and then I told him, ' I have it.'
" So he said to me, ' The night that you enter the house as you pass
the first door, look into the court, you will see a door to the left ;
there is a ring on the door and in the
17(3 MOHAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
pete mno ufunguo, fungiia uingie ndani, utaoua sancluku kubwa limejaa
katika ghala, jim ya sanduku pana siifuria, na juu ya sufuria pana
tassa, na ndani ya tassa nina maji, na mkono wa kushoto wako pana jogoo
niwekundu, na mkouo wa kulia wako pana kisu kimeandikwa talassim. Bassi
twaa kisu kile, luncliinje jogoo juu ya sanduku, ukaiska kumcliinja utoe
maji yale ndani ya tassa ile, uoshee kisu. Bassi ukaislia fanya amri
liiyo, utaona sanduku itafunguka, na ndani ya sanduku utaona khazina, na
khazina liiyo mweuyewe haijui Sherifu, nawe ukiislia ipata utastarehe.
Kwani mimi I^lwcuyi ezi Muungu amenifanya uyani kuja kuwa iftahi yako.
Nawe utastarehe nafsi yako, nami ntakwenda zangu. Lakini sharti ufonyizc
kania kayo, na usipofanyiza, liutaona mema ilia utaona mabaya tu.
Nikamwauibia, nitafanya kania haya uliyoniambia.
Nikaenda nikaingia nyumbani kama aliyoniagiza ku- fanya, nikafanya, Katika
kufungua mlango kule nika- msikia yule kijana binti ya Slierifu, mke
wangu, niliyo'moa, akauena ; Amekwisba nicbukua Jini. Hatta nilipoku-isba
ingia nilipotoka, nikaenda cbumbani kwa mke wangu, bako. Jini amekmsba
mcbukua. Bassi nikawa liali yangu kama mtu mweuyi wazimo,
Khabari akaipata babaye Sberifu, marra akaja nyumbani, akija kwa kulia na
kujipiga makonde, na kupasua nguo. Hatta akifika pale, akauiambia, liaya
ndio aliyoyataka, kwani mimi Jini nalimwona zamani kutaka kuniibia mwanangu,
nikamfunga kwa baya matalassimu, uliokuja kuyafimgua. Nayo yale ni madawa
yaliomfunga hatta geuka nyani. Na wewe umekuja umemfungua, kuni- potezea
mwanangu. Bassi na sasa ni kheiii uniondokee
I
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 177
ring a key, open and go in ; inside you will see a large chest filling
up the room, on the chest there is a pot, and on the pot a brass
basin, and in the basin water ; and on the left hand side of it there
is a red cock, and on the right hand side there is a knife inscribed
with a charm. Then take the knife and kill the cock over the chest,
and when you have killed it, pour out the water in the basin, and wash
the knife. And so when you have completed these directions you will see
the chest open, and inside it you will see a treasure, and this
treasure the Shereef him- self does not know of, and when you have got
it you will be at peace. For Almighty God has made me an ape, to come
and be the bringcr of luck to you. And you your- self will dwell in
peace, and I shall go my way. But you must do in this way, and if
you do not, you will not find good, but only evil.'
"And I said, ' I will do as you have told me.' " And I went and
entered the house, and did as I had been directed to do. And as I
opened the door, I heard the girl, the Shereef's daughter, my wife, whom
I had married, say, ' The Jin has carried me off.' And when I had gone
in, and come out again, and went to my wife's room, she was not there,
the Jin had carried her off. So my state was like that of a madman.
" And the Shereef, her father, got the news, and came into the house
directly, and came weeping and beating himself with his fists, and
rending his clothes. And when he reached me there, he said, ' This it
was that he wanted, for I found long ago that the Jin wanted to steal
away my daughter from me, and I bound him by these charms, which you
have dissolved ; and those were medicines which bound him, so that he
was turned into an ape, and you have came and loosed him, to lose me
my daughter. And so now you had better get out of my sight, for I
N
178 MOIIAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
machoni pangu, kwani mwanangu nimeiapeucla, namwonea uchimgu, bassi nisitake
kukuthuru.
Aliponiambia vile, nikaona ndiyo yalio. Nikaondoka iiikaenda nyumhani
kwangu, nikakaa kitako nikawaza, uikatafakari, nikaona nyumba hainiweki,
nikatoka kweuda mtafuta mke wangu. Nikaenda wala sijui nicnde api.
Nikalemea njia, nikafuata msitu.
Nikaona nyoka wawili mweupe na mweusi. Na mweusi yule akaja na kinwa
wazi anamf ukuza yule mweupe. Nika- ondoka niimi, nikampiga nyoka mweusi,
nikamwua. Yule mweupe akatoka akaenda zake. Akaenda nikamwona akirejea na
nyoka watatu weupe kana yeye. Wakamsbika yule nyoka mweusi, wakamkatakata
vypande vidogo vidogo, wakaisba wakavitupa. Wakaniambia, jamala yako bai-
potei.
Wakaniuliza, weye siye Mobammadi mtepetevu ? Nika- waambia, mimi ndiye
mtepetevu? Wakaniambia tena, jamala yako baij^otei, nawe twalijua liliokutoa
kwenu. Sababu ni mwanamke binti Sherifu, naye mwauamke buyu zamani Maridi
yule akitaka kumwiba. Naye yule si nyani, ni Jini, na yale yaliokwambia
yalaiwa kuna kbazina, si kbazina, vile na vifungo alivyofungwa yeye,
akagcuzwa kwa nyani na Sberifu. Na sasa, wakaniambia, iusballah utamptita
mkeo.
Akaenda akarudi na mtu mmoja mkubwa mno ajabu. Akamwuliza, fullaui wamjua
? Na fullani buyu ndiye Maridi yule aliokuwa nyani. Akamwambia, namjua,
na sasa amegeuka amekuwa bali yake ya kwanza na manamke amempata
amemcbukua aliyekuwa akimngojea. Na sasa amckwenda yuko mji wa Nubds.
Ameona ulimwengu wote hau'mwcki.
MOHAMMED TEE LANGUID. 179
loved my daugliter, and am in bitterness about her ; yet I do not wish
to harm you.'
" And when he said that to me, I saw that so it was. And I arose,
and went to my house, and sat thinking and considering ; and I felt
the house was not the place for me, and I went out to go and look
for my wife. And I went without knowing whither I ought to go ; and I
pressed on the road, and went through a forest.
" And I saw two snakes — a white and a black. And the black one came
with its mouth open, chasing the white one. And I arose, and struck the
black snake, and killed it. The white one went on, and departed. And it
went ; and I saw it returning with three white snakes like itself. And
they took hold of the black snake, and cut it up into little bits, and
threw them away. And they said to me, ' Your courtesy will not be
lost.'
" And they asked me, ' Are you not Mohammed the Languid ?' And I
said, ' I am the languid one.' And they said to me again, ' Your
courtesy will not be lost ; we know what it is that has banished you
from your home. The cause is the Shoreef's daughter, and that Marid
wished long ago to carry off the woman. And he was no ape, he is a
Jin ; and as to what he told you about there being a treasure, there
was no treasure, they were the bonds that bound him ; and he was
changed into an ape by the Shereef. And now,' they said to me, '
please God, you shall get your wife.'
" And they went and returned with a man exceedingly and wonderfully
large. And they asked him, ' Do you know such a one ?' And that such
a one was the Marid that had been a ape. And he said, ' I know him ;
and now he has changed and become as he was at first, and he has got
a wife : he has carried off her that he was watching. And now he has
gone to the city of Nuhas, He found the world no place for him.'
180 MOHAMMAD I MTEPETEVU.
Bassi wamemwambia, mcliukua bwaua wako huyii, wende naye batta niji wa
Nubas, aliko mkewe. Akamwa- nibia, nasikia. Bassi wakamwambia, inama,
akaiuama, wakanitwaa wakauipaudisba juu yake. Akaniambia, buyu ui Maricli,
bassi baiw ulipo juu yake usitbukuru ismu ya Mwenyi ezi Muuugu. kwani
ukitbukiiru ismu ya Mwcnyi ezi Muuugu atayeyuka buyu, kwaui buyu ni
Maridi. Nikawaambia, sitatbukuru.
Akaniambia, jizuia sana juu yangu. Nikajizuia sana. Alipokwisba nizuia,
akaruka, akaenda juu, nami nili bali ya kuwa juu yake. Akapaa batta
tangu ulimwengu nili- pokuwa, incbi nikiona batta nisione tena, nikaliona
bewa tu. Hatta tukaenda, tukasikia tusbiib za Malaika katika mbingu, naye
alina na gbatbabu ya kupaa.
Bassi katika kupaa kule, nikamwona mtu kijana, sura ujema sana, amepiga
na kilemba cba sbali akbtbiir, ame- cbukua na kimwondo cba moto. Akaniita
kwa jina langu, Mobammadi mtepetevu ! Aliponiita, nikamwitikia. Aka-
niambia, tbukuru ismu ya Mwenyi ezi Muungu, ao usipo- tbukuru nitakupiga
kimwondo. Nikatbukuru.
Kadiri ya kutbukm-u, jini aliniacba, nalitoka juu ya maougo yake. Marra
kijana alijioniacba, akampiga kile kimwondo alicbocbukua mkononi, akayeyuka
kama rissas.
Bassi nikawa kujijia zangu batta nikafika cbini. Nika- auguka katika
babari. Kuangukani kwangu nikaona cbombo cba wavuvi. Waliponiona, wakaja
wakaniokota, wakanipakia katika cbombo cbao. Wakanitolea samaki, wakaniokea,
nikala. Nilipokwisba kula nikaona sijambo puude. Ikawa kuselna nami, na
ile lugba yao batusikizani.
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 181
'' Then they had told him, ' Carry this, your master, and go with him
to the city of Nuhas, where his wife is.' And he said, ' I hear.' So
they tokl him, ' Stoop down,' and he stooped down, and they took me
and mounted me upon him. And they tokl me, ' This is a Marid, so while
you are upon him do not invoke the name of Almighty God, for if you
invoke the name of Almighty God he will melt away, for he is a Marid.'
And I said, ' I will make no invocation.'
" And he said to me, ' Hold yourself on well upon me.' And I held on
tightly. When I had got hold, he flew and went up with me, I being
upon him. And he rose, till from the world where I was as I looked to
the earth I saw it no more, I saw the air only. So we went and heard
the praises of the angels in heaven, and he went up furiously.
" Then as we went up, I saw a youth of most fair form, with a turban
made of a green shawl, carrying a liery missile. And he called to me
by my name, ' Mohammed the Languid !' When he called me, I answered
him. And he said to me, ' Invoke the name of Almighty God, or if you
do not invoke it, I will strike you with a missile.' And I invoked it.
" As I invoked it the Jin let go of me, and I went oft" his back.
Immediately the youth, when he let go of me, struck him with the
missile which he carried in his hand, and he melted away like lead.
" So I was coming on my way till I reached the earth. And I fell
into the sea. As I fell I saw a fishing vessel. When they saw me,
they came and picked me up, and took me on board their vessel. And
they took out some fish for me, and broiled them for me, and I ate.
And when I had eaten I found myself a little better. And it was so in
speaking with me in their language, we did not understand
182 MOHMIMABI MTEPETFVU.
Wakanichukua, wakaenda iiami hatta kwa mfalme wao. Yule mfalme wao ajua
kusema Kiarabu na incbi yenyewe katika iuclii za Kihiiidi.
Bassi yule mfalme akasema nami kwa lugLa ya Kiarabu, akaniuliza khabari
zangu, uitokako, nilivyokwenda, liatta uikaokotwa katika babari. Bassi
nikampa khabari zangu zilionipata. Yule mfalme akamwita waziri wakwe, aka-
nitwaa mimi, akampa waziri wakwe, akamwambia, u'mweke kwako, ukamteuda vema
batta arudi bali. Bassi nika- enenda nikamfuata. Akaenenda akanipa nyumba
njema, malalo mema, makula mema, kwa killa jambo la wema akanitenda.
Nikakaa siku nilizokaa kwake. Na katika nyumba ile ualiokaa ina bustani,
nikakaa siku biyo nikafungua dirisha ile iliolekea bustani, nikatezama,
ikauipendeza mno bustani ile. Nikaona mto wa maji ndaui yake, nikapenda
kwenda kuogakatika mto ule. Nikasbuka, nikaenda nikaingia ndani ya maji,
nikaoga. Bassi nikaufuata mto ule, ukauitoa mji.
Nikitabamaka, sikujua nitokako, wala nendako, uikawa kama mtu wa kupigwa
na bimibuazi. Bassi marra ile, nikamwona mtu amepanda frasi, akanijongelea
batta ni- lipo. Akaniita kwa jina langu. Akaniambia, jamala yako haipotei.
Akaniuliza, wanijua mimi ? Nikamwambia, siku- jui. Akaniambia, yule nyoka
mweupe ndimi nduguye. Na sasa nimekuja kulikbatimisba jambo letu. Akaniita,
akaniambia, njoo, tupaude frasi, tukapanda wawili frasi, tukaenenda,
Akaniambia, sasa tumekaribia mji wa Nulias. Nami sijui nitokako, wala
sijui nendako. Sijui mbele, sijui nyuma, nimekuwa mtu tu. Tukaenda,
tukafika pabali pana
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 183
oue another. And they took me and went with me to theii- king. And
their king knew how to speak Arabic, and the country itself was one of
the Indian countries.
" So the king talked with me in the Arabic language, and asked my
news, whence I came and how I was going, till I was picked up in the
sea. So I gave him the news which I had. The king called his vizir,
and took me and gave me to the vizir, and told him, ' Find him a
place with you, and treat him well, till he recovers his health.' So I
went and followed him. And I went on, and he gave me a good house,
and good sleeping accommodation, and good food, and every good thing he
did to me.
" And I remained the days I remained with him. And at the house where
I lived there was a garden, and I sat one day and opened the window
which was towards the garden, and I looked, and the garden pleased me
exceed- ingly. And I saw a stream of water in it. And I longed to go
and bathe in the stream. And I went down, and went and got into the
water and bathed. And then I followed the stream, and it took me out
of the town.
" And when I looked up I did not know whence I came, or whither I
was going, and I was like a man struck with idiotcy. Then all at once
I saw a man on horseback coming towards where I was. And he called me
by my name. And he said to me, ' Your courtesy is not lost.' And he
asked me, ' Do you know me ?' And I said, ' I do not.' And he said,
' I am that white snake's brother ; and now I am come to complete our
business.' And he called me, and said to me, ' Come, let us mount the
horse.' And we both got on the horse and went on.
" And he said to me, ' Now we are near the city of Nuhas.' And I
knew not whence I came, and I knew not whither I was going. I knew
not before and I knew not behind, I was a mere person. And we went,
and arrived
184 MOHAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
jabali, na chini yake mto unapita. BassI tukashuka i)ale jiiu ya jabali.
Niliposliuka uikamtafuta, nisipomwona tena.
Bassi nikarejca liali yangu ileile ya kwanza, nikakaa kitambo kidogo hivi.
Nikamsikia mtn, akanipa salaam, nikarawitikia. Akaniuliza, wanijua mimi ?
Nikamwa- mbia, sikujui. Akaniambia, mimi ni ncTuguye nyoka iiiweiii^e, naswi
watu watatu, kiiUa mmoja amekutenrlea awezalo, bassi na mimi nimeknja
kiikutenrlea niwezalo. Akaniambia, tumekaribia sasa mji wa Nnbas, tumefika,
ni ile unayoiona pale.
Nikamwambia, nimeiona, nitaiingiajo kule '? Akatoa upanga akanipa,
akaniambia, cbukua bun upanga. Na upanga ule umcandikiwa talassimu, wote.
Nikanshika upanga. Nikamwuliza, njia i wapi ya kuingilia ndani ? Nayo nle
mji wa Nubas, mtu mmoja bawezi kufungua mlango, wala wawili, wala watatu,
na mlango wake umefungwa, nitapitia wapi mimi ? Akaniambia, fuata mto wa
maji, na mto buu unaingia ndani ya mji wa Nubas.
Nikafuata mto ule na upanga wangu mimecbukua mkouoni, Nikafuata mto, hatta
nikaingia ndani ya mji, Nikiingia, nimeona mambo ya miujiza, kuUa laoni
ya vitu nikaviona, nivijuavyo nisiovijua. Nikacnenda na upanga wangu
mkononi, baingia katika mji, batembea katika mji. Nami baona nao, lakini
wao bawanioni, kwa sababu ya upanga wangu ilioandikiwa na talassim.
Nikazunguka batta nikamwona manamke, mke wangu. Nilipomwona, marra
nikamtambua, naye akanitambua, nikamjongelea, tukaonaua tukaiilizana
kbabari. Nika-
I
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 185
at a place where there was a mountain, and a river passing under it.
So we dismounted there on the mountain. When I had dismounted I looked
for him, but saw him no more.
" So I returned to just my first plight, and waited so a little while.
And I heard some one salute me, and I replied to him. And he asked
me, ' Do you know me '?' And I said, 'I do not.' And he said to me,
' I am the white snake's brother ; there are three of us, each one has
done what he could for you, and so I have come to do what I can for
you.' And he said to me, ' We are near the city of Nuhas, we have
reached it, that is it which you see there.'
" And I said, ' I see it ; how shall I get in there ?' And he took
out a sword and gave it me, and said to me, ' Carry this sword.' And
the sword was all written over with charms. And I took hold of the
sword, and I asked him, ' Where is the path to enter in by ?' — As
for that city of Nuhas, no one man could open the gate, nor two, nor
three, and the gate is fastened. — ' Where shall I pass in ?' And he
said, ' Follow the stream of water, the stream goes into the city of
Nuhas.'
" And I followed the stream and carried my sword in my hand. And I
followed the stream until I entered into the city. And as I entered I
saw marvellous things — every species of things ; I saw those that I
knew, and those I knew not. And I went with my sword in my hand, and
entered into the city, and walked about in the city. And I saw them,
but they did not see me, because of my sword which was inscribed with
charms.
" And I wandered rotmd till I saw a woman, my wife. When I saw her,
immediately I recognized her, and she recognized me, and I came near to
her, and we met and asked the news of one another. And I asked her,
' Who
186 MOIIAMMADI MTEPETEVU.
mwuliza, aliyekuleta huku nani ? Akaniambia, alionileta liuku ni yule
nyani. Ulipokwislia kufanyiza amali ile, naliona mtu akanicliukua, bassi
hatukukaa mahali ilia huku. Na killa mahali atakapo kukaa, hapakumweka,
ilia huku, kwani huku mwana Adamu hana tamaa ya kufika huku. Bassi sasa
amekuja aniweke huku. Naye amckwenda tembea, bassi huku haji isipokuwa kwa
siku zake. Na sasa usifanye khofu wcwe, maadam ya kufika huku wewe
tukaonana mimi nawe, na kwetu tutakwenda.
Bassi akauieleza khabari zake. Akaniambia, amri zote za Majini ya katika
mji huu wa Nuhas, amri zake, zina yeye. Naye ana amali hufanyiza za
kuwafunga Majini. Nawe sasa enenda. Akaniagiza. Utaona mtaimbo, una na
pete, pana na chetezo, pana na buhuri. Utwae buhui'i, utie ndani ya
chetezo, ufukize mtaimbo, usome na azma zake, utwae pete hii, ugonge na
mtaimbo ile pete, iliomo na mtaimbo. Bassi watakutokea Majini, kulla
namna, kulla mmoja kwa fazaa ya nafsi yake. Na watakapokuja, watakuambia,
sisi tu watumwa wako, na amri amri yako, tuamru utakalo, tutafanyizia.
Bassi wakiisha kuja, amri ni ya wewe, lile utakalo kumtenda nathari yako
tena.
Na maneno haya mke waugu amenieleza. Nikaondoka, nikacnda upesi palipo
mtaimbo, nikatonda kama alivyonia- mbia. Nalipokwisha kwa kugonga mtaimbo
ule, marra naona waana wanitokea, waugine jicho moja, wangine mkono moja,
wangine mguu moja, kwa kulla namna wakauitokea. Wakaniambia, neno gani
utakalo, sisi watumwa wako, na amri ni wako. Nena utakalo. Nika- waambia
mimi, yuko wapi Maridi aliokuja na mke huku, ndiye aliogeuzwa nyani ?
Wakaniambia, hako amekwenda
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 187
brought you here?' And she said, ' It was the ape brought me here.
When you had finished doing your work, I saw a man, and he carried me
away. Then we stayed not anywhere but here. And wherever he wished to
stay it did not suit him, except here, for here no mortal man has any
desire to reach this place. So now he has come and put me here. And
now he is gone on a journey, and here he only comes on his days. And
now, do not be afraid, since you have arrived here and you and I have
met, we shall go to our home also.'
" And so she explained to me her news. And she told me, ' All the
commands of the Jins in this city of Nuhas are his, he has them. And
he has works prepared to bind the Jins. Now then be going.' And she
gave me direc- tions. ' You will see an iron bar, it has a ring, and
there is an incense pot and there is incense. Take the incense, and put
it in the censer, and read while it is fuming, and take the ring, and
strike with the iron bar the ring which is with the bar. So the Jins
will appear to you of every form, each one in anxiety about himself.
And when they come, they will say to you, ' We are your slaves, and
our command is yours. Order us what you will, we will do it for you.
So when they are come, the ordering is yours ; what you wish to do to
him is then as you choose.'
"And these words my wife explained to me. And I arose, and went quickly
where the iron bar was, and T did as she had told me. And when I had
finished striking the bar, at once I saw beings appear to me ; some
with one eye, some with one arm, some with one leg, and of every form
they appeared to me. And they said, ' What matter is it you desire? We
are your slaves, and the ordering is yours. Say what you desire.' And I
said to them, ' Where is the Marid who came here with a wife ? it was
he who was changed into an ape.' And they said,
188 MOIJAMMABI MTEPETEVU.
tembea, lakini mwezi wa jiili ainetoka knenda kutembea, na huu ndio wakti
wake wa kuja. Nikawaambia, upcsi mfungeni, mleteni. Marra ile nikamwona
ameletwa mbele yangu, naye mikouo nyuma. Nikamwuliza, wewe ndiye uliomchukua
binti yule ? Akaniambia, ni mimi. Bassi nikamwarobia, kama Sherifu
aliokugeuza nyani akakutupia ulimwengiini, mimi nitakutia ndani ya cbupa la
sliaba nitakutiipa bahariui.
Bassi nikamtwaa yule, nikamtia ndani ya cliupa la shaba. Nikamchukua kwa
binti yule, tukamtupa baharini. Bassi nikawaamrisba Majini, killa kitu cba
tunu, cLa hedaya, kuvicbukua. Na mimi na mkc wangu tumekaa juu ya ulili,
na mtaimbo, na chetezo, na bubui-i yake, na kulla kinipeudezacbo.
Nikawaamrisba Majini kutucbukua.
Wakatucbukua Majini hatta tukafika mji wa Bassara, wakanitia ndani ya
nyumba yangu. Nikamwita mkwe wangu. Sberifu, assubui, akaja na mama yangu
na jamaa zangu, na nipendao. Wakaja, tukaonana kwa fiu'aba, kwa kusema, na
kwa kucbeka Ikafanya harrusi vingine tena, tukafauya barrusi kubwa na
furaba, na babaye binti yule akafxiraha mno, Bass, tukakaa kitako kwa
fm'aba. kwa kusema na kucbeka.
Na baya, usinene mimi kukufanyizia kwa sababu ya kuogopa, lakini nimeona
vitu bivi bavinisulibi mimi, bassi nimeona ni kberi nikupe wewe, wewe
Kalifa mtu mkubwa, na mimi mtu mdogo.
Kalifa akamwambia, absanta, nawe kaa kitako papa hapo, usiende tena
Bassara. Wakatolcwa watu kwenda Bassara, kwenda kuhamisba vyombo vyake.
Wakaja na- vyo incbi ya Bagbdadi, akakaa kitako raba mustarebe.
MOHAMMED THE LANGUID. 189
' He is not here ; he is gone on a journey, but it is the second
mouth since he went on his journey, and this is his time for coming.'
And I said to them, ' Quick ! bind him and bring him.' At once I saw
him brought before me, and his hands behind him. And I asked him, ' Are
you he that carried off that Lady ?' And he said, ' It was I.' So I
said to him, ' As the Shereef turned you into an ape and cast you out
upon the world, so I will 2)ut you in a bottle of copper, and will
cast you into the sea.'
" Then I took him and put him into a bottle of copper, and carried
him to the damsel, and we cast him into the sea. So I ordered the
Jins to carry away every choice thing and every rarity. And myself and
my wife, we sat upon a coiich, with the bar, and the incense-pot and
its incense, and everything that pleased me. And I ordered the Jins to
carry us.
" And the Jins carried us until we reached the city of Bussorah, and
put us inside my house. And I called my father-in-law, the Shereef, in
the morning, and he came with my mother, and my relations, and those I
loved. And they came, and we met joyfully, talking and laughing. And we
made a fresh kind of marriage, and we made a great wedding with joy,
and the damsel's father rejoiced exceedingly. And so we dwelt in joy,
talking and laugh- ing.
" And as for these things, say not that I prepared them for you
through fear, but I felt that these things did not become me, and so I
thought I had better give them to you — you are the caliph, and a
great man, and I am a little man."
And the caliph said to him, " Thanks ; and do you remain here ; go not
again to Bussorah." And people were chosen to go to Bussorah, to go and
remove his goods. And they came with them to the country of Baghdad, and
he dwelt in peace and perfect satisfaction.
MIFANO.
PEOVERBS.
MIFANO.
Haraka, liaraka, haina baraka.
Ulimi hauna mfupa.
Mviinda nti mwana nti, mgeui mzo minima.
Kipya kinyemi, kigawa kionda.
Mbio za sakafuni hwisHa ukingoni.
Kazi mbi si mtezo mwema ?
Si taajabuni, waana Adamu, marnbo yalio duuiani.
Kilimia kikizamakwa jua, huzuka kwa mvua ; kikizama kwa mvua, buzuka kwa
jua.
Sabani iliofnuikwa, kilicbomo kimestirika.
Hakuna msiba asiokuwa mwenziwe.
Angurumapo simba, mteza nani ?
PROVERBS.
HuiTving, hiuTyiug, has no blessing.
The tongue has no bone.
The destroyer of the country is a child of the country ; a stranger
does not weigh two hundred-weight.
A new thing is good, though it be a sore place.
Running on a roof ends at the edge of it.
Is not poor work good play ?
Wonder not, children of men, at the things that are in this world.
If the Pleiades rise in sun, they set in rain ; if they rise in rain,
they set in sun.
If a dish is covered, what is in it is hidden.
There is no grief without a companion.
Who will dance to a lion's roaring ?
0
194 MIFANO.
Saburi ni ufiinguo wa faraja. Abadi. abadi, ukambaa watinda jiwe. Ndovu
wawili wakisongana ziumiazo nyika. Udongo upate iili maji.
Mlevi wa mvinyo hulevuka, mlevi wa mali balevuki. Kikulacbo kinguoni
mwako. Maombolezo katika kilio si mwema, Usubi awcza kupenya mote.
Ametumbukia kisimani.
PEOVERBS. 19
Patience is the key of consolation.
Continually, continually, tlie cord cuts the stone.
When two elephants struggle it is the grass that suffers.
Use your clay while it is wet.
He that is drunk with wine gets sober, he that is di-unk with wealth
does not.
What bites is in your own clothes.
Loud lamentations are not becoming in mourning.
A sand-fly can get through anything.
He has fallen into a well.
SULTANI MAJINUNI.
SULTAN MAJNUN.
SULTAXI MAJINUXI.
SuLTANi Majinuni alioa mke, binti amu yake, akazaa naye mtoto wa kwanza
mwanamume, akazaa naye na mtoto wa pili mwanamume, akazaa naye na mtoto
ua tatu mwanamume, akazaa na mtoto wa nne mwanamume, akazaa naye na mtoto
wa tano mwanamume, akazaa naye na mtoto wa sita mwanamume, akazaliwa
mtoto wa saba kitincla mimba mwanamimie. Sultani akafurahi sana kwa kupata
simba wale.
Akakaa Sultani, akafanya bustani kuu, akapanda matimda yote ya ulimwengu
ayajuaye yeye, naye asiyoyajua akau- liza kwa watu akai)ata, akapanda.
Akapanda na mtende moja, akapanda na jamii ya mbogamboga, killa siku
aliya- kwenda katika bustani marra tatu, aliyakwenda saa ya kwanza, akaenda
na saa tissia, akaenda na saa edhashara li nussu.
Sultani akakaa na watoto wake, akawatia chuoni, waka- soma wakailitimu
wakafundisliwa barua, wakajua.
Bassi katika watoto wale, yule wa saba, baba yake hampendi. Kazi yake
yule mtoto hatoki jicboni kwa waa- naake, hatoki katika chini ya viau
kwa waanaake. Akaka- sirika sana baba yake sababu yule kiikaa kwa
waanaake.
SULTAN MAJNUN.
Sultan Majnijn married a wife, the daughter of his uncle, and she bare
him her fii'st chikl, a boy ; and she bare him a second child, a boy ;
and she bare him a third child, a boy ; and she bare him a fourth
child, a boy ; and she bare him a fifth child, a boy ; and she bare
him a sixth child, a boy ; and a seventh child was born, the last
slie bare, a boy. And the sultan was exceedingly glad at getting those
lions.
And the sultan lived on, and made a gi-eat garden, and planted all the
fruits of the world that he knew, and those that he knew not he
inquired of people, and got them and planted them. And he planted one
date-tree. And he planted all kinds of vegetables. Every day he went
three times into his garden : he went there at seven, he went there at
three, and he went there at half-past five.
And the sultan dwelt with his chikben, and put them to school, and they
read, and their education was finished, and they were taught to write
letters, and learnt.
Now amongst those children his father disliked the seventh. What this
child did was, that he did not go out of the kitchen from among the
women, he did not go out from imder the mortar for cleaning corn among
the women. And his father was much vexed because he stayed amongst the
women. And he had talked to him a good
200 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
Amenena naye sana,hasiku,amempiga, liasikii, amemfunga, hasikii, bassi tena
Sultani amechoka mambo yake, ame- mwachilia mbali.
Akakaa Sultani, liatta ule mtende wake, kikachanua kilele, liatta baada ya
mwezi kupita, akapata clalili ya kuzaa mtende wa Sultani, akafurahi sana,
akamwita waziri, akamwambia waziri, mtende wangu unazaa, Akam^va- mbia amii-
i, mtende wangu unazaa. Akawaambia makatbi, mtende wangu imazaa. Akawaambia
na wote matajiri wangwana waliomo katika mji,
Akakaa baada za siku kupita, mtende zile tende zina- fanya kuiva.
Akawaita watoto wake wote sita. Aka- waambia, yule mtoto mmoja bamo pamoja
nanyi, amekaa kamma mwanamke, bassi nipeni sbauri yenu waanangu.
Wakamwuliza, kama ipi, baba? Akawaambia, nataka mtoto mmoja katika ninyi
akaungojee ule mtende hatta tende ziwive, nipate kula tende zile. Siwezi
kuwacha mtende ule pekeyake, naogopa watumwa watakula, ao huja ndege
wakala. Bassi nataka wende ukaungojee mtende. Akamwambia, Ee walla !
Akaenda zake.
Kumejengwa nyumba njema. Akikaa kitako kule hatta usiku. Akawakusanya
watumwa wote wa shamba, waka- piga ngoma chini ya mtende. Aogopa yule
kijana, aka- sema, nikilala ndani, huendamtumwa akaja usiku akapanda juu ya
mtende, akaiba tende, ao huenda akaja ndege mku- bwa usiku akala tende,
na tende zimewiva tena. Bassi na tucheze ngoma hapa chini ya mtende
hatta ussubui.
Wakapiga ngoma, hatta ulipokoma nussu ya usiku waka-
SULTAN 3IAJNUN. 201
deal and he paid no heed, and he had beaten him and he paid no heed,
and he had tied him np and he paid no heed. So at last the sultan
was tired of his business, and let him go out of the way.
And the sultan lived on till his date-tree threw up a pointed shoot,
and after a month had passed, he found signs that the sultan's date-tree
would bear, and he was very glad, and called the vizir, and told the
vizir, " My date-tree is bearing ;" and he told the officers " My
date- tree is bearing ;" and he told the jiidges, " My date-tree is
bearing." And he told all the rich gentlemen that were in the town.
And ho waited till after some days had passed, the dates were preparing
to ripen uj^on the date-tree. And he called his sons, all the six, and
he said, " That one child is not amongst you, he has stayed behind
like a woman. Now give me your advice, my sons." And they asked, ''On
what, father?" And he said, "I want one son amongst you to vv^atch the
date-tree till the dates are ripe, that I may get to eat those dates.
I cannot leave the date-tree by itself, I fear the slaves will eat
them, or some bird will come and eat them. So I want you [that one] to
go and watch the date-tree." And he said, " All right," and went off.
There was a good house built, and he sat there till the night. And he
gathered all the slaves of the plantation and they beat the drums under
the date-tree. The youth feared, and said, " If I sleep inside, perhaps
a slave will come in the night, and climb up the date-tree, and steal
the dates ; or, perhaps, some great bird will come in the night and eat
the dates, and besides, the dates are ripe. Let us dance then here
under the date-tree till the morn- ing."
And they beat the drums till, when half the night was
202 SULTAXI MAJIXUXT.
ona baridi sana bado bawakuweza kustahimili baridi ile. Wakacbeza liatta
yalipokoma saa ya kumi, wakalala wale wote cliini ya mtende. Yule mtoto
amekaa kitako, akao- ndoka mtumwa wake mmoja, akamwambia, bwana, lala ati.
Akamwambia, nitalalaje mimi, na mimi nimcletwa, ku- ngojea mtende ?
Akamwambia, sasa saa kumi hii, na ma- jogoi yanawika, bassi kitu gani
kitakacbokuja sasa penyi mtende huu, batatbubutu, bawezi kuja mtu, wala
ndege. Mtoto akamwambia, mimi siwezi kwenda kulala. Aka- mwambia, enende
kalala kumekuwa kweupe tena. Aka- mwambia, wajua kweli nitakweuda lala.
Akaenda zake, akalala.
Muda wa kitambo kupita, akasbuka ndege akila zile tende, asisaze batta
moja. Akaruka akaenda zake. Hatta kulipopambazuka, akiwa mtu msimamizi wao
akiutazama mtende, hamna tende. Akiondoka mbio, batta kwa bwana wake mdogo,
akamkuta amelala. Akimamsba, Kibwana ! Kibwana ! Akazindukana, akamwambia,
wataka nini ? Akamwambia, baba yako alikuleta kuungojea mtende na ule
mtende buknungojea, na tende zimeliwa na ndege zote. Akamwambia, sema
kweli. Akamwambia, maneno baya kweli, nawe ondoka ukatazame. Akiondoka
mtoto, batta akifika penyi mtende akaona tende bamna, akasangaa. Nikienda
nimwambie baba yangu, nimwambie, tende zime- liwa na watu, niseme, tende
zimeliwa na ndege, ao niseme imekunya mvua mkubwa jana usilvu, na toiixni
imevuma kubwa, nimwambie, tende zimepukutika zote cbini. Ata- uiambia,
enende kazoe, uniletec, nitazame bizo zalizopu- kutika na tofani na mvua,
na pale cbini bapana, manenoye
SULTAN MAJNUN. 203
over, tliey felt it very cold, so that they could not endure that cold.
They danced till four o'clock was passed, and they all fell asleep under
the date-tree. The lad was sitting down, and a slave of his got up and
said to him, " Master, go to sleep, I say." And he said, " How shall
I go to sleep, when I was sent to watch the date-tree ?" And he said,
" Now it is fom* o'clock, and the cocks are crowing. What is it then
that will come now near the date-tree ? neither man nor bii'd dare, nor
could come." The lad said, "I cannot go and sleep." And he said, " Go
and sleep, it is getting light, too." And he said, " You are right, I
will go and sleep." And he went and slept.
When a little space had passed, a bird came down and ate the dates,
without leaving even one. And it flew off and v/ent away. And when it
was light, one of their chief servants looked at the date-tree — there
were no dates. And he went running to his master's son, and found him
asleep. And he woke him, " Yoimg master ! young master!" And he woke
up, and said, " What do you want?" And he said, " Your father sent
you to watch the date-tree, and you have not watched it, and the dates
have been all eaten by some bird." And he said, " Speak the truth." And
he said, " These words are the truth ; get up yourself and look." The
lad got up ; and when he arrived near the date-tree he saw there were
no dates. And he stood staring. " When I go and tell my father, am I
to tell him, ' The dates have been eaten by people '?' am I to say, '
The dates have been eaten by birds ?' or am I to say, ' A great rain
fell yesterday in the night and a great storm blew ?' am I to tell
him, ' The dates have all fallen off ?' He will say to me, ' Go and
gather thum up and bring me that I may see what have been beaten off
by the storm and the rain,' and there on the ground there
204 S UL TAXI MAJIXUXI.
yamekuwa ya uwongo. Ah ! nifanye sliauri gani ? Mimi nitakwenda zangu
kwa baba nimAvambie, walikuja Mabedui wakanifukuza, huku nyuma nalij)orudi
tende nikitazama ndani ya mtende liamna. Ataniambia, watumwa wako wote wale
msiwapige ? Manenoye yamekuwa ya uwongo. Hatakubali mzee maneno haya. Mimi
kesbo nitakwenda kwa baba, nitamwambia, mtende mimi naliungojea hatta
walipokuwa alfajiri, nako tena kunapambazuka haondoka enda kujinyosha
kidogo, hatta nikipita mda kidogo kume- kucha, nikimwona mtwana, akinijia
akiniamsha, akania- mbia, bwana, mtende hamna tende hatta moja. Nikiondoka,
nikaeuda hatta nikafika penyi mtende hautazama mtende, kweli, hamna tende.
Bassi nami nimekuja kwako baba. Wewe kisu, mimi nyama, utakavyo vyote
nitende. Haya ndiyo maneno mema, afathali kunena kweli, kama kunena uwongo,
Akaondoka hatta kwa babaye. Akamkuta babaye amekaa kitako barazini na
watoto wake wale watano. Akija pale akimwamkia baba yake. Akamwambia, nipe
khabari za katika bustani, Akamwambia, khabari njema mbaya. Gissi gani kuwa
mbaya, gissi gani kuwa njema ? Aka- mwambia, mbaya, ule mtende, tende
zimeliwa na ndege zote, haikusaa hatta moja. Akamwambia, walikuwa wapi
hatta mtende wangu ukaliwa na ndege ? Akamwa- mbia, mimi naliungojea
mtende hatta alfajiri, na majogoi wanawika, tena kumepambazuka, haondoka
pale kwenda kujinyosha kidogo, man-a akinitokea nokoa, akaniamsha. Xikaamka
hamwuliza, wataka nini ? Akaniambia, wewe umekuja kuungojea mtende?
Nikamwambia, nimekuja kuungojca mtende. Akaniambia bassi katika
mtende
SULTAN MAJNUN. 205
are none. ' His words liave become lies.' Ali ! what plan am I to make
? Shall I go to my father and tell him, ' Bedouins came and drove me
away, and when I went back and looked at the date-tree there were no
dates ?' He will say to me, ' All those slaves were there, and yon
did not fight with them. His words are become lies.' The old man will
not acce^it these words. I will go to-mor- row to my father, and tell
him, ' I watched the date-tree till the time of early prayers, and when
it was getting light I went to lie down a little, and when I had
passed a little space it dawned, and I saw a slave coming to me to
wake me, and telling me, " Master, the date-tree has no dates on it,
not even one." And I arose and went, and when I arrived near the date-
tree, and looked at the date- tree, it was true there were no dates.
And so, father, I am come to you ; you are the knife and I am the
animal, do with me everything you will.' This is the best to say. Better
tell the truth than tell a lie."
And he went away to his father's ; and he found his father sitting on
his baraza with his five sons. And when he came he saluted his father.
And he said, " Give me the news from the garden." And he said, "
There is good news and bad." " What sort of good and what sort of bad
?" And he said, " The bad is that, as to the date-tree, the dates
have been all eaten by some bird, there is not so much as one left."
And he said, " Where were you that my date-tree was eaten by a
bird ?" And he said, " I watched the date-tree till the time of early
prayers, and the cocks were crowing, it was getting light too, and I
arose and went to lie down a little. Imme- diately the second head-man
came and roused me. And I awoke and asked him, ' What do you want ?'
And he said, ' Did you come to watch the date-tree ?' And I said, I
did. And he said, ' Well, there is not one date on the
20fi SULTAN I MAJINUNI.
hamna tende hatta moja. Nikiondoka nikienda hatta mteudeni hatazama haona
kwcli, hamna tende hatta moja. Bassi, khabari ni hizo za katika bustani,
nami sina la zayidi.
Akamwambia, nimekuuliza khabari za katika bustani, umeniambia Ichabari
mbili, umeniambia khabari njema na mbaya, mbaya nimekwisha kuziona kama
tende zangu zimeliwa na ndege, bassi nambie na hizo njema. Akamwa- mbia na
hizi njema si miye mwana nimerudi salama ? Akamwambia, si mwanangii
sikntaki. Akamwambia, kana mwana wewe wa kula na kulala tu, utakajiokuwa
mtu atakapokwambia, wee baba twaa hiin mchanga unitie wa macho, hutaknbali
wee. Bassi mwana gani wee? Siku- taki, enda zako, baba.
Akawaambia, safari hii ukizaa mtende wangu nitampe- leka mtoto mwingine,
hwenda akaungojea, hwenda nikapata tende nikalimbuka.
Akakaa muda wa miczi mingi, mtende ukazaa sana usichokuwa na kifani,
ukakaa hatta karibu na kuiva, nathani, imesalia siku moja kuiva. Akatwaa
mtoto aka- mpeleka. Akamwambia, mwanangu nakupeleka katika bustani, natamaui
tende hizi mwaka huu kuzilimbuka. Akamwambia, baba yangu, nnakwenda zangu
mimi sasa, hatta ussubui likikoma jua saa ya kwanza, mlete mtu aje
akutwalie tende. Akamwambia, vema, mwanangu, napenda nilimbuke tende kesho.
Akaondoka mtoto akaenda zake. Hatta akafika bustani akalala sana hatta
imekuwa tena, nathani, saa saba ya usiku, akiondoka akaenda hatta
mtendeni, akaziona tende nzuri, matawi yananying'inia. Akauona mtende imie-
sitawi sana, akanena. Ah ! tende hizi babangu kesho
SULTAN MAJNUN. 207
tree.' And I got up and went to the date-tree, and looked and saw it
was true, there was not so mucli as one date there. So then, this is
the news from the garden, and I have no more."
And he said, " I asked you the news from the garden, and you told me
two sorts of news ; you told me there was good news and bad. I have
seen already the bad news, that my dates have been eaten by some bird,
so tell me the good." And he said, " And the good, is it not that I
your son have come back safe '?" And he said, " Not my son, I don't
want you." And he said, " A son like you only to eat and to sleep,
when it shall happen that any one shall say to you, ' Here father take
some of this dust and put in my eyes,' you will refuse [for laziness].
What sort of a son are you then ? I don't want you, go your way,
father."
And he said to them, " This time when my date-tree bears I will send
another son, perhaps he will watch, and perhaps I shall get some dates
to taste the crop."
And he waited many months, and the date- tree bore so well as was never
the like, and he waited till near the ripening. I suppose there remained
but one day before the ripening. And he took a son, and sent him, and
he said, " My son, I send you to the garden, I long for those dates
that I may taste them this year." And he said, " My father, I am
going now, and in the morning when the sun has past seven o'clock, send
me some one to come and take the dates." And he said, " Very good, my
son, I should like to taste the dates to-morrow."
And the son arose and went his way. When he reached the garden he
slept soimdly till it was, I su2)pose, one o'clock in the morning, and
he arose and went to the date- tree, and saw the dates were fine and
the bunches swinging. And he saw the date-tree was very floui-ishing, and
he
208 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
atakula liizi, nitakaa mimi, kama yule mpumbafu akaja kulala usingizi
burre, sasa baba amekwisha mchukia yule. Bassi mimi leo nitakaa hapa,
nimtazame buyo ndege anao- kuja kula tende hizi, nimwoue mimi leo. Akakaa
kitako akasoma sana. Akasikia majogoi yanawika, akautazame rateude akaziona
teude zipo, akanena, Oh ! baba yangu kesho atakula tende, athani mimi
kama yule mpumbafu. Ukafanya kupambauka kidogo, ukampata usingizi. Aka-
sema, Ah ! nitegemee kidogo hapa penyi shiua la mtende, usingizi
ukamtwaa, ukimtwaa usingizi ndege akashukia mtende akala hatta asisaze
hatta moja, naye yupo chini ya mtende, akalala, na msahafu wake kwapaui.
Hatta kulipopambazuka akija yule nokoa wake, aki- utazama mtende, hapaua
tende. Alipotupa macho chini akamwona bwana wake amelala chini ya mtende.
Aka- mwambia, Bwana ! Bwana ! Akamwitikia, naam ! Aka- mwambia umelala na
tende zote zimeliwa na ndege. Kweli 'i Akamwambia, tupe macho juu,
utazame. Akitupa macho, akaona tende hamna. Akasangaa, akili zake
zimepotea, mashikio yake yameziba, niiguu yake ikatetemeka, ulimi ukiwa
mzito, akatekewa.
Akaondoka mtiunwa wake akamwambia, Je ! Bwana, una uini ? Akamwambia, mimi
mgonjwa sana leo. Aka- mwambia, kufa ku karibu kuliko kupona.
Akamwambia, ugonjwa wako gani, bwana ? Akamwa- mbia, mimi siumwi na kitwa,
wala simnwi na tumbo, wala siumwi na ubavu, wala siumwi na mgongo, wala
siumwi na kiuno, wala siumwi na miguu, wala siumwi na mikono,
SULTAN MAJNUN. 209
said, " Ah ! these dates, my father shall eat them to-mor- row, I will
stay, though that fool came lying down asleep for nothing, and now his
father hates him. Well, I will stay and look at this bird that comes
eating these dates, that I may see it this day." And he sat down and
read much [in his Koran]. And he heard the cocks crowing, and he looked
at the date-tree, and he saw the dates were there. And he said, "
Oh ! to-morrow my father shall eat dates, he thinks me like that fool."
And it began to dawn a little, and drowsiness came upon him. And he
said, " Ah ! let me lean a little here against the trunk of the tree
;" and sleep took him, and as sleep took him the bird came down upon
the date-tree, and ate till there was not one left ; and he was there
under the tree, sleeping with his Koran under his arm.
So when it was light the head-man came and looked at the date-tree, and
there were no dates. And when he cast his eyes below, he saw his
master asleep under the date- tree. And he said, " Master ! Master !"
And he answered, " Yes." And he said, " You have been asleep, and all
the dates have been eaten by the bird." " Is it true ?" And he said,
" Cast your eyes up and look." And he cast his eyes up, and saw there
were no dates. And he stared, and his wits forsook him, and his ears
were stopped, and his legs trembled, and his tongue was heavy, and he
was all bewildered.
And his slave went and said to him, " Hullo ! Master, what is the
matter with you ?" And he said, " I am a very sick man to-day." And
he said, " I am nearer dying than getting well."
And he said, " What is your complaint, master ?" And he said, " I
have no pain in my head, and no pain in my stomach, and no pain in
my side, and no pain in my back, and no pain in my loins, and no
pain in my legs, and no
p
210 S UL TAN I MAJINUNI.
viwiliwili vyangu vyote vizima, na viwiliwili vyaugii vyote vigonjwa.
Gissi gani, bwana, ugonjwa liuu?
Akamwambia, sababu ya ugonjwa huu ni sababu ya kuogopa leo baba yangu.
Saa ya kwanza ikapiga, ataleta mtu illi kutwaa tende, nami nalimwambia
baba yangu, kama kesho saa ya kwanza utalimbuka tcncle. Bassi mimi tena
simekuwa mwongo, mimi simekuwa mpumbavu, nami baba atanifukuza kama
amemfukuza ndugu yangu, kwa sababu ya kukosa kula tende.
Akamwambia, bass, bwana, utafanyajc, na jambo lime- kwisba kuwa ?
Ah ! bassi nitafanyaje tena ? Nitakwenda mimi kabla hajamleta mtu hapa.
Akitoka akaeuda zake, Hatta akifika katika njia amkuta mtu akicbukua kombe
kubwa, na kitambaa cbeupe cha kufimikia tende, na kisu kikali cba kukatia
tawi la mtende. Akamwambia, Je! unakwenda api? Akamwa- mbia, nimetumwa na
babako kuja kwako. Baba yako anieni- tuma kukata tawi moja la mtende
lilioiva, unitilie katika kombe hili nipeleke. Akamwambia, Yeye baba ataka
zilizoiva, tende bizo mbichi zipo, rudi, twende zetu. Aka- mwambia, Ee
walla.
Hatta alipofika mwangoni pao, akamwona baba yake amekaa kitako, yee na
nduguze watu wanne. Akamwa- mbia, Bwana, Sabalkbeiri ! Akamwambia, karibu.
Aka- mwambia, umemwona mtu naliomleta ? Akamwambia, nimemwona, Bwana.
Nimemwambia, umkatie tawi la tende laliowiva. Akamwambia, licha
laliloiva, hatta bichi liko ?
Ah ! wamekwenda fanya nini wee ? Watu walinena.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 211
pain in my arms ; my whole body is well, and my whole body is sick."
" What kind of complaint can this be, master ?" And he said, " The
cause of this complaint is because this day I fear my father. Seven
o'clock has struck, and he will send some one here to take the dates ;
and I told my father, and to-morrow at seven o'clock you shall taste the
dates. What then, am I not become a liar ? am I not become a fool ?
and my father will drive me away as he drove away my brother, because
he missed eating the
And he said, " Well, master, what will you do, and the thing is
done ?"
"Ah! then, what shall I do more.'' I will go myself before he has sent
any one here."
And he set out and went his way. And when he was on the road he met
with a man carrying a large dish, and a white napkin to cover the
dates with, and a sharp knife to cut the bunches of dates with. And he
said, " Hullo, where are you going ?" And he said, " I am sent by
your father to come to you. Yoiu- father sent me to cut one quite
rii)e bunch from the date-tree, and you to put it in the dish for me,
and I am to take it." And he said, " My father wants those that are
ripe, the dates there are not ripe yet, go back, let us be going." And
he said, " All right !"
And when he arrived at their door he saw his father sitting, he and
his four brothers. And he said, " Master, SabalMeir .'" [good morning].
And he said, " Come near." And he said, " Have you seen the man I
sent ?" And he said, " I have, master." " I told him you would cut
him a bunch of dates that was ripe." And he said, " Not to speak of
ripe ones, is there an unripe one there ?"
" Ah ! What did you go to do ? People have said, to
212 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
kuzaa kupona, kumbe kuzaa kwangu mimi ni kiifa ? Vijaua viwili
inwaliokwenda katika bustani, pasiwe mtoto alionilimbusha tende. Bassi kuzaa
buku kwa nini na watu wauena, mwenyi kuzaa kui^ona, na kupona buko?
Msiueue, niuyi watoto, mtanitia mimi robo, kupona kwangu ni kutaka kitu
nikakipata, robo yangu ikafurabi, udio kupona kwangu ni kumwona mtu ataka
kunipiga, ukapi- gana naye ukanigombea mimi baba yako, ndio kupona kwangu,
nikikutuma pabali, ukaenda, ukajua kunena na watu, ukajua mazumgumzo na
watu, ukamjiia mkubwa na mdogo, ukamjua tajiri na maskini, bassi udiko
kupona kwangu. Bassi, nyie waanangu, mwaka wa pili buu sipati kula tende,
tende zangu mimi, buzisikia kwa masbikio, kwa macho nisizione. Bassi
niondokee enenda zako. Akaondoka akaenda zake.
Akawaambia, ninyi, waanangu waliosalia watu wanne. Ukizaa sasa mtende,
atakaokwenda akaungojea batta nikapata tende nikazilimbuka, nitamfanyia
barrusi ya miezi mitatu.
KiUa mtu pale wale vijaua wanancna, baba, nitakwenda mimi; namwingine,
baba, nitakwenda mimi ; na mwingine akamwambia, baba, nitakwenda mimi ; na
mwingine akamwambia, baba, nitakwenda mimi. Akawaambia, vema, killa atakaye
na aende, lakini mimi nataka waenende mmoja mmoja. Wakamwambia, Vema,
bwana.
Akakaa muda wa miezi mingi ukazaa mtende, ukazaa Sana, ukaacba kuzaa,
ukawayawaya. Akawaambia watoto, mtende tmaezaa, na mwaka buu kuzaa kwake
ni sana Ifuliko miaka yote. Akamwambia, nitakwenda mimi baba, yule mkubwa
kuliko bawa. Akamwambia, ngoja kwanz.i zipevukc. Bassi akakaa kitako
batta akaletewa kbabari.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 213
get children is health. How is it that my getting children is death ?
Two yonng men of you have gone to the garden, and not one son has
given me a date to taste. With this getting children then, how is it
that people say, he that gets children gets health ? Is this health ?
Don't say, you children, that you will give me life ; my health is to
want a thing and get it, and my soul to be glad, this is my health ;
it is to see a man wanting to strike me and you fight with him, and
you strive for me your father, this is my health ; if I send you
anywhere and you go, and know how to speak with people, and know how
to converse with people, and know great from small, and know rich from
poor, this is my health. And so my sons, this second year I have not
succeeded in eating a date ; as for my dates I hear of them with my
ears without seeing them with my eyes. Get away from me then, and go
about your business." And he went and deiMrted.
And he said, " You my sons, you four that are left. When the date-tree
bears, he that shall go and watch it till I get the dates and taste
them, I will make him a wedding feast of three months.
Each one of those youths who were there said, " Father, I will go ;"
and another said, " Father, I will go ;" and another said, "Father,!
will go;" and another said, " Father, I will go." And he said, " Very
good, every one that wishes, let him go, but I want you to go one by
one." And they said, " Very good, father."
And he waited for many months, and the date-tree bore, and it bore
much, and left off bearing, and swayed down. And he said to his
children, " The date-tree has borne, and its bearing this year is the
greatest of any year." And the eldest of them said, " I will go,
father." And he said, " Wait a bit, let them get their full growth."
So he waited till news was brought, " Sultan, the dates are
214 SULTAN I MA JIN UNI.
Sultaui. tende linaauza kuiva. Akamwambia, haya, mwanangu, enenda katika
bustani, kesbo mwanangu utanilisha tende. Akamwambia, baba keslio saa ya
kwanza ikipiga tende utaona katika kinwa cbako unakula. Akamwambia, naomba
miye mwanangu kesbo nile tende bizi. Akamwambia, bassi, utakula baba,
nami, kua beri, naenda zangu.
Akaoudoka, akaenda zake. Hatta akawasili katika bustani. akawaambia wale
watu walioko, killa mtu na alale nyumbani mwake asitoke. Tutakuacbaje,
Bwana, peke yako? Akawaambia, baitburu, niacbeni, nimetaka mwenyewe. Wale
watumwa wakaenda, wakalala. Na yeye akala, akaisba akalala, akalala sana,
akiamka ime- kuwa saa sita, akakaa kitako cbini ya mtende akicbeza karata,
yeye pekeyake, batta alipokoma karibu alfajiri, ukampiga upepo mwema,
akafanya kulala, usingizi uki- mtwaa. Marra ndege akija akila tende zote,
asisaze batta moja, na yule mwenyewe amelala cbini ya mtende na karata
zake mkouoni.
Hatta kulipopambazuka, nokoa wake akija, akamwona bwana wake amelala
akitupa macbo juu, aona tende bamna, Akamwita, Bwana ! Bwana !
Akamwitika, naam. Akamwambia, umelala, bwana, na tende ndani ya mtende
bamua batta moja, kama busadiki tupa macbo juu utazame,
Alipotupa macbo juu yule mtoto, akaanguka. Yule mtwana akisaugaa alipomwona
bwana wake ameanguka. Akimshika, akimwuliza, bwana, una nini ? Akamwambia,
nimekufa. Gissi gani, bwana kufa kwako ? Kuja kwangu mimi buku shamba,
nimemwambia baba yangu kama saa
SULTAN MAJNUN. 215
beginning to ripen." And lie said, " Now then, my son, go to^ the
garden to-morrow ; my son, you shall give me some dates to eat." And he
said, " Father, to-morrow when seven o'clock strikes you will feel the
dates in your mouth, eating them." And he said, " I pray my son that
to-morrow I may eat these dates." And he said, " You shall eat them
then, father, and, for myself, I am stai ting ; good-bye."
And he arose and set out. When he came into the garden he told the
people who were there, " Let every one sleep in his own house, let him
not come out." " How shall we leave you, master, by yourself?" And he
said, " It does not matter, leave me, it is my own wish." The slaves
went and slept. And he ate, and after that lay down and slept soundly,
and when he awoke it was twelve o'clock, and he sat under the date-tree
playing at cards, he by himself, till when it was near the time of
early prayers, a pleasant breeze struck him, and he made as though to
sleep, and sleep took him. Immediately the bird came and ate all the
dates, withoiit leaving so much as one, and he was asleej) under the
tree with his cards in his hand.
Then when it was light, the head-man came and found his master asleej),
and he cast his eyes up and sees there are no dates. And he called
him, " Master ! Master !" And he answered, " Yes." And he said, " You
are asleep, master, and there are no dates on the tree, not even one.
If you do not believe, cast your eyes up and look."
And when the lad cast his eyes up, he fell down. The slave was
astounded when he saw his master fallen down. And he took hold of him,
and asked him, " Master, what is the matter with you ?" And he said,
"I am a dead man." " What sort of death is yours, master ?" " On my
coming here to the plantation I told my father, when
216 SULTANl MAJINUNl.
ya kwanza ikijiiga iitaiona tende kinwani kwako ukila. Bassi atakapokaa
hatta saa kiimi baioni tende kinwani kwake akila, ao liclia saa ya kumi,
liatta miczi mitano, haipati tende kinwani mwake akila.
Bassi utafanyaje bwana? Akamwambia, mimi kwa babangu siendi, nitatoroka.
Akamwambia, Bwana, utato- roka nini, afatbali wenende, kama kiitoroka,
iitatoroka hatta lini ? Akamwambia, nitatoroka batta baba yangu robo yake
batta iwe ratbi. Akamwambia, Bwana, si vema kutoroka mngwana. afatbali
uende.
Akaenda batta kwa babaye. Akamkuta bajaamka, akamngoja batta akaamka. Je!
nipe kbabari za katika bnstani, mwanangu. Akamwambia, sina zayidi ya
kbabari, kbabari nalionao moja, kbabari yangu za tende, zimeliwa na ndege.
Ndizo kbabari nalizo naze, sina zayidi ya kbabari. Utakavyo unitende. Wewe
kisu, mimi nyama.
Akamwambia, niondokelee mbele uso wangii, sipendi kukuona. Akaondoka,
akaenda zake. Akanena, Abbb ! mimi sikuzaa waana ni maratbi. Maratbi
kuondoa timiboni mwana asiofaa mtu ulimwenguni, atanifaa abera. Bassi waana
bawa waana gani wasioweza kumtia mtu mcbanga wa macbo, kama ni kuzaa
bttku sizai tena.
Bassi akakaa kitako batta mwaka mwiugine, ukazaa mtende, na kulla mwaka
buzidi kuzaa, Akanena alio mwanamume nitamwona katika bustaui, tena
nitamwona mkono wake kinwani mwangu akinilisba tende, ndiye nitakapomjua
buyu mwanangu. Akawaambia, naye atakayenilisba tende, kijana buyu ntamwoza
mke mzuri,
SULTAN MAJNUN. 'J 17
seven o'clock strikes you shall feel the dates in your mouth, and you
eating them. And now if he waits till the evening, he will not feel a
date in his mouth, not to say till the evening, for five months he mil
not get a date in his mouth to eat."
" And what will you do then, master '?" And he said, " I am not going
to my father. I shall run away." And he said, " What will you run
away for, master ? You had better go. If you run away, how long will
you run away for ?" And he said, " I shall run away till the soul of
my father is ajipeased." And he said, " Master, it is not well for a
gentleman to run away. You had better go."
And he went to his father's, and he found him not yet awake, and he
waited for him till he awoke. " Well ! give me the news from the
garden, my son." And he said, " I have no further news ; the news that
I have is one, my news of the dates is they have been eaten by some
bird. This is the news I have, I have no further news. Do with me what
you will. You are the knife, I am the animal."
And he said, " Get away from before my face, I hate to see you." And
he arose and went away. And he said, " Ah ! I have not got children,
they are a disease. It is a disease when a son proceeds from the
bowels, who is of no use to a man in this world, will he be of any
use to him afterwards? Now these sons. What sort of sons are they, who
cannot even put dust into a man's eyes? If this is getting children, I
have done with it."
Well, he waited till another year the date-tree bore, and it bore every
year more and more. And he said, " He who is manly, I shall see him
in the garden, and I shall see him again with his hand to my mouth
feeding me with dates, then I shall know that he is my son." And he
said, " He who shall feed me with dates, I mil
218 .S UL TA NI MAJINUNL
na harrusi miezi minne. Wakamwambia, vema baba, utakula tende mwaka
hiiu.
Wakakaa hatta siku kumi zalipopita tende zimekuwa pevu, akaja akaambiwa,
kama tende zimekuwa pevu. Akamwambia, vema, iitakapoziona moja moja
zinawiva, njoo nambie. Akakaa batta muda wa siku tano, akaja yule nokoa,
akaja kiunwambia bwana, tende zinawiva na mapooza yanaanguka. Akakaa muda
wa siku tatu, aka- mwambia, enende.
Akaondoka kijana kwa fm-aba kwa nguvu, akaenda batta akawasili katika
bustani. Akamwambia, mimi sitalala, nitapanda frasi nizunguke leo usiku
kucba humo. Akatwaa bunduki yake, na baruti yake, na marisao yake, na
fataki zake. Akapanda juu ya frasi, akizunguka katika bustani. Akazunguka
sana batta yalipokoma saa saba ya usiku, akasikia kaanga analia nyuma ya
bustani, akanena sasa kmnekuwa saa saba u nussu, nitatoka nimfuate huyu
kaanga, anayolia katika bustani. Akitolia akamfuata yule kaanga kule
anakolia, naye kaanga yuko mbali ; lakini ule usiku anamsikia yuko
karibu. Akaenda hatta nuss ya njia, ndcgc nyuma amekuja mtcndeni akila
tende, asisaze hatta moja, naye kule hajarudi, naye kule kaanga asimpate,
akarudi akija zake.
Hatta alipofika katika bustani akitupa macho juu, tende hamna. Akashuka
juu ya frasi, akakaa chini ya mtende, akalia sana. Hatta wakaja watumwa
wake. Je ! Bwana, unalilia nini? Akawaambia, mimi silii kwa kuogopa baba,
nalia kwa kukosa tunu aliotaka kimitimikia baba.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 219
marry that young man to a beautiful wife, with a marriage feast of four
months." And they said, " Very good, father, you shall eat dates this
year."
And they waited till when ten days were past, the dates had become full
grown, and he was told, the dates are full grown. And he said, "Very
good, when yoii see them ripening here and there one, come and tell
me." And he waited for the sj)ace of five days, and the head-man came,
and told his master. " The dates are ripening, and the abortive ones
are falling." And he v/aited three days, and said, " Go."
And the youth arose gladly and vigorously, and went till he reached the
garden. And he said, " I shall not sleep, I will mount a horse and
ride round and round in here to-day all the night through." And he took
his gun, and his powder, and his shot, and his caps. And he got upon a
horse, and rode round in the garden. And he rode round and round till
when one o'clock was past, he heard a guinea-fowl crying at the back of
the garden, and he said, " Now it is half-past one, I will set out
and follow this guinea-fowl which is crying in the garden." And he set
out and followed the guinea-fowl where it was crying. And the guinea-fowl
was a long way off, but in the night he heard it as if it were near.
And he went half the way, and the bird behind had come to the date-
tree eating the dates, without leaving so much as one, and he had not
yet come back. And he turned back without getting the guinea-fowl, and
came.
And when he arrived in the garden and cast up his eyes, there were no
dates. And he got off the horse, and sat under the date-tree crying
bitterly till his slaves came. " Eh ! master, what are you weeping about
?" And he said, " I am not weeping because I fear my father, I weep
because of losing the gifts that my father wished to
220 S UL TAXI MAJINUNI.
Akamwambia, tunn gani inavyokuliza mno hivi ? Aka- waambia, baba
ameniambia atanioza mke mzuri, atanifanya na barrusi miezi minne, naye
ameniambia atajua kama mimi ndiye mwanawe, sasa zote tatu sikupata hatta
moja, bassi mimi nina buddi na kulia kwa kuyakosa haya ? Bassi tena
nitakwenda zangu, nitamjibu.
Hatta alasiri akaenda kwa babaye, amuambia, Baba, masalkheiri ! Babaye
asimwitikie. Akanyamaa. Aka- mwambia, zi wapi tende? Akamwambia, tende,
baba? tende zimekwisha liwa na ndege. Akamwambia, enende kamwambia mama
yako ndani akupe dusamali, uvae, akupe na barakoa, uvae, akupe na kanzu,
na suruali uvae, akupe na sbela ya kujitanda, akiisba, atafute mume
akuoze. Niondokelee mbele ya uso, sipendi kukuona.
Akaondoka mkewe, akamwambia, vijana bawa bawae- ndei kutazama buu mtende,
kwenda kucbeza na kulala. Wallakini tufanyeje? Na tungoje batta safari bii
tena uzaapo.
Akakaa Sultani muda miezi mingi kupita. Mtende ukazaa ; akaletewa kbabari
sbamba na nokoa wake, Bwana, mtende umezaa. Umezaa kama mwaka jana, ao
mw^aka buu zayidi ? Amwambia, Bwana, kitu kikiwe kidogo, mtu bakitumaini,
kama mtu anakitumaini Iritu kilicbo kidogo ningekwambia bwana, mtende buu
ni nyingi kuliko miaka yote, wallakini ui kitu cba ku- pukutika, lakini
na tutazame batta zitakapopea. Amwa- mbia, vema, ukiziona zinapokwanza
kuanguka na mapooza, njoo nambie. Akamwambia, Insballah, bwana.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 221
present me with." And he said, " What sort of gifts are they which
make you weep so excessively ?" Aud he said, " Father told me he would
marry me to a beautiful wife, that he would make me a marriage-feast of
foiu' mouths, and he told me that he should know that I was his son ;
now of all these three, I have not got one, now can I help biit weep
at missing these ? Well then, I will go and give him my answer."
It was afternoon when he went to his father, and says to him, "
Father, Masalkheir /" [good afternoon], without his father's answering him.
And he was silent. And he said, '' Where are the dates ?" And he
said, " The dates father ? The dates are already eaten by the bird."
And he said, " Go aud tell your mother inside to give you a
headkerchief, and put it on, to give you a mask, and put it on, to
give you kanzu and trousers, and put them on, to give you a veil to
cover yourself with, and then let her look out for a husband, and marry
you. Go away from before my face, I hate to see you."
And his wife arose, and said to him, " These youths do not go to look
at the date-tree, they go to play, and to sleep. However, what are we
to do ? Let us wait till this time of its bearing."
And the sultan waited while many months passed. And the date-tree bore ;
and news was brought to him from the plantation by his headman, "
Master, the date- tree has borne." " Has it borne like last year, or
this year more '?" He says, " Master, when a thing is young a man is
not sure about it ; so far as man can be sure about what is young, I
should say, master, the dates this year are more than last, but they
are things that get shed, let us see when they are grown." He says, "
Yery good, when you see the abortive ones beginning to droj), come and
tell me." And he said, " Please God, master."
222 ,S UL TAN I MAJINUNL
Sultani yule ana paka, ampenda sana, na paka inzuri Sana, na yule paka
mkuza sana, paka yule mwanzo wake aliyekikamata kuku vidogo vitoto.
Akaambiwa Sultani, paka anakamata kuku, akawaambia, paka wangu na kuku
wangu, bassi mwacbeni,
Teude zile zikawiva shamba, akaletewa khabari na nokoa wake, akamwambia,
bwana, tende zinawiva sana, nathaui zikikawia laatta kesbo zitaharibika kwa
sababu zilioiva ; na mwaka buu hazikuanguka majjooza mengi, ni kutwa ni
nane tissia, kwa ginsi ya mtende kupevuka sana. Bassi nilete mtoto
atakuja kuungojea mtende. Sultani akawaambia wale wawili waliobaki,
akawaambia, leo enendeni nyote wawili mwaliosalia. Wakamwambia, Ee walla,
baba. Wakajifuuga, wakaeneuda hatta wakifika katika bustani,
Wakawaambia wale watumua walio shamba. Waka- waambia, tumekuja sisi simba,
tumekuja mtazama huyu ndege anayokuja akila tende Lizi, bassi leo ajali
yake imekwisha, na ajali yake ni katika mkono wetu. Waka- waambia, bapa
sisi labuda bunduki isiwake moto. Waka- waambia, vcma, bwana. Wakakaa
kitako batta usiku. Wakawaambia, kokeni mabiwi ya moto Ivatika bustani.
Wakakoka mabiwi ya moto. Ukawaka moto sana katika bustani mle,
itakapoanguka sindano utaiona kwa sababu wanga wa moto. Wakakaa batta saa
ya saba ikipiga, likatanda wingu kuu la mvua, na tufani ikawa nyingi,
batta yalipokoma saa ya nane u nussu ikanya mvua sana, na baridi nyingi,
na kiza kikawa kipevu, alipo hapa hamwoni aliyo bapa, labuda wasikilizana
sauti, na kumwendea mwenziwc kimipapasa, ndipo atakapomjua
SULTAN MAJNVN. 223
The sultan had a cat and loved it much, and the cat was very handsome,
and growing fast, and what that cat caught for its beginning was a
hen's little chicks. And the sultan was told, the cat is catching
chickens, and he said, "The cat is mine, and the chickens are mine, let
it be, then."
The dates ripened at the plantation, and news was brought by his head-
man, and he said,/' Master, the dates are ripening fast. I think if we
delay till to-morrow, they will be the worse, because they are ripe, and
this year not many abortive ones have fallen ; in a whole day, eight, or
nine, so much have they grown. So send me a son, that he may come and
watch the date-tree." And the sultan told the two that remained, and he
said to them, " To-day go both of you that are left." And they said, "
All right, father." And they girded themselves and went on till they
reached the garden.
And they told the slaves who were at the plantation. And they said to
them, " We lions are come, we are come to look at this bird, which
comes and eats these dates, so to-day is its fate sealed, and its fate
is in om* hands." And they said, " Perhaps we shall be here, and a
gim may miss fii'e." And they said, " Very good, masters." And they sat
till night. And they said to them, " Light bon- fires in the garden."
And they lit bonfires. And the fire blazed bravely there in the garden.
If a needle were to fall, you would see it, because of the brightness
of the fire. And they waited till one o'clock struck. And a gi-eat rain-
cloud lowered, and there was a great storm, and when half-past two
o'clock was passed, the rain fell heavily, with much wind, and perfect
darkness. Any one in one place could not see who was in that place ;
perhaps, if they listened for one another's voices, and went feeling for
their companions, they might know that this is
224 SULTAXl MAJINUNl.
liuyu mwenzangu ; na mkifanya mzaha mtatiana vidole vya macho, kwa sababu
kiza kikuu. Wakakimbia wale wote watumwa, wakaenenda wakaingia katika
vibanda vyao, na wale vijana wakaondoka, wakaenda wakalala. Ndege akashuka
akila tende akaruka akaenda zake.
Nao hawajaamka, na mvua baijaaniika, na tnfiini baija- ondoka, wakalala
wale batta saa thenasbara zikapiga, nao bawana kbabari kama kumekucba, na
mvua ingalikinya, na giza vilevile, na tnfani vilevile imekaza. Wakalala,
batta saa moja ikapiga. Hatta saa ya pili akitolewa mtu mjini kwa baba
yao — Chukua mwavuli buu enenda zako hatta shamba, gissi gani watoto hawa
? Hatujapata kbabari zao, wazima ao bawawezi, tutapata tende, hapana
tende, uulize kbabari zao, njuo twambie.
Akitoka na mviia yake hatta shamba. Akaenda akifi- kia kwa uokoa,
hawajaamka, aiuefunga mlango, amelala. Akapiga, bodi ! bodi ! ! hodi ! ! I
Nokoa akamjibu, nani wewe ? Akamwambia, niimi Hweduni. Ah ! akamwambia,
kufanya nini usiku wote na mvua hizi ? Akamwambia, ninyi watu wa shamba
ati, wajinga ninyi mna saa zenu katika nyuraba, Akamwambia, Eh ! Hweduni,
unatucheka tutapata ^^ api saa, sisi watu wa shamba ? Akamwambia, unazo
saa kaisha si moja, si mbili. Akamwambia, hatta kuijua biyo saa. TniTni
sijui. Akamwambia ; buna majogoo, ndio saa ya shamba ati. Ukisikia jogoo
anawika, juc kume- kucba, ao ufajiri, basei si saa yenu hizo ?
SULTAN MAJNUN. 225
my companion, and it was as when you are joking, and put your fingers
on one another's eyes, so great was the darlvness. And all the slaves
ran away and went and got into their huts, and those youths got up,
and went and lay down. And the bii'd came down and ate the dates, and
flew and went away.
And they were not yet awake, and the rain had not yet held up, and
the storm was not yet gone, and they were sleeping when six o'clock
struck, and they knew nothing of its dawning, and the rain would have
been falling, and the darkness the same, and the storm the same blowing
hard. And they slept till seven o'clock struck, and at eight o'clock a
man was sent out of the town by their father, " Take this umbrella,
and go to the plantation. How is it with these sons ? We have no news
of them yet, whether they are well or ill, or we shall get dates, or
there are no dates. Ask their news, and come and tell us,"
And he went in the rain to the plantation. And h went and got to the
head-man's, and they were not up, he had fastened the door, and was
asleej). And he cried5 Hodi ! Hodi ! ! Hodi ! ! ! The head-man answered
him, " Who are you ?" And he said, "I am Hueduni," " Ah !" he said,
" what have you been doing all night in this rain ?" And he said, "
You country people, mark you, you are simpletons, you have your clocks
about youi- houses," And he said, " Eh ! Hueduni, you are making game of
us ; how should we get a clock, we country people ?" And he said, "
You have clocks and more, not one, nor two," And he said, " Even to
knowing what such a clock is, I don't," And he said, " Are there no
cocks ? they are the country clocks, mind you ! When you hear the cock
crowing you know it's dawn, or early morn- ing ; are not they your
clocks, then ?"
226 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
Akitoka nje nokoa, wakaamkiana. Je ! nipe habari ya mjini. Akamwambia,
habari ya mjini njema, nimetumwa kuwatazama watoto, hatta sasa hakupata
khabari zao, wazima wamekufa, wagonjwa, tende Sultani atapata alim- buke,
ao hapati, bass. Akamwambia, twende iiikupeleke waliko watoto. Akaenda,
akawakiita wakakaa maongoui wote wawili, wamejikunyata wanatetemeka kwa
baridi yalivyowasbika.
Wakamwambia, J e ! Hweduni I habari za mjini ? Akawaambia njema, akina
bwana, baba yenu salaam, baada ya salaam amwona kimya hatta sasa, jua
limekuwa saa ya nne. Ah ! kweli ? Akawaambia, kweli saa ya nne, bwana.
Wakamwambia, siye tunanena labuda sasa ufajiri ? Akawaambia, hakuna bwana,
mimi nimeondoka mjini saa ya pili, nalipotumwa huku shamba. Bassi yee,
akina bwana, Bwana anauliza, atakula tende mwaka huu, ao hali ? Akaondoka
yule mmoja, umwambie atakula mwaka huu tende, pana mwaka huu, pana sasa
hivi. Ngoja nikukatie, nikupe iikami)elekee.
Yule nduguye akamwambia, wewe unasema kwa akili yako, ao una wazimu '?
Akamwambia, kwa nini ? Aka- mwambia, nakuuliza kama imienena kwa akili
yako. nipate kujua kujibu. Akamwambia nanena kwa akili yangu, wala siua
wazimu. Akamwambia, wewe una wazimu khalisi, tena wazimu wako wa kutiwa
pingu, na mti kati, na mnyoo, ndipo ufanywe dawa upone. Akamwambia, kama
wewe huna wazimu, hungenena maneno kama hayo, kwenda kumwambia baba.
Akamwambia, kwa nini ?
I
SULTAN MAJNUN. 227
And tlie head-man came out, and they greeted one another. " Well ! give
me the news of the town." And he said, " The town news is good ; I
am sent to see the lads ; up to this time he has no news of them,
whether they are alive or dead, or sick, whether the sultan will get any
dates to taste, or not, that's all." And he said, " Let us go, I will
take you where the lads are." And he went and found them both on their
backs, drawn up together, and shivering with the cold that had got hold
of them.
And they said to him, " Hullo, Hueduni, what news from the town ?" And
he said, " Good, my young masters ; your father's compliments, and after
the compliments, he has heard nothing, till now the sun is at ten
o'clock." " Ah ! Is it true ?" And he said " It is true, ten o'clock,
master." And he said, " Weren't we saying perhaps it is getting to be
morning?" And he said, " Not at all, masters ; I left the town at
eight o'clock, when I was sent into the country here. Then he asks, my
young masters, shall he eat dates this year, or not ?" And one of them
got up and said, " Tell him, he shall eat dates this year, while it
is this year, while it is this time present. Wait and let me cut for
yoi;, and give you to take to him."
His brother said, " Ai'e you talking with your wits about you, or are
you mad?" And he said, "How so?" And he said, " I ask you, did you
speak with your wits about you, that I may know what to answer." And
he said, " I speak with my wits about me, and I am not mad." And he
said, " You are downright mad ; you are mad enough to be fettered with
a post between your legs, and a chain ; that's the way to give you
medicine to cure you." And he said, " If you were not mad, you
wouldn't have talked in such a way, going and telling father !" And he
said, " How so ?"
223 SUL TA NI MAJINUNT.
killa silai, na killa mwaka, imangojewa mtende, na ndugu zetu wasilale
hatta marra moja, na wakapotewa na usingizi. Marra moja akizindukaua tende
zimeliwa. Bassi sisi walioondoka tokea saa saba mtendeni, tukaja zetu hapa
tukalala hatta sasa saa ya 'nne, tende hizi zitungoje sisi ? Killa siku
watu biilala chiui ya mtende, na ndege huja akala tende akaenda zake. Ek
! sisi tumelala kuku nyumbani, ndege buyu atangojea sisi ?
Ab ! Labuda bahati yetu kwa mvua ile, na giza lile, na tufani ile,
labuda yule ndege bakuja. Akamwambia, bassi mvua zile, na giza lile, na
tufani ile haimkatazi ndege kuja kula tende. Bassi, mimi ninakwenda
tazama. Enenda we we ukatazame, mimi siendi pabali, najua tende bakuua.
Niende yani kusumbuka burre, nikapate mvua, nipate na baridi, nipate na
umande wa burre, nami najua tende bakima katika mtende, zimeliwa na ndege
zote. Lakini yule anaokwenda mpumbavu, ataka kudanganya roho yake, kama
bamsadiki, na ngojeui batta atakaporudi.
Yule akaenda, batta katika mtende, akaona bamna tende batta moja, batta
mapooza yalioanguka cbini bapana. Akarudi batta akafika kwa ndnguye. Je !
tende ziko? Akamwambia, Ee bwana wee, mwenyi knuona mtende, akiambiwa
mtende buu mwaka buu ulizaa, tena jana yalikuwamo tende, hasadiki, gissi
ya mtende wali- po kubaribika, batta dalili ya kuambiwa mtende buu umezaa
bapana.
Akamwambia, mimi sikukwambia papa bapa, kama bakuna kitu ? Sasa nipe
sbauri, pana sbauri sasa ? Na twende kwa baba yetu, tukaenda
tukamwambia, tende
SULTAN MAJNUN. 229
" Every clay and every year here, the date-tree is watched, and our
brothers only slept a moment, and they were ruined by their sleep. And
when in a moment they woke up, the dates were eaten. Now we came av/ay
from the date -tree as long ago as one o'clock, and came here and slept,
till now it is ten, are those dates to wait for us ? Every day people
sleep under the date-tree, and the bird comes and eats the dates, and
goes away. Eh ! We have slept here in the house, would the bird wait
for us ?"
'• Oh ! jjcrhaps we are lucky, through the rain, and the darkness, and
the storm, jJerhaps the bird did not come." And he said, " The rain,
and the darkness, and the stonu would not hinder the bird from coming
and eating the dates." " Well, I am going to look.'' " Go you and
look, I am not going anywhere, I know there are no dates ; what should
I go for ? to be put out of my way for nothing, to get rain, and
wind, and mist for nothing ; and I know there are no dates on the
tree, they have all been eaten by the bii'd. However, he is a fool
that is going, he wants to deceive his soul ; if you don't believe it,
wait till he comes back."
He went as far as the date-tree, and he saw there were no dates, not
even one, and the withered ones that had fallen down were not there.
And he returned, and came to his brother. " Well, are there any
dates ?" And he said, " Oh, master, I say, any one who looked at that
date- tree would say, if he was told that the date-tree bore this year,
and even yesterday there were dates on it, he would not believe it, so
destroyed are the dates : even the signs to tell that the date- tree has
borne are not there."
And he said, " Did I not tell you in this very place that there was
nothing? Now, give me advice: is there any plan now? Are we to go to
our father, and go and tell him, the dates are eaten by the bird, we
have not got
230 S UL TAN I MA J IN D NT.
zimeliwa na ndege, hatukupata liatta moja, nasi tumekuja, wewe kisu, sisi
nyama, utakalo lote, ututende? Aka- mwainbia, vema, tweude zetu.
Wakaenda hatta kwa baba yao. Wakamkuta, amekaa ukumbi wa ndani.
Wakamwamkia, asiitikie. Akaondoka mkewe akamwambia, Bvvana, watoto
wakikuamkia, waitikie, kwani basira yako ndio siunu yao ya kuwaua, na
furaha yako ndio uzuri wa tiso wao ; bassi ufanyapo hivyo wewe,
uwakasu'ikia watoto wake wambao uwaweza kuwatenda killa jawabu. Bassi buna
baja kuwakasiri, wala kuwa- fanyia gbatbabu, wala usiwafanye ucbungu.
Bassi, mke wangu, kawakatie kisuto, na kisiito wape na ukaya, kwani vijana
hivi vimekuwa waanawake, bawanifai mtu iilimwenguni ali mzima, watamfaa mtu
akbera '? Lakini miye bassi, sina sbugbuli nao.
Wakakaa hatta muda wa miezi kujiita, mtende ukazaa. ukawacba kuzaa,
ukawayawaya. Mwenyi kuziona tende ndogo, nazo changa, mtu akiziona mbali
bunena pevu, kwa giusi ya tende kuwa nene, kwa ginsi ya mtende kusitawi,
na tende gissi ya kuwa na nguvu, na killa tawi limejaa sana.
Akaondoka nokoa kwa mguu wake batta kwa bwana wake, akamkuta bibi yake.
Akamwambia, Bibi, bwana yu wapi ? Akamwambia, yuko ndani, ngoje. Asipate
mda akatoka kule ndani, akamwambia, Je ! Nokoa ! Idiabari ya sbamba?
Akamwambia, Sbamba, bwana, kuzuri, shamba kwema, na kbabari za sbamba
bwana, mtende umekitbiri kuzaa, tena zimekuwa none tende, ukiziona bapo
zilipo cbanga, mtu bunena pevu, na akiambiwa liizi
SULTAN MAJNUN. 231
even one, and we are come, you are the knife, and we are the animals,
whatever you will, do it to us?" And he said, " Very good, let us
go."
And they went to their father, and they found him sit- ting in the
inner porch. And they saluted him, without his replying. And his wife
arose and said, " Master, when your children salute you, reply to them,
for your anger is deadly poison to them, and your joy is the beauty of
their countenances ; so, when you do thus to them, you grieve your
childi'en, with whom you can do anything. Now, you have no need to hurt
them or to be angry with them, and do not be bitter against them." "
Well, then, my wife, cut them a hisuto, and give them a Icisuto and a
head- cloth, for these young men are become women, they are no good to
a man in this world while he is alive, and will they be any good to
him in the next ? But as for myself, I have nothing more to do with
them."
And they waited while months passed, and the date- tree bore, and when
it left bearing it swayed down. Any- one who saw the little dates while
they were very young, if the man saw them at a distance, he would say
they were full grown, so plump were the dates, so flourishing was the
date-tree, and so vigorous the dates, and every bunch was well filled.
And the head-man walked over to his master's, and met with his mistress.
And said to her, " Mistress, where is the master?" And she said, " He
is inside, wait." In no time he came out from within, and said, " Well
! Head- man, what news from the plantation?" And he said, " At the
plantation it is beautiful, at the plantation it is good ; and the news
of the plantation, master, is that the date-tree has borne vastly, and
then the dates are plump ; if you see them there, while they are very
young, a man would say they were full grown, and if he was told they
232 SULTANI MAJIXUXI.
ni changa, hasadiki. Na killa tawi lamwambia mwe- nziwe, jongea huku,
nipishe mimi nikae.
Akamwambia, nasikitika mimi mtu mwenyi watoto saba, miaka mitano mtencle
wangu umeliwa na ndege, sikupata kulimbuka hatta kokwa moja, na mwaka huu
vilevile, utaliwa na ndege.
Yule mtoto aliokaa jikoni akasikia maneno yale aliyo- yanena Sultani
Majnimi. Akaondoka yule kijana, aka- mwambia, baba, mwaka huu utakula
tcnde. Akamwambia, baba yangu, kama mwaka buu sikukulisha tcnde kwa mkono
wangu, na jamii ya matajiri yaliomo katika mji, na jamii ya Wazungu
waliomo katika mji, na jamii ya Banyani waliomo, na jamii ya Wabindi
w'aliomo, na maskini waliomo katika mji wetu, kwani haya ni matawi matano
yaliomo katika mtende, Akamwambia, bassi, killa tawi ntawapa kabila
mojamoja, na kabila ziliomo katika mji ni tano. mna sisi ^\'aa^abu, mna
na Wazungu, mna na Banyani, mna na Wabindi, mna na jamii za maskini
waliomo. Akamwambia, bassi mimi baba ninakwenda mwaka buu, kwenda kuungoja
mtende.
Baba yake na mama yake wakacbeka sana, wakaona maneno yake yale yote
upuuzi. Babaye bakukubali maneno yale, wala mamaye, wanamwona, mwanetu
anazu- mgumza, na tiunwache azumgmuze batta sbauko yake yamwisbe ya
kuzumgumza.
Hatta akaletewa kbabari Sultani, tende zimewiva. Akatoa kbabari Sultani ya
kutafuta mtu kwenda kuungojea mtende. Yule mwanawe aliobaki wa saba
akasikia, akamwambia, ginsi gani, baba, umetoa kbabari ya kutafuta mtu wa
kuungojea mtende, nami mwanao mmoja nipo bado nimesalia. Akamwambia,
Ab ! sita bawakufaa,
SULTAN MAJNVN. 233
were very young, he would not believe it. And every bunch says to its
neighbour, ' get on one side here, and let me through, that I may
hang.' "
And he said, " I am grieved, I, a man with seven sons, and five years
my date-tree has been devoured by a bird ; I have not had so much as
a stone to taste, and this year just the same, it will be devoured by
the bird."
The lad who sat in the kitchen heard those words which Sultan Majnun
said. And the youth arose and said to his father, " This year you
shall eat dates." And he said, " My father, if this year I have not
fed you with dates with my hand, and all the rich men that are in the
town, and all the Euroj)eans that are in the town, and all the Banyans
that are in it, and all the Hindees that are in it, and the poor that
are in our town, for these are the five bunches that are on the date-
tree." And he said, " So each bunch I will give to a several nation,
and the nations that are in the town are five. There are we Arabs,
there are Europeans, there are Banyans also, there are Hindees also,
there are, too, all the poor that are in it." And he said, " So I,
father, am going this year to watch the date-tree."
His father and his mother laughed heartily, and thought his words idle
talk. Neither his father nor his mother accepted his words ; they
thought, our son is amusing himself, let us leave him to his amusement,
till his liking for this amusement is over.
At last news was brought to the sultan that the dates were ripe. And
the sultan gave out word to look for a man to go and watch the date-
tree. His son, he who was left of the seven, heard it, and said " How
is it, father, that you have given out word to look for a man to
watch the date-tree, and I your one son am still left V" And he said,
" Ah ! six were of no use ; will you alone be of any
23 i SULTAN I MA.] I NUN I.
iitafaa nawe moja ? Roho yangu imefanya kliofu, sababu ya mtende, nasikia
umezaa sana, na tende nzuri, bassi naogopa kukiipcleka kiizikosa tende
kuzila. Akamwambia, na leo staliamili, nache niende baba, utazame nami
baliti yangu, utakula tende, ao utazikosa.
Mkcwe akamwambia, Bwana, mwache aende mtoto, tujaribu, huenda tukapata
tukala tende, ao tutakosa, bassi mwaclie aende mtoto. Akamwambia, mke
wangu, miye sikatai kwenda mtoto, rolio yangu hayamini. Akamwa- mbia,
haitliuru bwana, mwache aende mtoto. Akamwa- mbia, baba, keslio tukiwa
wazima mimi, nawe, na mama, kesho utakula tende baba. Akamwambia, na
nduguzo walincua vivi hivi, kama baba utakula tende, nami sili.
Akamwambia, haya enenda zako shamba.
Hatta alipofika katika bustani, Akawaambia watumwa wote wa shamba, laleni.
Wakamwambia, Ah! bwana tutakuacha pekeyako ? Akawaambia, usiku haunili kama
ntauogopa. Wakamwambia, bass, bwana, kua heri. Akawaambia, kua herini.
Na yule kijana akaingia ndani akalala, akalala sana hatta saa ya saba
ikipiga, akiondoka akija hatta mtendeni. Akakaa kitako akitafuna bisi, na
zile bisi ndani ziua changarawi ; hutafuna zile bisi, akitaka kusinzia,
huta- funa ile changarawi, akiamka, ikawa kazi hiyohiyo, hatta yule ndego
akija, nayc amemwona.
Yule ndege alincna, hapana mtu, kwani yeye alikaa mbali na mtende. Hatta
alipotua palipo mtende, yule kijana akaondoka, alipotaka kunyosha mdomo
kula tende, amemshika bawa.
Ndege kuondoka kwake panapo mtende aliruka,
SULTAN MAJNUN. 235
good ? My soul is afraid, for I hear that the date-tree has borne
well, and the dates are fine, so I am afraid of sending you and
missing eating the dates." And he said, " Have i^atience to-day, and let
me go, father, and see my luck, whether you will eat dates, or miss
them."
His wife said, " Master, let the child go, and let us try, perhaps we
shall get dates and eat them — or we shall miss them — let the child go,
then." And he said, " My wife, I do not refuse the child's going, but
my heart distrusts him." And she said, " Never mind, master, let the
child go." And he said, " Father, to-morrow if you, and I, and mother
be alive, to-morrow you shall eat dates, father." And he said, " Your
brothers said just the same, ' Father, yoii shall eat dates,' and I
have eaten none." And he said, " Come, be oft' to the jjlantation."
When he reached the garden, he told all the slaves of the plantation, "
Go and sleep." And they said, " Ah, master, shall we leave you by
yourself?" And he said, "The night will not eat me, that I should fear
it." And they said, " Very well, master, good-bye." And he said, •'
Good-bye to you."
And that youth went inside and slept, and slept soundly till one o'clock
struck, and he arose and came to the date- tree. And he sat chewing
parched Indian corn, and with the corn there was some sandy grit ; and
he chewed the corn, and when he was inclined to dose, he chewed the gi-
it with it, and woke himself up, and thus he employed himself till the
bird came, and he saw it.
The bii'd said, " There is no one here," for he was sitting some
distance from the date-tree. And when it alighted where the date-tree
was, the youth arose ; and when it was going to stretch out its beak
to eat the dates, he caught hold of its wing.
The bird flew away from where the date-tree was, and
236 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
akai'uka naye kijana, liatta akafikilia naye juu. Aka- mwambia yule
nclege, Ee, binadamu, umenifuata batta bu- ku nalikofika, ukianguka bapa
batta utakai^ofika cbini, umekufa zamani, bassi nniacbe nikaende zangu,
nawe nikakwacbe kwenda zako. Yule kijana akamwambia, mimi leo bapa
sikwacbi, utakapokwenda pote nitakwenda nawe. Akamwambia, mimi tends zako
sikula, nami niacbe nende zangu. Akamwambia, mimi leo sikwacbi, mimi bapa
leo ni kama kupe na mkia wa ng'ombe. Aka- mwambia, niacbe nende zangu
kimiekucba tena. Aka- mwambia, mimi leo naliokwambia busikii ? mimi bapa
sikwacbi, labuda uniue. Akamwambia, ndugu yangu sita bawapeudczi kwa baba
kwa sababu yako wewe, buja akila tende, bassi ntakuacbiani leo? Mimi leo
baba yangu atakuona, na ndugu zangu sita watakuona, na mama yangu
atakuona, na wote watu waliomo katika mji wetu watakuona, mkubwa kwa
mdogo, mtumwa kwa mngwana, mke kwa mume, bawa wote watakuona leo, ndio
robo ya baba yangu leo itafurabi.
Akamwambia nacbe, kunakucba, nami tcnde zako leo sikula, bassi utafatbali
ukanacba, nami nikaenda zangu, nawe ukaenda zako. Akamwambia, mimi bapa
leo siacbi, labuda imiue. Akamwambia, bassi wewe liutaki kunacba,
nitakurusba nikupeleke mbali sasa.
Akaruka naye sana juu, batta yule mtoto akiona cbini kama nyota.
Akamwambia, je ! umekuoua kwenu ? Aka- mwambia, nakuona kama nyota.
Nikikutupa bapa, wewe utasalia ? Akamwambia, nastabiba uuiacbio nife, kama
kukuacba loo, sikuacbi kabisa, utaporuka batta ukafika mbingu, nami leo
sikwacbi.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 237
flew with the youth, till it reached a great height with him. And the
bird said, " 0 son of Adam, have you followed me even here, vi^here I
am arrived '? If you fall here, you will be dead long before you reach
the ground. So leave me to go my way, I will leave you to go yoirrs."
The youth said, " I shall not leave you here to-day ; wherever you go
I will go with you." And it said, " I have not eaten your dates,
leave me to go my way." And he said, " I shall not leave you this
day, I shall be to you to-day like a tick to a cow's tail." And it
said, " Leave me to go my way, it is dawning." And he said, " Do you
not not hear what I told you of myself to-day ? I will not leave you
here ; possibly you may kill me." And he said, " My sis brothers are
hateful to my father because of you, coming and eating the dates ; why,
then, should I leave you to-day ? To-day my father shall see you, and
my six brothers shall see you, and my mother shall see you, and all
the people who are in om- town shall see you, great and small, slaves
and free, women and men ; they shall all see you to-day, that is what
will rejoice my father's soul this day."
And it said, " Leave me, it is da^\Tiing, and I have not eaten your
dates to-day ; so you will be gi'acious and will leave me to go my
way, and you go yours." And he said, " To-day I shall not leave you,
perhaps you may kill me." And it said, " Well, you will not leave me,
I will thi-ow you off, and now I will take you far away."
And it flew with him very high, till when the lad looked on the earth
he saw it like a star. And it said, " Well, do you see your home ?"
And he said, " I see it like a star." " If I throw you from here,
will any of you be left ?" And he said, " I had rather you let me
go and I die, than leave you to-day. I will not leave you at all,
even if you fly till you reach heaven, I will not leave you this day."
2S8 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
Akamwambia, kunakuclia, nataka kwenda zangu unia- chie, mtoto, tafatlial
nitakwencla zangu. Akamwambia, sikuacLi kabisa leo, utakapopita ntapita
nawe, utakapokaa ntakaa nawe, ut.ikapoknfa ntakufa nawe, lakini leo mimi
sikwaclii.
Akashuka ndege hatta cliini, akamwambia, sasa umefika kwenu hapa, nami
nipe ruhusa nende zangu. Aka- mwambia, sikwaclii. Akamwambia, tafathal mtoto
unia- che. Akamwambia, Ndugu zangu aliopewa ukaya, ame- pewa, aliopewa
kisuto, amepewa, aliovikwa kanzu na barakoa, amevikwa, na vote haya
hayangewapata ilia kwa sababu yako wewe, kwa kuja kula tende.
Akamwambia, tafatbal, bassi kunakucba sasa bwana, nache, bicbi kikomo cba
leo, sitakuja tena hapa, wala sitakula tena tende hizi, wala sitapita
tena mtaa huu, tafathali kijana niacbe nende zangu.
Akamwambia, kama wewe hutaki kuniacba na tupane wahadi mimi nawe.
Amwuliza, upi ? Akamwambia, mimi nitakupa wabadi, niponye la jua,
nikuponye la mvua. Akamwambia, mbona ? Sikuamimi. Akamwambia, twaa haya
maneno yangu, utakapopita po pote utanipata. Eh ! ntakupataje ? Akamwambia,
ukitwaa hili nyoya, ukitia motoni nikisikia harufi yake, nitakapokuwa
pahali gani nitakuja. Akamwambia, bassi nami kunakncha, tafathali watu
wasinione, niache uiende zangu. Aka- mwambia, bassi kua heri, enenda zako.
Akamwambia, rafilvi yangu, kua heri sana. Amwambia, utakaponiita.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 239
And it said, " It is dawning, I want to go my way ; suffer mc, child,
I beg of you, to go my way." And he said, " I will not leave you at
all this day ; where you pass I will pass with you ; where you stay I
will stay with you ; where you die I will die with you ; but this day
I will not leave you."
And the bird descended to the earth and said, " Now you have reached
home here, give me permission to go my way." And he said, " I will
not leave you." And it said, " 1 beg of you, child, let me." And he
said, " My brothers, he who was given a head-cloth, has been given it ;
he who was given a hisuto, has been given it ; he who was clothed in
a Jcanzu and mask, has been clothed in them ; and none of these things
would have happened except for your coming and eating the dates."
And it said, " I beg of you — it is dawning now, master — leave go of
me. To-day is the finish, I will not come here again ; I will not eat
those dates again ; I will not pass through this quarter again ; I beg
of you, young man, let me go my way."
And it said, " If you will not let me go, let you and me make a
covenant." And he said, " What covenant ?" And it said, " I will give
you a promise ; save me from sun, I will save you from rain." And he
said, " How ? I don't trust you." And it said, " Take what I say,
and where you may go — wherever it may be — you will have me." " Eh !
How shall I get you ?" And it said, " If you take this feather, when
you put it in the fire, I shall per- ceive the smell in whatever place
I shall be, and I will come." And it said, " Now then, it is dawning,
I pray you do not let people see me ; leave me to go my way." And he
said, " Well, good-bye ; go your way." And it said, " My friend, fare
you very well." And it said to him, " When you call me, if it shall
be in the sea, I will come."
240 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
itakapokuwa katika baliari, ntakuja. Akamwambia, vema. Akaruka, akaenda
zake.
Mtoto akirudi katika mtende, akauona mtende, akaziona na tende, akaona na
roho yake imefurabi, moyo uliona nafsi yake kama alikuja mtu akamwambia,
baya ondoke ende jjeponi, gissi ya robo yake alivyoiona nzuri, ali-
vyoiona inaefurabi, alivyoiona mwili wake na nguvu, anavyojiona macbo yake
yana nnru. Akacbeka kijana Sana, akanena bii ni babati yangu mimi, mkaa
jicboni. Walikuja simba sita bapa, killa mtu iipanga na ngao, na jamvia
kiunoui, na bakora mkouoni, na killa kijana amwambia mwenziwe, jongea buku
nipisbe nami. Kwanza vijana viua nguvu, la pili vijana vizuri, la tatu
wajuikana Sana katika mji kuliko mimi mkaa jicboni. Laldni bii babati
yangu Muungu amenipa. Kiwekwacbo na Muungu, mwana Adamu bawezi kukiondoa,
ilia yeye aliokiweka.
Akiondoka kijana akamwambia, mtende, kua beri, nami nakwenda lala, alio
akikula, sasa batakula tena, leo bili limekuwa ziugizi kumkomesba mzazi.
Akaondoka, aka- enda akalala.
Hatta usiku ulipopambauka, akija batta pale mtendeui akajifunuka sbuka,
akalala. Hatta nokoa wake akaamka. Nikautazame mtende buo leo, kama
tutapata baya mako- mbo ya ndcge yanaosalia, kwani mtende buu, mtu bauoni
tende. Akija nokoa, batta alipokoma nussu ya njia alipotiipa macbo kunako
mtende kule, akauona mtende umemkalia tamu.
Akirudi mbio batta uyumbani akipiga goma, wote wajoli wake wakaja,
wake kwa waume, batta watoto
SULTAN MAJNUN. 241
And be said, " Very good." And it flew, and went its way.
The lad returned to tlie date-tree. And he saw the date-tree, and he
saw the dates, and he felt his soul glad ; and his heart felt itself
as if one had come and said to him, " Come, rise up and go into
Paradise ;" he felt such beauty in his soul — he felt so joyous — he
felt his body so strong — he felt his eyes so bright. And the youth
laughed loud, and said, " This is my luck, mine, Sit-in- the-kitchen's."
And he said, " Six lions came here, every man with sword and shield,
and his dagger at his waist, and his stick in hand, and each youth
said to his com- panion, ' Make room here that I may pass.' In the
first place strong youths, in the second handsome youths, in the third,
well-known in the town, more than I, Sit-in- the-kitchen. But this my
luck, God has given it me. What is laid up by God, no son of Adam
can take away, save he for whom it is laid up."
And the youth arose, and said, " Farewell, date-tree, I am going to lie
down ; what ate you, now will eat you no more. To-day there is a sleep
like that which puts an end to child-bearing." And he arose, and went
and lay down.
And when the night had turned to daylight, he came there by the date-
tree, and covered himself ivith a sheet, and slept. At last his head-man
awoke. " Let us look at the date-tree to-day, whether we are to get
the bird's scraps that are left, for as to this date-tree, no one will
see its dates." The head-man came, till when half the way was past, and
he cast his eyes towards where the date- tree was ; he saw that the
tree had remained in -good condition.
He ran back to his house, and beat the large driun, and all his
fellow- slaves came, women and men, and even the
242 ,S UL TAN I MAJIX T'XL
wakachukuliwa. Je ! nokoa tiipe khabari waliotutia. Akawaambia, naliokutiani
? Wakamwambia, twambia nokoa wetu. Akawaambia, bwaua hakuzaa mwana, amezaa
simba. Akawaambia, katazameni mkaa jikoni, alivyo- funua iiso wake leo kwa
baba yake. Gissi gani, nokoa ? Akawaambia, leo siku ya watu kula tende.
Kweli, nokoa ? Akawaambia, ua'am,
Akawaambia, kwauza msiende kumwamsha ilia twende tukampukuse, mwenyi kuku
na achukue kuku, na mwenyi mbuzi na achukue mbuzi, na mwenyi mcbele
achukue mchele, na mwenyi mpunga na achukue mpunga, na mwenyi ngano
achukue ngano, na mwenjT fetha achukue fetha ; lakini mtama, na muhindi
msichukue haya.
Watu wakaenda majumbani mwao, wakaja, aliochukua kuku amechukua, aliochukua
mbuzi amechukua, aliochu- kua mchele amechukua, aliochukua mpunga amechukua,
aliochukua ngano amechukua, aliochulaia fetha amechu- kua. Wakachukua na
ngoma, wakamkuta amelala chini ya mtende,
Wakaenda pale wakamchukua kwa baragumu, kwa zomari, kwa ngoma, na kofi,
na vigelegele hatta kwa babaye.
Babayc aliposikia shindo linakuja njiani, na matawi la mtende limechukuliwa
ndani ya pakacha, alipoona watu- mwa wa shamba wanakuja kwa fuiaha,
alipomwona na mtoto amechukuliwa juu kwa juu, Sultani Majnuni alijua, leo
nitakula tende. Akamwita, mke wangu ! Akamwitika, lebeka, bwana.
Akamwambia, bwana wa jiko leo atatuli-
SULTAN MAJNUN. 243
cliildren were carried along. " Hullo ! head-man ! give us the news which
you have for us." And he said, " What have I got for you ?" And they
said, " Tell us, head-man of ours." And he said, " The master has not
had a sou born, he has a lion." And he said, " Look how Sit-in- the-
kitchen has uncovered his face to-day before his father." " What is it,
head-man ?" And he said, " To-day is the day for people to eat dates."
" Is it true, head- man ?" And he said, " Yes, indeed."
And he said, " Don't go and wake him before we go and make him
presents. He who has fowls, let him take fowls ; he who has a goat,
let him take a goat ; he who has cleaned rice, let him take rice ; he
who has rice in the husk, let him take rice in the husk ; he who has
wheat, let him take wheat ; he who has money, let him take money ; but
millet and maize, don't take those things.
The people went to their houses, and came ; and he who had fowls to
bring, brought them ; and he who had a goat to bring brought it ; and
he who had cleaned rice to bring brought it ; and he who had rice in
the husk to bring brought it ; and he who had wheat to bring brought it
; and he who had money to bring brought it. And they brought the drum,
and foimd him asleep under the date-tree.
And they went there and carried him away, with horns, and with
clarionets and drums, with clapping of hands and shrieks of joy, even to
his father's house.
When his father heard the noise coming along the road — and the bimches
of dates were carried in baskets made of fresh leaves — when he saw the
plantation slaves coming with rejoicing — when he saw his child, too,
carried higher than all, Sultan Majniin knew, " To-day I shall eat
dates." And he called, " My wife !" And she answered, •' Here,
master." And he said, " The master of the
244 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
sha tende. Alii:)osikia maneno yale, yule mwanamke aliacha kupika akaeuda
mbio darini. Akamwambia, nini, bwana ? Akamwambia, tazama katika dirisba.
AHpota- zama amwona mwanawe anakuja kwa fiu-aba na wale watumwa, waliokuja
kwa fiiraba.
Babake akaamuru asikari, mfuateni, mkamtwae mtoto. Wakaenda asikari mbio,
wakaenda wakamcbukua batta akifika kwa babaye.
Je ! kbabari mwanangu. Akamwambia, sina kbabari, kbabari yangu ui kufunua
kinwa hakulimbusba tende. Akamwambia, na'am, ndio kuzaa buku nilimbusbe
mwa- nangu, Akicbuma tende, akamtia baba yake kinwani. Akacbuma tende,
akamtia mama yake kinwani.
Akamwambia, buku mwanangu ndio kuzaa, si kama wale waj)umbavu, si kama
wale asberati. Akamwambia, Je ! mwanangu walimfanyaje ndege buyn,
mwalimngojea wewe na nani, ndege buyu. Akamwambia, ndege buyu nalimugojea
mimi peke yangu, nami bamwona tena, wala hatakuja tena maisba yake, na
maisba yako, na maisha ya waugine watakaokuja.
Akamwambia, mwanangu, hapana jambo lalionipendeza kwako, kama bili
walionilimbusba tende, kwaui nimekaa miaka mitano mimi sikupata kulimbuka
tende. Nami nna watoto sita, wala si mmoja, wewe naliokwambia mpumbavu
ndio walionilimbusba tende. Ilawa mimi siwataki.
Akaondoka maraaye akacnda kwa mumewe, akamwa- mbia, si wakatae, mwenyi
kukataa mwana bukataa mwana wa haramu, na wewe Sultani Majnuni, ukiwakataa
watoto bawa, watu watawaambia waana wa baramu, na mimi
SULTAN MAJNUN. 245
kitchen will give us dates to eat to-day." When she heard those words,
the woman left her cooking and ran up-stairs. And she said, " What is
it, master ?" And he said, "Look through the window." And when she
looked, she saw her son coming with rejoicing, and the slaves, who were
come rejoicing.
And his father ordered the soldiers, " Go after him and take the boy."
And the soldiers went and ran and carried him, till they reached his
father.
" Well ! the news, my son ?" And he said, " I have no news ; my news
is to open your mouth and I give you a taste of the dates." And he
said, " Yes, this is having children, for my son to give me to taste."
And he plucked a date, and put it in his father's mouth. And he
plucked a date, and put it in his mother's mouth.
And he said, " This, my son, is having children ; not like those
fools, not like those good-for-nothings." And he said, " Well, my son,
what did you do with the bird — you, and who else watched for the bird
?" And he said, " As to the bird, I watched for it by myself ; and I
saw it, too, and it will not come again for its life, nor for your
life, nor for the lives of those who are to come besides."
And he said, " My son, there is no single thing that has pleased me
about you like this, that you have given me a taste of the dates, for
I have waited five years and have not got a taste of the dates. And I
have six sons, and yet I have not one. You, whom I called a fool, are
the one who gave me a taste of the dates. As for them I want none of
them."
And his mother arose and went to her husband, and said, " Do not
reject them ; he who rejects a son, rejects an unlawful son ; and you.
Sultan Majniin, if you reject these children, people will say they are
not lawful chil- dren, and I, your wife, shall have no face before
people.
246 SULTANl MJJIXUXI.
rnkeo sina uso kwa watii. Killa nitakapokwenda, katika ukumbi wa watu,
sitaweza kuinua uso wangu kutazama watu pia, wake kwa waume, wangwana kwa
watumwa, wadogo kwa wakubwa, wataniambia mimi kama nimezaa kwa haramu.
Bassi we we, Bwana, wapenda niambiwe maneno kama hayo na watu ?
Akamwambia, basha, sipendi mimi waambiwe maneno mabaya na watu, licha ya
baya batta mangine mabaya, sipendi waambiwe na watu. Napenda mimi nikupe
maneno mema na wote watu watakaosikia katika incbi bii ao incbi nyingine,
wakiambiwa kama Sultani Majnuni bumpa maneno ma- tamu mkewe, bamkasiri
mkewe, lile atakalo mkewe ndilo amfanyalo, na watu wangine watakufanya
kama yale. Akamwambia, absanti, bwana wangu, ndilo jambo nali- lotaka
kwako, nami nimelipata. Na vijana na vikae kitako.
Bassi yule kijana kitinda mimba, akipendwa sana na babaye, na bibi
akimpenda sana, na sbangazi lake akimpeuda sana na mjumba wake akimjienda
sana, kuliko wale nduguze watu sita. Wale watu sita walikipendwa sana na
mama yao, kuliko yule kitinda mimba. Yule mke akamwambia mumewe, siacbi
wingi kwa ucbacbe, siacbi waana sita bampenda mmoja.
Bassi wakakaa kitako, batta yiile paka wa Sultani akaenda akakamata udama
wa ng'ombe. Akaenda akaa- mbiwa Sultani yule, paka amekamata ndama wa
ng'ombe, akawaambia, paka wangu na ndama wangu. Wakamwa- mbia, vema, bwana.
Wakakaa baada ya siku mbili tatu, akakamata koo la mbuzi. Wakamwambia,
Bwana, paka amekamata koo la mbuzi leo. Akamwambia mbuzi wangu na paka
wangu.
Wakakaa baada ya siku mbili, akakamata ng'ombe. Akaenda akaambiwa, bwana,
paka amekamata ng'ombe. Akawaambia, ng'ombe wangu na paka wangu.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 247
Whenever I go in the porches of people's houses, I shall not be able
to lift up my face to look at anybody, women or men, free or slave,
little or gi-eat ; they will say of me that I have borne unlawfully.
Now you, master, do you wish me to be spoken to by people in such
words as these ? And he said, " Far be it. I do not wish evil words
to be uttered to you by people; neither these nor any other evil words
do I wish to be uttered to you by people. I wish to give you good
words myself, and all people who shall hear of us in this land, or any
other, shall be told that Sultan Majnun gives sweet words to his wife ;
he does not vex his wife ; what his wife wishes, that he does to her,
and other people will act towards you in like manner." And she said, "
Thanks, my master, that is the very thing I wanted of you, and I have
obtained it. And let the youths stay quiet."
So that youth, the last born, was loved much by his father, and his
grandmother loved him much, and his aunt loved him much, and his uncle
loved him much, more than his brothers, though there were six of them.
Those six were loved much by their mother, more than the last born. The
woman told her husband, " I shall not give up plenty for fewness, I
shall not give up six sons and love one."
So they lived quietly, till the Sultan's cat went and caught a calf And
the Sultan was told, " The cat has caught a calf." And he said, " The
cat is mine, and the calf mine." And they said, " Yery good,
master."
And they stayed two or three days, and it caught a breeding-goat. And
they told him, " Master, the cat has caught a breeding-goat to-day." And
he said, " The goat was mine, and the cat mine."
And they stayed, till after two days it caught a cow. And he was told,
" Master, the cat has caught a cow." And he said, " It was my cow
and my cat."
248 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
Akakaa baacla ya siku ya pili, akakamata puuda. Akaencla akaambiwa,
Sultani, paka amekamata puncia, akawaambia, puncia wangu na paka wangu.
Akakaa baada ya siku moja, akakamata frasi. Akaenda akaambi- wa Sultani,
bwana, paka amekamata frasi. Akawaambia, paka wangu na frasi wangu. Akakaa
akajikamatia ngamia. Akaambiwa Sultani, paka leo amekamata nga- mia.
Akawaambia, wamtakia nini, paka wangu na ngamia wangu, ninyi paka buyu
liampendi mwataka ni'mue, killa siku kuniletea maneno maueno tu. Nami
si'mui mwacbeni ale ngamia, batta mtu na ale.
Akakaa batta siku ya pili, akakamata mtoto wa mtu. Akaenda akaambiwa
Sultani paka amekamata mtoto wa mtu. Akawaambia paka wangu na mtoto
wangu. Akakaa siku ya pili akakamata mtu mzima, akaenda akaambiwa,
amekamata mtu paka, bwana. Akawaambia, jiaka wangu na mtu wangu.
Akahama mjini yule paka, akakaa kama katika Mnazi- moja katika magugu.
Bassi akipita mtu hwenda maji, bumla, akiona ng'ombe akipita kwenda
kucbungwa, aka- mkamata akala. Akiona mbuzi akamata, akila. Kitu akionacbo
cbo cbote kinacbopita katika ujia ile, akamata akila.
Watu wakaenda wakamwambia Sultani, Gissi gani Bwana, wewe ndio Sultani
wetu, wewe ndio bwana wetu, wewe ndio ngao yetu, umemwacba yule paka
bwana, amekwenda kaa Mnazimoja, akipita mtu bumla, akipita ng'ombe bumla,
akipita puuda liumla akipita mbuzi bumla, cbo cbote kitu kinacbopita
katika njia ya Mnazimoja hukamata akila, na usiku busbukia katika mji,
aonacbo
SULTAN MAJNUN. 249
And it waited, till after the second day it caught a donkey. And he
v/as told, " Sultan, the cat has caught a donkey." And he said, " My
donkey and my cat." And it waited, till after one day it caught a
horse." And the Sultan was told, " Master, the cat has caught a horse."
And he said, " My cat and my horse." And it waited, and caught for
itself a camel. And the Sultan was told, " To-day the cat has caught a
camel." And he said, " What do you want with it ? It is my cat and
my camel ; you don't like this cat, and want me to kill it; every day
bringing me mere tales. And I shall not kill it ; let it eat the
camel, and let it eat even a man."
And it waited till the next day, and caught some one's child. And the
Sultan was told, " The cat has caught some one's child." And he said,
" The cat is mine and the child mine." And it ^vaited till the next
day, and caught a full-grown person. And he was told, " The cat has
caught a full-grown person, master." And he said, " The cat is mine and
the person mine."
And the cat removed from the town, and lived as it were on Mnazimoja,
among the undergrowth. So if any one passed, going for water, it devoui-
ed him. If it saw a cow passing, going to be pastured, it seized it
and ate it. If it saw a goat, it ate it. Everything it saw, which
passed on that road, it caught and ate it.
The people went and said to the Sultan, " How is this, master ? It is
you who are oui" Sultan, it is you who are our master, it is you who
are our shield. You have left that cat, master, to itself ; it is gone
to live on Mnazimoja ; if a man passes, it eats him, if a cow passes,
it eats it, if a donkey passes, it eats it, if a goat passes, it eats
it, whatever thing it is which passes by that road of Mnazimoja, it
catches and eats it ; and at night it comes down into the town :
whatever it finds in the town, it catches and eats
250 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
clio cliote katika mji hukamata akala. Bassi, bwana. tufanyeje
mambo baya ?
Akawaambia, natbani ninyi robo zenu, paka biiyu hampendi, wataka ni'inue,
nami sita'mua paka waugu ua hivyo anavyokula vyangu.
Bassi watu waka<angaa, bapana mtu anaotbubutu ku'mua, na watu wamekwisba
kuliwa na paka. Akakaa njia ya Mnazimoja, tena watu wasipite njia ile ;
paka akabama njia nyingine, akikamata vilevile.
Wakaenda wakamwambia Sultani, paka anabasiri watn. Akawaambia maneno yenu
mimi siyataki, maneno yenu kwangu madogo, wala sisikii maneno baya, wala
paka si'mui.
Watu wakabama njia ilc wasipate. Akabama njia nyingine akafanya kama yale.
Akaambiwa Sultani, amezidi paka, bwana, amekuwa mkali kabisa, bakipiti kitu
mbele yake, amekidaka, Akawaambia, paka wangu na bicbo anacbotwaa cbaugu.
Wakabama watu, wasipite njia ile.
Akaona yule Sultani maneno yamekuwa mengi ya watu, aka'mweka mtu mwangoui.
Killa mtu atakaye- kuja bapa kwa masbtaka ya paka, mwambia, bwana
hapatikani. Akamwambia, Ee walla, bwana.
Bassi usiku paka buja nijini, akikamata killa apatacbo, na ufajiri burudi
akaenda zake kiungani. Hatta mle viungani bamna watu ; waliokimbia,
wamekimbia, na waliokamatwa, ^\ amekamatwa. Akajongea mbali ndogo masbamba
yule paka, akikamata buko watu na nyama, na
SULTAN MAJNUN. 251
it. So then, master, what are we to do, tilings being in this
state ?''
And he said, " I think in your souls you hate this cat ; you want me
to kill it, and I shall not kill it ; the cat is mine, and these
things it eats are mine."
So the people were astounded ; there was no one who dared to kill it,
and people had been already eaten by the cat. And it stayed on the
road by Mnazimoja. And then, people not passing that way, the cat
removed to another road, preying in the same way.
And they went and told the Sultan, " The cat is injuring the peoj)le."
And he said to them, " I hate your messages ; your words are little
with me. I will neither listen to such messages, nor will I kill the
cat."
The people removed from that road and did not pass along it. And it
removed to another road and did as before. And the Sultan was told, "
The cat has got worse, master ; it is become perfectly savage, not a
thing passes before it but it has seized it." And he said, " The cat
is mine, and this which it takes is mine." And the people removed and
did not pass along that road.
The Sultan found that the messages from the people were become many, and
he placed a man at the door, " Every one who shall come here with
accusations against the cat, tell him the master is not to be seen."
And he said, " All right, master."
Well then at night the cat used to come into the town, seizing
everything it could get hold of, and in the morn- ing used to return
and go away into the outskirts. Till there in the subui-bs thei*e were
no peoj)le. Those who ran away had rim away, and those who were caught
had been caught. And the cat moved on a little further into the country,
catching there people and animals ; and at night it used to come into
the town, and caught what it
252 SULTANI MAJINUNL
usiku huja mjini, akakamata akipatacho na ufajiri akaenda shamba. Na killa
watu wakimwendea kiunpa khabari Sultani, kwa maneno ya paka, bawampati.
Akazidi kujongea mbele sbamba yule paka, bukamata akipatacbo, akipata kuku,
akipata mbwa, akii)ata mbuzi, akipata ng'ombe, akipata mtu, cbo cbote
kimpitiacbo mbele yake bukamata, ua asipokiona kitu cba kukamata bufanya
jubudi ukitafuta, na usiku wa mjiui, na ufajiri akaenda sbamba. Kazi
ikawa ileile, ya kukamata paka na Sultani bapatikaui.
Ilatta siku biyo Sultani akanena, mimi leo natazama sbamba, tcndeni
tukatazama, watoto. Akafuataua Sultani na watoto wale sita. Wakacnda batta
katika njia pana magugu, wale watoto sita buko nyuma, baba yao yu mbele.
Yule paka akatoka katika mwitu, akiwaua watoto watatu. Watu wakaruka, paka
! paka ! paka ! paka ! Wakamwambia asikari, Je! Bwana tumtafute tu'mue.
Akawaambia, tafuteni m'mue. Wakamwambia, Ee walla, bwana.
Akawaambia, buyu bakuwa paka tena, buyu jina lake nxmda, aliokuja
kunikamatia batta waanangu. Waka- mwambia, Bwana yule paka batacbagua, buyu
mwana wa bwana, nimwacbe, ao buyu mke wa bwana nimwacbe, ao buyu jamaa
yake bwana, nimwacbe ; neno bili bakuna kwake la paka buyu kucbagua.
Twakucbelea bwana batta wewe kukula. Akawaambia, kweli batta mimi atanila.
Hatukwambia bwana, kama paka buyu auakwisba watu, ukanena, paka waugu na
watu wangu ? Akawaambia, kweli nimenena.
Wale asikari walipokwenda kumpiga yule paka, wangine
SULTAN MAJNUN. 25»
could get, and in the morning went into tlie country. And every party
of people who went to the Sultan to give him information about the
business of the cat could not get to him.
And the cat went on moving forward into the country, catching what it
could get ; and it got fowls, and it got dogs, and it got goats, and
it got cattle, and it got people ; whatsoever passed before it it
caught, and when it found nothing to catch it exerted itself seeking for
something ; and the night was the town's, and in the morning it went
into the country. The business went on just in the same way, the cat
preying, and the Sultan not to be got at.
Till one day the Sultan said, " To-day I am going to look at the
country ; let us go, children, and look." And the six sons accompanied
the Sultan. And they went on until in the road there was a thicket ;
the six sons were behind and their father in front. The cat came out
of the forest and killed three of the sons. The people started, " The
cat ! the cat ! the cat ! the cat !" And the soldiers said to him, "
Master, let us look for it and kill it." And he said, " Seek for it
and kill it." And they said, " All right, master."
And he said, " This is no longer a cat, its name is Nunda, which came
and caught from me even my sons." And they said to him, " Master, the
cat will not make a selection, this is the master's son let me leave
him alone ; or, this is the master's wife, let me leave her ; or, this
is the master's relative, let me leave him ; the cat has nothing like
this in it to make selections. We fear for you, master, its eating even
you." And he said, " True, it will eat even me." " Did we not tell
you, master, how the cat was finishing people, and you said, ' My cat
and my people.' " And he said, " True, I said it."
The soldiers, when they went to strike that cat, some
254 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
wakauawa, wangine -wakakimbia. Yule Sultani akarudi na watoto wale, akaja
akazika.
Yule mtoto wa saba, alio nyumbani, alipoona khabari zile za nduguzo
walipouawa na paka, akamwambia mama, nami nitakwenda, paka aniue kama
alivyoua ndugu zangu. Akamwambia, wee utakwendaje mtoto peke yako ? Aka-
mwambia, mimi nitakwenda kwa ucbimgu wa ndugu zangu, siku moja mtu
kuondokcwa na watu watatu katika dunia, bassi mtu huyu asifanye ucbungu ?
Bassi mimi ntapotea, nikamtafuta yule paka aliowaua ndugu zangu. Aka-
mwambia, vema mwanangu, lak'ai mimi sipendi uenende. Akamwambia, hawa
wamekufa na wende ukafe, juu ya donda si donda ? Akamwambia, sina buddi
mama nta- kwenda kwa jambo bili, wala baba simvvambii.
Yule paka tena amekimbia mbali sana. Akafanyizwa mikate na mama yake,
akapewa na watu wa kumcbukulia vyakula. Akapewa na mkuki mkuu mkali kama
wembe, na upanga wake. Akamwambia, mama buriani. Akatoka, akaenda zake.
Hatta alipokoma viungani akaona jibwa kubwa, aka- mpiga, akamfunga,
anamkokota. Akaja auakwimba.
Mami'i wee, niulaga Nuuda mla wiitu.
Hatta akafika batta karibu na mji. Mama yuko juu, akamwona, akamsikia
anakwimba,
Mama wee, niulaga
Nund^ mla watu. {Marra 'nne.)
Akamjibu mamakc, akamwambia,
Mwanangu, si yc'ye Nunda mla watu.
SULTAN MAJ NUN. 255
of them were killed and some of them ran away. The Sultan returned with
his sons, and came and buried them.
The seventh son, who was in the house, when he learnt the news of his
brothers who were killed by the cat, said to his mother, " I too will
go, that the cat may kill me as it has killed my brothers," And she
said, " How will you go, son; by yourself?" And he said, "I shall go
in anger for my brothers ; for a man to lose out of the world three
people in one day, should not such a one feel anger '? So then I shall
wander about and look for that cat who killed my brothers." And she
said, " Very good, my son, but I do not like you to go." And she
said, " These have died, and that you should go and die, is not that
one wound upon another?" And he said, "I cannot help going, mother, on
such a business, and do not tell my father."
The cat had run oif to a great distance. And he had cakes made for
him by his mother, and was given people to carry food for him. And he
was given a great sjjear as sharp as a razor, and his sword. And he
said, " Mother, a last farewell." And he went out and went away.
When he had passed the suburbs he saw a huge dog, and smote it, and
tied it, and dragged it, and came singing,
" 0 mother, I have killed The Nunda, eater of people."
When he arrived near the town his mother was up-stairs, and saw him,
and heard him singing,
" O mother, I have killed The Nunda, eater of people." {Four times.)
And his mother answered him and said,
" My son, this is not he, The Nmida, eater of people."
25fi SULTANI MAJINUNI.
Na yule mtoto amekaza kiile kwimba,
wee niulaga Nunda mla watu. (Marra tano.)
Na mamaye akamjibu,
Mwanangu, si yeye
Nunda mla watu. {Marra mhili.)
Akamwacha yiile jibwa.
Akamwambia, Ee ! siye nunda, yule nunda mkubwa, uwache mwanangu, ukakaa
kitako. Akamwambia, mama si jambo la kupatikana mimi la kukaa kitako.
Akatoka akaenda zake mwituni.
Akaenda mbali kuliko siku ile, na watumwa wake waliomchukulia cbakxila,
Akaenda akamwona fungo, aka'mua, akamfunga akamkokota, akija naye, hatta
alipo- koma nussu ya njia akaimba,
Mama wee, niulaga
Nunda mla watu. [Marra sita.)
Mwanangu, si yeye Nunda mla watu. (Marra tatu.) Akamtupa.
Akamwambia, mwanangu huachi ukakaa kitako V Uta- taabika sana, tazama siku
hizi mbili imiekuwa mweusi. Akamwambia, mama sina buddi na kwenda twaa
kisasi cha ndugu zangu. Akamwambia, encnda.
Akaenda katika mwitu mbali zayidi kuliko juzi. Akaenda, akamwona ngawa,
aka'mua, akamfunga, aka-
SULTAN MAJNUN. 257
And the lad sang there louder and louder,
" O mother, I have killed The Nunda, eater of people." (Five times.)
And his mother answered him,
" My son, this is not he, The Nunda, eater of people." (Tioice.)
And he left the great dog.
And she said, " O, this is not it, the nunda is larger ; leave it, my
son, and stay at home." And he said, " Mother, it is not a thing to
be obtained that I should stay at home." And he set out and went away
into the forest.
And he went further than the first day, with the slaves who carried
food for him. And he went and found a civet cat, and killed it, and
bound it, and dragged it, and came with it, till when he had ended
half the way he sang,
" O mother, I have killed The Nunda, eater of people." {Six times.)
" My son, this is not he, The Nunda, eater of people.'' {Three
times.)
And he threw it away.
And she said, " My son, will you not leave it and stay at home ? You
will be sorely troubled ; see, in these two days you are sunburnt." And
he said, " Mother, I cannot help going to avenge my brothers." And she
said, " Go."
And he went into the forest further than two days before. And he went
and saw a larger kind of civet cat, and he killed it, and bound it,
and dragged it. And
258 SULTANI MAJINUNT.
mkokota. Aliiookiija hatta alipokoma nussu ya njia. akaimba,
Mamii wee, niulnga
Niiuda mla watu. {Marra saba.)
Mwanangu, si ycye
Nunda mla watu. {Marra nne.)
Akamtupa.
Akamwambia, utapata wapi nuuda huyu naye mbali, uawe humjui alipo,
utataabika sana mtoto, uso wako umebadilika kwa siku tatu hizi, utafathali
ukakaa kitako. Akamwambia, sina bitdcli, mama, ya kiienenda. Aka- mwambia,
mama maneno matatu nitapata moja kwa Muu- ngu. Akamwambia, la kwanza
mwanangu ■? Akamwambia, la kwanza ntakufa. Akamwambia, lapili, mwanangu ?
Ao ntampata nunda, ni'mue. Akamwambia, la tatu mwanangu ? Ao ntamkosa
nunda nirudi. Bassi matatu baya mama, sitakosa moja kwa Muungu.
Akamwambia, mimi mwanangu napenda umpate huyu nuuda uje nawe, na robo
yangu nimwone, iwe safi. Akamwambia, basKi mama kua beri, naenda zangu.
Akaeuda mbali kuliko siku ile, akaenda akamkuta punda milia, aka'mua,
akamfunga akamkokota, akaja zake hatta nussu ya njia, akaimba,
Mama wee, niulaga
Nunda mla watu, (Marra nane.)
Mwanangu, si yeye
Nunda mla watu. {Marra tano.)
Akamwacba.
Akamwambia utafathali mwanangu, ukae kitako, roho yangu imofanya khofu,
mwanangu. Akamwambia, una
SULTAN MAJNUN. 259
when he was come, and had ended half the way, he sang,
" 0 Mother, I have killed The Nunda, eater of people." (Seven times.)
" My son, this is not he, The Nunda, eater of people." {Four times.)
And he threw it away.
And she said, " Where will you find this nunda. It is far off, and
you do not know where ; you will be sorely troubled, boy ; youi- face
is changed by these three days, I beg of you stay at home." And he
said, " Mother, I cannot help going." And he said, " Mother, of three
things, I shall obtain one of God." And she said, " The first, my son
?" And he said, " The first is, I shall die." And she said, " The
second, my son ?" " Or else I shall find the nunda and kill it." And
she said, " The third, my son?" "Or else I shall miss the nunda and
come back. So of these three, mother, I shall not miss one from God."
And she said, "For myself, my son, I should like for you to get this
nunda and come with it, and for my soul to see it, that it may be
clear." And he said, " Good-bye, then, mother, I am going."
And he went further than the other day, and met with a zebra, and he
killed it, and bound it, and dragged it, and came home half the way,
and sang,
'• O mother, I have killed The Nunda, eater of people." {Eight
times.)
" My son, this is not he, Tlie Nimda, eater of people." {Five times.)
And he left it.
And she said, " I beg of you, my son, stay at home ; my soul is
afraid, my son." And he said, " What are you afraid of, mother?"
And he said, "If, mother, your
260 SULTANl MAJINUNI.
khofu ya nini mama? Akamwambia, kama kliofu yako mama ya kufa, nitakaa
liatta lini. sina buddi ntakufa. Akamwambia, naenda zangu. Akamwambia,
kua heri.
Akaenda akaingia katika msitu na nyika, akaenda, akamkamata twiga. Aka'mua,
akafurahi sana roho yake, akaneua, Luyu ndio khalisi uunda. Akamfunga,
akamko- kota, batta akija akikoma nuss ya njia, akaimba,
Mama wee, niulaga
Nunda mla watu. (Marra kenda.}
Mwanangu, si j'eye
Nunda mla watu. {Marra sita.)
Akatwaa akamwacba.
Akamwambia, mwanangu, taabu unazo kupata peke yako, nawe unao nduguzo watu
watatu bapa, bapana mmoja anaoueua, naswi tumfuate yule mdogo wetu, kwenda
naye mwituni, tukamtafute buyu nunda. Hapana. Wote wamekaa kitako na
sbugbuli zao, unasumbuka peke yako, mwanangu. Akamwambia, tumbo waliotoka
wewe ndio waliotoka wale, na baba yenu ndiye mmoja Sultani Majuuni. Si
kwamba mna baba wawili, ukasumbuka peke yako, lakini baba yenu ndiye huyu
mmoja. Aka- mwambia, mama killa mtu ana roho yake, tungezaliwa tumbo moja,
na killa mtu ana robo yake. Akamwambia, bassi mwanangu usiende, hizi siku
walizokwenda bass. Akamwambia, mama ndilo jambo lisio buddi, sina buddi
ntakwenda. Mamaye akalia sana, na babaye akalia sana, sababu wamefauya
khofu, kwa mwanetu atakufa, na buyu ndio mwana bora tulionaye. Lakini
tutafanyaje ? Haku- bali kukaa.
Akaenda msitu na nyika. batta akaenda akamkuta faru,
SULTAN MAJNUN. Z 261
fear is of my dying, how long shall I remain ? I cannot help dying,"
And he said, " I am going." And she said, " Good-l)ye."
And he went and entered into the forest and wilderness, and went and
caught a giraffe. And he killed it, and his soul was very glad, and he
said, " This is in very deed the nunda." And he bound it, and dragged
it, till as he came and ended half the way, he sang,
" O mother, I have killed The Nunda, eater of people." 'Nine times.)
" My son, this is not he The Nunda, eater of people." {Six times.)
And he took and left it.
And she said, " My son, the trouble you have to bear alone, and you
have three brothers here ; there is not one who says, ' Let us, too,
follow our youngest brother, and go with him into the forest, and look
for this nunda,' there is none. They all stay at home about their own
affairs, and you alone are harassed, my son." And she said, " The womb
you came from was the same that bore them, and you have one father.
Sultan Majmin. It is not as though you had two fathers, and you alone
are harassed, but you all have this one father." And he said, " Mother,
every one has his own spirit, and though we be born from one womb,
each one has his own spirit." And she said, " Do not go then, my son
; these days that you have gone, let them suffice." And he said, "
Mother, this is a matter that cannot be helped, I cannot help going."
And his mother wept much, and his father wept much, because they feared
that, " Our son will die, and this, the best son we have. But what
shall we do '? He will not consent to stay."
And he went into the forest and wilderness, till he
262 SULTANI MAJTNUNI.
amelala katika mti rnkiiu, akawaambia watumwa wake, leo tumemwona nunda
yule. Yu wapi, bwana '? Yule chiui ya mti. Ee, tufanyeje, bwana?
Akawaambia, sasa na tule kabi.sa, tupate kwencla kumpiga, tumempata vema,
akituua, bassi. Wakamwambia, baya, bwana, wakatoa mabumunda, wakala batta
wakasbiba. Akawaambia, na killa mtu na asbike bunduki mbili, moja iwe
cliini, moja iwe mkononi mwake. Wakamwambia, Ee walla, bwana. Akawaambia,
na tupige marra moja bizi zote. Waka- mwambia, Ee walla, bwana. Wakaenda
polepole ndani ya miiba ile, hatta wakaingia katika mwitu pale, waka-
mtokea kwa mgongoni wakamjongelea batta akawa karibu yao, wakampiga, risasi
zika'mingia sana. Akatoka mbio yule faru pale alipopigwa, akaenda,
akaangukia mbali kidogo. Wakamfuata, batta wakamwona ameanguka amekufa.
Wakamfunga, wakamkokota muda wa siku mbili njiani, batta walipofika nuss
ya njia wakaimba.
Mama wee, niulaga
Nunda mla watu. {Marra kumi.j
Mwanangu, si yeye
Nunda mla watu. (Marra saba.)
Wakaja watu wcngi kumtazama yule faru, wakamsikitikia sana yule kijana.
Babaye na mamaye wakalia sana. Wakamwambia, baba ukae kitako. Akawaambia,
baba yangu, naliokwambia balirudi nyuma, kama kufa mimi bivyo ninavyokwenda
killa siku, nami nimekwisba kufa, lakini sijui, bassi niacbeni, mimi,
Babaye akamwambia, ntakupa mali uyatakayo, ntakiipa na enzi yangu, uwe
wewe Sultani, mimi nisbukc, uikae
SULTAN MAJNUN. 263
went and met with a rhinoceros, asleep under a great tree. And he said
to his slaves, " To-day we have seen the nunda." " Where, master ?" "
That under the tree." " Eh ! what are we to do, master ?" And he
said, " Now let us eat our fill, that we may go and smite it, we
have found it well ; if it kills us, so it must be." And they said, "
Come on, master," And they took out their bumundas, and ate till they
were satisfied. And he said, " Let every one take two guns ; let one
lie on the ground and one in his hand." And they said, " All right,
master." And he said, " Let us fire all these at once." And they said,
" All right, master." And they went gently in the midst of the thorns,
till they got in by the tree, and came out upon it at its back ; and
they drew on till they were near it, and fired, and the bullets went
hard into it. And the rhinoceros rushed out, running from where it had
been struck, and fell down a little way oft". And they followed it,
till they saw it fallen down dead. And they bound it, and dragged it
for the space of two days on the road, till when they reached half the
way they sang,
" 0 mother, I have killed The Nunda, eater of people." ( Ten times.,
" My son, this is not he, The Nunda, eater of people." (Seven
times.)
And many people came to look at the rhinoceros, and were very sorry
about the youth.
And his father and his mother wept much. And they said to him, "
Father stay at home." And he said to his father, " What I have told
you cannot be drawn back. If it is my death to go as I am going
every day, I am dead already, but I know it not ; let me go then."
His father said to him, " I will give you what pi'operty you please ;
I will give you, too, my royalty, that you may
264 SULTANI MAJTNUNI.
mtu kwako wa kunipa chakula iia nguo tu. Nawo usiende mwituni, mwauangu.
Akawaambia, kiia lieri, baba, naenda, liaya yako siyasikii.
Akaenda msitu na nyika, akaenda akamkuta ndovxi amelala atliuuri katika
kicliaka. Akawaambia watumwa wake, leo tumemwona nunda. "Wakamwambia, vema,
bwana, yu waj)! ? Akawaambia, yule katika kichaka, mtazameni sana.
Wakamwambia, bassi bwana, hatumjo- ngelei pale alipo ? Akawaambia,
tukimjongelea uso wake, kama anatazama huku tunakokuja sisi, batatujia '?
Na akitujia atatuua sote. Lakini sasa na tufauye shauri tumtoG mtu mmoja
akamtazame uso wake umelekea wapi, uje atwambie. Wakamwambia, vema, shauri
jema bwana, na sisi buuduki ziwe tayai'i.
Akatoka mtwana wake mmoja, jina lake Kiroboto, akitambaa kwa magoti katika
mwitu, batta akakaribia alipo. Akamwona amelala, na uso umelekea uijande
mwiugiue.
Akirudi kwa magoti vilevilo, batta akafika alipo bwana wake. Je ! tupe
khabari. Akamwambia, babari njema, bwana, Akamwambia, yeye ndiye nunda?
Akamwa- mbia, miye, bwana, simjui, lakini buyu ndiye nunda bwana bana sbaka
; mpana, kitwa kikubwa, mashikio yake, uime- yaona bwana mkubwa sana.
Akamwambia, ndiye bwana nunda.
Haya, na tule bassi, tupate kumwendea, wakatoa mabumunda, wakatoa na ladu,
wakatoa na mkate wa kumimiua, wakala ; wakala sana, batta wakasbiba.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 265
be Sultan, and I descend and be your man ; yon giving me only food and
clothing ; and do not go into the forest, my son." And be said to
tbem, " Good-bye, fatber, I go ; wbat you say I bear not."
And be went into tbe forest and wilderness, and be went and met witb
an elephant, asleep at noon in a shady place. And he said to his
slaves, " To-day we have found tbe nunda." And they said, " Very good,
master, where is it ?" And he said, " In tbe shade yonder, look well
at it." And they said, " Well, master, shall we not approach where it
is ?" And be said, " If we approach its face, if it is looking this
way as we are coming, will it not come against us '? And if it comes
against us, it will kill us all. But now let us take counsel, and send
one man, and let him see which way its face is turned, and come and
tell us." And they said, " Very good ; it is a good plan, master ;
and for tbe rest of us, let our guns be ready."
And one of his slaves went on, whose name was Kiroboto [a flea], and
crept on bis knees through tbe forest, until be reached where it was ;
and be found it asleep, and its face was turned in another direction.
And be returned on his knees in tbe same way, till be reached where
bis master was. "Well, give us the news." And be said, " Good news,
master." And he said, " Is it the nunda ?" And be said, " I, for
myself, do not know it, master ; but that this is the nunda, master,
there is no doubt. It is broad, with a great bead ; and, master, I saw
its ears very large." And be said, " This is the nunda, master."
" Come then, let us eat, that we may go after it." And they took out
their humundas, and they took out their ladus, and they took out their
cakes and ate, and ate much, till they were filled.
266 SULTAN I MAJINUNl.
Akawaambia, akina baba! Akawaambia, siku ya leo labuda udio riziki yetu
ya mwisho, bassi leo watu hutakana buriani, atakaopona atapona, na
atakaokufa atakufa, lakini atakaopona kama mimi nimekufa, na akamwambie
mama na baba asifanye msiba. Wakamwambia, haya bwana twende zetu tutapona
inshallab.
Wakaenda zao kwa magoti, hatta wakifika pale kicba- kani, alipo.
Wakamwambia, tupe sliauri, bwana. Aka- waambia, bapaua sbauri ilia na
tumpige tu marra moja. Wakampiga marra moja. Ndovu akawafuknza, killa
akatupa bimduki yake aliokuwa nayo, batta nguo waliovaa wakaziona nzito,
wakazitupa kwa sababu ya kwenda mbio, killa mtu akapata mti akapanda.
Ndovn akaenda zake akaangiika upaude mwingine.
Wale wakakaa juu ya mti killa mtu tokea saa ya tissia batta saa ya
tbenasbara ussubni, bawana kula, bawana nguo, wamekaa kama siku
walipozaliwa katika matumbo ya mama yao.
Yule kijana juu ya mti akalia sana. Akanena, mimi kama sijui kufa, ni
buku leo kufa. Na killa mtu bamwoni mwenziwe. Yule kijana ataka kusbuka
juu ya mti aogopa, asema, labuda nunda yuko cbini atanila, na wale
watumwa wake vilevile, waogopa kusbuka. wasoma labuda nunda yuko cbini
atatula, Nao katika mwitu ulio mkuu, si pabali peupe.
Yule Kiroboto amemwona yule nyama alipoanguka, lakini aogopa kusbuka j)eke
yake, liunena, labuda pale alipoanguka, anena, yule mzima bado bajafa ;
batta alipo- mwona mbwa auakuja kumiiuka. akajua kama kweli amekufa.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 267
And he said to them, " Little fathers." And he said, "To-day is
j)erhaps the last we shall hare need of, so to-day i^eoijle would take
a last leave of one another. He that will escape, will escape, and he
that will die, will die ; but he that shall escape, if I die, let him
tell my mother and father not to grieve." And they said, " Come, master,
let ns go ; we shall escape please God."
And they went on their knees till they arrived there in the shade where
it was. And they said, " Give us a plan, master." And he said, "
There is no plan, only let us fire all at once." And they fired all
at once. And the elephant charged at them, and they threw away every
man his gun which he had with him, even the clothes which they had on
they thought heavy, and threw them away to run the better, and each man
got to a tree and climbed it. The elephant went away and fell down
some distance off.
And they remained every one on his tree from three o'clock until six in
the morning ; they had no food, they had no clothes, they sat as they
were the day they were born.
The youth in his tree wept much, and he said, " I do not know death,
but this is death to-day." And no one of them could see his companion.
The yoiith wished to get down from the tree, but he feared and said, "
Perhaps the nunda is there below, and will eat me." And his slaves, just
in the same way, feai-ed to get down, and said, " Perhaps the nunda is
there below, and will eat us." And they were in a thick forest — there
was no clear space.
Kiroboto had seen where the beast fell, but he was afraid to get down
by himself He said, " Perhaps there where it is fallen, it is alive
still, and not yet dead ; till he saw a dog come and smell it, and he
knew that it was true it was dead.
268 -S UL TAXI MAJINUNL
Akashuka juu ya mti kwa nguvu, akapiga kikorombwe, akajibiwa kikorombwe,
akapiga tena kikorombwe marra ya pili, akatega sbikio lake — bivi — upande,
apate kusikia atakapojibiwa kikorombwe kule, aenende. Akajibiwa kikorombwe
marra mbili, akaenda hatta akawakuta wajoli wake wawili juu ya mti.
Akawaambia, haya shxikeni nimda amekufa. Wakasbuka wale mbio, akija zao
katta wakimkuta bwana wao, akawaambia, Je ! Sbindano ! Akamwambia,
tumefuatana bwana na Kiroboto, nunda amekwislia kufa, bwana, usbuke,
Akasbuka, akifika cbini pale wakikutana wote. Killa mtu akatafuta uguo
yake, akavaa. Wakatafuta bunduki zao, wakatafuta yale maja- mauda, yaliotiwa
mabumimda, wakaja, watoto wamekonda kwa sikn ile moja.
Wakakaa kitako kule wakala vyakula vyao, wakanywa na maji, wakaenda batta
kule alikoanguka nunda. Kijana alipomwona, akaueua, ndiye nunda, ndiye,
ndiye ! Ab ! kweli, bwana, ndiye.
Wakamkokota siku tatu njiani. Hatta wakatoka katika mwitu ; robo yake ina
furaba, ndiye nunda, akaimba,
Mama wee, ndi yeye
Nunda mla watu. ^Marra humi na moja.)
Mwanangu, si yeye
Nunda mla wutu. {Marra nane.)
Ab ! utbia huu, mwanangu, uliokupata ! Na watu
wa mjini wanataajabu udogo wako, na akili zako kwa kuwa nyingi. Na
babayo akamwambia, bapa walipokuwa bass. Usende tena mbele. Akamwambia,
baba, mimi sina buddi kwenenda, labuda Mwcnyi czi Muungu amenia-
S UL TAN MAJN UN. 269
And lie got down from tlie tree with all his might, and he made a
signal-cry, and was answered ; and he made a second signal-cry, and held
his ear thus on one side, to hear when his signal was answered, and go
to that place. And his signal was answered twice, and he went on till
he met with two of his fellow-servants on a tree. And he said to them,
" Come along, get down, the nunda is dead." And they got down quickly,
and came along till they found their master. And he said, " Hullo,
Shindano !" And he said, " We have come with Kiroboto, the nimda is
quite dead, come down, master." And he came down and reached the bottom,
and there they all met. And each man looked for his clothes, and put
them on. And they looked for their guns, and they looked for the
baskets, in which their bumundas were, and they came [with them], and the
young men had got weak through that day.
And they rested there, and ate their food and drank water also, and
went to where the nunda had fallen down. When the youth saw it, he
said, " This is the nunda, this is it, this is it." " Ah ! true
master, this is it."
And they di-agged it three days along the road. Till when they came out
from the forest, his soul was glad that it was the nunda, and he sang
—
" O mother, this is he. The Nunda, eater of people." (Eleven times.)
" My son, this is not he, The Nunda, eater of people." {Eight
times.)
" Ah ! What trouble my son you have taken ! And the people of the
town wonder at your youth, and your understanding, it is so great." And
his father said, " Here where you are, let that suffice. Do not go any
further." And he said, " Father, I cannot help going. Perhaps Almighty
God has laid out my death for me
270 SULTAN I MAJINUNI.
ndikia mauti jangu kuwa liiiku Latika mwitu. Akamwa- tnbia, mwauangu, lile
nalilokwambia nifuate. Akamwa- mbia, Ee walla, bwana wangu, mambo yote
nitakufuata, bwana wangu, lakini hili moja narni nipe Lisa. Akamwa- mbia,
eneuda, lakini safari Lii ukirudi butakwenda tena. Akamwambia, nami, baba,
nikiwa mzima batta nikirudi, roho yangu imeuibubiri siendi tena. Akamwambia
vema, mwanaugu.
Akaenda zake msitu na nyika, hatta akapita mwitu mkubwa, akiona kilima
kikuu sana, na kule juu ya kilima, kuua kilele kikuu sana. Akaona njia
inakwenda hatta imesbuka cbini ya kilima, Akawaambia, Je! watumwa wangu,
sbaui'i yenu, Wakamwambia, kama ipi, bwana? Akawaambia, sbauri ya kwanza,
sasa hapa tuliopo Kisi, nataka tupande mlima mkuu hatta tufike juu ya
kilele. tutazame gissi yake mji, tuna nafasi kupata kwenda mbele.
Wakamwambia, Bwana, mbona sisi hatuwezi kupanda katika mlima. Akawaambia,
kama nyie mwaogopa, jua limekuchwa, na tiilale hapa batta kesho.
Wakamwambia, vema, bwana.
Wakatwaa mabumunda pale, wakatwaa na mkate \\a kusonga, wakala, wakatwaa
na ladu, wakala, wakashiba, wakanywa maji, wakalala ; wakaj)ata usingizi
mwema sana. Killa mtu hakufahamu hatta ussubui jua lina- chomoa,
wakaamshana, haya, ondokeni kumekucha. Tufauyc sbauri kungali na mapema
bado.
Wakamwambia, haya, bwana, tumeamka, tupe shaui-i yako. Akawaambia, shaui-i
ya kwanza, na pike wall, tule. Akawaambia, twaa, mpekcche moto mpike
wali, tule upesi. Wakapika wali pale, wakaisha, wakamwambia, Bwana, wali
umekwisha. Akawaambia, kama umekwisha, pakueni.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 271
there in tlie forest." And he said, " My son, what I tell you, obey
me in." And he said, " All well, my master, I will obey you in all
matters, my master, but in this one excuse me." And he said, " Go ;
but if you return from this jotirney you will go no more." And he
said, " And I, father, if I am alive to return, my soul informs me
that I shall go no more." And he said, " Very good, my son."
And he went into the forest and the wilderness, till he passed a great
forest, and saw a very great hill, and there on the top of the hill a
very large peak. And he saw a jiath going along till it came down to
the bottom of the hill. And he said, " Well, my slaves, what is your
advice ?" And they said, " As what, master '?" And he said, " The first
advice now here where we are, I want for us to climb the great
mountain until we reach the top of the peak, that we may see how the
town lies, [whether] we have room to go forward. And they said, "
Master, why we cannot climb up the mountain." And he said, " If you are
afraid, the sun is set, let us sleep here until to-morrow." And they
said, " Very good, master."
And they took their bumundas, and their cakes, and ate, and they took
their ladus, and ate, and were filled, and they drank water and slept,
and got a very good sleep. Not one remembered till in the morning the
sun was getting hot, and they woke one another. " Come, get up, it is
daylight. Let us make our plan while it is yet early."
And they said, " Come, master, we are awake, give us your plan." And
he said to them, " The first plan is, let us cook some rice and eat."
And he said, " Take and rub the stick to get fii-e, and cook some
rice, and let us eat quickly." And they cooked some rice there, and
when they had finished, they said to him, " Master, the rice is done."
And he said, " If it is done, serve uj)"
272 SULTAN I MAJINUNI.
Akawaambia, leo robo yangu naiona itapata mambo matatu katika ulimwengu
kwa siku ya leo. Wakamwu- liza, la kwanza, bwana? Akawaambia, la kwanza,
leo naona roho yangu, ntakufa. La pili, bwana ? Nathani leo nitampiga
nunda. La tatu, bwana ? Akanena, na- thani ntaonana na mama yangu,
ntaonana na baba yangu ntaonana na mjumba wangu, ntaonana na sbangazi
langu, ntaonana na ndugu zangu, ntaonana na wote rafiki zangu. Wakamwambia,
beri, bwana.
Wakakaa kitako pale, wakapakua wali, wakala, wakala Sana, wakasbiba.
Wakaondoka. Akawaambia, na tupande sasa juu ya mlima. Wakamwambia, Ee
walla, bwana. Akatangulia na watumwa wake, Sbindano na Kiroboto. Wakajianda,
wakaenda batta walipotupa macbo nuss ya mlima, wakaona cbini mbali sana,
wakaona na juu mbali. Akawaambia, msiogope na twende. Wamwambia, na tweude
batta tufike juu ya mlima, tusipande juu ya kilele.
Wakaenda batta walij^ofika juu ya mlima macho yao yaona mbali. Akawaambia,
na tupumzike hapa juu. Hai)a nafasi tele. Bassi wa leo tulale kuku huku
batta kesho, tufauye shauri. Wakamwambia, vema, bwana.
Akaoudoka yule mtumwa wake mmoja, akazunguka- zungiika juu ya mlima.
Alipotupa macho cbini, aona uyama mkubwa, lakini kule cbini kiza kwa miti
bamwoni vema. Akamwita, Bwana ! Bwana ! Akamwitika, naam. Akamwambia, njoo
tazame, bwana. Akaenda batta akifika pale aliposimama Shindano,
akamwambia, tupe macho
SULTAN MAJNUN. 273
And he said, " To-day my soul feels that it will get three things in
the world in the course of to-day. And they asked him, " The first,
master?" And he said, " The first, to-day I feel in my soul, I shall
die." '• The second, master ?" " I think to-day I shall strike the
nunda." "The third, master?" And he said, "I think I shall meet my
mother, I shall meet my father, I shall meet my uncle, I shall meet my
aunt, I shall meet my brothers, I shall meet all my friends." And they
said, " Good luck, master."
And they sat there and served up the rice, and ate, and ate freely,
and were filled. And they arose. And he said to them, " Let us now
climb up the moimtain. And they said, " All right, master." And he went
on in front with his slaves, Shindano and Kiroboto. And they climbed and
went on, till when they cast their eyes half way up the mountain, they
saw that it was a very long way down, and tbey saw it was a long way
up. And he said, " Don't be afraid, let us go on." They said to him,
" Let us go on till we get to the top of the mountain without
climbing up the jjeak."
And tbey went on till they reached the top of the mountain, and their
eyes saw to a great distance. And he said to them, " Let us rest here
on the top. Here is plenty of space. This will do for to-day, let us
sleep just here till to-morrow, and make our plans." And they said, "
Very good, master."
And one of his slaves got up and walked all about on the toj) of the
mountain. And when he cast his eyes down, he saw a great beast, but it
was indistinct there below, because of the trees, he did not see it
clearly. And he called, " Master ! master !" And he answered, " Yes."
And he said, " Come and look, master." And he went till he reached the
place where Shindano was
T
274 SULTANI MAJINUNI.
chini saua. Yulo mtoto akitazama, rolio yake ikambiibiri kuwa ndiye
uunda.
Akisliuka yule kijana yeye na buuduki yake mkononi, na mkuki wake, liatta
akipata nussu ya mlima, akatazama huyu, liapaua buddi ndiye nunda. Mama
yangu alina- mbia masikio yake madogo, na huyu yake madogo ; aliuambia,
nunda mpana si mrefu, na huyu mpaua si mrefu ; alinambia ana mawaa
mawili kama ngawa, na huyu ana mawaa mawili kama ngawa. Alinambia mkia
wake mnene, na huyu mkia wake mnene ; zile sifa zote zake alizoniambia
mama yangu, hizi zote ndizo. Akarudi hatta kwa watumwa wake.
Alipofika kwa watumwa wake, akawaambia, na tule sana leu. Wakamwambia, hay
a bwana, tule. Wakala sana, wakala mikate, na mabumimda, na mkate wa
kumimina, na ladu, wakashiba. Wakanywa maji. Akawaambia, nnuekwisha?
Wakamwambia, bwana, tumekwisha sisi, twakungoja wewe tu. Akawaambia, nami
tayari.
Akawaambia lakini leo, akina baba, tusichukue vyombo vyetu kama safari ya
kwanza. Vyombo vyetu na vyakula vj'etu, na maji yetu, tuweke papa hapa.
twende zetu kujjigana kule. Kama tumeshinda, tupate kuja kula kulala, kesho
twende kwetu, ao tukishiudwa, tukimbilie hapa, tupate chakula chetu. tupate
kwenda zetu upesi.
Na jua limekuwa alasiri. Akawaambia, haya shukcni, twende zetu. Wakishuka,
hatta walipokoma nuss ya mlima, wale watumwa wawili wakafanya woga.
Akawaa- mbia, twendeni msiogope, ulimwcnguni ni mawili, ni kuwa razima na
kufa. Bassi mwaogopa nini ninyi ? Waka-
S UL TA N MAJN UN. 275
standing. And he said to him, " Cast your eyes down far." The lad
looked, and his soul told him that it was the nunda.
And the youth went down with his gun in his hand, and his si:)ear,
till he got half way down the mountain, and looked. " It must be that
this is the nunda. My mother told me its ears were small, and this
one's are small ; she told me the nunda is broad and not long, and this
is broad and not long; she told me it had two blotches like a civet-
cat, and this has two blotches like a civet-cat ; she told me its tail
was thick, and this one's tail is thick ; all those characters that my
mother told me, are all these which are here." And he went back to
where his slaves were.
When he got to his slaves he said to them, " Let us eat lilentifully
to-day." And they said, " Come, master, let us eat." And they ate
plentifully, and they ate cakes, and bumundas, and cakes of batter, and
ladus, and were filled. And they drank water. And he said, " Have you
done T And they said, " Master, we have done, we are only waiting for
you." And he said, " I am ready, too."
And he said, " But to-day, little fathers, let us not carry our things
as in the former joui'ney. Let us put away our things, and our food,
and our water, just here, and let us go to fight yonder. That if we
conquer, we may come and eat and sleep, and to-morrow go home ; or if
we are beaten, we may run away hither, that we may get oiu- food and
be off quickly "
And by the sun it was about the middle of the after- noon. And he
said, " Come, let us get down, and go our way." And as they went
down, when they had finished half the mountain, those two slaves were
afraid. And he said to them, " Let us go, do not be afraid ; there
are two things in the world — living and dying. What then are
276 SULTAN 1 MAJINUNI.
mwambia, vema, twende zetu bwaua. Wakaenda hatta wakafika cliiui.
Akawaambia, killa mwenyi nguo mbili, na avue nguo moja. Wakamwambia, kvva
uini, bwana ? Akawaambia, buku tu katika mwitu, ua mwitu bamia udogo,
Luenda tukanaswa na miiba, ao huenda tunapopenya katika miiba, ao kama
tunafukuzwa, nguo yetu ya pili itatufanya utbia, hutaweza kwenda mbio.
Afatbali bizi nguo moja moja,, na biyo moja tena sbuti tuipige uwinda.
Wakamwambia, vema, bwana. Wakapiga uwinda wote. Akawaambia, haya twendeni.
Wakaenda kwa magoti batta waka- mwona yule nunda pale penyi kicbaka,
akalala.
Yule bwana akanena, ndiye nunda buyu. Na wale watumwa wakamwambia, ndiye,
bwana. Akawaambia, sasa jua linakucbwa, tmnpige, tumwacbe? Wakamwambia,
bwana, tumpige, tujue kumpata, ao tujue tumemkosa. Aka- waambia, vema,
akawaambia, shikeni bunduki zenu tayari. Akawaambia, bunduki zenu nikiziamru
marra moja zilie. Wakamwambia, insballab, bwana,
Wakatambaa kwa magoti, batta wakamkaribia alipo. \N akamwona waziwazi.
Akawaambia, baya sasa na tumpige. Yule bwana, alipopiga bunduki yake, nazo
za watumwa wote zikalia. Yule nunda asiinuke, bunduki zilc zalimtosba.
^^'ale wakakimbia, wakapanda juu ya mlima.
Jua limekuwa magbaribi, batta wakafika juu ya mlima, wakakaa kitako.
Wakatoa mikate, na mabumu- nda, na ladu, na mkate wa kusouga. "NVakala,
wakala Sana, wakasbiba, wakanywa maji, wakakaa kitako.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 277
you friglitened about ?" And they said, " Very good, let us go on,
master." And tliey went on till they reached the bottom.
And he said to them, " Let every one that has two cloths, take off
one of them." And they said, " What for, master ?" And he said, "
Here we are in the wood, and the wood is not a little one. Perhaps we
shall be caught by the thorns, or perhaps as we are getting through the
thorns, or if we are chased, our second cloth may cause us trouble, and
we shall not be able to go fast. It is better for these cloths to be
one apiece, and that one we must tuck up between our legs." And they
said, " Very good, master." And they all tucked up their cloths between
their legs. And he said, " Come along, let us be going." And they went
on their knees till they saw the nunda there where the shade was, and
it was asleep.
The master said, " This is the nunda." And the slaves said, '• It is
it, master." And he said, " Now the sun is setting, shall wo fire at
it, or shall we let it bo?" And they said, " Master, let us fire at
it, that we may know if we hit it, or we may know if we have
missed." And he said, "Very good." And he said, "Hold your guns ready."
And he said, " When I order, let your guns go off at once." And
they said, " Please God, master."
And they crept on their knees till they approached where it was. And
they saw it clearly. And he said to them, '' Come, now let us fire at
it." And when the master fired his gun, all those of his slaves went
off. The nunda did not raise itself, those guns sufficed it. And they
ran away, and climbed up the mountain.
The sun was setting when they reached the top of the mountain, and they
sat down, and took out cakes, and bumimdas, and ladus, and stiff cakes,
and they ate, and ate freely, and were filled, and they drank water,
and sat
278 S UL TAXI MAJINUNI.
AVakaulizaua, Je ! nyama yule tumempata ? Killa lutu akanena, tumempata,
bwaiia. Bassi natulale, batta ussubui tutazame.
Wakalala batta ussubui, wakapika wali, wakala, waka- nywa maji. W akaenda,
wakazunguka kule nyuma ya mlima. W'akamkuta yule nunda amekufa. Wakasbuka
batta wakafika cbini, wakamtazaiiia amekufa. Yule mtoto akafnralii sana, na
wale watumwa wake wakafurabi. Akawaambia, naona njaa, pikeui tcna, tulc.
AN akatoa mcbele, wakapika wali. Wakapika wali mwingi, wakala wali batta
mwingine wakamwaga.
Akawaambia mfungeui, baya, tumkokote. VVakamko- kota siku ya kwanza, msitu
na nyika, siku ya pili, msitu na nyika, siku ya tatu, msitu na nyika,
siku ya nne, nyama tena auanuka. AVale watumwa wake wakamwa- mbia, yule
anauuka na tumwacbe. Akawaambia, buyu tutamkokota batta utalcaposalia mfupa
mmoja, tukaende nao kwetu. Hatta alipokoma nuss ya njia, akaimba mtoto,
Mama wee, niulnga
Nuuda mla watu. {Marra kumi na mbili.)
Akaenda batta alipokaribia karibu na mji,
Jlama, mama, mama,
Nilawa kmnakoikoi, nimbe.
Mama, mama, mama,
Nilawa kumakoikni, nimbe.
Kumakoikoi, nimbe,
Mama wee, niulaga
Nunda mla watu. (Marra nyingi.)
Mwanan<ni, ndiyeye
Nunda mla watu. (Marra nyingi hwa kujibiana.)
SULTAN MAJNUN. 279
down. And they asked one anotter, " Well ! 'have we hit the beast '?"
And each man said, " We have hit it, master." " Let us lie down then,
and in the morning let us Liok."
And they slej^t till the morning, and cooked rice and ate, and drank
water. And they went, and went round to the back of the mountain, and
found the nunda dead. And they went down, and when they reached the
bottom they saw it was dead. The lad rejoiced much, and his slaves
rejoiced. And he said to them, " I am hungry, cook again and let us
eat." And they took out some cleaned rice and cooked it. And they
cooked jilenty of rice, and ate rice till what was left they threw
away.
And he said, " Tic it up and let us drag it." And they dragged it
the first day through forest and wilderness, and the second day, forest
and wilderness, and the third day, forest and wilderness, and the fourth
day, the beast is stinking. His slave said to him, " It stinks, let us
leave it." And he said, " We will drag it as long as a single bone
shall remain, and take it home with us." And when half the way was
ended the lad sang—
"Mother, I have killed The Nuuda, eater of jjeople." [Twelve times.)
And they went on, till as he drew near the town — ■
" Mother, mother, mother, I come from the evil spirits, to sing. Mother,
mother, mother, I come from the evil spirits, to sing, From the evil
spirits, to sing, Mother, I have killed The Nunda, eater of people."
{Matiy times.)
" My son, this is he, The Nunda, eater of people." {Many times, as
if atisvjering one another.)
280 SULTAN I MAJINUNI.
^^'atu wote wa nijiui wakakimbizana kuenenda, walca- mkuta yule kijana,
anakwimba,
Mama ni lawa kumakoikoi,
Nimbe we mama.
Nilawa kumakoikoi, nimbe we.
Mama wee, uiulaga
Nunda mla watu.
Mwanangu, ndi yeye Nunda mla watu.
Babaye aliposikia mwanawe ameknja, ame'miia nunda, akamwona hakuna mtoto
bora katika mwango wake zayidi ya yule. "Watu wote walio katika mji,
wangwana kwa watumwa, wake kwa waume, wadogo kwa wakubwa, wakaenda
kumpukusa. Akapata mali sana, akapendeza Sana katika mji, babaye akampenda
sana.
Siku ya tatu kuja baba yake akashuka katika enzi, akampa mwanawe.
Akamwambia, mimi na mamayo, tupe chakula chetu na nguo, batutaki ilia
zayidi, kwani tume- kuonea, ndiye kijana mwenyi akili, taabu iliokujiata,
na masbaka yote, jua lako, mvua yako, kiza cbako katika mwitu, watu
wakakwambia utakufa, wallakini umerudi mwanangu, bassi mimi pukusa zangu
mimi na mamayo, tumekupa hii iuchi yako, ndio pukusa zako, mwanangu. Nawe
sinene nakukomaza niwie ratbi, mwanangu.
Akaamria yule nunda, akacbukuliwa, akaenda akatiwa shimoni, akafukiwa sana.
Akajenga nyumba juu ya sbimo la nunda. Aka'mweka asikari, akamwambia,
Killa ata- kaopita bapa katika njia bii, atoe ada, aweke, na asipotoa
SULTAN MAJNUN. 281
All the people of the town hastened one another to go, and they found
the youth singing —
" Mother, I come from the evil spirits, That I may sing, mother. I come
from the evil spirits, that I may sing, Mother, I have killed The Nunda,
eater of people."
" My son, this is he. The Nunda, eater of people,"
When his father heard that his son was come, and had killed the nunda,
he felt that there was not a son at his gate greater than this one.
And all the people who were in the town, free and slave, women and
men, small and great, went to make presents to him. And he got much
wealth, and he was in great favour in the town, and his father loved
him much.
When the third day came, his father descended from his dignity, and gave
it to his son. And he said, " As for me and your mother, give us
only our food and clothing ; we want no more, for we have seen of you
that you are a youth of imderstanding. The trouble that came upon you,
and all the difficulties, your sun, and your rain, and your darkness in
the forest, and people told you you would die. But you have come back,
my son. Now for my gift and your mother's : we have given you this
your country, this is your gift, my son, and do not say that I jest
with you ; consent to me, my son."
And he gave orders about the nunda, and it was carried and put into a
pit, and it was filled in well. And he built a house over the pit of
the nunda, and placed a soldier, and told him, " Every one that passes
here by this road let him give the usual present, and lay it up : and
if he gives nothing, kill him." So every one that
^82 S UL TAXI MAJINUNL
u'mue. Bass killa apitaye pale akatoa ada, na yule kijana akakaa na
mamaye saiia, akakaa na babaye sana.
Baba akapatikana na faratlii, akafa, yule mamaye akafauya batliari, nisije
uikafa kabla sijamwoza mwanangu. Akamtafutia mwanamke mwanawe, kwa jubudi,
mke jamaa yake, mzuri, kijana. Akaoa, akaingia nyumbaai, akakaa sana na
mke we, akakaa sana na watu katika mji, na watu wakampenda.
Mamaye akapatikana na faratbi, akafa. Akakaa msiba wa mamaye, batta
akatoka, walipokwisba toka msiba, akawaita wale ndugiize watatu waanaume ;
akawaambia, ndugu zangu, nipeni sbauri, baba amekufa, na mama amekufa, na
bii enzi baba amenipa mimi kabla bajafa.
Wakamwambia baba yetu amekupa enzi, baba yetu kukupa kwako tama, bairudi.
Wakamwambia, bassi sasa ndugu yetu wewe, sisi nduguzo tupatie cbakula na
nguo za kuvaa, batutaki kitu zayidi, nasi tuko cbiui yako, lilo utwambialo
ndilo tutakalotenda.
Akawaambia. ndugu yangu mkubwa kuwa ndio waziri, na wewe wa kati uwe
ndio akida, ua wewe wa mwisbo ndio karani wangu.
Wakakaa kitako, yeye na nduguze, kwa masbaui'i mema. Killa mtu akamwoza
mke, wakakaa na wake wao, wakakaa na mji wao. Killa mtu akazaa na
watoto wao, wakapatana masbauri kama watu wapatanavyo.
Hii ndio baditbi alioifanya Cbuma, kumfanyizia Sultani Majnuni, na buu
ndio mwisbo wa badithi. Ikiwa njema, ujema yetu wote, na ikiwa mbaya,
mbaya yangu mimi pekeyaugu, naliuifauya.
SULTAN MAJNUN. 283
passed gave the usual present, and the youth dwelt with his mother a
long while, and with his father a long while.
And his father was seized by necessity, and died. His mother became
anxious that, " I may not die before I have married my son." And she
sought out a wife for her son with diligence, a wife of his own
family, beautiful and young. And he married and went into his house, and
dwelt long with his wife, and dvrelt long with the people of the town,
and the people loved him.
And his mother was taken by necessity and died. And he sat mom-ning for
his mother till he went forth. And when they bad gone forth from the
mourning, he called his three brothers, and said to them, " My brothers,
give me advice. Father is dead, and mother is dead, and this dignity
father gave me before his death."
And they said, " Our father gave you the dignity, our father's giving
to you was final, it returns not." And they said to him, " So now,
you are our brother, get us, your brothers, food and clothes to wear,
we want nothing more, and we are under you, what you tell us, that is
what we mil do."
And he said, " My eldest brother being the one to be vizir ; you, the
middle one, be my chief officer ; and the last is the one to be my
secretary."
And they dwelt, he and his brothers, in good counsel. He married each
one to a wife, and they dwelt with their wives, and they dwelt with
their town. And each one had children, and they agreed in their coimsels
as people do agree.
And this is the story that Chuma made, making it about Sultan Majnun,
and this is the end of the story. If it be good, the goodness belongs
to us all, and if it be bad, the badness belongs to me alone who made
it.
.■'/
280
SULTAN I MA JIN UNI.
Watu wote wa mjiui wakakimbizana kuencnda, walca- mkuta yule kijana,
anakwimba,
Mama ni lawa kumakoikoi,
Nimbe we mama.
Nilawa kumakoikoi, nimbe we.
Mama wee, iiiulaga
Nunda mla watu.
Mwanangu, ndi yeye Nuuda mla watu.
Babaye aliposikia mwanawe amekuja, ame'mua nunda, akamwona hakuna mtoto
bora katika mwaugo wake zayidi ya yule. Watu wote walio katika mji,
wangwana kwa watumwa, wake kwa waume, wadogo kwa wakubwa, wakaenda
kumpukusa. Akapata mali sana, akapendeza Sana katika mji, babaye akampenda
sana.
Siku ya tatu kuja baba yake akashuka katika enzi, akampa mwanawe.
Akamwambia, mimi na mamayo, tupe chakula chetu na nguo, hatutaki ilia
zayidi, kwani tume- kuonea, ndiye kijana mweuyi akili, taabu iliokupata,
na mashaka yote, jua lako, mvua yako, kiza chako katika mwitu, watu
wakakwambia utakufa, wallakini umerudi mwanangu, bassi mimi pukusa zangu
mimi na mamayo, tumckupa hii incbi yako, ndio pukusa zako, mwanangu. Nawe
sinene nakukomaza uiwie ratbi, mwanangu.
Akaamria yule nunda, akachukuliwa, akaenda akatiwa shimoni, akafukiwa sana.
Akajenga nyumba juu ya shimo la nunda. Aka'mweka asikari, akamwambia,
Killa ata- kanpita bapa katika njia bii, atoe ada, aweke, na asipotoa
•I
\
SULTAN MAJNUN.
281
'-"2. mk, ..: Tike
I sum
;.ime- X M
■ . rndi
•.iagii.
,.;poto8
All the people of tlie town hastened one another to go, and they found
the youth singing —
" Mother, I come from the evil spirits, That I may sing, mother. I come
from the evil spirits, that I may sing, Mother, I have killed Tlie
Nunda, eater of people."
" My son, this is he. The Nunda, eater of people."
When his father heard that his son was come, and had killed the nunda,
he felt that there was not a son at his gate gi'eater than this one.
And all the people who were in the town, free and slave, women and
men, small and great, went to make presents to him. And he got much
wealth, and he was in great favour in the town, and his father loved
him much.
When the third day came, his father descended from his dignity, and gave
it to his son. And he said, " As for me and your mother, give us
only our food and clothing ; we want no more, for we have seen of you
that you are a youth of understanding. The trouble that came upon you,
and all the difficulties, your sun, and your rain, and your darkness in
the forest, and people told you you would die. But you have come back,
my son. Now for my gift and your mother's : we have given you this
your country, this is your gift, my son, and do not say that I jest
with you ; consent to me, my son."
And he gave orders about the nundo, and it was carried and put into a
pit, and it was filled in well. And he built a house over the pit of
the nimda, and placed a soldier, and told him, " Every one that passes
here by this road let him give the usual present, and lay it up ; and
if he gives nothing, kill him." So every one that
^82
SULTAXI MAJINUNI.
u'mue. Bass killa apitaye pale akatoa ada, na yule kijana akakaa na
mamaye sana, akakaa na babaye sana.
Baba akapatikaua na faratbi, akafa, yule mamaye akafanya bathari, nisije
nikafa kabla sijamwoza mwanangu. Akamtafutia mwauamke mwanawe, kwa jubudi,
mke jamaa yake, mzuri, kijana. Akaoa, akaiiigia uyumbani, akakaa sana na
mkewe, akakaa sana na v\atu katika mji, na watu wakampeuda.
Mamaye akajiatikana na faratbi, akafa. Akakaa msiba wa mamaye, batta
akatoka, walipokwisba toka msiba, akawaita wale nduguze watatu waanaume ;
akawaambia, ndugu zangu, nipeni sbauri, baba amekufa, na mama amekufa, na
bii enzi baba amenipa mimi kabla bajafa.
Wakamwambia baba yetu amekupa enzi, baba yetu kukapa kwako tama, bairudi.
Wakamwambia, bassi sasa ndugu yetu wewe, sisi nduguzo tupatie cbakula na
nguo za kuvaa, batutaki kitu zayidi, nasi tuko cbiui yako, lilo utwambialo
ndilo tutakalotenda.
Akawaambia, ndugu yangu mkubwa kuwa ndio waziri, na wewe wa kati uwe
ndio akida, na wewe wa mwisbo ndio karani wangu.
Wakakaa kitako, yeye na nduguze, kwa masbaui- mema. Killa ratu akamwoza
rake, wakakaa na wake wao, wakakaa na mji wao. Killa mtu akazaa na
watoto wao wakapatana masbauri kama ^vatu wapatanavyo.
Hii ndio baditbi alioifauya Cbuma, kumfanyizia Sultani Majnuui, na buu
ndio mwisbo wa baditbi. Ilciwa njema, njema yetu wote, na ikiwa mbaya,
mbaya yangu mimi pekcyangu, nalioifanya.
SULTAN MAJNUN.
283
passed gave the usual present, and the youth dwelt with his mother a
long while, and with his father a long while.
And his father was seized by necessity, and died. His mother became
anxious that, " I may not die before I have married my son." And she
sought out a wife for her sou with diligence, a wife of his own
family, beautiful and young. And he married and went into his house, and
dwelt long with his wife, and dwelt long with the people of the town,
and the people loved him.
And his mother was taken by necessity and died. And he sat moiu-ning
for his mother till he went forth. And when they had gone forth from
the mourning, he called his three brothers, and said to them, " My
brothers, give me advice. Father is dead, and mother is dead, and this
dignity father gave me before his death."
And they said, " Our father gave you the dignity, our father's giving
to you was final, it returns not." And they said to him, " So now,
you are our brother, get us, yoiu- brothers, food and clothes to wear,
we want nothing more, and we are under you, what you tell us, that is
what we will do."
And he said, " My eldest brother being the one to be vizir ; you, the
middle one, be my chief officer ; and the last is the one to be my
secretary."
And they dwelt, he and his brothers, in good counsel. He married each
one to a wife, and they dwelt with their wives, and they dwelt with
their town. And each one had children, and they agreed in their counsels
as people do agree.
And this is the story that Chuma made, making it about Sultan Majniin,
and this is the end of the story. If it be good, the goodness belongs
to us all, and if it be bad, the badness belongs to me alone who made
it.
],, a^^^u/
MWALIMU GOSO.
GOSO, THE TEACHER.
MWALIMU GOSO.
Palikuwa na mwalimu akisomesha watoto, tini ya 'mbuyu, jina lake huyu
mwalimu yuwaita Goso. Hatta siku moja akaja paa, akakwea juii ya ule
'mbuyu, akaa- ngusha buyu, likampiga yule mwalimu, akafa. Wale waanafunzi
wakamtwaa mwalimu wao, wakaenenda, waka- mzika.
Walipokwislia mzika, wakanena, Na twencncle, tuka- mtafuta buyu aliyeangusba
buyu, likampiga mwalimu wetu Goso, nasi tuldmpata, tu'mue.
Kisha wakanena, Aliyeangusba buyu ni kusi, ilivuma ikaangusba buyu,
likampiga mwalimu wetu, na twenende tukaitafute kusi, tuipige.
Wakaitwaa kusi wakaipiga. He kusi ikancua, mimi kusi, mwanipiga, nimefanya
nini ? Wakamwambia, Wewe kusi ndiwe uliyeaugusba buyu, likampiga mwalimu
wehi Goso, si mtende. He kusi ikanena, kwamba mimi ni bora, ningalizuiwa
ni kiyambaza ?
Wakaenenda wakatwaa kiyambaza, wakakipiga, Kile kiyambaza kikanena, mimi
mwanipiga, nimefanya nini? Wakamwambia, Wewe kiyambaza mzuia kusi, na
kusi
GOSO, THE TEACHER.
There wsxs a teacher who taught children to read luider a calabash tree,
and this teacher's name was called Goso. And one day a gazelle came and
climbed up the calabash tree, and threw down a calabash, and it struck
the teacher, and he died. His scholars took their teacher and went and
buried him.
When they had finished burying him they said, " Let us go and look for
him whc» threw down the calabash which struck our teacher Goso, and when
we get him let us kill him.
Then they said, " What threw down the calabash was the south wind : it
blew, and threw down the calabash, and it struck our teacher, and let
us go and look for the south wind, and beat it."
And they took the south wind and beat it. And the south wind said, "
I am the south wind, you are beating me ; what have I done ?" And
they said, " It was you, south wind, who threw down the calabash, and
it struck our teacher Goso, you should not do it." And the south wind
said, " If I were the chief, should I bo stopped by a mud wall ?"
And they went and took the mud wall and beat it. And the mud wall
saicl, "Do you beat me, what have I done ?" And they said, " You
mud wall stop the south
288 MWALIMU GO SO.
ikaangusha buyu, likampiga mwalimu wetu Goso, si mtende. Kiyambaza
kikanena, kwamba mimi ni bora, ningalizuliwa ni panya ?
Wakaenenda wakanitwaa panya, wakampiga. Yule panya akauena, mwauipiga,
uimefanya nini ? Waka- mwambia, wewe panya mzua kiyambaza, na kiyambaza
mzuia kusi, na kusi ikaangusha buyu, likampiga mwalimu wetu Goso, si
mtende. Yule panya akanena, kwamba mimi ni bora, ningaliliwa ni paka ?
Wakaenenda Avakamtafuta paka, wakamtwaa, wakampiga. Yule paka akanena, mimi
mwanipiga, nimefanya nini ? Wakamwambia, wewe paka mla panya, na panya
mzua kiyambaza, na kiyambaza mzuia kusi, na kusi ikaangusha buyu, likampiga
mwalimu wetu Goso, si mtende. Yule paka akanena, kwamba mimi ni bora,
ningalifungwa ni kamba ?
Wakaenenda, wakaitwaa kamba, wakaipiga. He kamba ikanena, fnimi kamba
mwanipiga, nimefanya nini? Wa- kamwambia, wewe kamba mfunga paka, na paka
mla panya, na panya mzua kiyambaza, na kiyambaza mzuia kusi, na kusi
ikaangusha buyu, likampiga mwalimu wetu Goso, si mtende. He kamba ikanena,
kwamba mimi bora, ningalikatwa ni kisu ?
Wakaenenda, wakatwaa kisu, wakakipiga. Kile kisu kikanena, mimi mwanipiga,
uimefanya nini? Waka- mwambia, wewe kisu mkata kamba, na kamba mfunga paka,
na paka mla panya, na panya mzua kiyambaza, na kiyambaza mzuia kusi,na
kusi ikaangusha buyu, likamjiiga
GO so, THE TEACIIEB. 289
wind, and the south wind threw down the calabash, and it struck our
teacher Goso : you should not do it." And the mud wall said, " If I
were the chief, should I be bored through by the rat ?"
And they went and took the rat and beat it. And the rat said, "Do you
beat me? what have I done?" And they said, " You, the rat, bore
through the mud wall, which stops the south wind, and the south wind
threw do^vn the calabash, and it struck our teacher Goso : you should
not do it." And the rat said, " If I were the chief, should I be
eaten by the cat ?"
And they went and looked for the cat, and took it and beat it. And
the cat said, "Do you beat me? what have I done ?" And they said, "
You are the cat which eats the rat, and the rat bores through the mud
wall, and the mud wall stops the south wind, and the south wind threw
down the calabash, and it struck our teacher Goso : you should not do
it." And the cat said, " If I were the chief, should I be tied by a
rope ?"
And they went and took the rope and beat it. And the rope said, " I
am a rope, you are beating me, what have I done ?" And they said, "
You are the rope which ties the cat, and the cat eats the rat, and
the rat bores through the mud wall, and the mud wall stops the south
wind, and the south wind threw down the calabash, and it struck our
teacher Goso : you should not do it." And the rope said, " If I were
the chief, should I be cut by a knife ?"
And they went and took the knife and beat it. And the knife said, "
Do you beat me ? what have I done ?" And they said, " You are the
knife which cuts the rope, and the rope ties the cat, and the cat eats
the rat, and the rat bores through the mud wall, and the mud wall
stops the south wind, and the south wind threw down the calabash, and it
struck our teacher Goso : you should not do it."
u
290 MWALLMU GOSO.
mwalimu wetu Goso, si mtende. Kile kisu kikaueua, kwamba mimi ni bora,
niugaliliwa ni moto ?
Wakaenencla wakautwaa moto, wakaupiga. Ule moto ukaneua, mimi mwanipiga,
nimefanya nini? Waka- mwambia, Wewe moto mla kisu, na kisu mkata kamba,
na kamba mfunga paka, na paka mla panya, na pauya mzua kiyambaza, na
kiyambaza mzuia kusi, na kusi ikaaugusba buyu, likamj^iga mwalimu wetu
Goso, si mtende. Ule moto ukanena, kwamba mimi ni bora, ningalizimwa na
maji?
Wakaenenda wakayatwaa maji, wakayapiga. Yale maji yakaueua, mimi mwanipiga,
nimefanya nini? Waka- mwambia, Wewe maji mzima moto, na moto mla kisu,
na kisu mkata kamba, na kamba mfunga paka, na jiaka mla panya, na panya
mzua kiyambaza, na kiyambaza mzuia kusi, na kusi ikaangiisha buyu,
likampiga mwalimu wetu Goso, si mtende. Yale maji yakanena, mimi kwamba
ni bora, ningalinwiwa ni ng'ombe ?
Wakaenenda, wakamtwaa ng'ombe, wakampiga. Y^ule ng'ombe akanena, Mimi
mwanipiga, nimefanya nini '? Wakamwambia, Wewe ng'ombe, mnwa maji, na maji
mzima moto, na moto mla kisu, na kisu mkata kamba, na kamba mfvmga
paka, na paka mla panya, na panya mzua kiyambaza, na kiyambaza mzuia
kusi, na kusi ikaangusba buyu, likampiga mwalimu wetu Goso, si mtende.
Y''ule ng'ombe akanena, kwamba mimi ng'ombe ni bora, niugaligandamwa ni
kupe ?
Wakaenenda wakamtwaa kupe, wakampiga. Yule kupe akanena, Mimi mwanipiga,
nimefanya nini? Waka-
GO so, THE TEACHER. 201
And the knife said, " If I were the chief, should I be consumed by
the fire ?"
And they went and took the fii'e and beat it. And the fire said, " Do
you beat me ? what have I done ?" And they said, " You are the fire
which consumes the knife, and the knife cuts the cord, and the cord
ties the cat, and the cat eats the rat, and the rat bores through the
mud wall, and the mud wall stops the south wind, and the south wind
threw down the calabash, and it struck our teacher Goso : you should
not do it." And the fire said, " If I were the chief should I be put
out by water ?"
And they went and took the water and beat it. And the water said, "
Do you beat me ? what have I done ?" And they said, " You are the
water which puts out the fii-e, and the fire consumes the knife, and
the knife cuts the rope, and the rope ties the cat, and the cat eats
the rat, and the rat bores through the mud wall, and the mud wall stops
the south wind, and the south wind threw down the calabash, and it
struck our teacher Goso : you should not do it." And the water said,
"If I were the chief should I be drunk by the ox?"
And they went and took the ox and beat it. And the ox said, " Do you
beat me ? what have I done ?" And they said, " You are the ox which
drinks the water, and the water puts out the fire, and the fire
consumes the knife, and the knife cuts the roj^e, and the rope ties the
cat, and the cat eats the rat, and the rat bores through the mud wall,
and the mud wall stops the south wind, and the south wind threw down
the calabash, and it struck our teacher Goso : you should not do it."
And the ox said, " If I, the ox, were the chief, should I be stuck
to by a tick."
And they went and took the tick and beat it. And the tick said, " Do
you beat me '? what have 1 done ?" And
292 UWALJMU GOSO.
mwambia, Wewe kupe mgandama ng'ombe, na ng'ombe mnwa maji, na maji inzima
moto, na moto mla kisu, na kisu mkata kamba, na kamba mfunga paka, na
paka mla panya, na panya mzua kiyambaza, na kiyambaza mzuia kusi, na kusi
ikaanguslia buyu, likampiga mwalimu Avetu Goso, si mtende. Ynlc kupe
akanena, kwamba minii ni bora ningaliliwa ni paa ?
"Wakaenenda vrakamtafuta paa, walipomwona wakamtwaa wakampiga. Yule paa
akanena, niimi paa, mwauipiga, nimefanya niui? Wakamwambia, Wewe paa, mla
kupe, na kupe mgandama ng'ombe, na ng'ombe mnwa maji, na maji mzima moto,
na moto mla kisu, na kisu mkata kamba, na kamba mfunga paka, na paka
mla panya, na panya mzua kiyambaza, na kiyambaza mzuia kusi, na kusi
ikaangusha V-nyu, likamjiiga mwalimu wetu Goso, si mtende.
Yule paa asinene neno, akanyamaza. Wakanena, Huyu ndiye aliyeangusha buyu
likampiga mwalimu wetu Goso, naswi na tuta'mua. "Wakamtwaa yule paa, nao
waka'mua.
OOSO, THE TEAORER. 293
they said, " You are the tick which sticks to the ox, and the ox
drinks the water, and the water puts out the fire, and the fire
consumes the knife, and the knife cuts the rope, and the rope ties the
cat, and the cat eats the rat, and the rat bores through the mud wall,
and the mud wall stops the south wind, and the south wind threw down
the calabash, and it struck oxvc teacher Goso : you should not do it."
And the tick said, " If I were the chief should I be eaten by the
gazelle ?"
And they went and searched for the gazelle, and when they found it they
took it and beat it. And the gazelle said, " I am the gazelle, do you
beat me ? what have I done ?" And they said, " You are the gazelle
which eats the tick, and the tick sticks to the ox, and the ox drinks
the water, and the water puts out the fire, and the fire con- sumes the
knife, and the knife cuts the rope, and the rope ties the cat, and the
cat eats the rat, and the rat bores through the mud wall, and the mud
wall stops the south wind, and the south wind threw down the calabash,
and it struck our teacher Goso : you should not do it."
The gazelle held its tongue, without saying a word. And they said, "
This is the one that threw down the calabash, and it struck our teacher
Goso, and we will kill him." And they took the gazelle and they
killed it.
UZA GHALL SI UZA EAKHISI.
SELL DEAE, DON'T SELL CHEAP.
UZA GHALI, SI UZA RAKHISI.
Aliondoka tajiri mkubwa mweuyi mali mengi, naye waziri wa Siiltaui. Akakaa
katika ulimwengu wake, akazaa kij'aua kimoja. Na kijana kile, jina lake
Ali. Hatta mtoto alipopata mAvaka wa kliamsi u aslierini, babaye akafa.
Akasalia yeye na mamaye.
Akarithi inali yake Ali, akatumia mali sana. Hatta Ali akafilisika, akawa
maskini tbalili pasiwe mtu mmoja amjuaye katika mji ule, rafiki zake
yeye, wala wa babaye. Akawa mtu kijana, akatembea katika mji.
Killa amwonaye Ali bumwuliza, mali yako waliya- tendani, Ali, batta
ukafilisika upesi? Kwani babayo aliacba mali mengi, nngokuwa na akili Ali,
mali yako ungedumu nayo. Ali akaneua, asiojua maaua, baambiwi maana.
Eiawa kazi, neno lake, killa amwulizao bumwambia — asiyojua maana, baambiwi
maaua. Hatta yale maneno mji mzima watu wamejua, kamma Ali, akimwuliza —
mali yako umcyatendaui, bukujibu, asiyojua maana, baambiwi maana.
Hatta maneno yakafika kwa Sultani. Watu waka-
SELL DEAR, DON'T SELL CHEAP.
There was a great mercliant, and very wealthy, and he was the sultan's
vizii*. And he lived amongst his business, and had one son. And the
name of that son was Ali. And when his child had reached his five and
twentieth year, the father died. And he was left with his mother.
And Ali inherited his property, and spent his property very fast. At
last Ali had spent all and was exceedingly poor, there was no one in
that town would know him, neither friends of his own, nor those of his
father. And he was still a young man, and he walked about in the town.
Every one who saw Ali used to ask him, " What have you done with your
property, Ali, that you have lost it all so quickly? For your father
left much wealth, and if you had been wise, you would have had it
still." And Ali said, " He who does not know the meaning of it, will
not be told."
And this speech of his was his emi^loyment. Every one that asked him,
he used to say, " He who does not know the meaning of it, will not
be told." Till throughout the town people knew that Ali, if one asked
him, " What have you done with your property?" used to say, " He that
does not Imow the meaning of it, will not be told."
And the words reached the sultan. And people told
.298 UZA GIIALl.
mwambia Sultani, yule kijana wa waziri wako, Ali, amefi- lisika, watu
wakimwuliza — mali yako, Ali, waliyateudani hatta yakaislia upesi ? Mali
yako ni mengi aliokuacliia marehemu babayo, kwani mali yake, ungokuwa na
akili, Ali, yaugedumu nawe, kwa yale mali kwa kuwa mengi. Na Ali liujibu,
akamwambia amwulizaye — asiojua maana, baambiwi maana.
Sultani akanena, kaniitieni Ali, aje ni'mulize maneno baya kweli wanaonena
watu ao wauamsingizia. Akao- ndoka katbi akanena, naam, kweli, Sultani,
manono baya. Akatuma asikari kwcnda kumwita kuja wakati wa baraza, na watu
pia walijio katika baraza ya Sultani waje, wasikie, maneno baya anaonena
Ali kweli ao uwongo.
Hatta Ali akaenda akaazima kanzu mbovumbovu kwa mtu maskini, kwani bapana
mtu anayomwamini kumpa nguo zake, na biyo kanzu Ali apata kwa tafatbali
na kwa angukia.
Hatta akaenda mwangoni mwa Sultani, na baraza imejaa tele watu, na
Sultani amckaa kitako. Sultani akaondoka, akamwita — Ali ! Akaitika — Lebeka.
Akamwambia, Ali, nimesikia maneno kama mali yako yamefilisika, na wewe
buwajibu watu wanaokuuliza, buwaambia — Asiyojua maana, baambiwi maana.
Akamwambia — Na'am Bwaua, mali baya naliyapiga mafungu manne, fungu moja
nalitia babarini, fungu moja nalipiga moto, fungu moja nalikopcsba wala
sitalipwa, fungu moja nimelipa dcni wala sijaisha kulipa.
Sultani akamwambia — Ali, uza gbali, si uza raldiisi. Ali akamwambia — Ee
Walla, bababi. Akatoka, akaenda zake.
SELL BEAB. 299 •
the sultan, " That son of yonr vizir, Ali, lias gone to rviin, and if
people ask him, ' What have you done with your property, Ali, that it
is so soon ended ? For your late father left you much property. If you
had been wise, Ali, his property would have remained yours, for that
property was large.' Ali answers, and tells whoever asks him, ' He that
does not know the meaning of it, will not be told.' "
And the sultan said, " Call me Ali, that I may ask him whether these
words are true which people say, or whether they slander him." And the
cadi said, " Yes, sultan, the words are true." And he sent a soldier
to go and call him to come at the time of the public audience, and
that all the people at the sultan's public audience might come and hear
whether the words which Ali said were true or false.
So Ali went and borrowed from a poor man a ragged old Jmnzu, for there
was no one who would trust him with his clothes, and this Jmnzu Ali
only got by entreaties and prostrations.
And so he went to the sultan's door, and the audience was very full
and the sultan was seated. And the sultan arose and called him, "
Ali !" And he answered, " Here." And he said, " Ali, I have heard say
that your property has come to ruin, and that in reply to people who
ask you, you say, ' He who does not know the meaning of it, will not
be told.' "
And he said, " Yes, master, I made this property into four parts, one
part I threw into the sea, one part I put into the fire, one part I
lent and shall not be paid, with one part I paid a debt and have not
yet paid it all."
And the sultan said, " Ali, sell dear, don't sell cheap." And Ali said,
" All right, sir." And he went out and went his way.
300 UZA GEALI.
Akaondoka waziri wake Sultani palepale, katika baraza, akamwambia — Seycdina,
mancno haya nayajua maaua yake. Sultani akamjibu, akamwambia, kamma wee
uyajuapo maneno liaya maaua zake, billa kumwuliza Ali, uyajue kwa akili
yako, mimi Sultani ntakupa usultani wangu, kinacbosema na kisicbosema
katika milki yangu, mimi Sultani nimekupa, yako. Na wewe usipojua mancno
haya maana zake kwa akili yako, mali yako nitatwaa yote, wallakini
usimwulize Ali.
Akanena waziri, nisiiiojua maneno liaya kwa akili zangu, mimi waziri
katika milki yangu nimekupa, Sultani, kine- nacbo na kisicbonena, ilia mke
wangu mtoto wa watu enda kwao, na kitwa ebangu balali yako, Sultani.
Sultani akanena, na mimi ntasbuka katika ufatimc niwe ndiye waziri wako,
mimi Sultani.
Akaondoka waziri, akaenda batta nyumba yake, aka- nama, akafikiri, akaenda
akatwaa vyuo viliomo jamii ndani ya nyumba yake. Akavifunua kutazama maana
ya maneno ya Ali, asipate kimoja kilicbomo maneno ya Ali. Bassi akakaa
kitako akifikiri na kuaza — mimi nimenena kwa Sultani, maneno baya ntayajua
kwa akili zangu, nami nimetafakari na kuwaza sikuyajua.
Akamwita, Juma ! yule kijana Ali auakaa wapi ? Aka- mwambia, Bwana, Ali
gaui ?
Akamwambia, kile kijana aliokuwa na mali mengi, kijana cba waziri marebemu
Hassan, aliofilisika bumjui anakokaa ? Tafatbali unipelekc, nna mancno naye
kutaka kumwuliza. Na maneno baya nimekwambia wcwe, usimwambie mtu tena.
Nami nimekuacha bum k^Ya sababu maucno baya asijue mtu.
SELL DEAR. 301
And the sultan's vizir there arose in the audience and said, " 0 our
lord, I know the meaning of these words." And the sultan answered and
said to him, " If you know the meaning of these words, except by
asking Ali, to know them by yom* own understanding, I, the sultan, will
give you my sultauship, and what speaks, and what speaks not of my
possessions, I, the sultan, have given you as yours. And if you know
not the meaning of these words by your own understanding, I shall take
all your property, but you shall not ask Ali."
And the vizir said, " If I know not these words by my own
understanding, I, the vizir, have given you, the sultan, of my
possessions, what speaks and what speaks not, except my wife, the child
of a family to return to them, and my head shall be lawful to joii,
sultan."
And the sultan said, " And I will descend from my sultanship to be
your vizir, I who am sultan."
And the vizir arose and went to his house, and bent doTVTi and
considered, and he went and took books, of which there were a great
number in his house. And he opened them to see the meaning of All's
words, without finding one that had All's words in it. So he sat think-
ing and pondering — " I have told the Sultan that I should know these
words by my own imderstanding, and now I have considered and pondered
and have not known them."
And he called, " Juma ! where does that young man Ali live ?'' And
he said, " Which Ali, master?"
And he said, " That young man who had much property, the son of the
late Vizir Hassan, who has ruined himself. Do you not know where he
lives ? I beg of you to take me, I have a business I want to ask
him about. And these words of mine to you, let no one know them. And I
have set you free, for the sake of no one's knowing them."
302 UZA GHALI.
Akamwambia — Ee Walla ! Ee Walla ! namjua ana- kokaa. Kule-e-e mwislio wa
mji, kuna kipenu kidogo karibu na pwani, ndiko anakokaa kwa yule masikini
mwenyi ckongo anayopita akiomba, ndiye rafiki yake, ndiko anakokaa, bana
pabali pangine.
Akaondoka waziri usiku, saa ya sita, watu pia wamelala, yeye na mtumwa
wake mmoja, buyu mtumwa ndiye msiri wake, wakaeneuda batta wakafika.
Akabisba yule waziri katika kile kipenix, akamwita — Ali ! Ali ! Akaogopa,
asiitike. Akamwambia — Ali !
Akamwambia rafiki yake, amka, amka. Akamwuliza, kuna nini? Akamwambia,
kumepiga mtu kibandani kwetu, nami nataajabu usiku buu, buyu mtu mlevi,
ao mtu atakayokuja kwiba buku ndani ? Lakiui sisi fukara, hatuna kitu.
Labuda mtu ataka kutubusudu, kututoa robo zetu. Akamwambia, lakiui mimi,
na tukae kitako kwanza tusikilize, batta atakajjobisba mwango buu marra ya
tatu tumwitikie, bwenda tukamjua sauti yake.
Akamwambia, gissi gani wewe, Ali, kuwa mjinga? Mtu amekuja usiku wa
manane, batumjui atokako, na sisi hatuna kawaida ya kuja mtu kubisba
mwango kwetu, ataka nini mtu buyu, isipokuwa labuda ana mambo matatu ataka
kwetu, kama Muungu amenijalia mambo liaya naya- waza mimi katika robo
yangu, ni lile apendalo Mwenyi ezi Muungu.
Akamwambia Ali — Gissi gani, rafiki yangu, maana ya tatu gani baya,
unayowaza wewe katika robo yako? Nambie nami najue, tupate kujua sote.
Nambia la kwanza.
Akamwambia, la kwanza, ataka kuja kwiba ; la pili, ataka kuja kiituua; la
tatu, labuda anasema buku kuna mke wake, ao mtumwa wake mwauamkc.
Ndiyo niuayoyawaza
SELL DEAR. 303
And lie said, " All riglit, all right ; I know where he lives. There,
away at the end of the town, there is a little lean-to near the
shore ; there he lives with the one eyed beggar who goes about begging,
he is his friend ; that is where he lives, he has no other place."
And the Vizir arose in the night, at twelve o'clock, when every one was
asleep, he and one of his slaves, a confidential slave of his, and they
went on till they arrived. And the Vizir tapped at the lean-to and
called, " Ali ! Ali !" And he was afraid and did not answer. And he
said, " Ali !"
And he said to his friend, " Wake, wake !" And he asked him," What is
the matter?" And he said, "There is a man knocking at our shed, and I
wonder at night now whether it is a drunken man, or a man coming to
steal inside here. But we are beggars, we have nothing. Per- haps the man
wants to insult us, and to take oui- lives." And he said, " However, I
say, let us wait quiet a bit and listen ; and if he taps at our door
a third time let us answer ; perhaps we may know his voice."
And he said, " How come you to be so silly, Ali ? Some one is come
in the middle of the night and we don't know where he comes from, and
we are not used to have people come tapping at our door. What does
this man want, except perhaps ho has three things he wants with us, as
God has granted me, I think of these three things in my soul, it is
as Almighty God pleases."
And Ali said, " What then, my friend, what is the meaning of these
three things which you think of in your soul '? Tell me, that I may
know, that we may both know. Tell me the first."
And he said, " The first, he wants to come stealing ; the second, he
wants to come and kill us ; the third, perhaps he thinks his wife, or
his female slave is here. These
304 UZA GEALI.
mimi katika rolio yangu. Akamwambia, sijui, rafiki yangu, linalokuja kwa
Muuugu lotc jema.
Ali akasema, akibisha sasa nitamwitikia, akiniua na aniue, akiniaclia bass,
wala siua buddi ilia kumwitikia.
Akabisha waziri, akamwita — Ali ! Akamwitikia, lebeka, nam weye unayokuja
niita usiku, na usiku liuu umekuwa wa manane ? Akamwambia, ni mimi, nina
shughuli nawe. Akamwambia, sikujui weye, bwana, uliokuja. Aka- mwambia,
usiogope, nimekuja kwita kwa kheri, sikuja kwita kwa sbari. Akamwambia,
bwana, kuniita kwako, ndiko Tinisabiiri hatta assubui. Waziri akamwambia,
bapa nilipo, siwezi kukusaburi hatta kwa dakika moja, hivyo unavyonena
ndani naona uuakawia. Tafatbali, Ali, toka nje, usikie neno langu
nalikwitia.
Akamwambia — Ee Walla, bwana, naveka sikio langu katika mwango iiniambie
jina lako, ndiyo nitakapoamini kutoka, kwani ndipo nimekv/i&ha kukujua.
Akaenda waziri akamwambia, ni mimi, Waziri wa Sultaui, tafatbali toka, nna
maneno nawe kwambia na mancno baya kwa faraglia. Ee Walla, bwana waugu.
Akaenda Ali akamwambia rafiki yakc, yule maskini, nimekuja kwitwa na
w^aziri wa Sultaui, akataayo witwa bakataa aitiwalo.
Akamwambia, rafiki yangu enenda, labuda kuua kheri nawe. Akifuugua mwango
Ali akirawona waziri na mtumwa wake mmoja. Akamwambia, Bwana, masalkhciri.
Akamwambia, marababa, Ali, tuondoke, twende zetu kwangu. Akamwambia — Ee
Walla, Bwana.
Yule waziri na Ali wakafnatana hatta mTimbani kwake. Waziri akipanda
darini, saa saba ikipiga ya usiku, Waziri akamwita mjakazi wake, Mrashi
! Aka-
SELL DEAR. 305
are what I think in nay soul." And he said, " I know not, my friend,
whatsoever comes from God is good."
And Ali said, " If he taps now I will answer him ; if he kills me
let him kill me ; if he leaves me alone, well ; but I can't help
answering him."
And the Vizir ta^jped, and called him, " Ali !"' And he answered, "
Here, who are you that come calling me in the night, and in the middle
of the night too ?" And he said, "It is I, I have business with you?"
And he said, " I don't know you who are come, master." And ho said, '
' Don't be afraid, I have come to call you for good, and not for
harm." And he said, " Master, call me to your house, and wait for me
there till the morning." The Vizir said, " Here where I am, I cannot
wait for you even one minute, as you are talking there inside I feel
you are delaying. I beg of you, Ali, come outside, and hear the matter
I want you for."
And he said, " All right, master, I am putting my ear to the door.
Tell me your name, then I shall trust myself to come out, for then I
shall know you."
And the Vizir went and said, " It is I, the Sultan's Vizir, I beg of
you come out, I have a matter to tell you, and it is a matter of
privacy." " All right, my master." And Ali went and told his friend the
beggar, " I have come to be called by the Sultan's Vizir ; he who
refuses to be called, refuses what he is called for."
And he said, " Go, my friend, perhaps there is good luck for you." And
as he opened the door Ali saw the Vizir and his slave. And he said,
"Master, MasalMeiri." And he said, " Thanks, Ali, let us be going and
make our way to my house." And he said, "All right, master."
The Vizir and Ali went together to his house. As the Vizir went up-
stairs, it struck one o'clock. And the Vizir called his slave woman, "
Mrashi !" And she aus
X
306 rZA Gil ALL
itika, lebeka. Kamwambie bibi afanye chakula kv\a upesi, kabla saa ya
nane hajapiga, na we we regea.
Alipokiija Mrashi, akamwambia, nimekuja, Bwaua. Akamwambia, Mrashi, ukafuugue
kasha, lete kitambi kimoja cha kilcmba, ulete i:a kofia moja nyeupc ya
darizi, lete na kanzu moja ya khuzui-ungi, ulete na kikoi kimoja seyedia
ya uzi, na zote nimefimga pamoja katika bahasha ya leso nyekimdu, upesi
ulete.
Akaondoka waziri akamwambia Ali, nimekwitia kheri, tafuthali maneno yangu
haya asijue mtu, weka ndani nafsi yako. Ali akamwambia, Ee Walla, Bwana,
mimi maneno yako nayaweza kuyatoa, Bwana ?
Akamwambia, nataka, Ali, unipe maana ya maneno yale waliyomwambia Sultani,
unipe na maneno aliokujibu Sultani.
Akamwambia, Sultani ameniarabia, Uza ghali, si uza rakhisi.
Ali, Ali, utafathali ukanambie maneno haya, utana- mbiaje, na Sultani
ameniambia, uza ghali, si uza rakhisi ? Ntakupa shamba laugu,
Akamwambia, Sultani ameniambia, tiza ghali si uza rakhisi.
Akamwambia, Ali, bokhari zangu zote twaa zilio mjini.
Ali akancna, Sultani ameniambia, uza ghali si uza ralvhisi.
Waziri akanena, Ali, twaa yote mashamba yangu.
AH akanena, Sultani ameniambia, uza ghali si uza rakhisi.
Waziri akamwambia, twaa yote milki yangu.
Ali akancna, Sultani ameniambia, uza ghali si uza rakhisi.
Waziri akamwambia, twaa kisemacho na kisichosema katika milki yangu mimi
waziri, nami nambie mauencj haya.
SELL DEAB. 307
" Here," " Tell the mistress to get food ready quickly, before two
o'clock strikes, and then come back."
When Mrashi was come she said, " I am come, master." And he said, "
Mrashi, unlock the chest and bring a tui-ban cloth, and bring a white
embroidered cap, and bring a kanzit of hlmzurungi, and bring a loin-cloth
with a border; and all these I have fastened together in a parcel with
a red handkerchief; bring them quickly."
And the Vizir arose and said to Ali, " I have called you for good, I
beg of you that no man may know of this business ; keep it to
yourself." And Ali said, " All right, master ; could I betray your
matters, master ?"
And he said, " I want you, Ali, to give me the meaning of the words
you told the Sultan, and the words the iSultan said to you."
And he said, " The Sultan told me, ' Sell dear, don't sell cheap.' "
" Ali, Ali, I beg of you tell me those words ; why will you say to
me, ' The Sultan told me, Sell dear, and not cheap.' I will give
you my plantation."
And he said, " The Sultan told me, ' Sell dear, don't sell cheap ?' "
And he said, " Ali, take all my shops and storerooms that are in the
town."
And Ali said, " The Sultan told me, ' Sell dear, don't sell cheap.' "
The Vizir said, " Ali, take all my plantations."
And Ali said, " The Sultan told me, ' Sell dear, don't sell cheap.' "
The Vizir said, " Take all my possessions."
And Ali said, " The Sultan told me, ' Sell dear, don't sell cheap.' "
And the Vizir said, "Take what speaks, and what speaks not, of the
possessions of me, the Vizir, and tell me those words."
308 UZA GHALL
AH akanena, Sultani ameniambia iiza ghali si uza rakbisi.
Akaondoka waziri, akam Gambia, ntakupa nynmba yangii yote nnaokaa na mali
yaliomo yote, ilia mke mwana wa watu enda kwao.
Akamwambia, bassi sasa niandilde khati ya mkono wako.
Waziri akaniTvita Mrasbi. Akamwitikia, lebeka, Bwana. Akamwambia, lete
kalamu na wino na karatasi kishu- bakani. Mrasld akaenda akaleta. Waziri
akakamata karatasi na wino, akamwandikia Ali, nimempa yote milki yangu
kinenacbo na kisicbonena, hatta nyumba yangu nikaao mwenyewe, ilia mke
mwana wa watu enda kwao. Akatwaa kbati waziri akampa Ali.
Imekuwa saa ya kumi, tuondoke tukasali kwanza, ku- regea kwetii kusali
nikupe maana zako unazozitaka.
Wakasbuka wakaenda zao kusali, wakarudi mosketini. Akawambia, baya, Ali,
nambio, kwani tena kumekucba.
Ali akamwambia, maana ya kunena, asiojua maana baambiwi maana, kwa sababu
nikimweleza mtu asiokuwa na akni hatajua. Ndio maana killa aniulizaye
niki- mwambia — asiojua maana baambiwi maana. Na Sultani aliponiita
akaniuliza bayaambiwi, kwani Sultani ana akili. Nayc, ndiyo akauijibu — Uza
gbali, si uza rakbisi. Hay a maneno yako.
Bassi nielcze mali baya yalipotea.
Ali akanena, mali baya naliyaj^iga mafungu manne,
SELL DEAR. 309
And All said, " The Saltan told me, ' Sell dear, don't sell cheap.' "
And the Vizir arose and said, I will give you all my house that I
live in, and all the goods that are in it, except my wife, the
daughter of a family, to go to her home."
And he said, " Well then, wi-ite me a note under your hand."
And the Vizir called Mrashi. And she answered, " Here, master." And he
said, " Bring the pen and ink and paper, from the niche in the wall."
And Mrashi went and brought them. The Vizir took hold of the paper and
ink, and wrote for Ali ; " I have given him all ray possessions, which
speak and which sjjeak not, even to my house which I myself dwell in,
save only my wife, the daughter of a family, to go to her home." And
the Vizir took the note and gave it to Ali.
" It is now four o'clock, let us go and perform our devotions first,
that when we come back from prayers I may give you the meanings you
want."
And they went down-stairs and went to their devotions, and returned from
the mosque. And he said, " Now then, Ali, tell me, for it is getting
light."
And Ali said, " The meaning of saying, ' He who does not know the
meaning of it, will not be told,' is because if I tell a man who has
no understanding, even then he mil not know it. That is the meaning of
telling every one that asked me, ' He who does not know the meaning of
it, will not be told.' And when the Sultan called me, he was not told
so, because the Sultan has understanding. And he, what he replied to me
was, ' Sell dear, don't sell cheaj).' These are your woi'ds."
" Well, explain to me the loss of the property."
And Ali said, " I made this property into four parts,
310 UZA Gil ALT.
fungu moja nalitia baharini, funga mqja nalipiga moto, fungu moja
nalikojiesha wala sitalipwa, fungu moja nimelipa deni wala sijaislia
kulipa.
Bassi, nambie, Ali, maana ya kiitosa baliariui fungu moja, maana yake
nini ?
Ali akamwambia waziri, niwie rathi kwa killa nitaka- loucua stahamili.
Akamwambia, baharini ni mali ualiyokwencla kufanya usberati ua waanaake,
yamepotea mali yale sitayapata tena, bassi kama naliyotia baharini, kwaui
kitu kikizama bahari hakipatikani.
Na maana ya kupiga moto fungu moja ?
Ali akaucna, nalikula sana, nalivaa sana, nalitumia Sana, ncliyo maana ya
kupiga moto, kwani havitaregea tena katika mikono yaugu.
Nambie fungu la tatu, maana ya kukopeshwa wala hutalipwa nini ?
Akamwambia waziri, ni kama mtu waliompa mkeo mahari yake, haitarudi tena,
bassi ndio maaua ya ku- kwambia nimekopesha wala sitalipwa.
Akamwambia, fungu la nne nambie maana yake ya kunena umelipa deni wala
hujaisha kulipa.
Akamwambia waziri, ni kama mtu aliompa mama yake mali kutaka kumfurahisha
roho yake, walakini mimi mtoto sijui kama mama yangu nifurahi roho yake
kwa haya naliyomtendea, bassi na mimi kijana huucua rohoni mwangu, hajaisha
mama yangu kufurahi kwa yale nalio- mpa mali. Ndio maana ya kukwambia,
nimelipa wala sijaisha kulipa.
Akamwambia, ahsant, Ali, na mancno yako nime- yasikia.
Nao kumekuwa jua lachomoza, saa kumi na mbili zimekwisha piga. Akakaa
waziri ua roho yako furaha,
SELL DEAR. 311
one part I put in the sea, one part I set on fire, one part I lent
and sliall not be paid, with one part I paid a debt wbicli I have not
yet done paying."
" Tell me, then, Ali, the meaning of sinking one part in the sea ;
what is the meaning of that '?"
And Ali said to the Vizir, " Forgive me for all that I shall say, and
bear with it." And he said, " In the pca is the property that I
sj^ent in dissipation with women ; that property is lost, and I shall
not get it again ; so then it is as if I had put it in the sea,
for what sinks in the sea, is not to be had again."
" And the meaning of setting one part on fire ?"
Ali said, " I ate much, I dressed much, I spent much ; that is the
meaning of setting on fii'e, for it will not retui'n into my hands."
" Tell me as to the third part. "What is the meaning of lending, and
you will not be repaid ?"
And he said to the Vizir, " It is as if a man should give his wife
a dowry, it returns not again ; so this is the meaning of telling you
I lent and shall not be repaid."
And he said, " As to the fourth part, tell me the mean- ing of saying
you have paid a debt but have not finished paying it."
And he said to the Vizir, " It is like a man who has given his
mother property, wishing to please her soul ; but I, her son, do not
know whether I rejoice my mother's soul by what I have done ; so I,
the young man, say in my soul, my mother is not yet pleased with the
property I have given her. That is the meaning of saying I have paid,
but have not yet finished paying."
And he said, " Thank you, Ali ; and I have understood what you said."
And the sun had begun to shine, and six o'clock had already struck.
And the Vizir sat with a joyful spirit.
312 UZA GEALI.
nitakwenda leo kupata usultani, kwani nimeyajua kwa akili yangu. Akakaa
waziri liatta saa ya tatu Sultani amebarizi. Akitoka nyumbani mwake waziri
hana kitu ilia kanzu yake moja ilio mwilini mwake. Akatoka na furaka roko
yake.
Akaenda katta akafika mbele ya mwango wa Sultani. Watu waliopo na asikari
jamii waliopo wakastaajabu. Ab ! Waziri mkubwa, ndiye mwenyi mambo yote ya
Sultani, auakuja kwa kanzu moja, batta viatu miguuni hana. Hatta watu
wanamtaajabu pasiwe mtu mmoja aliojua alionalo katika roho yake. Wale watu
wajinga wakanena, labuda anafiwa na mkewe. Ndiye akaja vile kwa Sultani.
Akaondoka waziri, akamwambia, Subalkbeiri Seyedina. Sultani akamwambia, Allab
bilkbeir al wazir, karib. Akakaa kitako.
Sultani akanena, nambie kbabari zako, walizonazo. Akamwambia, kbabari kberi,
nimckuja kukupa maana ya maneno yako yale twalioabadiana mimi nawe,
Sultani. Nami nimeyajua kwa akili zangu, Sultani.
Sultani akamwambia, nieleze la kwanza.
Akamwambia, yule Ali walipo watu waka'muliza, kwani mali yake yakafilisika,
kuwaambia, asiojua maana baam- biwi maana, kwa sababu wale watu wajiuga
batawaambia maneno yalc. Hawajui la kumjibu, bassi si afatbali bawaambii
wasiojua maana ? Kwani mwenyi kumwambia mtu neno ataka kujibiwa.
Utamwambia mtu neno bajui la kujibu ? Bassi ndio maana yako
asiwaambie. Sultani
SELL DEAR. 313
'^ I am going to-day to get the Sultanship, for I have known them by
my own understanding." And the Vizir waited till nine o'clock, when the
Sultan held his audience. And as the Vizir went out of his house, he
owned nothing but the one Imnzu that was on his body. And ho went out
with a joyful spirit.
And he went till he arrived before the door of the Sultan. And the
people who were there, and all the soldiers who were there, were greatly
astonished. " Eh ! The great Vizir, who has all the Sultan's affairs in
his hands, is coming in a kanzu only, and has not even sandals on his
feet." And the people were astonished at him; there was not one that
knew what he had in his soul. And the simple people said, " Perhaps he
has lost his wife." And thus he came to the Sultan.
And the Vizir arose and said, " Suhallcheir Seijedina" And the Sultan
said, " Allah hiWielr al imzir, come near." And he sat down.
And the Sultan said, " Tell me your news which you have." And he said,
" Good news ; I have come to give you the meaning of those words.
Sultan, about which you and I made mutual promises. And I have kno\vn
them by my own understanding, Sultan."
And the Sultan said, " Explain to me the first."
And he said, " When people asked Ali, why his property had gone to
ruin ; he tells them, ' He who does not know the meaning of it, will
not be told ;' because he would not tell those matters to ignorant
people. They would not know how to reply to him. Was it not better,
then, not to tell those who knew not its meaning ? For he who tells a
man a matter, likes to get an answer. Would you tell anything to a man
who would not know how to reply ? This, then, was his meaning in not
telling them." And the Sultan said, " Yes, certainly, these words
314 UZA on A LI.
akanena, na'am, inna kweli maueno liaja. Akam-.vambia, nipe maana, waziri,
ya mafungu manne haya.
Akamwambia, la kwanza, Sulfcaui, lilitoswa babarini fungu moja, na moja
lalipig\va moto, na moja lalikopesbwa wala hatalipwa, ua moja araclipa
wala hajaisba kulipa.
Akam':\ambia, na'am waziri, inna maueno yako kweli. Akamwambia, nipe maana
ya kutoswa babarini fungu moja bili.
Akamwambia, ni mali aliotwaa Ali akacnda kufanya uasberati nje, mali yale
yakapotea, ndiyo maana ya ku- ambiwa, fungu moja lile limeingia babarini.
Akamwambia, na'am waziri, inna neno bili kweli. Sultani akanena, bii fetba
kwisba kupelcka waanawake fetba baipatikani tena, kn^eli maneno yake, kama
imeingia babarini, Nipe na maana ya fungu la pili liliopigwa moto, nipe
maana yake.
Akanena v.'aziri, Ali alikula eana, alivaa sana, alitumia Sana, ndiyo
maana ya kupigwa moto mali zile, bazitaregea tena mkononi mwake.
Sultani akanena, na'am inna kweli maueno baya, waziri, kwaai bii mali
ukiisba kimimua cbakula, ukanunua na nguo njema, ukavaa, imekwisba potea
mali bairiidi. Maneno yake amenena kweli Ali, kama fungn bili lime- pigwa
moto. Akamwambia, nambie, waziri, katika fungu la tatu maana yake.
Waziri akanena, fungu la tatu amelikopesba, wala hatalipwa. Akam^vambia,
maana yake nini ya kukopesba mali bayo wala hatalipwa? Waziri akanena, ni
mali aliyetoa kumpelekea mahari yake manamke, utapomwacba,
SELL DEAH. 315
are true." And he said, " Give me the meaning, Vizir, of those four
parts."
And he said, " In the first place, Sultan, one part was sunk in the
sea, and one part set on fire, and one was lent and he will not be
repaid, and one he paid and has not finished his payment."
And he said, "Yes, Vizir, certainly your words are true." And he said,
" Give me the meaning of the one part being sunk in the sea."
And he said, " It is the property with which Ali went into dissipation
outside, and that property was lost ; that was the meaning of saying
that one part had gone into the sea."
And he said, " Yes, Vizir, certainly that word is true." And the Sultan
said, " That money, after it has been sent to women, money is not to
be had again ; his words are true, it is as if it had gone into the
sea. Give me also the meaning of the second part, which was set on fire
; give me its meaning."
And the Vizir said, " Ali ate much, and dressed much, and spent much ;
that is the meaning of setting that property on fire ; it returns not
again into his hands."
And the Sultan said, " Yes, certainly these words are true, for the
property, when you have finished buying food, and you have bought fine
clothes, and put them on, the property is lost, and never returns. Ali
has spoken his words truly, it is as if it had been set on fire." And
he said, " Tell me, Vizir, about the meaning of the thii'd part."
And the Vizir said, " The third part he had lent and will not be
repaid." And he said, " What is the meaning of lending this jn'operty,
and he will not be repaid ?" And the Vizir said, " It is the property
that he gave to send a dowry to his wife. When you leave her, she
does
316 rZA QHALL
mail yako liakiu'uclisliii, ndio maana, akanena, nimekopesha sitalipwa.
Akamwambia, na'am waziri, inna mancno baya kwcli. Sultani akanena, mwenyi
kumpa manamke mabari bapati teua, utakapokuwa manamume amcfilisika, bafanyi
robo yake njema yule manamke kukupa. Kwani umekuwa masikini, akuona kama
mjinga, bakujui kama aliokuwa mume Avangu, kwani mnekuwa fukara, tena
umekuwa mbaya, tena amekufanya mtu mjinga, kwani umekosa mali. Kwani
walipokuwa na mali walikuwa manamume mizuri, walikuwa kijana una akili,
walionekana kama kijana cba Sultani.
Akaondoka waziri akanena, kweli, Sultani, mtu akikosa mali bawi mtu mbele
za watu. Sultani akanena — Waziri, nambie maana ya fungu la nue, kulipa
wala bajaisba kulipa.
Akamwambia Sultani, maana yake, Ali alitoa mali katika fungu moja akampa
mamaye. Bassi Ali bajui kama mamaye robo yake i ratbi kwa mali aliyopewa
na mwanawe. Bassi Ali ananena, labuda mama yangu hajafurabi kwa lile
nalilomtendea, ndio maana ya kunena Ali, kulipa wala sijaisba kulipa.
Sultani akamwambia, na'am waziri. Akaondoka kitini akasimama, na baraza
imejaa tele watu, akam\\-ita akida, akamwambia, nenda gerezani kamwamuru
jemadari apige goma, sasa amekuwa Sultani waziri wangu, na mimi ndiye
nimekuwa waziri wake ; na ninyi jamii asikari, na jamii ya walio mliomo
katika mji, Waarabu, na Waswabili, na jamii Wangazidja, mtiini Sultani.
Akiondoka, akautwaa usultani waziri. Bass, wakakaa kitako mda wa siku
mbili.
SELL DEAR. 317
not return your property ; this is the meaning of liis saying, I Lave
lent and shall not be paid."
And he said, " Yes, Vizir, certainly these words are true. And the
Sultan said, " He that gives a wife a dowry does not get it again ;
when the husband has gone to ruin, the wife has no good spirit to give
to him. Because you have become poor, she looks upon you as a simpleton,
she does not know you as having been her husband. Because you have
become destitute, you have become bad, too ; and more, she looks upon
you as a man without understanding, because you have lost your property.
For when you had property you were a hand- some man, you were a clever
youth, you seemed like the son of a Sultan."
And the Vizir arose and said, " True, Sultan, if a man loses his
property he is nobody in other peoj)lc's eyes." And the Sultan said, "
Vizir, tell me the meaning of the fourth part, to pay and not to have
finished paying."
And he said to the Sultan, " Its meaning is that Ali gave the property
as to one part to his mother. Now Ali knows not whether his mother's
soul is satisfied with the property given her by her son. So Ali says,
perhaps my mother is not yet pleased with what I have done for her.
That is the meaning of All's talking of paying and not having finished
paying."
The Sultan said, "Yes, Vizir." And he arose from the chair he sat in,
and the audience was very full with people, and he called an officer,
and said to him, " Go to the fort and order the commander to beat the
drums. My Vizir has now become Sultan, and I have become his Vizir ;
and all you soldiers, and all you who are in the town, Ai-abs, and
Swahili, and Comoro men, obey the Sultan."
And he arose, and the Vizir took the Sultanship. So they remained for
the space of two days.
31S rZA GLALI.
Mtu aldpita k'^va nyumba iliokuwa ya waziri amkuta All katika dirisha,
anacliungulia anamwainru mchunga kutandika frasi, ataka kwenda kutembea.
Yule Mwarabu akamwita, Ali ! Akamwitikia, na'am. Mbona u katika nyumba liii
? Ali akamwambia, Sultani hakuniambia, uza ghali si uza rakbisi, ati ?
Nami nimekuza gbali.
Abb ! Yule Mwarabu akataajabu, gissi gani buyu Ali kuwa katika nyumba ya
wazii-i mkubwa, lakiui baitburu. Akakaa.
Akapita Mwarabu mgine akamkuta cbini sebulani, akamwita, Ali! Akamwitikia,
na'am. Akamwambia, mbona nakuona bapa, Ali ? Akamwambia, bii si nyumba
yangu? Gissi gani kuwa bii nyumba yako? Sultani ameniambia, uza gbali si
uza rakbisi, nami nimekuza gbali ati.
Akaondoka yule Mwarabu, akaenenda batta mwangoni kwa Sultani. Akamwambia,
bwana wangu, seyedi 5 angu, nime-iuta mtumwa wako, Ali, katika nyumba ya
waziri wako, nikamwuliza — Ali ! Akaitika, na'am. Unafanyaje katika nyumba
bii wewe ? Ali akauijibu, Sultani ame- niambia, uza gbali si uza rakbisi,
nami nimekuza gbali.
Yule Sultani akataajabu, ndio mambo aliouitenda wazii'i, nami naye
twalipana wabadi wa kutosba kumwu- liza Ali, kumbe yeye amekwenda
kmnwuliza Ali, na mali yake kufilisika ? Bassi sasa mbona amekosa kuwili,
amekosa mali yake, amekosa na usultani. Na wcye upesi enenda kamwita Ali
aje. Ee Walla, Bwana.
Akitoka mbio kweneuda akamkuta Ali, ataka kuingia masbuani kwenda kutembea.
Akamwita, Ali! Aka- mwambia, na'am. Akamwambia, upesi, imakwitwa kwa
SELL BEAE. 319
As a man was passing the house which had been the Vizii-'s, he saw Ali
at the window peeping out, and orderiug the groom to saddle a horse, he
wanted to ride out. The Arab called to him, " Ali !" And he answered, "
Yes." " Why are you in this house ?" And Ali said, " Did not the
Sultan tell me to sell dear, and not cheap, mind you ? And I have
sold dear."
" Eh !" The Arab was astonished. " How comes this Ali to be in the
house of the great Vizir ; however, no matter." And he waited.
Another Arab passed, and saw him down in the reception-room, and called
to him, " Ali !" And he answered, " Yes." And he said, " Why do I
find you here, Ali ?" And he said, " Is not this my house ?" " How
comes this to be your house ?" " The Sultan told me, ' Sell dear,
don't sell cheap;' and I have sold dear, mind yoii."
The Arab arose and went to the Sultan's door. And he said to him, "
My master, my lord, I have met with your slave Ali, in the house of
your Vizir, and I asked him, ' Ali !' And he answered, ' Yes.' ' What
are you doing in this house ?' And Ali answered me, ' The Sultan told
me. Sell dear, don't sell cheap ; and I have sold dear.' "
The Sultan was astonished. " This is how the Vizir has served me, and
we promised one another to exchide asking Ali. Has he then gone and
asked Ali, and is his property gone ? So then now he has lost it
twice over, he has lest his property and lost the Sultanship. And you go
quickly and call Ali to come." "All right, master."
And he went out running, and found Ali wanting to get into a boat to
go on the water. And he called him, " Ali !" And he said, " Yes."
And he said, " Quick,
320 UZA GUALJ.
Snltani. Ali akaneua, Ee Walla, ni kama Sultani, Sultani
wangu.
Akaondoka Ali akapanda darini, akamwita — Mraslii. nitezamie katika nguo
njema ziliomo katika inakasha, kwani wewe ndiye ujuaye zayidi kuliko
mgine. Akaenda Mrashi akifungua kasha akitoa jolio mzuri, akatoa kilemba
kizuri, akatoa na deuli aali akatoa na janvia moja la temsi la thahabu,
akatoa na kitara kimoja cha albunsayidi cba Arabu, akatoa na kitupa cha
hal waradi Stambnli, aka- mpelekea bwana.
Alipoziona Ali nguo zile akafurahi, akat^vaa, akavaa, akishuka na yule
Mwarabu, wakaenenda hatta wakafika katika mwango wa Sultani. Wakamwambia,
pita sebulani. Akapita, akakaa kitako.
Akishuka yule Sultani kuja chini kubaiizi, akashuka na yule aliokuwa
Sultani kwanza, sasa aliolcuwa waziri. Akamwambia waziri, akaitika, na'am.
Akam^\'uliza, zile sharti zetu hazikufaa, nalikwambia minii sharti zangu
ujue kwa akili yako usiende kumwuliza Ali? Aka- mwambia, naam. Na wewe
ukazunguka, ukaenda ku- mwuliza Ali. Akamwambia Sultani, sikumwuliza Ali.
Sultani akancna, Ah ! Ali si huyu yuko ? Akamwambia, tumwite, aje mbele
zako tupate kusadiki kama maneno haya kuyajua kwa akili yako wewe, ila
kwa Ali kukwambia. Akamwambia, na'am, mwita Ali aje.
Akaondoka Sultani, akamwita Ali. Akamwambia, lebeka, hababi. Akamv.ambia,
njoo. Akamwambia, gissi gani wewe, Ali, kweuda kukaa katika nyumba ya
wazu'i, una maana gani ? Akamwambia, na'am, Sultani,
SELL DEAR. 321
you are called for at the Sultan's." And All said, " All right, I am
like a Sultan, Sultan of myself."
And Ali arose, and went up-stairs and called, " Mrashi, look out for me
ft'om among the good clotlies that are in the chests, for you are the
one that knows them best." And Mrashi went and opened the chest, and
she took out a fine jolio, and she took out a fine turban, and she
took out a shawl for the waist, and she took out a dagger with gold
filigree work, and she took out a curved sword of Arab albunsayidi, and
she took out a phial of otto of roses of Stamboul, and took them to
her master.
When Ali saw those clothes, he rejoiced, and took and put them on, and
went down with the Arab, and they went till they came to the Sultan's
door. And they told him, " Pass on into the reception-room." And he
passed on and sat down.
When the Sultan came down to hold the audience, there came down also he
that was before the Sultan, that was now the Vizir. And he spoke to
the Vizir, and he answered, " Yes." And he asked him, " Was not our
agreement in force ? I told you that my agreement was that you should
know by your own understanding, with- out going to ask Ali." And he
said, " Yes." " And you turned round, and went to ask Ali." And he
said to the Sultan, " I did not ask Ali." And the Sultan said, "
Ah ! Is not this Ali here ?" And he said, " Let us call him, that he
may come before you, that we may believe that you knew these words by
your own understanding, with- out Ali's telling you." And he said, "Yes,
call Ali, let him come."
And the Sultan arose and called Ali. And he an- swered, " Here, sir."
And he said, " Come." And he said, " How is it that you, Ali, should
go to live in the Vizir's house? What is your reason?" And he
said,
322 UZA GHALI.
waliniambia wewe, uza gliali si iiza laldiisi, na kliati ya waziri liii
alioniandikia, nawe soma, Sultani, ujue mambo liaya kweli.
Sultani akaisLika akaisoiua khati, akamwambia, kweli, Ali, umekuza gbali
hukuza rakhisi.
Akaoniloka Sultani akamwita waziri. Akamwambiu. lebeka liababi. Akawaambia
watu, mlioko katika baraza, mkubwa na mdogo, na Banyaui, na Mwarabu, na
M&ht- beri, na Mngazidja, na Mswabili, na jamii ya watu waliomo katika
incbi — bassi mimi nimemwoncloa, bamo katika uwaziri wala katika usultani,
hali yake kaiua hali ya waliyo katika mji. Na sasa buyn Ali ndiye
amekiiwa waziri waugu mkubwa, killa mtu atakalo, akiwa mume, akiwa mke,
akiwa Mwarabu, akiwa Mzungu, wote na waende kwa Ali ndio atakokwisba
mambo yenu.
Na hii liaditbi imctckana na Ninsa,
SELL DEAB. 323
" Yes, Sultan, you told me yourself, ' Sell dear, don't sell cheap,'
and this is the note which the Vizir wrote for me ; read it yourself.
Sultan, that you may know that these things are true."
The Sultan took the note and read it, and he said, " True, Ali, you
did sell dear, and not cheap."
And the Sultan arose and called the Vizir. And he said, " Here, sir."
And he said to the j)eople, " You who are at the audience, great and
small, Banyan, and Arab, and Sheheri, and Comoro man, and Swahili, and
all the people in the land. Now then, I have taken him away, he has
neither the Vizirship nor the Sultanshiji, his con- dition is like that
of the townspeople. And now this Ali has become my chief Vizir ; every
one, whatever he desires, be it man, or woman. Arab, or European, let
all goto Ali; there it is that their business will be con- cluded."
And this story was made by Ninga.
KITITI, NA FISI, NA SIMBA.
THE HARE, THE HY^NA, AND THE ETON.
KITITI. XA FISI. XA SIMBA.
Hapo kale aliondoka simba, na kititi, ua fisi, -wakafanya masliaiiri
kuenenda masbamba kulima. Wakaenenda batta masbamba, wakalima wakapanda
vyakubi, baadayc waka- rejea katika maskani yao wakakaa.
Hatta ilipowadia wakati wa kiiiva vyakuba, wakaueua, Na tweudeni sbamba,
tukaangalie vyakula vyetu. Na bilo sbamba lao lilikuwa mbali sana. Yule
kititi akawaambia weuziwe, zamani tutakapokweneuda sbamba tusisite katika
ndia, atakayesita ua aliwe. Wale weuziwe wakakiibali maueuo bayo.
Bassi wakaeueuda batta waliputika udiaui, yule kititi akasita. Wale weuziwe
wakanena, Kititi amesita na aliwe. Yule kititi akasema, Je ! kwamba
nawaza. Wale weuziwe wakamwuliza, Wawaza uiui 'i Akasema, Nawaza yale ma
we mawili, nioja kubwa ua moja dogo, lile dogo baleudi juu, wala lile
kubwa baleudi tiui. Wale weuziwe waka- uena, Ni kweli maueuo baya.
Wakaeueuda tcua, walipolika mbele, kititi akasita teua. Wale weuziwe
wakasema, Kititi amesita, ua aliwe. Yule kititi akaueua, Je ! kwamba
uawaza. Wale weuziwe
THE HARE. THE HY^NA, AND THE LION".
Once upon a time tlie lion arose, with the hyfena and the hare, and
they consulted about going into the country to make a garden. And they
went into the country, and made a garden, and planted eatables, and then
returned to theii' dwellings and waited.
And when the time of the eatables ripening was fully come, they said,
'• Let us go to our garden, and look at our eatables." And their
garden was a very long way oft'. And the hare said to his comj)anions,
" While we are going to the garden let us not stop on the road, and
who- ever stops let him be eaten." His companions consented to what he
said.
So they went, and when they got upon the road the hare stopped. His
companions said, " The hare has stopped, let him be eaten." The hare
said, " Well, I am thinking." His companions asked him, '' What are you
thinking about ?" And he said, " I am thinking about those two stones,
one big and one little ; the little one does not go up, nor does the
big one go down." And his com- panions said, " These words are true."
And they went on again. When they got further on, the hare stopped
again. His companions said, " The hare has stopped, let him be eaten,"
The hare said, " Well, I am thinking." His companions asked him, "
What are you
328 EITITT, NA FIST, NA SIMBA.
wakamwTiliza, Wawaza nini. Akasema, Nawaza vile watu wakivaa nguo mpya,
zile nguo kukuii kueueucla wapi ? Wale weuziwe wakanena, Ni ku-eli mancno
haya. Wakaenenda tena, walipofika mbele fisi naye akasita. Wale wenziwe
wakanena, Fisi amesita, na aliwe. Yule fisi akasema, Je ! kwamba nawaza.
Wale wenziwe waka- mwuliza, Wawaza nini? Akasema, Siwazi Latta kitu. Wale
wenziwe wakamtwaa fisi wakamla,
Akasalia simba na kititi, wakaenenda tena. Walipofika mbele wakaona mahali
paua paango. Yule kititi akasita. Simba akasema, Kititi amesita, na aliwe.
Yule kititi akasema, Jel kwamba nawaza. Simba akamwuliza, Wawaza nini ?
Akanena, Nawaza ile paango, bapo zamani za kale, wazee wetu ^valikuwa
wakiingia kwa huku wakitokca kwa buku, nami nitakwenenda jaribu niingie kwa
buku, nitokee kwa buku. Akaenenda akiingia kwa buku, akitokea kwa buku
marra nyingi.
Akamwambia simba, Mzee simba, nawe enende ukajaribu uingie kwa huku utokee
kwa buku. Yule simba akaenenda akaingia katika paango, akasakama asiwczc
kuenenda mbele wala kui'udi nyuma. Yule kititi akaenenda maungoni mwa
simba akamla nyama. Alipo- kwisba mla. yule simba akamwambia, Xdugu, unile
upando wa mbeleni. Yule kititi akanena, Siwezi kuja kukula upandc wa
mbeleni, mato yaona bay a.
Yule kititi akaenda zake, akamwata simba papale, na sbamba lao akatwaa
yeye.
THE HABE, THE HYAENA, AND THE LION. 329
thinking about ?" And lie said, " I am thinking about this— When people
put on new clothes, where do the old ones go to ?" And his companions
said, " These words are true."
And they went on again. When they got further on, the hyfena too
stoj^jied. And his companions said, '• The hyaena has stopped, let him
be eaten." The hyaena said, " Well, I am thinking." His companions asked
him, ''What are you thinking about?" And he said, "I am thinking about
nothing at all." His companions took the hyasna and ate him.
There remained the lion and the hare, and they went on again. When they
got further on, they saw a place where there was a cave. Tlie hare
stopped. The lion said, " The have has stopped, let him be eaten." The
hare said, " Well, I am thinking." The lion asked him, "What are you
thinking about?" And he said, " I am thinking about that cave ; in old
times our elders used to go in here and go out there, and I shall go
and try to go in here and go out there." And he went, and went in
here and went out there many times.
And he said to the lion, " Old lion, you go too, and try to go in
here and go out there " And the lion went, and went into the cave,
and stack fast, so that he could not go on forward or return backward.
The hare went upon the back of the lion and ate his flesh. When he
had eaten him, the lion said, " Brother, eat me in fi'ont." The haro
said, " I cannot come eating you in front, my eyes are ashamed."
And the hare went his way, and left the lion there, and took their
garden fur himself.
HASSIBU KAKIM AD DIXI.
HASSEEBU KAREEM ED DEEN.
KISA CHA HASSIBU KARIM AD DINI NA SULTANI WA NYOKA.
Aliondokea mtii mgauga sana, akakaa, hatta mwana mtoto asipate, siku
nyingi. Naye tabibu mkuu, liaina dawa moja ya ulimwenguni asiyoijiia. Na
elimu nyingi anayoijua. Akakaa, liatta alipokuwa mzee sana mkewe akacliukua
mimba, naye liaua kitu zayidi ya vyuo vya dawa.
Akaug'ua yulo mtii, akamwita mkewe, akamwambia, nipe cbito cbangu, akampa,
akafunua akatezama udani ya cliuo, akamwambia, wewe una mimba, utazaa
mtoto mwanamume, jina lake mwite Hassibu karim ad dini. Akafa babaye.
A kakaa manamke, hatta akazaa mtoto mwanamume, akamlea, hatta akawa
mkubwa.
Yulo mtoto akamwambia mamaye, jina langu nini '? Akamwambia, ngoja, kesbo
tutafanya karamu, tutawaita watu, waje wale, nipate kukupa jina alionipa
babayo.
Akakaa, assubui akafanya karamu kubwa, akawaita wanajimu, wakaja kula
karamu, akawaambia, mtoto wenu leo nitampa jina alionipa babaye.
Walcamwambia, mpe.
THE STORY OF HASSEEBU KAREEM ED BEEN AND THE KING OF THE SNAKES.
There was a man, a very great medicine man, and he lived withont having
any children many days ; and he was a great physician : there was not
one medicine in the world which he did not know. And the learning was
great which he knew. And he stayed until when he was very old his wife
became pregnant, and he had no- thing beside his books of medicines.
And the man was sick, and he called his wife, and said to her, " Give
me my book," and she gave it him, and he opened and looked into the
book, and said, " You are pregnant, you will bear a male child, call
his name Hasseebu Kareem ed deen." And the father died.
And the woman remained, and bare a son, and brought him up till he was
grown.
And the child asked his mother, " What is my name ?" And she said, "
Wait, to-morrow we will make a feast, we will invite people to come and
eat, that I may give you the name your father gave you."
And he waited ; and in the morning she made a great feast, and invited
the astrologers, and they came to eat the feast, and she said to them,
" To-day I will give to yoiu" child the name his father gave him."
And they
3.34 HASSIBU KAIIIM AD DIXI.
Akawaambia, jiua lake, Hassibu karim ad dini. Waka- mwambia, lieri.
Akatiwa cliuoni kusoma, alipokwisba soma, akatiwa kiwaudani kushona nguo,
asijue, akatiwa kufua fetba, asijue, killa kazi anayofuudisbiwa hajiii.
Mamaje akauena, bassi, kaa kitako, mwauangu. Akakaa kitako akila na kulala.
Akamwambia, baba alikuwa ua kazi gani? Aka- mwambia, alikuwa tabibu mkuu
sana. Akamwambia, viwapi vyuo vyake vya utabibu? Akamwambia, siku nyingi
zimepita, katezame ndani, kana viko. Akaenda. akatezama, akaona vimeliwa na
wadudu imesalia gombo moja, akatwaa, akasoma, akaona dawa zile zote.
Hatta siku biyo wakaja jirani zake wakamwambia raamaye, utupe sisi huyu
mtoto tukaende naye kuchanja kuni. Nao, wale watu wanne, kazi yao
kuchanja kuni, wakija, wakiuza mjini. Nao bupakia kuni juu ya puuda.
Mamaye akawaambia, vema, kesbo nitamnunulia punda, mfuatane nyote.
Assubui mamaye akamnunulia punda, wakaja nale watu, wakafuatana naye
kazini. Wakaeuda, wakapata kuni nyingi, wakaja nazo mjini kuza, wakagawanya
fetlia.
Na siku ya pili wakaenda tcna, na siku ya tatu, ua siku ya nne, na
siku ya tano, na siku ya sita. Hatta siku ya sabaa, walipokwenda,
kukatanda wingu, ikaiiya mvua, wakakimbia kujificba chiui ya jabali.
Yule Hassibu amekaa maliala pekeyake. Akatwaa
EASSEEBU KAREEM ED BEEN. 335
said, " Give it." And she said, " His name is Hasseebu Kareem ed
decn." And they said, " It is well."
And he was put to school to read, and when he had finished reading, he
was put at a workshop, to learn to sew clothes, and did not learn ;
and he was put to do silversmith's work, and did not learn ; and
whatever work he was taught, he did not learn it. And his mother said,
" Well, stay at home, my son." And he stayed at home, eating and
sleeping.
And he said to her, " What was my father's business "?"' And she said,
" He was a very great physician." And he said, " Where are his medical
books ?" And she said, " Many days have passed, look inside, if they
are there." And he went and looked, and saw them eaten by insects ;
there remained one parcel, and he took it and read, and saw all those
medicines.
At last one day his neighbours came and said to his mother, " Give us
this boy, that we may go together to cut wood." And it was the
business of those four people to cut wood, and they came and sold it
in the town. And they used to load donkeys with it. And his mother
said, " Very well, to-morrow I will buy him a donkey, that you may all
go together."
In the morning his mother bought him a donkey, and the people came, and
they went to their work together. And they went, and got much firewood,
and came with it into the town, and divided the money.
And the next day they went again, and the third day, and the fom-th
day, and the fifth day, and the sixth day. But on the seventh day,
when they went, the clouds gathered, and the rain fell, and they went
to hide under the rocks.
Hasseebu sat in a place by himself. And he took a stone, and knocked
on the ground, and heard it sound
336 HASSIBU KABIM AD DINl.
jiwe, akagonga chini, akasikia panalia wazi. Akawaita wenziwe, akawaambia,
liapa panalia wazi !
Wakamwambia, gonga, akagonga, wakasikia panalia wazi, wakamwambia, tuchimbe.
Wakacbimba, wakaona shimo kubwa, limekaa kaua kisima, wakaangalia ndani mna
asali, limejaa tele.
Wakaacba kuni, ikawa kucliukiia asali, kiilla siku. Na yule Hassibu ndiye,
aliyeliona mbelc ilc sbimo la asali. Wakamwambia, we we iugia mmo ndani,
uliiteka asali, nkatupe sisi, tukaende tukanze mjini, liatta tukiislia,
tAipate kugawanya fetba. Akanena, venia,
Ikawa kazi zao kiilla siku miezi mitatu, wakapata niali mengi.
Hatta asali ilij)okwislia, imesalia cbini kabisa nako mbali, wakamwambia,
iugia wewe ndaui kule, iikwangue iliosalia cbini, ukiisba, tutakupa kamba,
usbike, tuku- pandisbe juu. Yule akakubali, akakusanya, akawaambia, nipeni
kamba. Wakamwambia, bapana kamba, ngoja kwanza, inakuja. Wakafanya sbauri,
wakasema, Imyu na tumwacbe mumo liumo ndani ya sbimo, tugawanyc sisi mali.
Akaondoka mmoja, akasema, mama yake, tutamwambiaje ? Akaondoka mmoja,
akajibu, akamwanibia, tutamwambia, mtoto wako aliondoka, kwenda cliooni,
akukamatwa na simba, yeye na punda wake, nako ndani ya niwitu tusiweze
kumtafuta sana, lakini tukasikia simba analia, tukajua aliyemkamata ni yeye
simba.
Wakaenda zao mjini, wakamwambia mamaye. Mamaye akalia sana, akakaa matanga,
batta yakaisba. Wale wakagawanya fetba, wakasema, tumpelekee na mama ya
rafiki yetu kidogo fetba, wakampelekea. Bassi kulla
HAS8EEBU EABEEM ED BEEN. 337
hollow. And lie called his comf)anions and said to them, " Here it
sounds hollow."
And they said, " Knock." And he knocked, and they heard it sound
hollow, and said, " Let us dig," And they dug, and found a large pit :
it was like a well, and they saw in it honey ; it was very full.
And they left the firewood, and every day carried away honey. And it
was Hasseebu who was the first to find the pit of honey. And they
said, " Do you go inside and dip out the honey, and give to us, and
we will go and sell it in the town, and when we have finished, let us
divide the money." And he said, " Very well."
And it was their employment every day for three months, and they got
much wealth.
At last, when the honey was finished, there remained some quite at the
bottom, and that far off, and they said, " Go in, inside there, and
scrape up what is left, and when you have done we will give you a
rope, take hold of it, and we will hoist you up." And he consented,
and gathered it, and said, " Give me the rope." And they said to him,
" There is no rope : wait a bit, it is coming." And they consulted
together and said, " Let us leave him, there inside the pit, and let
us divide the money."
And one arose and said, " What shall we say to his mother ?" And one
arose and answered, and said, " We will tell her, your son arose to go
on his private business, and was caught by a lion, he and his donkey,
and there in the forest we could not seek for him much, but we heard
the lion crying, and we knew that it was the lion that had taken him."
And they went away into the town and told his mother. And his mother
wept much, and made her mourning, till it was ended. And they divided
the money, and said, " And let us send a little money to our friend's
mother."
z
338 HASSIBU KARIM AD DINI.
siku, yule humpelekea mchele, yule humpelekea mafiita' humpelekea kitoweo,
humpelekea nguo, kulla siku.
Bassi hapa, turejee aliko Hassibu.
Amekaa siku ya kwanza, siku ya pili, siku ya tatu, akajua wenziwe
wamemtupa, akashukuru Muungu. Aka- tembea ndani ya shimo, shimo kubwa
sana. Usiku bulala mlemle, assubui akiamka, bupata asali kidogo, akala.
Hatta siku moja amekaa kitako anawaza, akaona ngc akaanguka chini, mkubwa
sana, akamwua.
Akakaa kitako, akafikii-i, nge buyu anatoka wajji '? Labuda pana tuudu
mahala, nitakwenda kutafuta. Aka- enda, akaona tundu ndogo, aona mwangaza
mbali sana, akacbokora kwa kisu, ikawa tundu pana sana, akajiita, anaona
mbali weupe na mwangaza, akaenda. Hatta akifika, akaona kiwanja, ametokea
mahala pakubwa sana.
Akaona ujia, akafuata njia, akaenda, akaona nyumba kubwa ya mavre, akaona
na viti vingi, na mlango wake wa tbahabu, na kufuli yake ya tbahabu, na
ufimguo walie wa lulu, akatwaa, akafmigua, ndani akaona sebule kubwa, na
viti vingi, akaona kiti kimoja cba tbahabu, kimena- kishiwa kwa lulu na
jawahir na fusfiis, akaona na kitanda kimetandikwa sana vizuri, akaenda
akalala.
Hatta marra hiyo asikia watu wanakuja wengi. Wakaja hatta nyumbani,
wakaona mlango umefunguliwa, wakaingia ndani. Na yule anayekuja ndiyc
Sultani wa nyoka.
Asikari wake w^akajaa uwanjani, yee na mawaziri wake wakapita ndani,
wakaona ajabu, wakamwona mtu amelala
HASSEEBV EAREEM ED BEEN. 339
And they sent some to her. And so, every day, one took her rice, one
took her oil, one took her meat, one took her cloth, every day.
Enough here, let us return to where Hasseehu was.
He remained the first day, the second day, and the third day, and he
knew his companions had cast him off, and was comforted. And he walked
about inside the pit, and the pit was very large. At night he slept
in- side, and in the morning when he awoke he took a little honey and
ate. Till one day he sat thinking, and he saw a scorpion fall to the
ground, a very large one, and he killed it.
And he sat and considered, " Where did this scorpion come from ?
Perhaps there is a hole somewhere, I will go and look for it." And he
went, and saw a little hole, and saw light far off, and he picked with
his knife, and the hole l)ecame very broad, and he passed, and saw be-
yond, clear space and light, and went on. When he reached it he found
an open space, and came out upon a very large place.
And he saw a path, and followed the path, and went on, and found a
large stone house ; and he saw many chairs, and the door was of gold,
and its padlock of gold, and its key of pearl ; and he took it and
opened, and saw inside a large reception-room, and many chairs, and he
saw one chair of gold, inlaid with pearls and jewels, and procious
stones; and he saw a couch very beautifully spread, and he went and lay
down.
So at once he hears many people coming. And they came to the house,
and saw the door open, and they came inside, and he who had come was
the king of the snakes.
And his soldiers filled the courtyard, and he and his vizirs entered
inside, and they were astonished, and
340 UASSIBU KARIM AD I)INI.
juu ya kitauda, ua kile ndiclio kitauda clia Sultani, anachokaa. Wakataka
kumwua, akawaambia, mwacheni, msimwue, niwekeni kitini, waka'mweka juu ya
kiti.
Akawaambia, mwamuslieui polepole, wakamwamusba. Akaondoka, akakaa kitako,
akaona nyoka wengi, waine- mzunguka, akamwona yule mmoja mzuri sana,
amcvaa nguo za kifaiune.
Akamwuliza, wewe nani ? Akamwambia, mimi Sultani wa nyoka, na hii nyumba
yangu ; akamwuliza, na wewe nani ? Akamwambia, mimi Hassibu karim ad
dini. Watota wapi? Akamwambia, sijui ninapotoka wala ninakokwenda.
Akamwambia, starebe ; akawaambia asikari wake, enendeni mkalete matimda
yote mwituni, tumkerimu mgeni.
Wakaenda, wakaleta kulla tunda, waka'mwekea mbele sinia nzima, wakamwambia
kula. Akala batta akasbiba,' wakampa maji, akanywa. Bassi, akakaa kitako,
wakazu- mgumza.
Yule Sultani wa nyoka akamwuliza Hassibu, nipe kisa cbako, toka ulipotoka
kwenu batta leo. Akampa kisa cbote kilicbompata njiani batta akafika pale.
Nave Hassibu karim ad dini akamwuliza Sultani wa nyoka, unipc kisa cbako
nawe, nij)ato kujua. Aka- mwambia kisa cbangu kikubwa sana.
Akamwambia, nalikaa zamani moja, tukaondoka bapa kwenda jabali Al Kaf,
kwenda kubadili bawa. Nikakaa batta siku moja nikamwona mtu akija
nikamwuliza, watoka wapi wee? Akauianibia, mimi natoka mjini kwctu,
ninapotea katika barra. Nikamwambia, weye mtoto wa nani? Akaniambia,
uiimi jiua laugu Bolukia, na baba
BASSE EBU E ARE EM ED BEEN. 341
found a man lying on the couch, and that was the king's couch which he
was lying upon. And they waated to kill him, but he said to them, "
Leave him alone, do not kill him ; put me in a chair." And they put
him upon a chair.
And he said, " Wake him gently." And they woke him. And he arose, and
sat up, and saw many snakes surrounding him, and he saw one of them
very beautiful, wearing royal robes.
And he asked him, " Who are you ?" And he said, " I am the king of
the snakes, and this is my house." And he asked him, " And who are
you ?" And he said, " I am Hasseebu Kareem ed deen." " Where do you
come from ?" And he said, " I don't know whence I come, nor whither I
am going." And he said, " Do not disturb yourself;" and he told his
soldiers, " Go and bring all the fruits of the forest, and let us
feast our guest."
And they went and brought every fruit, and set before him a large tray,
and told him to eat. And he ate till he had had enough, and they gave
him water, and he drank . So he sat, and they conversed.
And the king of the snakes asked Hasseebu, " Give me your story, from
your leaving home till to-day." And he gave him the story of all that
he had met with on the way till he arrived there.
And Hasseebu Kareem ed deen asked the king of the snakes, " Give me
your story also, that I may know it." And he said, " My story is a
long one."
And he said, " I was living formerly, we had left this place to go to
the mountains of Al Kaf, for change of air. And I stayed till one day
I saw a man coming, and I asked him, ' Where do you come from ?' And
he said, ' I come from our town, and am wandering in the wilder- ness.'
And I said, ' Whose son are you ?' And he said to me, ' My name is
Bolukia, and my father the Sultan
342 HASSIBU EAIUM AD DIN I.
yangu Sultani amekufa, uikaenda kufungua kaslia, nikaoua mkoba,
nikaufungiia, umetiwa kisanduku cba shaba, nikafungua, iidani umefungwa kwa
joho, nikaf uiiua joho, nikaona clmo, nikasoma mimi, nikaona sifa nyingi
za mtume. Nikafanya sliauko kiimwona mtu huyu. Nika- wauliza watu,
wakaniambia, bado bajazalivva. Nikasema, mimi nitapotea hatta nimwone.
Nikaaclia mji wangu na maii yangu, ni katika kupotea batta sasa sijamwona
mtu huyo.
Na mimi nikamwambia, utamwoua wapi, bajazalivva bado? Labuda ungalipata
maji ya nyoka, ungaliwcza kuishi, usife, hatta ukaouana naye, lakini sasa
baifai, yako mbali maji ya nyoka.
Akaniambia, kua beri tena, nitapotea mimi. Nika- mwambia, kua heri.
Akaenda zake.
Hatta akafika Misri, akainwona mtu, akamwuliza, v/cyc nani? Akamwambia,
mimi Bolukia. Akamwuliza, na weye nani ? Akamwambia, mimi jina langu
Alfan. Aka- mwambia, uuakwenda wapi ? Akamwambia, mimi nime- acha mji
wangu, na ufalme wangu, na mali yangu, namta- futa mtume.
Akamwambia, utamwona wapi weye, naye hajazaliwa bado ? Lakini sasa
tukamtafute Sultani wa nyoka, tukim- pata buyu, atatupa dawa sisi
tutakwenda batta alipo nebii Sulimani ; tuta2)ata pete yake, tutawale sisi,
na Majini yote yatakuwa chini yetu, tutakalo tutawaamru.
Akamwambia, mimi nimemwona Sultani wa nyoka katika jabali Al Kaf.
Akamwambia, twenendc bass. Na yule Alftin moyoni mwake anataka pete ya
nabii Sulimani apate kutawala, yee awe mfalme wa Majini na ndege. Yule
Bolukia ataka kmuwona mtume, ndio sbauko yake.
EASSEEBU KABEEM ED BEEN. 343
had died, and I went and opened a chest, and found a bag and oi:)ened
it, and a small brass box was in it, and I opened it, and inside it
was tied np in woollen cloth, and I opened the cloth, and found a
book, and I read it, and found many praises of the prophet. And I was
taken with a longing to see that man. And T asked people, and they told
me, he is not yet born. And I said, I will wander till I see him.
And I left my town and my property, and I am wandering ; I have not
yet seen the man.'
" And I too said to him, ' Where will you find him, he is not yet
born ? Perhaps, if you bad the serpent's water, you might be able to
live without dying, till you meet him, but now it is of no use, for
the serpent's water is far off.'
" And he said to me, ' Farewell again, I shall wander on.' And I
said, ' Farewell.' And he went his way.
" And so he reached Egypt, and met a man, and he asked him, ' Who
are you ?' And he said, ' I am Bolukia.' And he asked him, ' And who
are you ?' And he said, ' My name is Alfan.' And he said to him, '
Where are you going.' And he said, ' I have left my town, and my
kingdom, and my property ; I am seeking the jirophet.'
" And he said, ' Where will you find him, when he is not yet born ?
But let us go and look for the king of the snakes, if we find him,
he will give us a medicine, and we will go to where the prophet
Solomon is ; and we will get his rings, and govern all the genii, they
will be under us, we will order them whatever we wish.'
" And he said, ' I have seen the king of the snakes at the mountain
of Al Kaf.' And he said, ' Let us go then.' And that Alfan in his
heart wanted the ring of Solomon that he might govern, that he might be
the king of the genii and of the birds. Bolukia wanted to see the
prophet, that was his longing.
344 EASSIBU KABni AD DINT.
Alfan akamwambia Bolukia, sasa tufanye tundu ya kumtegea Siiltani wa
nyoka, akiisha ingia ndani ya tundu, tulifunge, tumchukue.
Akamwambia, haya. Akafanya tundu, akitia vikombe viwili, kimoja cba maziwa,
kimoja cha mvinyo. Waka- enda batta wakafika jabalini.
Nipo sijaondoka bado kwenda mjini kwangu. Waka- enda, wakaweka tundu ile,
nikaingia ndani nikanywa mvinyo, nikanilevya, wakanifunga, wakanicbukua.
Hatta niliijoamka, naona nimecbukuliwa na watu, na yule Bolukia yuko ndiye
alionicbukua. Nikanena, waana Adamu si wema, wataka nini sasa ?
Wakaniambia, twataka dawa tupake miguuni mwetu, tukanvage babari batta
tufike tunakotaka. Nikawaambia, twendeni.
Wakaenda nami batta kisiwani, na kisiwa kile kiiia miti miugi. Xa ile
miti ikiniona bunena yote — mimi dawa ya fullani — mimi dawa ya fullani —
mimi dawa ya kitwa — mimi dawa ya miguu — batta ule mti ukasema, mimi, mtu
akipaka miguimi bupita juu ya babari.
Wakanena, ndio tutakao. Wakatwaa mwingi. ^^'aka- rudi, wakauipeleka batta
pale jabalini. Wakanifungua, wakaniacbia. Wakaniambia, kua beri, nikawaambia,
kuaberini.
Wakaenda zao, wakipata babari bupaka miguuni, waka- pita. Wakaenda vivyo
bivyo batta wakafika siku nyingi sana wakakaribia alipolala nabii Sulimaui.
Mubala karibu, Alfan akafanya madawa yake, wakaenenda.
HAS8EEBU KAREEM ED BEEN. 345
" And Alfan said to Bolukia, ' Now let us make a cage to catch the
king of the snakes, and when he has gone into the cage let us shut it
and carry him off.'
" And he said, ' Come on,' And they made a cage, and jnit in it two
cups, one of milk and one of wine. And they went on till they reached
the mountain.
" I was there, I had not yet left to go to my own town. And they
went and placed the cage, and I went into it and drank the wine, and
intoxicated myself, and they fastened me in and carried me away.
" So when I awoke, I saw that I was being carried by men, and that
Bolukia was there and was carrying me. And I said, ' The sons of men
are not good, what is it now that you want?' And they said to me, 'We
want a medicine to anoint our feet with, that we may walk upon the sea
till we arrive where we wish to go.' And I said, ' Let us go on.'
" And they went with mo as far as an island, and that island had many
trees. And those trees when they saw me all said, ' I am a medicine
for such a thing ;' ' I am a medicine for such a thing;' ' I am a
medicine for the head ;' ' I am a medicine for the feet ;' till one
tree said, ' I, if any one anoints his feet with me, he can walk uj)on
the sea.'
" And they said, ' That is what we want.' And they took plenty. And
they returned and took me there to the mountain. And they unfastened me,
and let me go. And they said to me, ' Good-bye,' and I said to them,
' Good-bye.'
" And they went on their way, and when they reached the sea, they
anointed their feet, and passed over it. And they went thus till they
arrived after many days, and came near the place where slept the prophet
Solomon. In a place near it, Alfan prepared his medicines, and they went
on.
346 JIASSIBU KABIM AD DIN I.
Naye nabii Sulimani anangojewa na Majini. Waka- karibia wale wawili,
wakasikia mtu anasema. Na nabii Sulimaui ainelala na mkono ameuweka
kifuani, na pete kidoleni. Yule mtu akamwambia, akamwita Bolukia, unakwenda
wapi weye? Akamwambia, nimefuatana na Alfaii, auakweucla twaa jiete ile.
Akamwambia, rucli weye, buyu atakufa.
Alfan akamwambia Bolukia, ningoje liapa weye. Akaenda yee, akikaribia
kutaka kusbika pete, akapigiwa ukelele, akarushwa hapa hatta kule. Akarudi,
asikubali, akaenda marra ya pili akataka kuishika pete, akapuziwa,
akateketea kamma jifu.
Na yule Bolukia anaona pia, akasikia mtu akimwambia, rudi, enda zako,
buyu tbalimu amekwisba kufa,
Akarudi Bolukia, akaja zake hatta njiaui akaona babari, akapaka dawa yake
miguuui, akavuka, akaenda kisiwa kingine, hatta akaisha akapaka dawa tena
akavuka. Ikawa ndio kazi yake siku nyingi sana, na miezi mingi, na miaka
mingi inakwisba naye njiani.
Akaenda hatta siku moja akamtokea mtu, akamwona amekaa kitako, akampa
salaam, naye akamjibu. Aka- mwuliza, weye nani ? Akamwambia, mimi, jina
langu, Jani Shah, weye nani ? Akamwambia, mimi Bolukia, akamwuliza, wafanya
nini hapa ?
Pana makaburi mawili, na yule mtu amekaa katikati ya makaburi, hulia
sana, kiisha akacheka, akashukuru Muuugu. Akamwuliza, nipe kisa chako wewe.
Aka- mwambia, kisa changu kikubwa, lakini nipe chako weye kwanza, umetoka
wapi, unakwenda wapi ?
HASSEEBU RARE EM ED BEEN. 347
" And the prophet Solomon was waited upon by genii. And tliey too drew
near, and heard some one speaking. And the jH-ophet Solomon slejit, and
his hand was laid on his chest, and the ring on his finger. The being
spoke to them, and called to Bolukia, ' \Mnther are you going?' And he
said, ' I have come -with Alfan, he is going to take that ring.' And
it said to him, ' Go back, this man will die.'
" And Alfan said to Bolukia, ' Wait for me here.' And he went on, and
drew near, wanting to take hold of the ring, and a cry was made at
him, and he was thrown from hence yonder. And he returned, not
consenting, and went the second time and wanted to take hold of the
ring, and he was breathed upon and burnt up like ashes.
" And Bolukia was looking on at all this, and he heard some one say
to him, ' Go back, go on your way, this wretch is already dead.'
" And Bolukia went back, and came until in his way he found the sea,
and he anointed his feet ^ith his ointment and passed over, and went to
another island, and then he put on the medicine again and passed over.
And this was his employment very many days, and many months, and many
years were ended upon him in his journey.
" And he went until one morning he came upon a man, and saw him
sitting down, and saluted him, and he replied. And he asked him, ' Who
are you ?' And he said. ' My name is Jan Shah, who are you ?' And
he said, ' I am Bolukia,' and he asked him, ' What are you doing here
?'
" There were two graves, and the man was sitting between the graves,
and wept much, and then he smiled and was comforted. And he asked him,
' Give me your story ?' And he said, ' My story is a long one, but
give me your story first. Whence did you come, and Vi'hither are you
going ?'
348 HASSIBU K An J 21 AD DIXI.
Akamwambia, miye ni mtoto wa Sultani, baba yangii amekufa, nimetawala
mimi. Hatta siku moja nikafungua kasha la baba, nikaona mkoba, ndani na
chuo, nikasoma chuo kile, nikaona sifa za mtume, nikafanya sbauko saua ya
kumwona, nikatoka mimi katika mji wangu, nikapotea katika mwitu kmntafuta
mtu huyo. Na kulla mtu nimwonaye huniambia, bajazaliwa bado. Na hatta
sasa ni katika mtafuta bado. Nikali nikienda katika barra.
Akamwambia, kaa kitako bassi, nikiipe kisa changu toka mwanzo hatta sasa.
Akamwambia, nipe, nimekwi- sha kaa kitako.
Akamwambia, mimi, jina langu Jani Shah, na baba yangu, jina lake
Taighamusi, Sultani mkubwa. Naye kulla siku ikipata mwezi hueuda mwituni
kwenda kupiga nyama. Na mwanawe ni mimi tu mmoja, anipenda sana. Hatta
siku hiyo nikamwambia, baba, tufuatane m^vdtuni. Akaniambia, kaa kitako,
usiende mahali. Nikalia sana mimi, baba yangu akaniambia, twende, usilie.
Tukaenda zetu mwituni, na watu wengi wanaokwenda. Hatta tulipofika mwituni
tukala chakula, tukaisha, bassi kulla mtu tukaingia mwituni tupige nyama.
Na mimi na watumwa wangu, watu sabaa, tukaenda njia yetu ngine, hatta
tukifika mwituni, tukaona paa mzuri mno tukamfukuza hatta baharini,
tusimpate. Aka- ingia majini paa, tukatwaa mashua, tukaingia mimi na
watumwa wangu watu wanne, wale watatu wakarudi kwa baba. Sisi tukamfukuza
paa hatta tusiuone mji, tukamka- mata paa, tukamchinja. Tulipokwisha
mchiuja, ukavuma upepo mwingi, tukapotua.
Wale watumwa, wale watatu, walipofika kwa baba yangu, akawauliza, yu wapi
bwana wenu ? Wakamwambia,
HASSEEBU EAREEM ED BEEN. 349
" And lie said, ' I am the son of a Sultan, and my father died, and
I governed. At last one day I opened my father's chest, and saw a bag
and within it a book, and I read that book, and saw the praises of
the prophet, and I longed much to see him, and I set out from our
town and wandered in the forest seeking for the man. And every one I
find says to me, ' He is not yet born.' And till now I am still
seeking him. And I am going through the wilderness."
" And he said, ' Sit down then, that I may give you my story from
the beginning until now." And he said, ' Give it me, I am already set
down.'
" And he said, ' My name is Jan Shah, and my father's name, Taighamus,
a great Sultan. And every day for a month he used to go into the
forest to shoot game. And I was his only son, and he loved me much.
Till one day I said to him, ' Father let us go together to the
forest.' And he said, ' Stay at home, and go nowhere.' And I cried
much, and my father said, ' Let us go, do not cry.'
" And we went away to the forest, and there were many people who went.
And when we reached the forest we ate our food, and then every one
went into the forest to kill game.
" And I and seven men, my slaves, we went another way of our own,
till we reached the forest, and we saw a very beautiful gazelle, and
chased it as far as the sea without getting it. And the gazelle went
into the water, and we took a boat, and went in, I and four of my
slaves, and three of them went back to my father. And we chased the
gazelle till we lost sight of the town, and we caught the gazelle and
killed it. And when we had killed it, a great wind blew, and we lost
our way.
" And those three slaves, when they reached my father, he asked them, '
Where is your master ?' And they said
350 UASSIBU KARIiM AD DINI.
twalimfukuza paa, liatta tukafika pwani, yule paa akaingia baliarini,
wakaiugia masliuaui, yee bwana na watu wanne, wakamfukuza, sisi tukarucli.
Baba yangu akasema, mwanangu amekwislia potca. Akaenda zake mjini, akakaa
matanga, akasbukuin Muungu.
Sisi tukaangukia kisiwani. Paria ndege wengi. Tuka- tafuta matuuda tukala,
tukatafuta na maji tiikanywa. Hatta usiku, tukapanda juu ya mti tukalala.
Alfajiri tukaingia masliuani mwetu, tukapotea, tukafika kisiwa kingine clia
pili, hapana mtu awaye yote. Tukashuka, tukala matunda mengi, hatta usiku
tukapanda juu ya mti, tukalala, wakaja nyama mbwayi, wakacbeza sana.
Hatta assubui tukakimbia, tukaenda kisiwa cba tatn, tukifika tukitafuta
matunda, tukaona mtofaa umezaa sana. Tukitaka kucbuma, tukasikia mtu,
akatukataza, akiuena, msicbume, mtofaa u wa mwenyewe mfalme, nimeviekwa
kuuugojca. Hatta usiku, wakaja kima wengi, wakafurabi sana walipotuona
sisi, wakatutafutia matimda wakaletca, tukaja, tukala, batta tukasbiba.
Wakasema, mtu buyu tumfanye Sultani wetu. Tule mmoja akanena, watakimbia
assubui bawa. Wakasema, kaivunjeni masbua yao. Wakaenda, wakaivunja.
Hatta assubui tukiondoka kukimbia, tukaencnda j^wani, masbua yetu imcvunjwa.
Bassi, tukarudi, tukakaa kitako wakatulctca cbakula, tukala, na maji,
tukanwa. Na wale kima wanatupcnda sana sisi, bawatiipcndi kuondoka. Siku
nyingi tukakaa.
Hatta siku moja tukaenda kutembea, tukaona nyumba
HASSEEBU KABEEM ED BEEN. 351
' We chased a gazelle, till we readied the shore, and the gazelle went
into the sea, and the master and four men went into a boat and pursued
it, and we came back.'
" And my father said, *My son is lost.' And he went away to the town,
and made a mourning, and was comforted.
" And we fell upon an island. There there were many birds. And we
looked for fruit and ate it, and looked for water and drank. And at
night we climbed into a tree and slejit. In the morning we entered our
boat and wandered on, and reached a second island, whereon was no one
whatsoever. And we landed, and ate much fruit, and at night climbed into
a tree and slept, and many savage beasts came, and made great games.
" Then in the moi'ning we fled, and went to a thii'd island, and we
arrived and looked for fruit, and saw a tofaa tree which had borne
abundantly. And we wanted to pick from it, and we heard some one forbid
us, and say, ' Do not pick them, this tofaa tree is the property of
the king, and I am put to watch it.' And at night many monkeys came,
and they were very glad when they saw us ; and they looked for fruit
and brought us, and we came and ate till we were satisfied.
" And they said ' Let us make this man our Sultan.' And one said, '
These people will run away in the morning.' And they said, ' And break
up their boat.' And they went and broke it.
" 1 n the morning, when we arose to escape, and went to the shore,
our boat was broken to pieces. So we returned and remained, and they
brought us food, and we ate, and water, and we drank. And those monkeys
loved us very much, and did not like us to go away. And we stayed many
days.
•' Till one day we went walking about, and we saw a
352 UASSIBU KABIM AD DIN I.
kubwa ya mawe, na nilaugo wakwe umeandikvva. Nika- soma Diimi, ya kwamba,
mtu anaokuja liapa kisiwani, liawa kima hawamwachi kumpenda muo mfanya
udio mfalme wao. Na atakapokwenda zake, liapati njia, lakini iko njia
moja, imelekea kibula, liufuata njia liiyo, hutaona uwanja mknbwa, una
simba na chui na nyoka, mtapigana nao, mkiwashinda, mtapata njia,
mtakwenda mbele, mtaona uwanja mgine, una tungu wakubwa, kana mbwa, na
meno yao kana mbwa, wakali sana, mtapigana nao, mkiwashinda, mtapata njia
ya kupita.
Tukafanya masbauri, wale watumwa wangu wakania- mbia, tuenende, tukapone ao
tukafe, na sisi sote tuna selaba zetu.
Tukaeneuda batta tukafika uwanja wa kwauza, tukapi- gana, wakafa watumwa
wangu wawili. Tuknenda zetu, tukapita, tukaenda wa pili, tukapigana, wakafa
watumwa wangu wawili, nikapona mimi.
Nikapotea siku uyingi, batta nikatokea mji. Nikakaa kitako pale mjiui,
nnatafuta kazi, sipati. Akatokea mtu, akaniambia, wataka kazi ?
Nikamwambia, nataka. Aka- niambia, twende zetu, tukaenda kwake.
Akacbinja ngaraia, akatwaa ngozi ile, akaniambia, nita- kutia ndani ya
ngozi, wende juu ya jabali, ndcge ataku- cbukua, ukiiika atakufungua,
usukume vito cbini, ukiisba nitakusbusba mimi.
Akanitia ngozi ile, akaja ndege, akanicbukua akaniweka juu ya jabali,
akataka kuuila, nikaondoka, nikamfukuza ndege, akaruka. Nikasukuma vito
cbini vingi, nikamwa- mbia, nisbusbe, bass ! Asinijibu neno, akaenda
zake.
HASSEEBU KAREEM ED BEEN. 353
great stone house, and its door had an inscription. I read how that, '
Any man who comes to this island, these monkeys will not leave him,
through loving exceedingly to make him their king. And when he shall go
away, he will find no way ; but there is a way, it lies to the north.
One follows this way, and one finds a great plain ; there are lions,
and leopards, and snakes ; you shall fight with them ; if you overcome
them, you will find a way ; you will go forward, you will see another
plain, where are huge ants, like dogs, and their teeth like dogs, very
fierce ; you shall fight with them ; if you overcome them you will find
a way to pass.
" And we consulted together, and those my slaves said to me, • Let us
go, that we may die or live, and we all have our weapons.'
" And we went till we reached the first plain, and we fought, and two
of my slaves died. And we went our way, and passed on and went to the
second, and fought, and my two slaves died, and I escaped.
" And I wandered many days, till I came out upon a town. And I stayed
there in the town, looking for work, and not finding it. And a man
came out, and said to me, ' Do you want work ?' And I said, ' I
do.' And he said, ' Let us go our way ;' and we went to his house.
" And he slaughtered a camel and took its skin, and said to me, ' I
shall put you in this skin, that you may go to the top of the
mountain ; a bird will carry you. When you arrive, it will imfasten
you ; push down the precious stones, and then I will get you down.'
" And he put me into the skin, and the bird came and carried me to
the top of the mountain, and was going to eat me ; and I arose and
scared the bird, and it flew away. And I pushed down many precious
stones, and I said, ' Take me down, then.' And he answered me not a
word, and went his way.
2 A
354 IIASSTBU KARIM AD 1)1X1.
Nikasema, nimekufa mimi. Nikaenenda m^ituni siku uyingi. Nikatokea nyumba
moja, nikamwona mzee katika nyumba, akuuipa cbakula ua maji, nikasliukuru
Muuugu.
Nikakaa kitako pale, akauipcuda kana mwanawe. Aka- nij)a fuugiio zote za
nyumba, akaniambia, fungua kulla utakapo, ela chumba biki kimoja usifungue.
Nikamwa- mbia, vema, baba.
Nikakaa, akatoka yee kwenda kutembea, nikafungua mimi, nikaona bustani
kubwa, na mto unapita. Marra wakaja ndege watatu, wakatua pale mtoni.
Marra waka- geuka watu, wakaoga mtoni, na wazuri mno wale watatu
waauawake. Nikawatezama batta walipokwisba kuoga, wakavaa nguo zao,
wakaruka.
Nikarudi mimi, uikafunga mlango, nisiweze kula kitu. Hatta baba yangu
akaja, akaniuliza, ima nini? Nikamwa- mbia, nimekwenda katika bustani,
nimeona waanawake watatu, wamekuja kuoga, wamekwisba, wameruka, na yule
mmoja nampeuda mno, nataka kumwoa, kama sikumpata nitakufa.
Akaniambia, wale bawapatikani, wale watoto wa Sultani wa majini, ua kwao
mbali sana, mwendo miaka mitatu. Nikamwambia, sijui, sbarti unipatie.
Akaniambia, ngoja marra bii, watakapokuja kuoga, ujificbe, utwae nguo za
yule umpendaye sana.
Nikacnda nikaugoja, batta walipokuja wakavua nguo zao, nikazitwaa,
nikazificba. Na yule ndio mdogo wao, na jiua lake Scycdati Sbemsi.
Walipotoka wakavaa nguo zao, wale nduguze, yee akatafuta zake, asizione.
Nika-
HASSEEBU KAREEM ED BEEN. 355
" And I said, ' I am a deal man.' And I went through the forest many
days. And I came out uj)on a single house, and I saw an old man in
the house, and he gave me food and water, and I was comforted.
" And I remained there, and he loved me as his son. And he gave me
all the keys of the house, and said to me, ' Open whatever you like,
except this one chamber ; open it not.' And I said, ' Very well,
father.'
" And I stayed, and he went out travelling, and I opened it, and saw
a large garden and a stream flowing. All at once three birds came, and
settled there by the stream. Immediately they were changed into people,
and bathed in the river, and they were three most beautiful women. And I
looked at them till, when they had finished bath- ing, they put on their
clothes, and flew away.
" And I returned, and locked the door, and could not eat anything. When
my father came, he asked me, ' \Vhat is tlie matter with you ?' And I
said, ' I went into the garden, and I saw three women ; they were come
to bathe ; they did so, and flew away, and one of them I love
exceedingly ; 1 want to many her ; if I have her not I shall die.'
"And he said to me, ' They are not to be had; they are the children
of a Sultan of the genii, and their home is far away, a journey of
three years.' And I said to him, ' I know not ; you must get her for
me.' And he said, ' Wait this time, and when they come to bathe hide
yom-self, and take the clothes of the one you love so much.'
" And I went and waited, till when they came and took off their
clothes, I took them and hid them. And she was the youngest of them,
and her name was Seyedati Shems. And when they came out, her sisters
put on their clothes, and she looked for hers without finding
356 IIASSIBU EABIM AD DIN J.
mwambia, uiuazo mimi, AJxaniambia, nipe mwenyewe, uataka kucuda zangu.
Nikamwambia, mimi nakupenda Sana, nattika kukuoa. Nataka kwcnda kwa baba
yangu. Nikamwambia, liucndi.
Wakaruka Avale nduguze, wakaenda zao, nikamcbukua kwetu, yule baba yangu
akanioza. Akaniambia, ngno Lizi usimpe, zificbc sana, akizipata mwenyewe,
ataruka kwenda zake kwao. Nikazicbimbia chini, uikazitia.
Hatta sikii biyo nimetoka kwenda kutembea, akazifu- cua, akazivaa mwenyewe
akaruka, akakaa juu ya dari, akamwambia mtumwa wake, bwaua wako akija
mwambia nimekwenda zangu kwetu, kama anipeuda anifuato. Aka- ruka, akaenda
zake.
Hatta nilipokuja, nikaambiwa, mkewo amckwenda zake kwao. Nikapotea
nikimfuata miaka mingi.
Hatta niliijofika karibu na mji nikaona watu, wakaniuliza, weye nani ?
Nikawaambia, mimi Jani Sbah. Mtoto wa nani? Nikawaambia, mtoto wa
Taigbamusi. Wakania- mbia, weye ndiyc uliye umeoa bibi yetu? Nikawauliza,
nani bibi yenu? "Wakaniambia, Seyedati Sbemsi. Nika- waambia, miye. Moyo
wangu ukafurahi sana. • Wakanichukua hatta mjini kwao. Akamwambia babaye,
huyu ndio mume wangu aliyenioa. Nikapendwa sana, nikakaa siku nyingi.
Babaye akaniambia, mcbukua mkewo, kama wataka kwenda kwemi. Tukapewa
Majini, wakatucbukua kwa siku tatu. Tukafika, tukakaa mwaka.
Nikascma, twendc, tuaugalie baba yetu. Mke wangu akaniambia, twende.
Hatta tukifika bapa, mke wangu
HASSEEBU KAREEM ED BEEN. 357
thorn. And I said, ' I liave them.' And she said, ' Give them to me,
whom they belong to ; I want to go away.' And I said, ' I love you
very much, I want to marry you,' ' I want to go away to my father.'
And I said, ' You will not go.'
" And her sisters flew and went away, and I took her to our house,
and my father married me to her. And he said to me, ' Do not give
her these clothes, hide them well ; if the owner gets them, she will
fly away to her home.' And I dug in the ground and put them there.
" Till one day when I had gone out walking, she dug them up, and j)ut
them on herself, and flew up and stopped on the roof, and said to her
slave, ' When your master comes, tell him that I am gone away home ;
if he loves me let him follow me.' And she flew, and went her way.
" When I came I was told, ' Your wife has gone away home.' And I
wandered, following her, many years.
" Till when I arrived near a town 1 saw some people, and they asked
me, ' Who are you ?' And I said, ' I am Jan Shah.' ' The son of
whom ?' And I said, ' The son of Taighamus.' And they said to me, '
Are you he that married our mistress ?' And I asked, ' Who is your
mistress V And they said, ' Seyedati Shems.' And I said, ' I am he.'
And my heart rejoiced exceedingly.
" And they took me to their town. And she said to her father, ' This
is my husband who married me.' And I was much loved, and stayed long.
" And her father said to me, ' Take your wife, if you wish, to go
home.' And we were given genii, and they carried us three days. And we
arrived, and stayed a year.
" And I said, ' Let us go and see our father.' And my wife said to
me, ' Let us go.' Till when we arrived
858 ITASSIBU KAllIM AD DIXT.
akacndii kuoga. Hatta akitoka. amekufa, nikamzika Lapa. Wale Majini
wakaonda kwa babaye kumvvambia, mwana- vvo amekufa. Babaye akasenia,
kamwiteni Jani Sb.ah, aje, aoc liuyu mtoto mgine. Wakaja kuniambia.
Nimesema, sitaki, nitachimba kaburi la pili, nikifa, niiugie ndaiii. Ndio
kisa changu.
Akakaa hatta akafa. Na yule Bolukia akasnda zake, ftkafa njiani.
Sultani wa nyoka akamwambia Hassibu, na wewe ukienda kwenu utanifauya
vibaya. Akamwambia, sitaku- fanya vibaya, nipeleke kwetu. Akamwambia. miye
najua, nikikupeleka kwenu, utarudi, uje, uuiue. Akamwambia, sithubutu, nipe
kiapo, niape. Akampa watu, wakampeloka kvrao. Akamwambia, ukifika kwenu,
usiende kuoga panapo w^atu wengi. Akamwambia, siendi. Wakampeleka kwao,
hatta walipofika, wakarudi wale, wakamwambia, kua heri. Akaenda kw^a
mamaye, akafurahi sana mamaye.
Na mle mjini mwao, Sultani hawezi sana, na dawa yake sharuti apatikane
Sultani wa nyoka, auawe, nyama yake itokoswe, ndio dawa.
Yule waziri akaw^eka watu katika hamami, akawaambia, akija mtu kuoga ana
alama tumboni mkamateni.
Yule Hassibu akakaa siku tatu, akasahau maneno ya yule ratiki yake
Sultani wa nyoka, akaenda kuoga.
Wale asUcari wakamkamata, wakampeleka kwa waziri. Waziri akamwambia,
utuj)eleke mahala alipokaa Sultani wa nyoka. Akamwambia, sipajui.
Akawaambia, mfuugoni. Akafungwa akapigwa sana, akapasukapasuka maongoni.
Akawaambia, nifungueni, niwapeleke.
BASSE EBU KABEEM ED BEEN. 359
here, my wife went to bathe. Then when she came out she died, and I
buried her here. The genii went to her father to tell him, ' Your
daughter is dead.' And her father said, ' Call Jan Shah, and let him
come and marry another daughter.' And they came to tell me. I said, ' I
do not wish it, I will dig another grave, and when I die, I will go
into it. And this is my story.'
" And he remained till he died. And Bolukia went his way, and died on
his journey."
And the King of the Snakes said to Hasseebu, " And you, when you go
home, will do me evil." And he said, " I will do you no evil, send
me home." And he said, " I know it, if I send you home, you will
come back, and come and kill me. And he said, " I dare not ; give me
an oath, that I may swear it." And he said, " When you get home, do
not go to bathe where many people are." And he said, " I will not."
And he sent him home, and when they arrived, those who went with him
returned, and they said, " Good-bye." And he went to his mother's house,
and his mother rejoiced much.
Now in their town the Sultan was very ill, and for his /
medicine, it was necessary to get the King of the Snakes A and
kill him, and that his flesh should be boiled ; that was the medicine.
And the Vizir had set people at the public baths, and told them, " If
any one comes to bathe with a mark on his stomach, seize him."
Hasseebu stayed three days, and he forgot the words of his friend the
King of the Snakes, and went to bathe.
And the soldiers seized him, and took him to the Vizir. And the Vi zir
said to him, " Take us to the place where the King of the Snakes
lives." And he said, " I do not know it." And he said to them, "
Bind him." And he was bound and beaten much, and his back was all
torn. And he said, " Loose me, that I may take you."
360 HASSIBU KABIM AD DIN I.
Wakafuatana, wakaenda, hatta walipofika, Sultaui wa nyoka akamwambia,
sikukwarabia, utakuja niua"? Aka- mwambia, si mimi, na angalia maongoni
mwangu. Aka- mwuliza, nani amekupiga liivi '? Akamwambia, waziri. Akamwambia,
bassi, sasa mimi nimekwisha kufa, lakini sbarti unicbukue Avewe batta
kwenu. Akamcbukua, na ^ale asikari wakarudi, na yule wazii'i yumo mlemle.
Akamwambia njiani rafiki yake, mimi nikifika nitauawa, na nyama yangu
itapikwa, povu la kwanza, waziri atakwa- mbia kunywa wewe, nawe usinywe,
litie cbupani, u'mwe- kee, la jiili kunywa wewe, xitakuwa tabibii mkubwa,
la tatu ndio dawa la Sultani wenu. Na bili la kwanza akija akikuiJiza,
umekunywa wewe la kwanza? Mwambie, uimekimywa, na bili la pili lako weye.
Waziri atapokea, akiisba kimywa, atakufa, utapumzika robo yako.
Wakaenda zao, batta wakafika mjini, wakafanyiza vilc- vile kama
alipomwagiza rafiki yake.
Yule wazii'i akanywa, akafa, na lilc la pili akanywa yeye, na la tatu
akamfanyia dawa la Sultani, akapona.
Akampenda sana Sultani, akawa tabibu mkubwa katika mji, akakaa raba kwa
uzima batta kbatima.
HASSEEBU KAEEEM ED BEEN. 3G1
And they went together and went, till when they arrived, the King of
the Snakes said to him, " Did I not tell you, you would come to kill
me ?" And he said, " It was not I, look at my back." And he asked,
" Who has beaten you in this way '?" And he said, " The Vizir." And he
said, " Well, then, I am already dead ; but you must carry me to your
place yourself." And he carried him, and the soldiers returned, and the
Vizir was there within.
And he said to his friend on the road, " When I arrive I shall be
killed, and my flesh will be cooked ; the first skimming the Vizir will
tell you to drink, but do not you drink it ; put it in a bottle and
set it on one side. The second you must drinlc, and you will become a
great physician. It is the third that is your Sultan's medicine. And that
first one, when he comes and asks you, ' Have you drunk the first ?'
tell him, ' I have, and this is your second one.' The Vizir will take
it, and when he has drunk it he will die, and your soul will rest."
And they went their way, till they arrived in the town, and they did
just as his friend had directed him.
The Vizir drank and died, and the second one he drank himself, and the
third he prepared as the medicine for the Sultan, and he Vi^as cm-ed.
And the Sultan loved him much, and he became a great physician in that
city, and dwelt in peace and health until the end.
MWEWE NA KUNGURU.
THE KITES AND THE CROWS.
KISA CHA MWEWE NA KUNGUEU.
Aliondoka Sultani ya kuuguru, akampelokea waraka Sultaui ya mwewe,
akamwanibia, nataka iiwe asikari yangu. Akamwambia sikubali. Akamwambia,
kama hukubali tutapigaua, mimi uawe. Akamwambia, iia tupi- gaue,
iikiuisliiuda uitakufuata, nikikiishinda weye utani- fuata.
Wakapigana, kungiiru wakasliindwa. Akaondoka mzee mmoja, akawaambia —
tukimbie. Wakakimbia katika mji wao, wakaenenda mji mgine. Mwewe walipokuja
wasi- mwone mtu, wakakaa katika mji wa kunguru.
Hatta siku nyiugi kunguru wakafanya shauri. Akao- ndoka mzee, akasema,
ninyonyocni manyoya mkauitupe mjini mwa mwewe. Wakamnyouyoa, wakaenda, waka-
mtupa.
Walii^opita mwewe, wakamwona, wakamwambia, wa- fanya niui liuku mjini kwetu
? Akawaambia, wcnzangu wamenipiga wamcuitoa mji kwa sababu nimcwaambia,
mfuateni mwewe.
Wale wakamchukua, wakacuda uaye kwa Sultaui yao, wakamwambia, buyu kuuguru
tumcmwokota, naye mvvulize, atasema mancno yake.
'^^t/<.6<_
4/ /^^
STORY OF THE KITES AND THE CROWS.
The king of the crows arose and sent a letter to the king ' of the
kites, and said to him, " I want you to be my Cf^^JO> soWier."
And he said, " I do not consent." And he Cnitc^it^*!^ said, " If
you do not consent, you and I will fight." And fC\iCvv^*>ii he
said, " Let us fight ; if you beat me, I will obey you ; if iS[^
>U/// 1 beat you, you will obey me." ^ C^uA4*/^
And they fought, and the crows were beaten. And an t/ *
old one arose and said, " Let us flee." And they fled \^^ -
from their town, and went to another town. And whcn'^'^^^^*'^ the
kites came and saw no one, they lived in the town of ^/^«37 ^>^_^ the
crows. tJl/^A/lohlKf
I iTill one day the crows took counsel. And an old one f^rJcUu.j^
arose, and said, "Pluck off my feathers, and throw me L-j^ u — ^ into
the town of the kites." And they plucked him, and 0. j —
threw him in. ^n—],
And when the kites passed and saw him, they said to ^rhj'niAnA, him,
" What are you doing here in our town ?" And he 2. ■ /Az_ said, "
My companions have beaten me, and turned me i>4^^ Yi out of the town,
because I told them to obey the kite." ^Tm '^■^^^Qa^L^
And they took him and went with him to their king^ u^utAJ pCu
and said to him, " We have picked up this crow ; ask him, ^^v,,^ >
,
he will tell his business." j H^ P /--
366 MU^EWE NA KUNGURU.
SiiltaTii ak'xmwuliza, akamv/ambia, wenzangu v.-ameni- piga, wamenitoa mji
k.va sababu naliwaambia kweli, mluateni rawewe, ndio Sultani, wakanipiga.
Suitani ya mwewe akamuambia, kaa kitako liapa.
Akakaa kitako siku nyiugi. Hatta siku moja wakaenda kanisaai, nayee
wakamclmkua, wakasali pamoja, hatta walipotoka, wakamwuliza, sisi na ninyi,
nani auaabudu Sana Muungu ? Akawaainbia, ninyi.
Akakaa kitako wakampenda sanar. Hatta siku kuu yao ikikaribia, akatoka
usikii, akaenda, akawaambia wenziwe, kesbo watakwenda kanisani wote, njooni
nje ya mlango wa kauisa, mutie moto. Wale wakatoka, wakaenda kuta- futa
kuni na wangine wakackukua moto.
Hatta assnbai wakaenda zao kanisani, asisalie mtu katika mji, ela yule
mzee kuuguru. W akamwambia, kwa nini hueneudi kanisani leo V Akawaambia,
tumbo lina- niuma saua, Wakamwambia, bass. Akaenda, akawaita wenziwe.
Akawaambia, wamekwisLa kuingia kanisani wote.
Wakaenda wale, wakatia kuni katika mLmgo wa kanisa, na wangine wakatia
moto. Moto ukawaka. Waka(ma moshi waingia ndani ya kanisa, wakakimbia
madir'shani na wangine wakafa wengi sana na Sultani pia akafa. Kunguru
wakatwaa mji.
Wale waliubaki mwewe wakawakimbia kuuguru Latta leo.
TEE KITES AND THE CROWS. 367
And the king asked him, "and he said, " My comjianions i
have beaten me, and turned me out of the town, because I CvT^u>-*>
told them truly, ' Obey the kite, he is our king ;' and they SCuw^
'^u. beat me." And the king of the kites said, " Stay here."
OuJ^f^c/
And he stayed many days. Till one day they went to / ^ .^
/ church, and they took him, and they prayed together ; and ^/ y^
when they went out, they asked him, " We and you, ^^^"^
'**«( which worships God best?" And ho said, " You do." v • ' ''^*-
And he stayed, and they loved him much. Till when ^^**j ?J^ their
feast day drew near, he went out in the night, and h'^ut/^ V-* went
and told his companions, " To-morrow they will all yf/f*-^ go to church,
come outside the door of the church and IA^<^toy^«* ' put fii-e to
it." And they went out, and went to look for ^ /^ht^ firewood, and
others went and fetched fire. • Cit^tlHrCju
So in the morning they went to church, without there *^'^>L,_/v^
remaining a single person in the town, except that old l/ \u^j~>.
crowv And they said to him, " Why are you not going ^- —
to church to-day?" And he said, "My stomach aches 7' •'^^- badly."
And they said to him, "Very well," And he 5'»^«>«-^ went and called
his companions. And he said to them, *^^~ A^ " They have all gone
into the church." ^^*"
And they went and put firewood at the door of tlie r^^*^VM^ .
church, and others set it on fire. And the fire blazed u]>. ■
And they saw the smoke come into the church, and '^Tl^-'^S^tt^
they fled to tlie windows, and others died, very many, and ^ the king
and all died. And the crows took the town. y o
And the kites who remained have fled from the crows ^ to this day.
uu<? zj:^. /Vc'i^iL, 5^4^'c3 Tau/
SUNGURA NA SBIBA.
THE HARE AND THE LION.
2 B
SUXGURA XA SIMBA.
AiJONDOKA Sungura kuemla kiitafuta cliakiila m^dtuni, akaona mbuyu mkiibwa
sana, akatazama juu, akaoua mzinga wa asali ya nyuki. Akariidi mjini
kueuda kuta- fnta wenziwe wa kuja kula naye.
Akapita mlangoni kwa buku, akamkaribislia buku v,akakaa kitako. Akamwambia,
baba yaugu amekufa, ameniacbia mzinga moja wa asali, bassi twende tukale.
Wakaeuda.
Akamwambia, panda juu. Wakaj)anda wote wawili, wakala asali. Nao wamecbukua
mienge ya moto, waka- cboma nyuki, wakacbimbia. Wakazima moto, wakala
asali.
Marra akatoka Simba cbini ya mbuyu. Akatazama jixu, akaona watu wanakula,
akawauliza — Nani ninyi? Sungura akamwambia bnku, nyamaza, ana wazimo mzee
yule. Akawauliza tena, Nani ninyi, bamsemi ? Buku akaogopa, akamwambia,
sisi bapa.
Sungura akamwambia buku. Nitwae mimi, miitie ndani ya mwenge, iimwambie
mzee simba, jitenge nitupo mwenge, nami nnaknja. Simba akajitenga, akatupa
buku, ukianguka cbini sungura akatoka akakimbia.
THE HARE AND THE LION.
The hare arose and went to look for food in the forest, and saw a
very large calabash tree ; and he looked iip and saw a hive of honey,
and he returned to the town to look for companions to come and eat
with him.
And he passed by the huku's door, and the huku asked him in, and he
sat down. And he said to him, " My father has died, and has left me
a hive of honey, so let us go and eat it," And they went.
And he said to him, " Climb up." And they both climbed up, and ate
honey. And they had carried burn- ing straw, and they fired the bees,
and they flew away. And they put out the straw, and ate the honey.
All at once the lion came out under the calabash tree. And he looked
up, and saw people eating, and asked, " Who are you ?" And the hare
said to the huku, " Hold your tongue, that old fellow is mad," And he
asked again, " Who are you, won't you speak?" And the huhi was afraid,
and said, " We are here."
And the hare said to the biiku, " Take me and put me among the straw,
and tell the old lion, ' Get out of the way, that I may throw the
straw down, and I am coming.' " And the lion got out of the way, and
the huku threw it, and as it fell down, the hare got out and ran
away.
372 SUNGUBA NA SIMBA.
Simba akamwambia, sbuka bassi. Akasbuka. Akamka- mata, akamwambia, walikuwa
weye na nani buko juu ? Akamwambia, mimi na sungura. Hukumwona bapa
nali- pomtupa? Akamwambia, sikumwona. Akamla buku. Simba akatoka kuenda
kumtafuta sungura, asimwone.
Hatta siku ya tatu sungura akaencla, akamwita kobe, akamwambia, twende,
tukale asali. Akamwuliza — ya nani? Akamwambia, ja baba yangu. Akamwambia,
twende. Wakafika, wakapanda juu na mienge yao ya moto, wakacboma nyuki,
wakakinibia, wakakaa kitako, wakala.
Marra akatokea simba, na yule simba ndio mwcuyewe asali. Akawauliza, nani
ninyi juu ? Sungura aka- mwambia kobe, nyamaza. Akauliza tena simba. Kobe
akaogopa, akamwambia, mimi nitasema, umeniambia asali bii yako, kumbe si
yako, ya mwenyewe simba? Simba akauliza tena, nani ninyi ? Akamwambia,
sisi bajm. Akawaambia, sbukeni bass. Akamwambia, tuuakuja. Xa simba
akamtafuta sungura siku nyingi, akasema, leo nitapata sungura.
Sungura akamwambia kobe, unitwae mimi unitie ndani ya mwenge, umwambie
simba, jitenge nitupe mwcnge, nami nitakwenda, uningoje chini. Akamwambia —
Vema. Kobe akasema moyoni mwake, buyu ataka kukimbia, kuniacba mimi niliwe
na simba, ataliwa yee mbelc. Aka- mtwaa akamtia ndani ya mwenge.
Akamwambia simba, Sungura buyu anakuja.
■Simba akamdaka, akamkamata mkononi, akamwambia, nikufanyeje leo?
Akamwambia, ukinila nyama yangu
THE BABE AND THE LION. 373
And the Hon said, " Come down then." And he came down. Anrl he caught
hold of him, and said, " Who were you with up there '?" And he said,
" I and the hare. Did you not see him here when 1 threw him down '?"
And he said, " I did not see him." And he ate the hulcu. And the lion
set out and went seeking the hare, without finding him.
Till the third day after, the hare went and called the tortoise, and
said to him, " Let us go and eat some honey." And he asked, "
Whose ?" And he said, " My father's." And he said, " Let us go." And
they arrived and climbed up with their burning straw, and they put fire
to the bees and they flew away, and they sat down and ate.
All at once the lion came out, and that lion was the owner of the
honey. And he asked, " Who are you up there ?" And the hare said to
the tortoise, " Keep quiet." And the lion asked again. And the tortoise
was afraid, and said, " I shall sj^eak. You told me this honey was
yours : what then, is it not yours, does it belong to the lion ?" And
the lion asked again, " Who are you." And he said, " We are here."
And he said, " Come down then." And he said, " We are coming." And the
lion had sought for the hare many days, and he said, " I have got the
hare to-day."
And the hare said to the tortoise, " Take me and put me among the
straw, and tell the lion, ' Get out of the way, that I may throw down
the straw ;' and I will go. Wait for me below." And he said, " Very
well." And the tortoise said to himself, " This fellow wants to run
away, leaving me to be eaten by the lion : he shall eat him first."
And he took him and put him among the straw. And he said to the lion,
" The hare is coming."
And the lion caught him, and laid hold of him with his paw, and said,
" What am I to do to you to-day ?" And
374 SVNGUBA NA SLMBA.
ngumu. Simba akamwiiliza, uikufanyejc bassi? Aka- mwambia, nikamata mlda
unizimguslie, kiisha unipigo na iuchi, bassi utanila. Simba akaliadaika,
akamzvmgnslia, akitaka kmiipiga, akadiopoka mkor-oui, akacnda nibio. Akarakosa
sungiira.
Akamwambia kobe, sbuka na weye. Akasbuka. Aka- niwambia, nikiifanyeje nawe
? Akamwambia, nitia katika tope, unisugue bivi, batta nibanduke maganda.
Aka- mcliukua simba, akaeuda naye majini akamsugna, kobe akakimbia, simba
akasugua mikono hatta ikacbubuka. Akaangalia mikono yakc inatoka damu,
akauena, ameni- tenda Ico suugura. Akaeuda kumtafuta.
Akauliza, nyumba ya sungura i wapi '? Wakamwambia, batuijui. Na sungura
amemwambia mkewe, tubame nyumba bii. Wakabama. Simba akaenda kuuliza, waka-
mwambia watu, nyumba yake ile juu ya mlima, Akacnda simba, hatta akifika,
bako sungiu'a. Akascma, nitajificba ndani ya nyumba, batta sungura akija
na mkewe, nitawala wotc wawili.
Akaja sungura, yee na mkewe, bana babari, batta njiani akaona miguu ya
simba, akamwambia mkewe, rudi weye, simba amepita hapa ananitafuta mimi.
Akamwambia, sirudi, nitakufuata mume wangu. Akamwambia, weye mtoto wa watu,
rudi. Akarudi. Suugura akaenenda, akafuata miguu, akaona imeingia ndani ya
nyumba yake. Akascma— Loo ! simba umo ndani.
THE HAIIE AND THE LION. 375
he said, " If you eat me my flesh is tough." And the lion asked him,
" What am I to do with you then?" And he siiid, " Take hold of me
by the tail and whirl me round, and then knock me on the ground, and
so you shall eat me." And the lion was deceived, and whii-led him
round, and when he wanted to knock him, he slipped out of his paw, and
ran off. And he lost the hare.
And he said to the tortoise, "You come down too." And he came down.
And he said, " What am I to do with you ?" And he said, " Put me
in the mud, and rub me in this way till my shell comes off." And the
lion took him, and went with him to the water, and rubbed him ; and
the tortoise got away, and the lion rubbed till his paws were raw. And
he looked at his paws, and blood was coming from them ; and he said, "
The hare has done me to day." And he went looking for him.
And he asked, " Where is the hare's house ?" And they told him, " We
do not know." And the hare had said to his wife, " Let us remove from
this house." And they removed. And the lion went asking, and people told
him, " That is his house on the top of the moun- tain." And the lion
went, and when he arrived, the hare was not there. And he said, " I
will hide myself inside the house, till when the hare comes with his
wife, I will eat them both."
And the hare came, he and his wife. He had heard nothing, till on the
road he saw the lion's feet, and he said to his wife, " You go back,
the lion has passed this way looking for me." And she said, " I will
not go back, I will follow you, my husband." And he said, " You have
friends to go to, go back." And she went back. And the hare went on
and followed the feet, and saw that they went into his house. And he
said, " Oho, lion ! you are inside."
376 SUNGUBA NA SIMBA.
AkarucTi taratibu, akaenda akasimama mbali, akatoa salaamu, akasoma — Salaam
nyumba ! Salaam nyumba ! Salaamu nyumba! Akasikia kimya, Akanena
siingiira, gissi gani killa siku nikipita liapa, nikitoa salaamu, nyumba
hxmijibu, labuda leo mna mtu humo nrlani. Yule simba akadanganika,
akaitikia — Salaamu!
Akamwambia— Looo! simba umo ndani, wataka kunila mimi mwanao, ukasikia wapi
nyumba kusema? Simba akamwambia, uningoje bass. Sungura akakimbia, waka-
fiikuzana hatta simba akacboka. Akawaambia watu, sungura akanisbinda, bass,
simtaki tena. Akarudi.
THE HARE AND THE LION. 377
And lie went back cautiously, and went and stood at a distance, and
said, " Salaam house ! Salaam house ! Salaam house !" And he heard no
reply. And the hare said, " How is this ? Every day as I pass this
place, if I say, ' Salaam,' the house answers me ; but to-day perhaps
there is some one inside it." The lion was deceived, and replied, "
Salaam."
And he said to him, " Oho, lion ! you are inside, you want to eat me,
your son. And where did you hear of a house's talking?" And the lion
said, " Wait for me, that's all." And the hare ran oif, and they
chased one another till the lion was tired. And he said to the people,
" The hare has beaten me ; there, I do not want him any more." And he
went back.
PEPO NA MTOTO WA SULTANI.
THE SPIKIT AND THE SULTAN'S SON.
PEPO ALIYEDAXGANYWA NA MTOTO WA SULTANI.
Palikuwa na Sultaui akitamaui kijana siku nyiugi, asipatc. Naye aua mali
inengi ua miji miugi. Akaoua — nikifa, itapotea mulki liuu pia kwa sababu
ya kukosa mtoto.
Akaja slieitani akajifanya kama mtu, akaniwambia Sultani, nikikupa dawa,
ukipata mtoto, utauipa niui ? Akamwambia, nitakupa nussu ya mali yangu.
Aka- mwambia, sitakubali. Akamwambia, nitakupa miji yangu nussu. Akamwambia,
sikubali. Akamwambia, wataka nini bass? Akamwambia, ukizaa watoto wawili,
nipe mmoja, nawe utwas mmoja. Akamwambia, nimekubali.
Akamletea dawa, akamwambia, mpe mkewo, ale. Akampa, akala, akacbukua
niimba, akazaa mtoto wa kwanza manamumc, na wa pili manamume, na wa tatu
tena manamume.
Akaja i-afiki yakc yule aliompa dawa, akamwambia — haya, tugawanyo.
Akamwambia, bado, hawajasoma watoto hawa. Akamwambia nipe mimi
nikawasomeshe, akamwa-
THE SPIRIT WHO WAS CHEATED BY THE SULTAN'S SON.
There was a Sultan who longed for a son for many years without getting
one. And he had much property and many towns. And he felt, " When I
die, all these posses- sions will be lost, by reason of my having no
son."
And a demon came and made himself like a man, and said to the Sultan,
" If I give you a medicine, and you get a son, what will you give me
?" And he said, " I will give you half my property." And he said, "
I shall not accept it." And he said, " I will give you half my
towns." And he said, " I am not satisfied." And he said, " What do you
want then ?" And he said, " If you get two ^y^ children, give me one,
and take one youi'self." And he said, " I have consented."
And he brought him a medicine, and said to him, " Give it to your
wife and let her eat it." And he gave it to her, and she ate it and
became pregnant, and bore a first child, a boy, and a second, a boy,
and yet more a third, a boy. -^
And his friend who gave him the medicine came and said to him, " Come,
let us divide them." And he said, " Not yet, these children have not
yet learnt to read." And he said, " Give them to me that 1 may teach
them." And he said, " Take them." And he went to his home
382 PEPO XA MTOTO WA SVLTANl.
mbia, cliiikua. Akacnda nao kwake. Na n^yuniba kubwa kvvake, na killa
kitu kimo ndani.
Akawasomeslia hatta wakajua elimu pia, wakafanya bai-ufi, akaisha
akawapelekea baba yao. Na wale vijaua mmoja boclari sana. Akamwambia
babao, njoo, tugawanye watoto leo, akamwambia, gawa weye. Akagawanya yee,
akatwaa wawili akaweka mbali, akatwaa ua mmoja, aka- 'mweka mbali,
akamwambia — Cliagua Sultani ! Sultani akatwaa wale wawili, na yule akatwaa
mmoja, akaenda zake.
Akaenda kwake, akampa funguo zote, akamwambia, killa utakacho fungua. Yule
kijaua akakaa kitako ndani ya nyumba, na yule babaye kutoka akaenda
kutembca mwezi, hatta anaporudi.
Bass, kijana akakaa kitako, hatta siku moja, akacbukua ufunguo, akaenda,
akafungua cbumba kimoja. Akaona thababu kana maji, akatia kidolc ikasbika,
akaislia kufuta haitoki, akafunga kitambaa. Akaja baba yake, akamwuliza, ima
nini kidole ? Akamwambia, nimejikata. Akakaa liatta siku ya i^ili, baba
yake akatoka, akaenda zake kutembea.
Yule mtoto akacbukua funguo zote, akaenda kufungua cbumba cba kwanza,
akaona mifupa ya mbuzi ; akafungua cba pili, akaona mifupa ya kondoo ;
akafungua cba tatu, akaona ya ngombe, akafungua cba nne, akaona ya
punda ; akafungua cba tano, akaona ya fiirasi ; akafungua cba sita, akaona
vitwa vya watu, akafungua cba saba, akaona farasi mzinia.
Akamwambia, ewe binadamu! watoka wapi? Aka- mwambia, mimi, baba yangu huyu.
Akamwambia, kiizi yake ki;la watu, na punda, na farasi, na ngombe, na
mbuzi, na killa kitu, na sasa tumosalia mimi nawe.
THE SPIRIT AND THE SULTAN'S SON. 3S3
with tliem. And his home was a largo house, and every- thing was in it.
And he taught them until they knew all learning, and they made letters,
and then he took them to their father. And one of those lads was very
clever. And he said to their father, " Come, let us divide the children
to-day." And he said, " You divide them." And he divided them, and took
two and put them separate, and he took one and put him separate, and
said, '■ Choose, Sultan." And the Sultan took the two, and he took the
one, and went his way.
And he went home, and gave him all the keys, and said, " Open whatever
you like." And the lad remained in the house, and that, his father,
going out, went travelling for a month, when he returned.
Well, the youth remained, till one day he took a key and went and
unlocked a room. And he saw molten gold, and jmt in his finger, and it
clung to it ; and when he had wiped it, it did not come off, and he
tied on a rag. And his father came and asked him, " What is the
matter with your finger ?" And he said, " I have cut myself." And he
remained, till the next day his father went out, and went on his way
travelling.
And the boy took all the keys, and went and opened the first room, and
saw goats' bones ; and he opened the second, and saw sheep's bones ; and
he oj^ened a third, and saw those of oxen ; and he opened the fourth,
and saw those of donkeys ; and he opened the fifth, and saw those of
horses ; and he opened the sixth, and saw skulls of men ; and he
opened the seventh, and saw a living horse.
And it said, " Oh, you son of Adam, where do you come from ?" And he
said, " As for me, this is my father." And it said, " His business is
to eat people, and donkeys, and horses, and oxen, and goats, and all
things ; and now you and I are left."
/
384 FEFO XA MTOTO WA BVLTAXI.
Akamwambia, tufanyeje ? Akamwambia, njoo uni- fungue, akamfungua.
Akamwambia, sasa fungua cbumba clia mali, mimi nitameza killa kitu, na
baba yako akija akaenda kuwaita watu kiija kutula, na akija, atakwambia,
twendee kuni, useme mimi sijui kazi hiyo, atakvvenda yeye pekeyake ; akija
nazo atateleka sufui-ia kubwa, atakwambia, chocbea moto, mwambia, siwezi,
atakwenda mwenyewe kucliochea moto, ataleta samli nyingi, ataitia ndani ya
sufuria, hatta ikij^ata moto atafunga jDembea, atakwambia, panda ucheze,
mwambia, sijui mimi kucbeza mcbezo buu, panda wcwe mwenyewe nikuangalie
kwanza, na mimi nipate kufanyiza kana weye, akipanda yeye kuku- onyesha,
msukmne ndani ya sufuria ya samli ya moto, uje zako mbio, na miye
nitakwenda kukuugoja cLini ya mti Luko njiani.
Farasi akakimbia, akamwacba mtoto pekeyake. Hatta alipokuja baba yake,
akamwambia, kesbo twendee kuni. Akamwambia, mimi sijui kazi biyo.
Akamwambia, bass, kaa kitako. Akaenda mwenyewe pekeyake, akalcta kuni
nyingi, Naye amekwisha waambia watu, kesbo nna ka- ramu, njooni. Akaja
akatoa sufm-ia akateleka, akamwa- mbia, tia kuni, akamwambia, sijui mimi.
Akamwambia, kaleta samli, akamwambia, siwezi kuicbukua, sina nguvu. Akaenda
mwenyewe, akaicliukua, akaitia ndani ya sufm'ia, akatia moto. Akamwambia,
cbochea, akamwambia, sijui kucbocbea moto.
Akamwambia, umcwona mcbezo wa kwetu '? Akamwa- mbia, sijauona bado. Na
samli imcpata moto sana. Akafunga pembea, akamwambia, panda bapa,
nikuouyesbc.
THE SPIRIT AND THE SULTAN'S SON. 385
And he said, " Wliat are we to do ?" And it said, " Come and
unfasten me." And lie unfastened it. And it said, "Now open the treasure
chamber, and I will swallow everything ; and when your father comes and
goes to invite people to come and eat us, and when he comes, he will
say to you, ' Let us go for firewood,' tell him, ' I don't understand
such work ;' and he will go by himself. And when he comes with it he
will put on a great cauldron, and he will say to you, ' Make up the
fire.' Tell him, ' I cannot ;' he will go himself to make up the fire.
He will bring much ghee and put it into the cauldron, till when it gets
hot, he will tie up a swing and say to you, ' Get uj) and play.'
Tell him, ' I do not know how to play at this ; you get up yourself
fii'st, that I may look at you, and I may get to do as you do ;'
and when he gets up to show you, push him into the cauldron of hot
ghee, and come y/^ away quickly, and T will come and wait for you
under the ^V' tree there in the road,"
And the horse ran away, and left the boy by himself. So when his
father came, he said to him, " To-morrow let us go for firewood." And
he said, " I don't understand that work." And he went himself by
himself, and brought much firewood. And he had already told people, "
To- morrow I have a feast, come."' And he came and took out a cauldron
and put it on, and said to him, " Put on the firewood ;" and he said,
" I do not know how." And he said to him, " And bring the ghee." And
he said, " I cannot carry it, I have no strength." And he went him-
self, and carried it, and put it into the cauldi'on, and lighted the
fire, and he said to him, " Make it up ;" and he said, " I do not
know how to make up a fire."
x\nd he said, " Have you seen om- country game ?" And he said, " Not
yet." And the ghee had got very hot. And he tied up a swing, and said
to him, " Get up here,
2 c
386 PEPO NA MTOTO WA SULTANT.
Akamwambia, panda mwenyewe kwanza, uclieze, nami nikiona baba, nipate
kuclaeza. Akapanda, akaeheza. Akashika, akamsiikuma ndani ya sufuria,
akatokota pamoja na samli, akafa,
Akakimbia mtoto, akaenda hatta cbini ya mti akaona farasi akaja mbio,
Farasi akaja, akamkamata, aka'mweka juu ya maungo yake, akamwambia, twende
zetu sasa. Wakaenda zao.
Wale wenziwe kule wakaja, wakamtafuta, hawamwoni. Na njaa inawauma sana,
wakaaugalia ndani ya sufuria wakaona chakula kimekwisha, wakasema, katule
cbakiila liiki, wakaepua wakaj^akua, wakala. Hatta walipokwisha, wakamtafuta,
hawamwoni. Wakaingia ndani ya nyumba, wakatoa vyakula pia na michele pia,
wakaja wakapika, wakala, siku ya pili tena, wakaona hajaja, wakaenda zao
kwao.
Huyu mtoto, yee na farasi wakaenda hatta mbali miji mingine, wakakaa
mwisho vva mji. Akamwambia, hapa tukae, wakakaa, wakala chakula.
Akamwambia, hapa, tujenge nyumba, wakajenga nyumba kubwa na killa kitu
ndani, wakatia punda na farasi na ng'ombe na mbuzi na watumwa, wakakaa.
Hatta siku yule Sultani akasikia, akaenda, akajjcleka watu, wakaenda
kutezama kweli habari iko nyumba kubwa, watu waambia, kweli Sultani, ni
nyumba kubwa.
Sultani akampelekea watu wake kuangalia nani huyu. Akawaambia, mimi mtu
kama watu. Wakamwambia, watoka wa2)i ? Akawaambia, natoka mjini kwetu,
nime-
TEE SPIPJT AND TEE SULTAN'S SON. 387
that I may show you." And he said, " Get up yourself first, and play,
that when I see you, father, I may get to play." And he got up, and
played. And he took hold of him and pushed him into the cauldron, and
he boiled with the ghee and died.
And the boy ran away and went till he saw the horse under the tree,
and it came running. And the horse came and took him up and put him
on its back, and said, " Now let us be off." And they went away.
Those companions there of his came, and looked for him, and did not see
him. And they were getting very hungry, and they looked into the
cauldron, and saw the food was done, and they said, '' Let us eat this
food ;" and they took it off and dished it up and ate. And when they
had done they looked for him and did not find him. And they went into
the house and took out all the food and all the rice ; and they came
and cooked and ate the second day also, and they saw he was not yet
come, and tliey went away home.
And the boy, he and his horse went, till far off there were other
towns, and they stopped at the end of a town. And he said, " Here let
us stay ;" and they stayed and ate food. And he said, " Here let us
build a house ;" and they built a large house and everything within it,
and they put in it horses, and asses, and oxen, and goats, and slaves,
and they remained.
Till one day the Sultan heard of it, and went and sent people, and
they went to look whether the news was true that there was a large
house ; and the people said, "It is true. Sultan, there is a large
house."
And the Sultan sent his people to see who it was. And he told them, "
I am a person like other people." And they said to him, " Where do
you come from '?" And he said, " I come from cur town, and am come
travelling."
388 PEPO NA MTOTO WA SCLTAXI.
kuja kutembea. Wakaenda wakamwambia mfalme, ame- kuja kutembea rngeni.
Akawaambia, enendo mtu kesho amwambie, Sultaui atakuja kukutezama. Akaeuda
mtii, akamwambia. Akamwambia, marahaba na aje.
Akaamrisba kiifanya vyakiila viugi. Hatta assubui mfalme akaeuda, na watu
wake, akafika uymnbani. Aka- mkaribisha, akapita ndani, akaona Sultaui
uyumba kubwa ua watumwa weugi ndani. Akakaa kitako, wakazu- mgumza.
Akamwuliza, kwa nini huji mjini kutembea? Akamwambia, mimi rngeni, sliarti
nipate watu wanitwae, wauipeleke mjini. Akamwambia, tweude zetu, tukate-
mbee.
Mfalme akampenda sana, wakakaa siku njiugi pale. ^Ifaliue akamwuliza, utake
mke kuoa? Akamwambia, uataka. Akamwambia, uitakuoza mwauaugu. Akafauya harusi
kubwa Sultaui akamwoza.
Akakaa na mkewe, akazaa mtoto mmoja, wakakaa hatta liatima, yee na mkewe
na mtoto wake mmoja, na fi'asi yake, akampenda kama roho yake.
THE SPIRIT AND THE SULTAN'S SON. 389
Aud they went and told the king, " He is a foreigner and has come
travelling." And he said, "Let some one go to-morrow and tell him, '
The Sultan will come to see you.' " Aud a man went aud told him. And
he said, " Thanks, and let him come."
And he ordered much food to be got ready. So in the morning the king
came with his people, and arrived at the house. And he invited him in,
and he passed inside, and the Sultan saw that the house was large and
many slaves in it. Aud he sat down and they conversed. And he asked
him, " Why do you not come and walk in the town ?" And he said, "I
am a stranger, I must get people to take me and bring me into the
town." And he said, " Let us go and take a walk."
And the king loved him much, and they dwelt there many days. And the
king asked him, " Would you like to marry a wife ?" And he said, " I
should." And he said, " I will marry you to my daughter." And the
Sultan made a great wedding, and married them.
And he dwelt with his wife, and they had one child ; and they dwelt
imtil the end, he and his wife, and his one child, and his horse, and
he loved it like his own soul.
AO RATHI, AG MALL
BLESSING OR PROPERTY.
AO RATHI, AO MALI.
Palikuwa na mtu miime na mkewe, wakaomba kwa Muuugu kupata kijana,
Avakapata wa kwanza manamume, na wa pili mauamuke. Na baba yao, kazi
yake kixchanja kuni. Wakakaa hatta wanakuwa waana wazima. Baba yao
akasbikwa na iigonjwa. Akawaita waanawe, aka- wauliza, wataka ratbi, ao
wataka mali ? Yule manamiune akamwambia, nataka mali. Manamuko akamwambia,
nataka ratbi. Akampa ratbi babaye sana. Babaye akafa.
Wakakaa matanga, batta walipoondoka, mama yao akaugua, naye akawaita
waanawe, akawaambia, wataka ratbi, ao wataka mali ? Mwanamume akaniwambia,
nataka mali. Na mwanamuke akamwambia, nataka rathi. Akampa ratbi mamaye
yule. Akafa mama yao.
Wakakaa matanga, hatta alipoondoka ikijjata siku ya saba. Akaenda
mwanamume, akamwambia nduguye mwanamuke, toa vitu vyote vya baba yangu na
mama yangu. Akatoa manamuke, asimsazic kitu, Akacbukua vyote.
Watu wakamwambia, buyu nduguyo mwanamuke humwacbii walao kitu kidogo ?
Akancna, sitamwacbia,
BLESSING OR PROPERTY.
There was a man and his wife, and they prayed to God to get a
child ; and they got first a son and next a daughter. And their
father's employment was to cut up firewood. And they remained till the
children were grown up. And their father was seized by disease. And he
called his children, and asked them, " Will you have blessing or property
?" And the son said, " I will have property." And the daughter said, "
I will have blessing." And her father gave her much blessing. And her
father died.
And they kept the mourning, and when they arose their mother fell sick ;
and she called her children and said to them, " Will you have blessing
or property V" and the son said, " I will have property." And the
daughter said, " I will have blessing." And her mother gave her
blessing. And their mother died.
And they kept their mourning, and when they arose the seventh day was
come. And the son went and told the woman, his sister, " Put out all
my father's and mother's things." And the woman put them out, without his
leaving her anything. And he took them all away.
And people said to him, " Will you not leave even any little thing for
this your sister '?" And he said, " I shall
394 AO BAT/IT, AC) MALL
miini iiiilitaka mali, yee akataka rathi. Akarawacliia cliuugii
na kiuu, liatta cliakula kidogo liakiimwacliia.
Wale jirani zake huja wakaazima kinu, wakatwangia, wakiisha, wakampa
mcliele kidogo, akapika, akala. Na wangiue liuja, wakaazima vyungu,
wakapikia, wakiiska, walzampa iiaje cliakula kidogo. Killa siku kazi yake
ni liii.
Akatafutatafuta nyumbani iiiNva babaye na mamaye, asipate kitu, ela mbegu
ya maboga. Akatwaa, akaenda, akapanda chini ya kisima. Ukaota mboga,
ukazaa maboga meDgi.
Yule nduguye hana habari, akauliza watu — chakula anapata wapi ndugu yaugu?
Wakamwambia, kuazima watu kinu, wakatwangia, wakampa naye chakula kidogo, na
vyungu vyake kuazima watu, wakapikia, wakampa naye cliakula.
Ndugu yake akaondoka, akaenda, akamnyang'anya kinu na vyungu. AmekwisLa,
akaamka subui akatafuta cbakula hapati. Akakaahatta saa a tatu, akanena,
nitakwenda kuangalia mboga wangu, unieota. Akaenda, akaona maboga mengi
yamezaa. Akashukuru Muungu.
Akachuma maboga, akaenda, akanza, akapata chakula. Ikawa ndio kazi yake
killa siku kuchuma, kaenda kuuza. Ikipata siku ya tatu, killa mtu,
aliokula maboga yale akaona matamu mno. Killa mtu huchukua nafaka waka-
mwendea pale pahali pake, wakanunua. Siku nyingi zimepita, akafanya mali.
Mke wa ndugu yake akasikia habari ilc, akatuma
BLESSING OB FBOBEBTY. 395
not. I askpcl for the property, and she for a blessing." And be left
her a cooking pot, and a mortar for cleaning corn ; he did not leave
her even a little food.
Her neighbours used to come and borrow the mortar, and clean their corn,
and then they gave her a little grain, and she cooked and ate it. And
others used to come and borrow her cooking pots, and cook with them,
and then they gave her too a little food. And this was every day her
employment.
And she searched about in her father and mother's house, without finding
anything except a pumpkin seed. And she took it and v^ent and jilanted
it imder the well. And a plant sprung up, and bore many pumpkins.
Her brother had no news of her, and he asked people, " Where does my
sister get food ?" And they told him, " People borrow her mortar, and
they clean their corn, and give her too a little food ; and people
borrow her cook- ing pots, and cook with them, and give her too a
little food."
And her brother arose and went and robbed her of the mortar and cooking
pots. And then she awoke in the morning and sought for food, and could
not get it. And she stayed till nine o'clock, and said, " I will go
and look at my pumj)kin, whether it has grown." And she went, and saw
that many pumpkins had come. And she was comforted.
And she gathered the pumpkins, and went and sold them, and got food.
And this was her employment every day, to gather and go and sell. And
when the third day came, every one who ate those pumpkins found them
exceedingly sweet. And everybody used to take grain and go to her place
and buy. And many days passed, and she got property.
Her brother's wife heard that news, and sent her slave
396 AO RATHI, AO MALI.
mtumwa wake na nafaka kiienda kumnunulia boga. Aka- mwambia, yamekwisha.
Alipojua mtumwa yule wa mke wa uduguye, akamwambia, twaa ile moja,
mpelekee, na nafaka yako rudi nayo. Akaenda akalipika, akaona ta- mu mno.
Siku ya pili akamj)eleka tena mtu. Aka- mwambia, liaj)ana kabisa leo.
Akaenda, akamjibu bibi yake, akakasii'ika mno.
Hatta mumewe alipokuja, akamwuuza, una nini mke wangu ? Akamwambia,
nimepeleka mtu kwa ndugu yako na nafaka yangu, kuenda kutaka maboga,
bakuniletea, amcniambia, hakuna, na watu wote liununua kwake ! Akamwambia
mkewe, na tulalc liatta kesho uitakwcnda kung'oa mboga wake.
Hatta subn.i kukiclia akaenenda kwa nduguye, aka- mwambia. mke wangu kuleta
nafaka ukakataa kumliza boga. Akamwambia, yamekwisha, jana alileta mtu,
nikampa burre. Akamwambia, mbona watu unawaliza? Akamwambia, yamekwisha,
hakuna tena, hayajazaa. Ndugu yake manamume akamwambia, nitakwenda ukata
mboga wako. Akamwambia, huthubutu, labuda ukate mkono wangu kwanza, ndipo
mboga uukate. Ndugu yake akakamata mkono wake w^a kuume, akamkata, akaenda
akaukata na mboga wote pia.
Yule manamke akateleka maji ya moto, akatia mkono wake, akatia na dawa,
akafunga kitambaa.
Akamnyang'anya vitu vyote, akamtoa na nyumba.
Akapotea yule nduguye ndani ya mwitu. Nduguye huyu akauza nyumba,
akakusanya mali mengi, akakaa akitumia.
BLESSING OR PBOPEETY. 397
with grain to go and buy a pumpkin. And slie said, " They are
finished." And when she knew it was her brother's wife's slave, she told
him, " Take this one, and take back your grain." And she went and
cooked it, and found it very sweet. The next day she sent some one
again. And she said, " There are none at all to-day." And he went and
told his mistress, and she was exceed- ingly vexed.
When her husband came and asked her, " What is the matter with you, my
wife ? She told him, " I sent some one to your sister with my grain,
to go and ask for pumpkins. She did not send them, and told me, '
There are none ;' and other people all buy of her." And he said to his
wife, " Let us sleep till to-morrow. I will go and pull up her pumpkin
plant."
When the morning dawned, he went to his sister and said to her, " When
my wife sent grain, you refused to sell her a pumpkin." And she said,
" They are finished ; the day before yesterday she sent some one, and
I gave to him for nothing." And he said, " Why are you selling to
other people ?" And she said, " They are finished, there are no more,
they are not yet come." And her brother said to her, " I shall go and
cut up your pumpkin." And she said, " You dare not, unless indeed you
cut my hand off first ; then you may cut up the pum^jkin." And her
brother took hold of her right hand and cut it off, and went and cut
up her pimipkin plant, every bit of it.
The woman set on hot water, and put in her arm, and put medicine also,
and bound on a cloth.
And he took away from her everything, and put her out of the house.
And his sister wandered about in the forest, and this her brother sold
the house, and gathered much property, and remained spending it.
398 AO BATHI, AO MALI.
Yule akapotea na mwitu, liatta siku ya saba akatokea mji mgine. Akapanda
juu yamti mkubwa, akila matunila ya mti, usiku liulala mle mtini. Hatta
siku ya pili, aka- tokea kijaua clia mfalme anaj^iga ndege, yea na watu
wake. Hatta saa ya sita ameclioka, asema, nitakwenda pale mtini,
nikapumzike, na ninyi pigeni ndege. Akakaa chini ya mti, yee na mtumwa
wake.
Yule kijana manamke akalia hatta macbozi yakamwa- ngukia mtoto wa mfalme
ckini. Akamwambia mtumwa wake, angalia nje, liakuna mvua ? Akamwambia,
hakuna, bwana. Akamwambia, bassi, panda mtini uangalie ndege gani alionitia
mavi. Akapanda mtumwa wake, akamwona manamke mzuri mno analia, asimwambie
neno, akashuka. Akamwambia bwana wake, kuna kijana manamke mzu- ri mno,
sikuthubutu kumwambia neno. Bwana wake aka- mwuliza, kwa nini ?
Akamwambia, nimemkuta, analia, labuda wende wewe. Akapanda bwana wake,
akaenda, akamwona, akamwambia, una nini, bibi yangu, weye mtu, ao pepo ?
Akamwambia, mimi mtu. Akamwambia, una- lilia nini? Akamwambia, nakumbuka
ulimwengu, mimi ni mtu kana wewe.
Akamwambia, sbuka, twende zetu kwetu. Akamwambia, kwenu wapi ? Akamwambia,
kwa baba yangu ua mama yangu, mimi ui kijaua cha mfalme. Akamwambia,
umc- kuja fanya nini buku ? Akamwambia, nimekuja kupiga ndege, mwezi hatta
mwezi ndio kazi yetu, nimekuja na wenzaugu wengi. Akamwambia, mimi sitaki
kuonekana na mtu. Yule manamke, amemwambia kijana cha mfalme. Akamwambia,
hatuonekani na mtu. Akashuka chini.
Akamtuma mtumwa wake — enenda mjini upcsi, uka-
BLESSING OR PBOPEIITY. 399
And she wandered in the forest, till on tlie seventh day- she came out
ujjon another to^^ii. And she climbed up into a great tree, and ate the
fruit of the tree, and in the morning she slei:it there in the tree.
On the next day the son of the king came out shooting birds, he and
his people. About twelve o'clock he was tired, and said, " I will go
there by the tree, that I may rest, and you shoot birds." And he
sat under the tree, he and his slave.
And the young woman cried till her tears fell upon the king's son
below. And he said to his slave, " Look outside ; is it not
raining ?" And he said, " It is not, master." And he said, " Then
climb up into the tree, and look what bird is casting its droppings
upon me." And his slave climbed up, and he saw an exceedingly beautiful
woman crying, and without saying a word, he got down. And he told his
master, " There is a most beautiful young woman. I did not venture to
say a word to her." And his master asked him, " Why?" And he said, ''
I found her crying ; perhaps you should go yourself." And his master
climbed up, and went and saw her, and said to her, " What is the
matter with you, my mistress '? Are you a person or a spirit?" And she
said, " I am a person," And he said, " What are you crying about ?"
And she said, " I am thinking of things ; I am a i^erson as you
are." And he said, " Come do'mi and let us go to our home." And she
said to him, " Where is your home ?" And he said, " With my father
and mother : I am a king's son." And she said, " What did you come to
do here ?" And he said, " I come to shoot birds, month by month ;
this is our employment. I came with my companions." And she said, " I
do not like to be seen by anybody." And that woman had told the king's
son. And he said, " We shall not be seen by any one." And she came
down.
And he sent his slave, " Go into the town quickly, and
400 AO BAT III, AO MALI.
niletee macliola. Akaciula mtnmwa wake marra liiyo akarcjea Ba macliela
iia watu wanne, wakaiucliukiia. Akamtia maiiamke, akamwambia mtumwa wake,
piga bimduki, wapate kuja jamaa yote. Akapiga bunduki, wakaja watu wenzi
wake, wakamwambia, iiua iiini, kijana cha mfalme ? Akamwambia, una baridi,
nataka kwenda zangu mjini. Wakacbukua nyama iliopata, wakaenda zao. Na
kijana cba mfalme ameingia ndani ya machera, yeye na yule kijana
nianamke. Na wale wenziwe bawana habari.
Wakaenda batta mjini kwao, wakafikia nyumbani kwake. Akamwambia mtu — enenda
kamwambia mama na baba, nna homa leo, nataka uji upesi, waniletee.
Wakafatbaika mamaye na babaye, akapikiwa uji, akapele- kewa.
Na babaye akaenda na mawiziri yake wakaenda kumte- zama. Hatta usikii
mamaye akaenda na watu wake kumtezama.
Hatta siku ya pili akatokea nje, akaenda, akamwambia mamaye na babaye,
nimeokota kijana manamke nataka mnioze, walakini bana mkono moja. \N'
akamwambia, wa nini? Akawaambia, nataka vivyo bivyo. Na yule Sultani
ampenda sana mwanawe mmoja tu, akafanya barusi, wakamwoza.
Watu wakapata babari mjini, mtoto wa Sultani ameoa kijana manamke, bana
mkono moja.
Wakakaa kitako batta mkewe akacbukua mimba, akazaa mtoto manamumc,
wakafnrabi mno wazee wake.
Yule kijana cba Sultani akasafiri, akaenda kutembca katika miji ya baba
yake.
Huko nyuma akatokea yule ndugu yake mauamume, bana kitu cba kutumia,
anakwcnda akiomba. Hatta siku moja, akasikia watu wanazumgumza — kijana cba
mfahne
BLESSING OB BBOPEBTY. 401
briug me a maslieela. And his slave went at once and returned with a
maslieela and four people, and they carried him. And he put the woman
into it, and told his slave, " Fire a gun, that all the company may
know." And he fired a gun, and his companions came, and they said to
him, '• What is the matter with you, son of the king ?" And he said,
" I am cold, and I want to go my way into the town." And they
carried the game they had got, and went away. And the king's son had
got into the maslieela, he and that young woman. And his companions knew
nothing of it.
And they went to their city, and reached his house. And he said to a
man, " Go and tell my mother and father, I have fever to-day, I want
gruel quickly ; let them send it to me." And his mother and father were
troubled, and gruel was cooked for him, and sent to him.
And his father went with his vizirs and went to see him. And at night
his mother went wdth her people to see him.
The next day he went out, and went and told his mother and father, "
I have picked up a young woman, I want you to marry me to her, but
she has lost one hand ?" And they said, " Why ?" And he said, " I
wish it just as it is." And the Sviltan loved his only son much, and
he made a wedding and married him.
And the people heard in the town, " The Sultan's son has married a
young woman, she has lost one hand."
And they remained until his wife became pregnant, and bore a son, and
his parents rejoiced exceedingly.
And the Sultan's son went on a joui'ney, and went to travel about in
the towns of his father.
There behind her brother came out ; he had nothing to spend, and was
going begging. Till one day he heard people conversing, " The Sultan's
son has married a woman
2 D
402 AO RAT HI, AO MALL
ameoa manamke, hana mkono moja. Yule nduguye mana- mume akauliza, amempata
wapi kijana huyu mtoto wa mfalme ? Wakamwambia, amemwokota mwituui. Aka-
mjua kuwa iidugiiye.
Akaenda liatta kwa mfalme. Akaenda akamwambia, mtoto wako ameoa manamke
hana mkono moja, amctolewa huyu katika mji wao kwa sababu mcbawi, killa
mume anayemwoa bumwua.
Na mfalme akaenda akamwambia mkewe, wakanena, kufanya shauri gani? Nao
wanampeuda saua mtoto wao mmoja tu, wakasema, kumtoa mji yule. Xduguye
mwana- mume akawaambia, mwueni, kwani huko kwao amekatwa mkono, na hapa
mwueni. "Wakamwambia, liatuwezi kumwua, tutamtoa mji. Wakaenda, wakamtoa
mji, yeye na mwanawe. Akasbukui-u Muungu.
Akatoka, amecbukua kitunga, akaenda zakc, batta mwitimi, bajui anapokwenda,
wala anakotoka. Akakaa kitako, akamwonyesba manawe, akitupa macbo, akaona,
nyoka anakuja mbio batta karibu yake, akauena, leo nimekufa.
Nyoka akamwambia, mwana Adamu, funua kitunga chako niingie, imiponye wa
jua nitakuponya wa mvua. Akafunua akaingia, akafunika. Akitezama, akaona
nyoka mgine anakuja mbio, akamwambia, bakupita mweuzangxi ? Akamwambia, huyu
anakwenda. Akajjita mbio.
Yule nyoka, aliomo kitungani, akamwambia, nifunua. Akamfunua, akasbukuru
Muungu, akamwambia yule mwana Adamu, unakwenda wapi weye? Akamwambia, sijui
ninapokwenda, ninapotea katika mwitu. Aka- mwambia nyoka, fuata mimi, twende
kwetu. Wakafua-
BLESSING OR PROPERTY. 403
wlio lias lost one hand." And her brother asked, " Where did he get
the girl, this child of the Sultan ?" And they told him, " He picked
her up in the forest." And he knew she was his sister.
And he went to the king. And he went and said, " Your child has
married a woman who has lost a hand. She was put out of their town
because she was a witch ; every husband who marries her, she kills."
And the king went and told his wife, and they said, " What plan can
we act on ?" And they loved much their only child, and they said, "
Let us put her out of the town." And her brother said to them, " Kill
her, for there at home she had her hand cut off, and here kill her."
And they said, " We cannot kill her, we will put her out of the
town." And they went and put her out of the town, her and her son.
And she was comforted.
And she went out, and carried a little earthen pot, and went her way
into the forest ; she knew not where she was going or whence she came.
And she sat down, and showed her child, and casting her eyes, she saw
a snake come fast towards her, and she said, " To-day I am dead."
And the snake said to her, " Child of Adam, open your earthern pot
that I may go in. Save me from sun, and I will save you from rain."
And she opened the pot, and it went in, and she covered it. And she
looked and saw another snake coming fast, and it said to her, " Has
not my companion passed ?" And she said, " It is going." And it passed
quickly.
The snake which vt'as in the pot said to her, " Uncover me." And she
uncovered it, and it was comforted, and said to that child of Adam, "
Where are you going ?" And she said, "I know not where I am going, I
am wandering in the wood " And the snake said to her, " Follow me, and
let us go home." And they went
404 AO HAT III, AO MALI.
taua batta njiani wakaona zivva kiibwa. Nyoka akamwa- mbia, mwana Adamii,
tukae tupumzike, jaa kali, enenda kaogc ziwaui ua mtoto. Akamcbukua kijana
cbakc, akaenda kumwosba, akatumbukia, akampotea ziwani. Akamwiiliza, una
nini, mwaua Adamu, huko? Akamwa- mbia, mtoto wangu amopotea ndaui ya
maji. Akamwa- mbia, mtafute sana. Akamtafuta saa mzima, asimwone.
Akamwambia, tia mkono wa pili. Akamwambia, weye nyoka unanifauyia mzaba.
Akamwuliza, kwa nini? Akamwambia, nimetia buu mzima, sikumwona, buu mbovu
utafaa nini? Nyoka akamwambia, tia tu weye yote miwili. Akatia mwana
Adamu, akaenda akamwona mwanawe, akamsliika, akimtoa mkono wake mzima. Aka-
mwambia, umemwona? Akamwambia, nimemwona na mkono wangu nimepata mzima.
Akafurahi sana.
Akamwambia nyoka, sasa twonde zetu kwa wazee wangu, nikakulipe fatbali
liuko. Akamwambia, bii yatosha, kupata mkono wangu. Akamwambia, bado, twende
wazee wangu. Wakaenda batta walipofika, waka- furabi sana, wakampenda ynlo
kijana manamke. Akakaa kitako, akila, na knlab^, siku nyingi.
Yule mumcwe akanidi kutcmbea. Wale wazee wake wakafauyiza makaburi mawili,
moja la mkewe, na moja la mtoto wake. Na yule ndugu yako mauamumc
amekua mtu mkubwa kwa mfalme.
Akaja mumewe kijana cba mfalme. Akauliza, mke wangu yu wapi ?
Wakamwambia, amekufa. Na mtoto wangu yu wapi ? Wakamjibu, amekufa.
Akauliza, maka- buri yao yako wapi ? Wakampelcka kueuda kuyaona.
BLESSING OR PROPERTY. 405
together till on the road they saw a great lake. And the snake said to
her, " Child of Adam, let us sit and rest, the sun is fierce ; go and
bathe in the lake with your child." And she carried her boy, and went
to wash him, and he fell in and she lost him in the lake. And it
asked Ler, " What is the matter with you there, child of Adam V" And
she said, " My child is lost in the water." And it said, " Look for
him well." And she sought for him for a whole hour without finding him.
And it said, " Put in the other hand." And she said, " You snake are
making game of me." And it asked " How ?" And she said, " I have put
in this sound one, and I have not found him ; what is the use of
this spoilt one?"' And the snake said to her, " Only you put in both."
And the child of Adam put them in, and went and found her son and
laid hold of him, and drew out her hand sound again. And it said, "
Have you found him ?" And she said, " I have found him, and have got
my hand sound again." And she rejoiced much.
And the snake said, " Now let us go away to my elders, and let me
repay your kindness." And she said, " This is enough, getting my hand."
And it said, " Not yet ; let us go to my elders." And they weut till
they arrived, and they rejoiced mnch, and loved that young woman. And she
remained, eating and drinking many days.
And her husband returned from his journey. And his elders had caused two
tombs to be made, one of his wife and one of his child. And her
brother Lad become a great man with the king.
And her husband, the king's son, came. And he asked, "Where is my
wife?" And they said to him, "She is dead." " And where is my
chikl ?" And they answered him, " He is dead." And he asked, " Where
are their graves ?" And they took him to go and see them. And
406 AO BATHI, AO MALI.
Alipoona akalia sana. Akafauya matanga. Akasliiiknni Muungu.
Sikii uyiiigi zinicpita. Yule kijana mwanamke mwituni akamwambia rafiki
yake nyoka, nataka kwenda zangu kwetu. Akamwambia, kamwage mama yangu na
baba yangu, -watakaiiokiipa rukusa kweutla zako, wakikupa zawadi, usikubali
ela pete ya baba ua kijamauda cha inama.
Akaenda akawaaga, wakampa mali mengi, akakataa aka- waambia, mimi mtu
mmoja nitacbukuaje mali baya ? Wakamwambia, wataka nini ? Akamwambia,
weye, baba, nataka pete yako, na weye, mama, nataka kijamanda cbako.
Wakasikitika muo, wakamwuliza, aliokwambia nani babari bii ? Akawaambia,
mimi mwenyewe najua. Wakamwa- mbia, hakmia, ni buyo nduguyo, aliokwambia.
Akatwaa pete, akampa, akamwambia, pete bii uaknpa, ukitaka cbakiila,
nkitaka nguo, ukitaka nyumba ya kiilala, yambie pete, itakutolea, kwa
ratbi ya Muungu na mimi babayo. Xa mamaye akampa kijamanda, akamwambia
vile vile. Wakampa na ratbi.
Akatoka, akaenda zake, batta kule mjiui kwa mumewe asifike nyumbani kwa
mumewe. Akifika kiungani, aka- yambia pete, nataka utoe nyumba kubwa.
Ikatoa nyumba, na pambo la nyumba, na watumwa. Akakaa kitako, yee na
mwanawe. Na mvvanawe amekuwa kijana mkubw'a.
Mfalmc akapata babari, kuwa nyumba kubwa kiungani, akatuma watu kuenda
kutczama, wakamjibu, kweli. Aka- oudoka Sultani na mawaziri yake na kijana
cbake.
BLESSING OB BBOPEBTY. 407
when lie saw tliem he wejit much. And he made a mourning. And he
was comforted.
Many days had passed. And the young woman in the forest said to her
friend the snake, " I want to go away^ home." And it said, " Take
leave of my mother and father. When they give you leave to go, if they
give you a present, accept only the father's ring and the mother's
casket."
And she went and took leave of them, and they gave her much wealth,
and she refused and said, " I, one person, how shall I carry this
wealth ?" And they said, " What will you have ?" And she said, " You,
father, I want your ring ; and you, mother, I want your casket." And
they were very sorry, and asked her, " Who told you about this ?" And
she said, " I know it myself." And they said, " Not so ; it is this
your brother who told you."
And he took the ring and gave her, and said to her, " I give you
this ring. If you want food, if you want clothes, if you want a house
for sleeping, tell the ring ; it will produce it for you by the
blessing of God and of me your father." And her mother gave her the
casket, and told her such and such things. And they gave her their
blessing.
And she went out and went away, till there by the town of her husband,
without reaching her husband's house. When she reached the outskirts, she
told the ring, " I want you to produce for me a great house." And it
produced a house, and the furniture of the house and slaves. And she
stayed, she and her son. And her son had become a great lad.
And the king got news of there being a large house in the outskirts,
and he sent people to go and look, and they answered him, " It is
true." And the sultan arose with his vizirs and his son.
408 AO BATni, AO MALI.
Wakaencla, wakikaribia, akatezama durabini yule mana- mke, akamwona mumewe,
na baba ya mumewe, na watu wengi, na yule nduguye yumo. Akawaambia watu,
fanyeni vyakula upesi. Wakafanyiza, wakaandika meza. Wakafika,
wakakaribishwa, wakaingia ndani, wakamwuliza habari. Akamwambia, njema.
Akawaambia, kaleui chakula, natoka mbali mimi, mklisLa chakula, niwape
habari yangu,
Wakala chakula, hatta walipokwisha, akawaambia, toka mwanzo alipozawa, yeye
na nduguye manamume, hatta yakaisha yote, kama yalipokuwa. Yule kijana cha
mfalme akaenda kumkamata mkewe, wakalizana sana, na waliopo wote wakalia,
wakajua kuwa nduguye manamume si mwema.
Mfalme akamwuliza, tumfanyieje nduguyo mwanamume ? Akamwambia, mtoeni mji
tu. Akakaa na mumewe hatta hatima kwa furaha.
BLESSING OR PROPERTY. 409
And they went and drew near, and the woman looked through a telescope
and saw her husband, and her husband's father, and many people, and her
brother among them. And she told the people, " Prepare food quickly." And
they prepared, and laid the table. And they arrived and were invited in,
and went inside, and they asked her the news. And she said, " Good."
And she said to them, " Eat of the food. I come from a distance ;
when you have done with the food let me give you my news." -
And they ate the food, till when they had finished she told them, from
the beginning when she was born, she and her brother, till all were
finished, as they had been. And the king's son went to embrace his
wife, and they wept much, and all who were there wept, and they laiew
her brother was not good.
And the king asked her, " What shall we do to your brother ?" And she
said, " Only put him out of the town." And she dwelt with her
husband till the end in
joy.
k ...M^ '
MTU AYAEI NA HAMALI.
THE CHEAT AND THE POKTEIJ
MTU ATARI NA HAMALI.
Mtu .ilikuwa ay.iri, huenda sokoni akinimua vitu, akiisba miuua wale v.-
atu'ekao Lawapi ujira wao.
Siku moja akantinua sanduku ya bilauri, akatafuta mtu wa kumchuknlia,
akapata Lamali akamwambia, katika mambo mawili kbitari mojawapo, kukuj^a
ujira wako, ao nitakupa maneno matatu ya kukufaa ulimwenguni, Aka- mwambia,
majiesa napata killa siku, nitakucbukulia kwa baya maneno matatu,
utakayoniambia.
Akacbukua sanduku. Akipata tbuliitb ya njia aka- mwambia, bwaua wangu,
sanduku bill zito, limenilemea, nipe ncno moja, nipate kupata afia za
kuenenda.
Akamwambia, mtu akikwambia, utumwa bora kulika ungwana, usimsadiki.
Akamwangalia sana, akamjua, buyu mwonyi sanduku liii ni ayari, lakini ni
kbori nisubiri batta nifike. Waka- eneuda, w^kipata tbuliitb ya pili,
akamwambia, niambie neno la pili.
Akamwatnbia, mtu akikwambia, umasikini ni bora kuliko utajiri, usimsadiki.
THE CHEAT AND THE POETER.
There was a man, a clieat, wto used to go and buy things, and wlien
lie had bought them he did not give' those who took them up their hire.
One day he bought a box of glasses, and he sought for a man to carry
them for him ; and he got a porter and said to him, " Choose either
one of two things, to give you yom' hire, or I will give you three
words that will be of service to you in the world." And he said, '• I
get pice every day. I will carry it for those three words that you
shall tell me."
And he carried the box. And when he had got a third of the way, he
said, " Master, this box is heavy, it is too much for me ; give me
one word, that I may get spirit to go on."
And he said, " If any one tells you that slavery is better than
freedom, don't believe him."
And he looked hard at him, and knew that " The owner of this box is
a cheat, but I had better wait till I get there." And they went, and
when they had got another third, he said to him, " Tell me the second
word."
And he said, " If any one tells you that poverty is better than
riches, don't believe him."
414 TUMBAKO.
Wakaenenda hatta walipofika nyumbani. Akamwambia, bwana niambie ncno la
tatu. Akamwambia, tua. Aka- mwambia, nina furalia mno kwa yale maneno
mawili ulio- niambia, niambie la tatu, nipate kutua.
Akamwambia, mtu akikwambia, njaa ni bora kuliko sbiba, usimsadiki.
Akamwambia, jitcuge, bwana, nilitue. Akaliiuua juu ya kitwa, akalipomoslia.
Mwenyewe akamwambia, a-a-a umenivunjia sanduku yangu !
Akamwambia, na mtu akikwambia, imcsalia bilauri moja katika sanduku bii
baikuvuujika, uawc usimsadiki.
TUMBAKO.
TuMBAKO ilipoingia katika ulimwengu, walipoiona wcnyi akili waliitwaa
wakainuka, waandamizi wenyi akili wali- itwaa, wakaivuta, wakaaugalia mosbi
wake. Wapemba wapumbavu walithauya, ui vyakula, wakaitwaa, wakaila.
TOBACCO. 415
And they went on, till when they reached the house he said to him, "
Master, tell me the third word." And he said, " Put it down." And he
said, " I am exceedingly pleased with the two words you have told me ;
tell me the third, that I may get to set it down."
And he said, " If any one tells you that hunger is better than
fulness, don't believe him."
And he said, " Out of the way, master, that I may set it down." And
he lifted it above his head and let it fall. And the owner said, " Ah
! ah ! you have broken my box for me."
And he said, " If any one tells you that there is one glass left in
this box that is not broken, don't you believe him."
TOBACCO.
When tobacco came into the world, and wise men saw it, they took it
and smelt it ; the wise men who followed them took it and smoked it,
and watched its smoke ; the fools of Pemba thought it was food, and
took it and ate it.
VITENDAWILL
ENIGMAS.
2 E
VITENDAWILT.
KiTENDAwiLi ! Tega.
1. Xyuraba yangu knbwa, baina mlango.
Yayi.
2. Kuku wangu akazalla miibani.
Nanasi.
.3. Tanclika kitauga, tule kuuazi. Ntota.
4. Anatoka kutembea, aiiakuja nyumbani, anamwambia, mama nieleke.
KiTANDA.
5. Kombe ya sultani i wazi.
KiSIMA.
G. Watoto wangu waua vilemba, asio kileiiiba si mwanangu.
Fun.
7. Kafinuia jicbo kundu.
JUA.
ENIGMAS.
" As Enigma !" " Set your trap."
1. My house is large, it has no door.
Answer. An egg.
2. My hen has laid among thorns.
Ans. A pineapple.
3. Lay the mat, and let us eat kimazi ''a small fruit].
J.H.S. The stars.
4. He goes out walking, he comes into the house, he says, " Mother,
take me on your back."
Ans. A bedstead.
5. The Sultan's bowl is open.
Ans. A well.
6. My children have turbans ; he who has no turban is no child of
mine.
Ans. A fuu [a sort of fruit which grows in a cup some- thing like an
acorn cup].
7. Open the red eye.
Ans. The sun.
420 VITEXDAWILI.
8. Nikitoka kntembea, nikashika iig'ombL^ lukia. Kata.
'.). Xyama ja reale liaijai kikombe. Mkufu.
10. Ilausiniiki, liausimami.
Mkufu.
11. Ximepanrla kooiide yangu kiibwa. nimevuua, bauj;i mkouo.
Xyele.
12. Parra hatta Maka.
Utelkzi.
lo. i'lipo mbili zaviika mto.
MAcno.
ENIGMAS. 41il
8. Going out to walk, I laid hold of the cow's tail. Ans. A cocoanut
ladle for scooi^ing up water.
9. Tlie dollar's worth of meat does not fill a cup.
Ans. A chain.
10. It is not set up, and docs not stand of itself.
Ans. A chain.
11. I sowed my great field and reaped it, and my hand was not full.
Ans. Hair.
12. A scrape to Mecca.
Ans. Slipping.
13. Two nuts cross a river.
Ans. The eyes.
NYANI, NA 8IMBA, NA NYOKA.
THE APE, THE LIOX, AND THE SNAKE.
NYANI, NA SIMBA. NA NYOKA.
Hapo kale palikuvva na mji, pana mwauamkc, akachukua mimba, mumewe akafa.
Alipokufa mume akakua liatima kuzaa mtoto mume. Na yule mume amali yake
kutega mitego, akaguia nyama, akauza vyakula.
Hatima kufa kwake yule mwanamke akauzvva ui mtoto wakwe, mama twafa na
njaa. Akamwambia yule mwana, akamwuza mamaye, mama, baba alikuwa kufanya
kazi gani, akavumbua cbakula ? Akamwambia, babayo kevu akatega mitego
akavumbua cbakula. Bassi nami 'tatcga mitego, nipate nyama, tupate uza,
tupate cbakula.
Akasinda kutwa, akakata matawi ya miti. Siku ya pili, akasinda kutwa,
akakata mitego. Siku ya tatu aka- sinda kutwa, akapakasa ngole. Siku ya
nne, akasinda kutwa, akasimika mitego. Siku ya tano, akasinda kutwa kutega
mitego. Siku ya sita akaenda kuonja mitego, aka- namua nyama, akawacbinja,
akapclcka nyama mjini, zika- enenda zikauzwa nafaka. Majumba yao yakajaa
tele vyakula, wakapata nafasi ya ulimweugu.
Hatima akaenda akaonja mitego, baipati kitu. Siku ya
THE APE, THE LION, AND THE SNAKE.
In old times there was a to\vii, aucl there was a woman, and she was
pregnant, and her Liisband died. When her husband was dead she waited
till at last she bore a son. And her husband's work had been to set
traps, and he caught game, and sold food.
After his death the woman was asked by her son, "Mother, we are dying
of hunger." And the son spoke to her and asked his mother, " Mother,
what work did father do to get food ?" And she said, " Your father
was a man who set traps, and so got food." " Then I too will set
traps, that I may get game, and wo may sell it, and get food."
And he went on all day, and cut branches of trees. The second day he
went on all day, and cut traj^s. The third day he went on all day,
and twisted rope. The fourth day he went on all day, and set up the
traps. The fifth day he went on all day, and set the traps. The sixth
day he went to try the traps, and took out game and killed it, and
took the flesh into the town and it was sold for corn. And their
houses were full of food, and they got ease in their circumstances.
z\t last he went and tried the traps, and got nothing.
426 yVAXI, NA SIM DA, NA NYOKA.
kwanza alipokwcnda mitcgoni, amcgiiiwa nyani. Aka- taka kuliwaga. Lile
nyani likasema, Ewe bin Adamu, usiniwage, njoo ninamue katika mtego,
niponya kwa mvua, nije nikuponye kwa jua. Alipokmska namua nyani, lika-
sema, nakupa wasia wangn bin Adamu si mwema, usi- mtende menia, nkifanya,
keslio atakuja kufanya viovu.
Hatima akaja siku ya pili, katika kuonja mitcgo, ame- guiwa nyoka.
Akapiga mbio kuita watu mjini. Akasema uyoka, Rndi, bin Adamu, usiende
mbio mjini, Tisiende kuniitia wakaja niua, nifae katika liuu mtego, nami
kesbo nije nikufale, lakini bin Adamu Lafanyii mema mtu.
Siku ya tatu akaenda kuonja mitego, akafika mtegoni, ameguiwa simba ni
mtego. Bin Adamu yule mwenyi mtego, akamwona mzee simba akamatwa ni
mtego, aka- piga mbio kwenda kuita watu kuja 'mua. Simba akamwa- mbia.
La ; niponya wa mvua, na nije nikuponye ya jua. Illakini alipokwislaa
namua katika mtego, yule simba aka- mwambia. Bin Adamu, umenifaa,
umenitenda mema, illakini wasia wangu nakusia, Binadamu liafanyi mema. Siku
ngine mtu ameguiwa ni mtego, yule mwcuyi mtego akamnamua.
Hatima yule kijana kandc zikamwisbia katika nyumb zote, wakapatiwa ni
njaa, yea na mamiye. Akamwambia mamiye, Mama nifanyie mikate
saba. Alipokwis kufanya mikate saba, akasbika uta wakwe,
akaingia mwituni kuwinda nyama, akapotea, mikate akaila sita, ikaislia,
ukasalia mmoja.
Uliposalia ule mmoja, akaencnda liatta mwituni mwitu
THE APE, THE LION, AND THE SNAKE. 427
The first day when he went to the traps an ape w"as taken. And he
wanted to kill it. And the ape said, '' You son _^ of Adam, do
not kill me. Come and take me out of the V^J, \ trap ; save
me from rain, that I may come and save you /' ' m. from
sun." When he had finished taking out the ape, it 'f^^^^-i/^ said, "
I give you my word that no son of Adam is good ; ^«*c '/^ do not
do good to him ; if you do, to-morrow he will come ^J?^^^^Z^ and do
you harm."
Then, the second day, he came trying the traps, and a «^^Ct^W^ snake
was taken. And he ran to call people from the town. And the snake
said, " Come back, son of Adam, do not run to the town, do not go
and call people to me to come and kill me. Help me out of this trap,
and to- morrow I will come and help you ; but a son of Adam does good
to no one."
The third day he went to try the traps, and reached y; --
them, and a lion was caught by a trap, 'i'he man who ^ / owned
the trap saw an old lion caught in the trap, and ran to go and call
peojjle to come and kill it. And the lion said, " No ; save me in
rain, and I will come and save you in sun." But when he had
finished letting it out of the trap, the lion said to him, " Son of
Adam, you have helped me, you have done good to me ; but I declare to
you my word, a son of Adam does not do good." ^, Jt
Another day a man was taken in the trap, and the owner / ^
of the trap let him loose.
At last that youth's food was finished in all the houses, and they were
taken with hunger, he and his mother. And be said to his mother, '
Mother, make me seven cakes." When she had finished making the seven
cakes, he took hold of his bow, and went into the forest to hunt game.
And he lost himself, and ate six cakes, and when they were done one
remained.
When that one remained he went, till in the forest was
428 NTANT, NA SIMBA, NA NYOKA.
mkuu na uyika kiiu, akaenenda wakaonana na lile nvani. Yule bin Adamu
akaulizwa babari ni nyani. Akamwii- liza, Ewe bin Adamu, wsnda api ?
Akamwambia kwamba nimepotea. Akamwambia, bwaga moyo bapa, mimi niku- lipe
leo yale mema yako uliyotendea juzi, ukanitoa katika mtego, bassi starebc
uningoje bapa.
Akaenenda nyani batta masbambaui mwa watu, akaenda akaiba mapapai mabivu,
akaiba na ndizi mbivu, akamcbu- kulia yule bin Ada,mu, akamwambia, twaa
vyakula bivi, ndizi na mapapai, akampa yule bin Adamu. Akamwa- mbia,
watakani, wataka maji? Akaenda akaiba kibuyu kya maji akampa bin Adamu
akanywa, akaisba kunywa, wakaagana. Wakawaambia, kua beri, kua beri ya
kuonana. Akaenda zakwe.
Alipofika kule mbele, akaenenda, wakakutana na simba. Alipokutana akamwambia
simba, watoka wapi, bin Adamu? Yule bin Adamu akamwambia simba, nimepotea.
Simba akamwambia, kaa kitako bapa, uikulipe yale mema yako ya juzi
ulionifaa, nami nikufale, kaa bajia. Akastarebe bin Adamu, akamsaburi
simba. Simba yule akaenda akakamata nyama, akamletea bin Adamu, akasema,
ume- potea, vyakula bivi la, nije 'lipe yale mema yako ya juzi. Akampa
nyama na moto wa kuoka nyama. Akaoka nyama akala. Alipokwisba kula nyama
akatawakali, akaenda zakwe bin Adamu.
Alipokwenda zakwe bin Adamu akaenda akatokea sbamba, pana mwanamke sbaibu
la juza, akatokea mtu pale, akamwambia, huko mjini kwetu kuna mtu
amchawczi,
THE APE, THE LION, AND THE SNAKE. 429
a great forest and a great wilderness, and he went on and met with
that ape. The man was asked the news by the ape. And he asked him, "
You son of Adam, where are yon going ?"' And he said, " I am lost."
And it said, " Eest your heart here, that I may repay you here to-day
the good you did me the other day, and took me out of the traj) ; so
be still and wait for me here." / A<_ '^yC* — .
And the ape went to people's plantations, and went and K^^^^x^I/l{ "
stole ripe papaws, and stole ripe bananas, and carried - w them
to the man, and said to him, " Take this food, y- -^
bananas and papaws," and it gave them to the man. And ^*'"*''-'^ it
said " What do you want ? do you want water ?" And it went and
stole a calabash of water and gave to the man, and he drank ; and
when he had finished drinking they took leave of one another. And
they said, " Good-bye ; good-bye till we meet again." And he went his
way.
When he arrived further on, he went on and met with the lion. When
he met with it, the lion asked him, " Where do you come from, son
of Adam?" The man answered the lion, " 1 am lost." The lion said
to him, C] ^, " Sit down here, that I may repay you that kindness
of /
yours of the other day, when you helped me. Let me help '^''^J^
you ; sit here." And the man stayed still, and waited for
^'*^***jy the lion. The lion went and caught game and brought it
cUl^Ima^ to the man, and said, " You are lost, eat this food ; let me
ofWo^J*-»., come and repay you your goodness of the other day." 6
—f— , And it gave him meat, and fire to roast the meat. And he
yfi^vUfj
roasted the meat and ate it. When he had eaten the meat, he took
courage, and the man went his way.
When the man had gone away he went on and came '^J^.jt^ out upon a
plantation, where was an exceedingly old Cd(d'i%uM7' woman. And the
man came out there, and she said to '/V y
him, " There in our town there is a man who has fallen t/ - c—
-^ sick ; if you can prepare medicine, we want you to prepare ^^
Ow^ kcU.' ^^^^ ^^^ ^^-V ^^^^^
430 XYAXI, XA SIMLA, NA NYOKA.
kaiia waweza kiifanya dawa, twataka ukafauye Juwa. Akasema, mimi
sijui kufauya dawa.
Hatta akafika njiani, aona ndoo, paua kisima kaudo. Asema, nende 'kanyvve
maji pale kisimani. Akafika kisi- maai, akaoiia pandepaude ya ndoo.
Akasema, nicliungulic hiki kisima cha maji, nipate maji ninywe. Hatima
aka- chuugulia mle kisimani amwona nyoka mkubwa. Aka- mwambia, bin Adamu,
nisaburi kwanza. Yule nyoka akatoka kisimani, akamwambia, bin Adamu, wenda
api? Umenifahamu ? Akasema, siknjui. Akamwambia, ni mimi uliyenitoa katika
mtego wako, Lakuambia, nitoa wa mvua, nami nije nikutoe wa jua, nawe
mgeni wendako, illakini lete buwo mkoba wako nikutilie vitu vyeude vra-
kufale nawe liuko wendako. Akampa ule mkoba, aka- mtilia mikufu ya
tliababu, na mikufu ya fetha. Akamwa- mbia, chukua ukatumie mkoba tele.
Alipofika katika mji, ule mji aliokwcnda, alii)ofika awali akakutana na
mtu yule, aliyeguiwa ni mtego. Aka- mpokea mkcjba, akaenda nao hatta
nyumbani kwakwc. Alipomwuna yule mgeni mkewe, akapika i;ji, akasema,
nampikia mgeni w^etu.
Yule mwanamiune aliyemtoa katika mtego akaenda hatta kwa Sultaui mle
katika mji, akamwambia Snltani, yule mgeni anayekuja kule kwaugu, msithani
kwamba bin Adamu, ndiye nyoka, akaaye kisimani, mkathani kuwa nyoka, wala
si nyoka, ni yce huyule ndiye ajigeuaye nyoka. Bassi Sultani, aeneudc mtu
akamtwae na mkoba wakwe, nimeona na mikufu ya tbahabu, na mikufu ya
fetha.
TEE APE, TEE LION, AND TEE SNAKE. 431
medicine." And he said, " I do not know how to prepare medicine." ^^
When he reached the road he saw a pail, and a well I /^^dy<ii/~
beside it. He says, "Let me go and drink water there ^n' >
L _ from the well." And he reached the well and looked on ^ ^
all sides of the pail. And he said, " Let me peep into this well
of water, that I may get water to drink." And Ci.^i/v<t^^a-.^ when he
peeped into the well he saw a gi-eat snake. And ^^-f^l^/^uj it
said, '-Son of Adam, wait a bit for me." And the ^o>_- .V~ snake
came out of the well and said, "Son of Adam, au(/^Jtu.~ where are you
going ? Do you remember me ?" And he ^ ^^
said, " I do not know you." And it said, " It was I that you took
out of your traj), and I said to you, ' Take me '-^^^■'•^^^-' '_
out of rain, and I will take you out of sun.' And you t/^^^-T"^
are a stranger where you are going. But bring here your $cs 6k
scrip, that I may put in for you things that will be of use jiJ\j
tOU^ to you there where you are going." And he gave it the A^oz^u^
scrip, and it put in for him chains of gold and chains of v
silver. And it said, " Take the scrip and spend from it freely."
When he reached the town, that town whither he was going, first of all
he met the man who had been taken in the trap. And he took from him
the scrip and went with him to his house. And when his wife saw the
stranger she cooked porridge, and said, " I am cooking for our guest."
^„ -
The man whom he had taken out of the tra]^ went to / ^^- ^^^**^
the Sultan in the town, and told the Sultan, " That stranger ^*^c-f/^
who has come to my house there, do not think him a son of U^-
^^^^^i^ ' Adam. He is a snake, and lives in a well ; and think him
a snake, or if he is not a snake, it is he who turns himselT
into"lirsliake7 So then, Sultan, let a man go and take him and ETs
scrip. I have seen, tao, c1i.t.'us of gold and chains of silver."
^
tA^^LA^OU-»
432 XYAXI, XA SIMJJA, XA XYOKA.
Akaeuda mtu kumtwaa yule mgeiii, akaja naye na mkoba wakwe. Ukafunguliwa
ule mkoba na watu tele wakasliuliudia vyombo vya mwana vva Sultani,
wakashn- hiulia tena na vyombo vya watoto wa Waziri, na watu mjiui.
Hatima akafungwa mikono nyuma kwa kamba.
lie joka likatoka kisimani, likija hatta mjini. Akazu- nguka mji,
akasimama panajio yule bin Adamu. Watu wakataharruki katika mji hatta
wakasema na yule bin Adamu, wakamwambia, sema na buyu nyoka, ende zako.
Nyoka yule akaja. Watu wakamfungua yule bin Adamu mikono nyuma aliofungwa.
Nyoka yule akarudia kisi- mani kwakwe, akamwambia, Ewe bin Adamu, kadri
utaka- pofanywa maovu, nipigia ukemi, nami 'takutokea marra.
Naye akapata heshima katika inchi. Akaulizwa, kwani wee huyu kuwa mwenyeji
wako, akakufanya maovu ? Akawaambia, katika nyoka, na simba, na nyani,
walinambia kwamba bin Adamu hafanywi mcma, uki- mtenda mema bin Adamu yee
hukutenda maovu, nayo ni kweli wala si uwongo. Yule mema niliomtenda naye
anifanya maovu, ule wasia wa nyoka na simba na nyani ni kweli, wala si
uwongo.
Sultani akauza maana yakwe, akamwcleza yalivyo- kwenda. Sultani akascma,
buyu yastabili kutiwa katika fumba akatoswa babarini, kwani liajui mema,
ycc amc- fanywa mcma, amelipa maovu.
THE APE, THE LION, AND THE SNAKE. 433
And a man went to take that stranger, and lie came with him and his
scrip. And the scrip was opened, and many peoj)le testified to ^ings
of the_Sultan's child and things of the vizir's children, and [of] people
in the town, w ^ / At last his hands were tied behind him
with a rope. '_
And that great snake came out of the well, and came to /^ the town.
And he went round the town, and stopped fc,^o^W where the man was. And
the people were troubled in the town, so that they spoke to the man
and said to him, " Say to this snake, ' Go away.' " And the snake
came. And the people untied the man's hands that had been tied behind
him. And the snake went back to its well, and said, "JYou son of Adam,
when you are done wrong to, ^ive me a^ call, and I will^me out to you
at once."
And he_gotjnuch honour in the country. And he was / A/, asked, "
Why should this man be your host, and do you ki^^ wrong ?" And he
said, " Of the snake, and the lion, and OjCtA/Jt-. the ape, they told
me that no son of Adam is done good ^t^.^.^,^ to ; if you do a son
of Adam good he does you wrong, and C*..^ Jicm^jI/, this is true and
no lie. That man for the good I did him ^ has done me harm ; that
sentence of the snake and the t *^^^*'^ lion and the ape is true, and
is no lie." ^
And the Sultan asked what it meant, and he explained '/\^Ujf(/ to him
how things had gone. And the Sultan said, " He ^^ ^CaZ
d^serves_toJjejJut in a sleeping mat, and drowned in the sea, for he
knows no good. He was done good to and has repaid evil." .
^ ry^^yjL^^t—^ yv^ Sex/-
SIMBA NA KULUNGU.
THE LIONESS AND THE ANTELOPE.
SIMBA NA KULUNGU.
Hapo kale palikuwa na simba, akacliukua mimjja, akavyaa mtoto. Alipokwisha
vyaa mtoto, akashikwa ni njaa sikii saba. Akasema, nitatoka kwa nje
nitafute cbakula. Ali- pntoka uje akamwona kulungu alislia. Akamnyatia. Yule
kulungu akazungusba sbingo, akamwoua siiuba, aka- mwambia, Hachi, mjoniba !
Huyu simba akafanya baya, saipate kunikamata ; amemgeua kuuifanyiza
mjumbawe.
THE LIONESS AND THE ANTELOPE.
In old times there was a lioness, and she was with young, and bore a
cub. And when she had borne her cub, she was seized with hunger seven
days. And she said, " I Vv'ill go outside and look for food." And when
she went outside she saw an antelope feeding. And she crept up to it.
And the antelope turned its head and saw the lioness, and said to her,
" Welcome, cousin !" And the lioness was ashamed, so that she did not
seize it ; it had tui-ned her by making her its cousin.
HADITHI YA LIONGO.
STORY OF LIONGO.
HADITHI YA LIONGO.
Hapo zamaiii za Sliauga palikuwa mtu, jina lake Liougo, naye ana nguvu
saaa, mtu mkubwa sana katika mji. Aka- uthi mno watu, hatta siku liiyo,
wakafanya sliauri kumwe- iirlea nyumbani kwake kumfunga. Wakaenda watu
wengi saua wakamingilia nyiimbaui ghufula, wakamkamata waka- mfunga,
wakaeucla naye hatta gerezani, wakamtia.
Akakaa siku nyingi, akafanya hila hatta kufungua. Akatoka nje, akauthi
watu vilevile, siku nyingi. "Watu liawawezi kwenda mashamba, wala kukata
kuni, wala kuteka maji, Wakauthika sana.
Watu wakasema, tufanye hila gani, hatta tumpate, tumwue ? Akanena mmoja,
tumwendee anapolala, tuniwu- lie mbali. Wakasema wangine, mkimpata,
mfungeni, mmlete. Wakaenda wakafanya hila, hatta wakampata, wakamfunga,
wakamchukua mjini. Wakaenda waka- mfunga mnyororo, na pingu, na mti kati.
Wakamwacha siku nyingi, mamaye humpelekca kula knlla siku. Na mbele ya
mlango kule alikofungwa, wame- wckwa asikari wanayomngojea, hawaoudoki marra
moja ela kwa zamu.
Siku nyingi na miezi mingi imepita. Kulla siku,
STORY OF LIONGO.
In the times when Shanga was a flourishing city, there was a man whose
name was Liongo, and he had great strength, and was a very great man
in the city. And he oppressed the people exceedingly, till one day they
made a plan to go to him to his house and bind him. And a great
number of people went and came upon him suddenly into his house, and
seized him and bound him, and went with him to the prison, and put him
into it.
And he stayed many days, and made a i)lot to get loose. And he went
outside the town and harassed the people in the same way for many days.
Peojjle could not go into the coimtry, neither to cut wood nor to draw
water. And they were in much trouble.
And the peo^ile said, " What stratagem can we resort to, to get him
and kill him ?" And one said, " Let us go against him while he is
sleeping, and kill him out of the way." Others said, " If you get him,
bind him and bring him," And they went and made a stratagem so as to
take him, and they bound hun, and took him to the town. And they went
and bound him with chains and fetters and a post between his legs.
And they left him many days, and his mother used to send him food
every day. And before the door where he was bound soldiers were set,
who watched him ; they never went away except by turns.
Many days and many months had passed. Every day,
442 HABIT ni YA LI ON GO.
usiku usiku, kuimba nyimbo nzuri, kulla asikiaye liuzi- penda sana zile
nyimbo. Kulla mtu bumwambia ratiki yake, twende tukasikilize nyimbo za
Liongo, anazokwimba cbumbani. Huenenda, wakisikiliza. Kulla siku ikipata
usiku, buenda watu, wakamwambia, tumekuja kwimba nyimbo zako, tusikie.
Huimba, bawezi kukataa, wakazi- penda mno watu mjini. Na kulla siku
kutunga nyingiue nyingiue kwa sikitiko la kufuugwa. Hatta watu wame- zijua
nyimbo zile kidogo kidogo, lakini yeye, na mamaye, na mtumwa wake
wauazijua sana. Na maana yake zile nyimbo mamaye azijua, na wale watu
mjini bawajui maana yake.
Hatta siku biyo kijakazi cbao ameleta cbakula waka- mnyang'anya wale
asikari, wakala, wakamsazia makombo, wakampa. Yule kijakazi akamwambia bwana
wake, nime- leta cbakula, wameninyang'anya bawa asikari, wamekula, wamesaza
baya makombo. Akamwambia, nijie. Akapo- kea, akala, akasbukuru Muungu kwa
yale yaliompata.
Akamwambia kijakazi cliake (na yeye ndaui na kijakazi yu uje ya mlango)
Ewo kijakazi nakutuma uwatumika, Kamwambia mama, nl mwinga siyalimka.
Afaiiye mkate, pale kati tupa kaweka, Nikeze piugu ua minyoo ikinyoka,
Ningie ondoni niuyinyirike ja maua nyoka, Tatauge madari na makuta kuno
kimeta.
Maana yake — Wee kijakazi utatumika kamwambia mama, ui mjinga sijaercvuka,
afanye mkate, katikati aweke tupa nikatc pingu, na minyololo ikifuuguka,
niingie njiani,
STOBT OF LIONCrO. 443
night by niglit, lie used to sing beautiful songs ; every one who heard
them used to be delighted with those songs. Every one used to say to
his friend, " Let us go and listen to Liongo's songs, which he sings
in his room." And they used to go and listen. Every day when night
came people used to go and say to him, " We have come to sing your
songs, let us hear them." And he used to sing, he could not refuse,
and the people in the town were delighted with them. And every day he
composed different ones, through his grief at being bound. Till the
peojDle knew those songs little by little, but he and his mother and
her slave knew them well. And his mother knew the meaning of those
songs, and the people in the town did not.
At last one day their slave girl had brought some food, and the
soldiers took it from her and ate it, and some scraps were left, and
those they gave her. The slave girl told her master, " I brought food,
and these soldiers have taken it from me and eaten it ; there remain
these scraps." And he said to her, " Give me them," And he received
them and ate, and thanked God for what he had got.
And he said to the slave girl (and he was inside and the slave girl
outside the door) —
" Ewe kijakazi nakutuma uwatumika, Kamwambia mama, ni mwinga siyalimka,
Afanye mkate, pale kuti tupa kaweka, Nikeze j)ingu na minyoo ikiuyoka,
Niiigie ondoni niuyiuyirike ja mana nyoka, Tatange madari na makuta kuno
kimeta."
And its meaning was, " You, slave girl, shall be sent to tell my
mother I am a simpleton. I have not yet learnt the ways of the world.
Let her make a cake, in the middle let be put files, that I may cut
my fetters, and the chains may be opened, that I may enter the road,
that T may
444 TIADITHI YA LIOXGO.
niteleze kama nyoka, uipande maclari na kuta, nikitezama huko na liiiko.
Akarawambia, salaam saua mama, mwamLio kama liaya niliokwambia. Akaenda,
akamwambia mamaye, akamwa- mbia, salaam sana mwanao, ameniambia maneuo kuja
kukwambia. Akamwambia, maneuo gaui ? Akamwa- mbia, kama yale yalioambiwa.
Mamaye akajua, akaenda zake dukani, akabadili mtama, akampa mtmnwa wake
kutwanga. Yeye akaenda kununua tupa nyiugi, akaleta. Akatwaa unga ule,
akafanya mikate mizuri mingi. Akatwaa cbacliii, akafanya mkate mkubwa,
akatwaa tupa akatia ndani, akampa mtumwa wake, kumpe- lekea.
Akaeuda uao, akifilia mlangoni asikari wakamnya- ng'auya, wakacbegua mikate
mizuri, wakala wao. Ule wa cbacbu wakamwambia, mpelekea bwana wako. Yule
akampelekea, akauvunja, akatoa tupa zile akaziweka, akala mkate buu akanywa
maji, akasbukuru Muuugu.
Na wale watu mjini wataka auawe. Mwenyewe aka- sikia ya kuwa ya kwaraba
utauawa. Akawaambia asikari, nitauawa lini? Wakamwambia, kesho. Akawaambia,
kanitieni mama yaugu na mwenyi mji, na watu mjini wote, nije niagane
nao.
Wakaenda, Avakawaita, wakaja watu wengi wote, na mama yake na yule mtumwa
wake.
Akawauliza, mmekutanika nyote ? Wakamjibu, tume- kutanika. Akawaambia,
nataka pembe, na matoazi, na upato, zikaenda zikatwaliwa. Akawaambia, nna
machezo leo nataka kuagana nanyi. Wakamwambia, vema, baya,
STORY OF LIONGO. 445
glide like a snake, that I may mount the roofs and walls, that I may
look this way and that."
And he said, " Greet my mother well, tell her what I have told you."
And she went and told his mother, and said, " Your son greets you
well, he has told me a message to come and tell you." And she said, "
What message ?" And she told her what she had been told.
And his mother understood it, and went away to a shop and exchanged for
grain, and gave it her slave to clean. And she went and bought many
files, and brought them. And she took the flour, and made many fine
cakes. And. she took the bran and made a large cake, and took the files
and. put them into it, and gave to her slave to take to him.
And she went with them, and arrived at the door, and the soldiers
robbed her, and chose out the fine cakes, and. ate them themselves. And
as for the bran one, they told her to take that to her master. And
she took it, and he broke it, and took out the files, and laid them
away, and ate that cake and drank water, and was comforted.
And the people of the town wished that he should bo killed. And he
heard himself that it was said, "You shall be killed." And he said to
the soldiers, " When shall I be killed ?" And they told him, " To-
morrow." And he said, " Call me my mother, and the chief man in. the
town, and all the townspeople, that I may take leave of them."
And they went and called them, and many people came together, and his
mother and her slave.
And he asked them, " Are you all assembled ?" And they answered, " We
are assembled." And he said, " I want a horn, and cymbals, and an
upato." And they went and took them. And he said, " I have an
entertainment to-day, I want to take leave of you." And they said to
446 EADITHl YA LION GO.
pige. Akawaambia, mmoja asliike pembe, na mmoja asbike matoazi, na mmoja
asbike upato. Wakamwambia, tupi- geje ? Akawafundisba kui^iga,
'«•akapiga.
Naye mwenyewe ndaui kule aliko akaimba, batta iliposi- tawi ngoma,
akasbika tupa, akakata pingu. He ngoma ikinyamaa naye bunyamaa, akaimba,
wakipiga, yeye aka- kata piugu.
Na -n-atu wale bawana kbabari ilioko ndani, batta ikaka- tika pingu,
akakata na mnyororo batta ukakatika. Xa wale watu bawana kbabari kwa
sbanko ya ngoma. Waki- tabamaka amevunja mlango amewatokea uje. Wakitui)a
vitu bivi kwenda mbio wasidiriki, akawakamata akawa- piga vitwa kwa vitwa
akiwaiia. Akitokea uje ya mji, aka- agana na mamaye, kutuonana tena.
Akaenda zake mwitimi akakaa kitako siku nyingi buutbi watu vilevile na
kuwaua watii.
Wakatuma watu wa bila, wakawaambia, enendi, mka- fanya rafiki batta mmwue.
Wale wakaenda wa kbofu. Walipofika wakafanya lu-afiki, llatta siku biyo
waka- mwambia, tule kikoa, Sultani. Yeye Liougo akawajibu —
Hila kikoa halipani nikatanmo ?
Maana yake — Xikila kikoa nitalipa nini, masikini mno ? Wakamwambia, tule
kikoa cba makoma. Akawauliza, tutakulaje ? Wakamwambia. atapanda mtu
mmoja juu ya
ST OR Y OF LIONG 0. iil
him, " Very well, go on, play." And he said, " Let one take the horn,
and one take the cymbals, and one take the upato." And they said, "
How shall we play them ?" And he tanght them to play, and they played.
And he himself there, where he was inside, sang, till when the music
was in full swing, he took a file and cut his fetters. When the music
dropi:)ed, he too left off and sang, and when they played he cut his
fetters.
And the people knew nothing of what was going on inside till the
fetters were divided, and he cut the chains till they were divided. And
the people knew nothing of it through their delight in the music. When
they looked up, he had broken the door and come out to them outside.
And they threw their instruments away to run, without being quick
enough ; and he caught them and knocked their heads together and killed
them. And he went outside the town, and took leave of his mother, " to
see one another again."
And he went away into the forest, and stayed many days, harassing people
as before, and killing people.
And they sent crafty men, and told them, " Go and make him your
friend, so as to kill him." And they went fearingly. And when they
arrived they made a friendship with him. Till one day they said to him,
" Sultan, let us entertain one another." And Liongo answered them —
" Hila kikoa balipani mkatamno ?"
^\'hich means, " If I eat of an entertainment, what shall I give in
return, I who am excessively poor ?" And they said to him, " Let us
entertain one another with Tcoma fruit." And he asked them, " How shall
we eat them ?" And they said, " One shall climb into the koma tree,
and throw them down for us to eat. When we have done, let
448 IIADITHI YA LIOXGO.
mkoma akaangue, tule, tukiisha apande mgine, iiatta tuishe.
Akawaambia, vema.
Akapauda wa kwauza. wakala. Akapauda wa pili, wakala. Akapanda wa tatu,
wakala. Na wale wamefanya hila, atakaj)opauda Liougo tumpige kwa mishare
kulekule juu.
Liongo akatambua kwa akili yake. Hatta walipokwislia wote, wakamwambia,
baya, zamu yako. Akawaambia, vema. Akasbika mkonoui iita wake na viembe,
aka- waambia—
Tafuma wivu la angania, tule cha yayi.
Maaua yake, !Xitapiga bivu la jiiu tule cba kati. Aka- piga, likakatika
tawi, akapiga tena, likakatika la pili, akau- pukusa mkoma mzima, yakajaa
tele cbini. Wakala. Hatta walipokwisba, wale watu wakasema wao kwa wao,
ametambiia buyii, sasa tufanyeje ? Wakanena, tweudeui zetu. Wale
wakam\'\aga, wakamwambia —
Kukuingia Uadaaiii Liongo fumo si mtu, Yuuga jiui Liougo okoka.
Maaua yake, Hukuingia ujingani, Liougo mfalme, wewe si mtu, kamma Sbcitaui
umeokoka.
Wakaenda zao, wakajibu kwa yule mkuu wao, alioko mjini, wakamwambia,
batukuweza.
Wakafauya masbauri — nani atakaycweza ku'mua? Wakaneua, labuda mtoto wa
nduguye. "Wakaenda waka- mwita. Akaja. Wakamwambia, enenda, kamwuliza babayo,
kitu gaui kiuacbomwua, ukiisba kujua, uje utwa-
STOBY OF LIONGO. 449
another climb up, till we Lave tinished." And he said to them " Very
well."
And the first climbed up, and they ate. And the second climbed uji, and
they ate. And the third climbed up, and they ate. And they had plotted
that when Liongo should climb up, " Let us shoot him with arrows there,
up above."
But Liongo saw through it by his intelligence. So when all had finished
they said to him, " Come, it is your turn." And he said, " Very
well." And he took his bow in his hand, and his arrows, and said —
" Tfifuma wivu la angania, tule cha yayi."
Which means, " I will strike the ripe above, that we may eat in the
midst." And he shot, and a bough was broken oif ; and he shot again,
and a second was broken off; and he gave them a whole Iwma tree, and
the ground was covered with fruit. And they ate. And when they had done,
the men said among themselves, " He has seen through it ; now what are
we to do ?" And they said, " Let us go away." And they took leave of
him, and said —
" Kukuingia hadaani Liongo fumo si mtu, Yunga jini Liongo okoka."
Which means, " Liongo the chief, you have not been taken in, you are
not a man, you have got out of it like a devil."
And they went away and gave their answer to their head-man there in the
town, and said, " We could do nothing."
And they advised together, " Who will be able to kill him ?" And they
said, " Perhaps his nephew will." And they went and called him. And he
came. And they said to him. " Go and ask your father what it is that
will kill him. AVhen you know, come and tell us, and when he
450 nADITBI YA LIONGO.
mbie, na akiisba kufa tiitakupa iifaume. Akawajibu, vema.
Akacnda. Alipofika akamkaribisha, akamwambia, iirne- kiija fanya nini ?
Akamwambia, nimekuja kukutazama. Akamwambia, najua mimi irmekuja kuniiia, na
hao wame- kudaugauya.
Akamwuliza, baba, kitu gani kinachokuua ? Akamwa- mbia, sindauo ya shaba,
mtu akinichoma ya kitovu, hufa.
Akaenda zake mjini, akawajibu, akawaambia, sindano ya sbaba ndio
itakayo'mua. Wakami)a siudano, akanidi hatta kwa babaye. Alipomwona, akaimba
yule babaye, akamwambia —
ISIimi muyi ndimi mwe mao, situe
Si mbweuge inimi muyi ndimi mwe mao.
Maaua yake, Mimi mbaya ndiye mwema wako, si nifanya mbaya, mimi ndimi
mbaya ndiye mwema wako. Akamka- ribisha, akajua, huyu amekuja kuniua.
Akakaa siku mbili, liatta siku liiyo usiku amelala, aka- mchoma sindano
ya kitovu. Akaamka kwa ucliimgu wake, alisliika uta wake na viembe,
akaeuda liatta karibia Aasima. Akapiga magote, akajitega na uta wake.
Akafa palepale.
Hatta assubui, watu wanaokuja teka maji wakamwoua, wakamtliani mzima,
wakarudi mbio. Wakatoa kliabari mjini. leo maji hayapatikani. Kulla endaye
liurudi mbio. Wakatoka watu wengi wakaenda, wakifika, walipomwona wasiweze
kukaribia, wakarudi. Siku tatu watu wanathii kwa maji, kuyakosa.
S TOE Y OF LIOKG 0. 45 1
is dead we will give you the kingdom." And he answered them, " Very
well."
And he went. When he arrived he welcomed him and said, " What have you
come to do ?" And he said, " I have come to see you," And he said,
" I know that you have come to kill me, and they have deceived you."
And he asked him, " Father, what is it that can kill you ?'" And ho
said, " A copper needle. If any one stabs me in the navel, I die."
And he went away into the town, and answered them, and said, " It is
a copper needle that will kill him." And they gave him a needle, and
he went back to his father. And when he saw him, his father sang, and
said —
" Mimi miiyi ndimi mwo mao, sitae Si mbwen.;e mimi muyi ndimi mwe mao."
Which means, " I, who am bad, am he that is good to you ; do me no
evil, I that am bad, am he that is good to you." And he welcomed him,
and he knew, " He is come to kill me,"
And he stayed two days, till one day he was asleep in the evening, and
he stabbed him with the needle in the navel. And he awoke through the
pain, and took his bow and arrows and went to a place near the wells.
And he knelt down, and put himself ready with his bow. And there he
died.
So in the morning the people who came to draw water saw him, and they
thought him alive, and went back running. And they gave out the news in
the town, " No water is to be had to day." Every one that went came
back running. And many people set out and went, and as they arrived,
when they saw him they came back, without being able to get near. For
three days the people were in distress for water, not getting any.
452 11 AD I Till YA LI ON GO.
Wakaniwita mamaye, wakamwambia, euenda kasema naye mwanao, aoudoke, tupato
maji, ao tutakuua wewe.
Akaenda Latta alipofika akamshika mwauawe kiuutu- mbuiza kwa nyinibo,
akaanguka. Mamaye akalia, akajua mwanavve amekufa.
Akaenda kuwaambia watu mjini, ya kwamba amekufa, wakaenda kumtezama,
wakamwoua amekufa, wakamzika, na kaburi lake laouekana katika Ozi hatta
leo.
Wakamkamata kile kijaua, waka'mua, wasimjie ufaume.
STOBY OF LIONGO. 453
And they callecl liis mother, and said to her, " Go and speak to your
son, that he may go away and we get water, or we will kill you."
And she went till she reached him. And his mother took hold of him to
soothe him with songs, and he fell down. And his mother wept : she
knew her son was dead.
And she went to tell the tow^nspeople that he was dead, and they went
to look at him, and saw that he was dead, and buried him, and his
grave is to be seen at Ozi to this day.
And they seized that young man and killed him, and did not give him
the kingdom.
MASHAIKI YA LIONGO.
POEM OF LIONGO.
MASHAIRI TA LIOXGO.
Xabudi kawafi takliamisi kidiriji, Xiwathiliislie izagale kama siraji, Hi
kufuasa ya Liougo simba wa miji. Ai wanji -n-anji uazawauji kisiza
wanji; ma kacliliza kasiliza, mwanaugwa mema.
Pindi uonapo ali shari miinie mwendo, Pindua mtima uutie kani na vindo,
Uwe ja namire, tui mke, katika sliindo. Mwanangwa mbonaye mbuzi wako
katika mweudo ; uki- metwa pembe ua mkami akimkainaa.
Akbi ewe mbuya twambe mambo ya kujelele, Huyu muimgwana sliati 'ari
haiondole, Nakuclica kiifa mweuyi clieo kavilikele. ]\Iwanangwa mbonaje
mubakara wakwe wiimile ; asirathi kufa na mayuto yakaya nyuma.
The same in ordinary Swahili.
Nandiliza ushairi wa utanu nikipita kwa upesi, Nipambanue utoe nxiru kama
taa, Kwa ajili kufuata Liougo simba wa miji. Ee ungi ungi naanza kwa
wengi ; pamoja na ukiandaliza nikaisbiliza kizao cha mambo mema.
Pindi nkiona mwenyi ubaya mnme mwenziwo, Geuza moyo iivike bitlii na
macbmagii, Iwo kama cbni, cliui mke, katika kundi.
POEM OF LIONGO.
I BEGIN a poem in stanzas of five lines passing quickly, That I may
make it clear, and it may give light like a
lamp. In order to follow Liongo, the lion of cities. Oh 1 much, much, I
begin with many, as well as go forward and finish, the child of good
things.
Then if you see a wrong-doer, a man your equal, Turn your heart and
put on vigour and bitterness, Be like a leoj)ard, a she leopard, among
the flock. Child, how see you your goat, in the pathway ; its horns held
and a milker milking it ?
My brother, oh my friend, let us say words to profit you. The gentleman
must take away shameful things, I fear dying for you, such things are
not before the man of position. My child, how see you his vileness
standing ; without his consenting to die, and regrets follow after.
Mtoto waonaje mbuzi wako katika mwendo amekamatwa pembe na mkami akimkama.
Ndugu yangu, ewe rafiki, tuseme mambo yamekujalia, Huyu mungwana shuruti
jambo la kufathaika aiondoe, Nakuogopa kufa mwenyi daraja havikuelekea.
Mtoto wangu waonaje unyonge wake husimama ; asirithie kufa na majuto
yakaja nyuma.
458 MASHAIRl YA LIOXGO.
Naapa kwa Anjili na Zaburi ili kiapo, Simke ugeufu j)indi sliari
liwagazapo, Naye keeza moyo katokoza sliari lilipo. Mtetea clieo mwenyi
clieo ateteapo ; hambiwi ni nawi hatta rolio nengakoma.
Naitenda mja kwa weuzangu kapata souo, ■ Wala siua yambo siwatayi kwa
mavongouo,
Bali sikubali lenyi thila na matukano. Ni mwofu wa ta nisliikapo na oa
mno ; ni mui wa kondo sikiapo mbi kalima.
Siwagazi kondo msi lango kapiga kifa, Ili kusifna kwambazo ni tulc swifa,
Nitangamizai>o kondo nzito tenda hakhafa. Ni mwana sbajiglii mpendeza nyemi
za kiifa ; kwa kuclia mpeo na adui wa kuuisema.
Bonapo barubu kiugua nawa na afya, Kawaua fiu'aha ja arusi ya mzofafa,
Naikcza moyo kwa Muuugu uisikhilafa. Ni mwana asadi mpendeza nyemi za
kufa ; kwa kucba mpeo na adui kumbuya nyuma.
Naapa kwa Anjili na Zaburi ni viapo tbabiti, Simpi mgongo pindi ubaya
ukiuikabili, Naye hukabilisba moyo baitafuta ubaya papo pote. Agombeaye
daraja mwenyi daraja zamaui agombeapo uovu na uovu batta robo
nengafikilia ajali.
Najifanyiza mtumwa kwa watu kama mimi nipate
besbima, Wala siua jambo nao siwataji kwa kuamba, Lakini sikubali lenyi
unyongc na matukano. Huyeyuka kama nta nisbikwapo buyeyuka mno, ni muovu
wa vita pindi uikisikia mabaya maneno.
POEM Ot LION GO. 459
I swear by the Gospel and the Psalms a firm oath, I turn not my back
if evil is before me, And his heart faces it and seeks evil wherever
it is. He who strives for his rank, having rank, striving against wrong
and wrong, till his soul meets its fate.
I make myself a slave to my equals to get honour. Nor is there
anything 1 do not obey them in, But I refuse a vile jaerson and an
evil speaker. I melt like wax when I am held, I melt exceedingly ; I
am bad like war when I hear evil speaking.
I go not into war if I have not something which makes
me beat my breast, But what is praised when it has evil praise, I make
great war to make it insignificant. I am bold, and love the acceptance
of death ; for fear of disgrace and of the enemy's speaking of me.
If I see war, though I am sick, I find health, I rejoice as a
bridegroom when he goes to his bride, I fix my lieart before God
without turning, lama young lion who loves the acceptance of death ; for
fear of disgrace and of the enemies seeing me backward.
Siingii katika vita nisipokuwa na jambo kupiga kifua, Kwa ajili ya
kusifiwa ambazo ni mbaya sifa Hitegemea vita bora huvitenda khafifu. Mimi
ni mwana shujaa nipendaye mapenzi ya kufa, kwa kuogopa hizaya na adui wa
kunisema.
Nikiona vita nikiugua naona afya,
Nikaona furaha kania harusi siku ya kutiwa nyumbani, Huwelekeza moyo kwa
Muungu jjasipo kinyuma. Mimi ni mwana wa simba, apendaye mapenzi ya kufa,
kwa kuogopa hezaya na adui kuniona nyuma ya watu.
460 MASH Aim YA LIOXGO.
Napa kwa Miiuugu na Muungii ili kiapo, Nampenda mtu pincli nayc
auipendapo, Bali ndngii yangu 'ari puude ambagazapo. Ninga maiia kozi
sioneki niwakuapo ; ni mui wa nyiini naakua katika jama.
Wallalii nitliiika saya yangu si maongope, Teteapo cbeo kiwa muyi uawa
meui)e, Nimpapo iiso aduiye sliatti akope. Ninga mana taya sliirikeni na
mana tope ; na mlislia yani leuyi tani na zingulima.
Laiti kiunibe pindi mambo yakimpinga, Papale angaui aduise akawaenga,
Awavunda paa na mifupa ya mitulinga. Niugali kipungii niusbile katika anga
; kila uyama toto batta simba mkuu nyama.
Ningatindangile kwa sayufu na kwa sakini, Na musu mkali kiiipeka juu na
tini, Kivuma ja niwamba usokaa nili na kani. Bali niuu yangu yu mawili
kuwa pinguni ; ua sbingoni mwaugu nawisbiwa peto la cbuina.
Naapa kwa Muungu na Muungu ni kiapo, Nampenda mtu maadam naye anipendapo,
Lakiui ndugu yangu ari kidogo anikuvizapo. Ni mfano wa mtoto wa kipauga
sionekani nikamatiipo ; ni mbaya wa ndcge uakamata katika jamaa.
Mimi nikaapa nikifungwa bora yangu si uwongo, Nigombeapo daraja akiwa
mbaya mwenzi buwa mweupe, Nikimkabili kwa uso adui sburuti aiinyane. Huwa
kama mtoto wa nyama ya mwitu aliyesbarikana na
mana wa mwitu ua mlisba majaui ya maboonde na
ya vilima.
POEM OF LIONGO. 461
I swear by God, and God is indeed an oath, I love any one so long as
he loves me, But when my brother puts uj^on me a little disgrace. 1 am
a young falcon, I am not seen when I pounce ; the evil bird that preys
u]3on the flock.
By Allah, though I am bound, my greatness is not false. When 1 strive
for my rauk, being black, I am white, When I am before the face of
the enemy he must shrivel up. I.am like a young vulture, who shares
with the wild beasts, and they that eat grass in the valleys and hills.
Would that a creature when circumstances stop him, There in the desert
when he sees his enemies, He breaks their crowns and their collar-bones.
Would that I were an eagle flying in the air, eating small animals,
even to the lion, chief of the beasts.
I would have cut them to pieced with sword and knife, Sending a sharp
falchion up and down. Blowing like a rock, where there is no place for
anger and bitterness to enter. But both my feet are in fetters, and on
my neck I wear a chain of iron.
Kutamani kiumbe pindi mambo yakimpinga, Pale jangwani adui zake akiwaona,
Awavuuja utosi na mifupa ya mitulinga. Ningalikuwa ndege mkali nikiruka
maingaingani, nikila nyama vidogo hatta simba mkuu wa nyama.
Ningaliwakatakata kwa panga na kwa kisu, Na sime mkali nikiipeleka juu na
chini, Nikivuma kama mwamba usio pahali pa kuingilia ghathabu na
machungu. Lakini miguu yangu yote miwili kuwa pinguui ; na
shingoni mwaugu nimevikwa mnyoo wa chuma.
462 31 ASH Aim YA LIOXGO.
Ningashahadize Korani yangu kalina, Ilia uketeze kuwa uyimbo Mola karima, "
Wami'i litiwa bi skairi kalilama." Tufutufu mayi kizimbwiui
yawanguruma ; ka'mwezi kwima luiskapo wdmbi Ungama.
Ata maagano na makato ujikatayo, Sangase mkono kiimtencla akutendayo,
Kumlipa deni mtu kata akujiasayo. Sipepese moyo kupcpcsa kwa uuwayo ;
mtawapoua aduizo wakula nyama.
Sange kumtcnda mnitcnda mawi yetama, Kama cliambileo chuonimwe mwenyi
atliama, " Wa in 'akabitiim fakakibu bi mitbilima." Pindi uonapo moto zita
ukingun:ma ; la Allah, ni mimi niwashao maa kazima.
Nyani miiiirudi moyo waugn hiikisakawi ? Teteapo clieo hatta mtu
simtambui, Ninga watu sao ja mfano kama badui. Naikutakuta kayatia katika
wawi ; katinda kitinda ari- tbisba wangn mtima.
Ningalisliubudiza Koraui yangu maneno Lakini amekataza kuwa nyimbo Mola
Karimn, Hakuwaye kuwa mwimba nyimbo kabisa. Cheumkoclieumko la maji
katika kilindi zangurnma ; ha'mwczi kusimama liruslia^io wimbi
katika Ungama. Aclia masbauri na matcudo ya moyo ujitendao, Usizuie mkono
kumtcnda manibo akutendayo, Kumlipa deni mtu kipimo akukopcslieayo; Usitic
wasiwasi moyo kutagliafali na uuwaye ; na kwambj^ hukuua aduizo watakula
nyama.
POEM OF LION GO. 463
I slioultl have called the Koran as a witness to my
words, But God the bountiful has refused to be made a song ; " He has
not been a singer of songs in any way." The boiling of the water roars
in the deep sea ; you cannot stand where the wave dashes over Ungama.
Leave plans and intentions which you intend, Hold not yoiu' hand to do
to him as he does to you. To pay a man the debt in measure as
he gave in advance to you. Let not your heart hesitate to surprise your
victim ; and if you kill not youi- enemies they will eat flesh.
I fear not to deal with him who does me malicious evil. As he
declares to us in His own book who is the
Highest, " 0 thou who doest, do as thou hast been done by." Then when
you perceive the fire of war roaring, la Allah ! it is I who light as
well as extinguish it.
Who turns back my heart when it has taken strength ? "When I strive
for my rank I recognize no one, J am as though those people were like
outcasts. I draw myself together and cast myself among the bad ; and I
slaughter a slaughtering and satiate my heart.
Siogopi kumtenda anitendaye mabaya ya uovn, Kama alivyotuhubiri katika chuo
chakwe mwenyi ukuu, " Ya unitendapo tendani kana mlivyotendwa " Pindi
uonapo moto wa vita ukinguruma, la Allah nikawa mimi niuwashao pamoja
nikauzima.
Nani aurudiye moyo wangu uwishapo twaa nguvu ? Nigombeapo cheo hatta mtu
simtambui, Ni kama watu hao mfano wao kama mabedawi. Najikuujakunja
nikajitia katika wabaya ; nikachinja ki- chinja nikaupa rathi moyo wangu.
464 MASHATRI YA LI ON GO.
Ewe mbasi yangu twambe kwamba huitabiri, Kiuinbe mweuzio huwezaye
iaikuhasiri ? Tetea hakio ujitie katika sbari. Siche rnata yao ua mafumo
yanganawiri ; maugi mafumati na magao maoya nyuma.
Ni upi mcbayi kicho cliakwe kimokoao ? Na mjaliasiri imiiirie ipuuguwao ?
Mwauzi ata kicbo na wacbao sauclauye nao, Waugapi wacbao utamboni
waugamiao ; na wazimbiao utamboni wakisiama.
Bolewe mcbayi mcba kufa asiofikira, Na kufa si suua ni faratbi ya
mkadara, Bolewe mcbayi mcba kufa bapati 'ui'a. Akuta mpeo na bizaya na
mubakara ; kwa kucbea robo na mwisoe yaja kutama.
Nionapo 'ari ulimwengu wanitukiza, Moyo ukiuayi batta ndani ukawa kiza, Na
nde mwa kope tozi tule likituuza. Simba uwalia kwa kilio akivumiza ;
kilio kikuu kifisbacbo mtu buruma.
Ewe rafiki yangu tusemc kwamba zingatii, Kiumbe mwenzio buwezaje kukubasiri
? Gombea baki yako ujitie katika sbari. Usiogope misbalc yao na mikuki na
ingang'ara; wangi bupiga cbini na geukao na warudiao nyuma.
Nani aogopaye kicbo cbake kikamponya ? Na mtu mjasii'i umri wake
upungukao '? Ee raliki acba kbofu na waogopao usifuataue nao. Wangapi
waogopao vitani wakafa, na wasimamao vitani wakavuka.
POEM OF LIONOO. 465
O my friend, let us say as we tliink, How cau a creature like yourself
barm you ? Strive for your riglit and put yourself among injuries. Fear
not their arrow nor their shining spears ; there are
many who strike down, and turn and come back
again.
Who that fears has been saved by his fear ? Or what bold man's life
has been shortened ? Friend, give up fear, and go not with the fearful.
How many that feared in war have fallen ; and those that stood firm
have got through safely.
Woe to the coward who fears and considers not, Death is not a thing of
choice but of necessity to the
finite, Woe to the coward, he who fears death gets no honour". He meets
with destitution and confusion and vileness by fearing for his life, and
his end comes to remove him.
If I see a disgraceful thing, the world disgusts me. My heart is
nauseated till it is dark within, And outside the eyelid the tear of
vileness drops. The lion cries with a cry, blowing out a great cry
which brings pity home to a man.
Ole wake mwoga aogopaye kufa asiyekuwaza, Na kufa si sunna ni farathi ya
iliokadiriwa, Ole wake mwoga aogopaye kufa hapati heshima, Akuta mpeo na
hizaya na unyonge kwa kuogopea roho, na mwisho wake waja kuhama.
Nikiona ari, ulimwengu wauichukiza Moyo ukinayi hatta ndani ukawa na kiza
Na nje ya kope chozi la unyonge likipita. Simba hulia kwa kilio,
akivumiza kilio kikuu kimtiacho mtu huruma.
2 H
466 MASHAIBI YA LIONOO.
Kilizacho simba ni matule kulla matufu, Simba uwalia elewani nawaarifu,
Sithanie simba muu mane wenda 'arufu Simba bora nclume v/atetea jalia na
cheo; watetea jaha hatta mato yakafunama.
Ana mi sbnjaa simba uclole mwoncloa 'ari, Mvunda kilaa na busimi
kizidabiri, Naipiga kifa baitia katika sbari. Sichi mata zao na mafumo
yanganawiri ; mangi mafumati na magao mawi ya nyuma.
Ana ndimi simba mfiliye jaba na cbeo, Naijiiga kati kawanesa wajibagao,
Sicbe aduizo kukutana kwa nngi wao. Sicbi kikwi chao nami imie nJio
nilio moyo waugu kikwi kwa ajili ya kusbagama.
Ndimi akabiri uteteo wangu murua, Thili siikii-i ya kiumbe mnknlukna,
Naakua anjari pcnyi kik\\d kaisbambna. Kifa tenda ngao paziwapo kipazua ;
nisikbofu miwa wala tome za kunitoma.
Kilizacbo simba ni manyonge killa maovu, Simba bnlia fabamuni nawaambia, Si
nitbanie simba mwenyi miguu minue afuataye arufu. Simba bora ndume
bugomboa jaba na cbeo, bugombea jaba batta macbo yakafumbaua.
Mimi sbujaa simba mwenyi kucba aondoaye ari, Avundaye gereza na ugome kwa
biLa, Hujipiga kifua cbaugu nikajitia katika sbari. Siogopi nyuta zao
ua mafumo na ingameta ; wengi
waliotandika cbini na wenyi kukimbia wanaorudi
kwa nyuma.
I
I
I
POEM OF LI 0 NO 0.
What makes the lion cry is every vileness and iniquity, The lion cries
from remembering, and I tell you, Think him not a lion with four feet
that tracks a scent The great male lion strives for his object and his
rank ; he strives for his object till his eyes are closed.
I am valiant, a lion with claws, taker away of disgrace, Breaker of
prisons and forts by stratagems, I beat my breast and cast myself among
evils. I fear not their bows and sjDears that shine ; many are they who
are cast down, and who flee and go backward.
I am a lion that is of use to gain an object or a rank, I cast
myself into the midst and humble those who
praise themselves ; Fear not your enemies Vv'hen they are gathered,
because of their numbers. I fear not their thousands, I alone it is who
am myself a thousand by being brave.
I am the great one that strive for my honour, I accept not the
vileness of a creature th.at had a maker, I draw my dagger where a
thousand are and rush among them, I make my breast my shield ; where
they are pressed together I divide them, without fearing the thorns or
prickles to prick me.
Mimi ndimi simba nifaaye jaha na daraja, Najitia kati nikawathilislia
wanaojisifu ; Usiogope adui zako wakikutana kwa wingi wao. Siogopi alafa
zao nami peke yangu ndio nilio moyo waugu alfu kwa ajili ya kuwa
thabiti.
Ndimi mkubv/a mgombea yangu heshima,
Unyongc sikubali ya kiumbe aliyeumbwa,
Natoa jambia penyi elfu nikajitupa kwao.
Kifua nitatenda ngao wazibwapo nikawazibua, nisiogope
miiba wala kombo ya kunichoma.
468 MASUAIIil YA LIONGO.
Mwanzi ata kiclio na wacLao sendanye nao, Nao fawitlii umuri kwa Muungu
anusurao, Siche ya ziumbe na zituko wakutisLao. Kufa kwa Muungu na
sliabuka limkutao ; si kwa wali- mwengu mivi kikwi ingakufuma,
Watetea jalia woka nyoyo wasio clianga Watwa miwili wakalislia misu na
panga Waondoao tliuli penyi 'ari wakaitenga. Si simba mikia wameao vuzi na
singa ; siniba masliujaa wasabili ngozi na nyama.
Tamati nishize takhamisi kinaatbimu Ya Lionga fumo nimaziye kuikbitimu,
Mwona labaui akitoa baua lauimi, Wapata ajira kumlipa Mola karimu; siku
ya majaza wali- pwapo wawi na wema.
Eafiki acha iioga na waogopao usifuatane nao, Nao mwacbie maisba kwa
Muungu aponyaye, Usicbe mambo ya viumbe na kbofu yakuogofishayo. Kufa ni
kwa Muungu na sbabuka yarapatao ; si kwa wali- mwengu, mishare alfu
ikikuchoma.
Wagombea jaba zimenyoka nyoyo wasioogopa malaana, Hutwaa maungo wakalisba
sime na panga, "\\ aoncloao unyonge penyi ai'i wakaiwcka kando. Si simba
mwenyi mkia waotao nyele za sbingo na mgongo,
lakini simba ni watu masbujaa waacbiliao ngozi na
nyama.
POEM OF LION GO. 469
Friend, leave fear, and go not with the fearful, And leave your life to
God who saves, Fear not creaturely things, nor dreads which ailright you.
Dying is of God, and the snare that takes him, not of the men of this
world, though a thousand arrows should pierce you.
They who strive for their rank, their hearts are right,
they fear no curses. They take the bodies and feed their falchions
and
swords, "Who take away vileness, where reproach is, and set it aside. They
are not lions with tails, and hair growing on the neck and back ; but
lions are heroes, who have nothing to do with skins and beasts.
It is done, I have finished the stanzas of five lines
which I composed Of Liongo the chief, I have finished completing them. He
who sees a bad expression if he takes it away is not to blame ; He
will get a reward, which the bountiful Lord will pay him when the days
are accomplished for repaying bad and good.
Imekoma, nimeisha shairi la vituo vitano ninaotunga, Za Liongo jumbe
nimekwisha kuimaliza. Aonaye neno la kuharibika akiliondoa hana matayo,
Hupata ajira atakayomliim Muungu mpaji siku ya kuJ£ ziwa walipwapo wabaya
na wema.
470 MASUAIEI YA LION GO.
Na mwenyi kiitiuiga mbaarifu yakwe isimu, Ni Abdallali Muyuweni mumfaliamu,
Ibun Ali bun Nasiri mwenyi makamu, Farii ya Makka shimukati laoFarimu ;
fuugu la ]\Iutbai"i, Mutalibu ua HasLima.
Nipulikizani na sabuye niwakbubiri Ni Ali Sbeklii maulana Abubakari, Ibun
Salim mauusabu ya kukbitari, Muugi wa karama burubani na masbuburi ; kwa
zamaui zakwe bakwalina kamaye kama.
Na mwenyi kutunga nawaarifu jina lake, Ni Abclallab Muyuweni iwelee, Ibun
Ali bun Nasiri mwenyi utukufu, Utawi wa Maka, asili ya cbimbuko lao
Farimu, kizao cba Mutbari, Mutalibu na Masbima.
I
POEM OF LIONOO. 471
And the author, I will tell you his name, It is Abdallah Muyuweni,
remember him. Son of Ali, son of Nasr the glorious, A branch of Mecca,
sprouting from Farimu [in Hathra- maut], a descendant of Muthar,
Mutalib, and Hashim.
Listen to me, that I may tell you his tribe, It was of Sheikh Ali our
lord Abubaki', Son of Salim, a choice rank. Working many wonders, his
signs are manifest ; in his time was no likeness to be found like his.
Nisikilizeni kabilaye niwahubiri, Ni Ali Shekhi seyidi yetu Abubakari Ibun
Salim daraja ya kukhitari, Mwingi mwenyi kabuli dalili zake zi wazi, kwa
zamani zake hakupatikana mfano wake mfano.
UTUMBUIZO WA GUNGU.
GUNGU DANCE SONG.
UTUMBUIZO WA GUKGU.
GUNGU LA KUFUNDA.
Pani kiti, nikae kitako,
Tumbuize waugu Mananazi, Tumbuize wangu manamke,
Mpangua hamu ua siinaDzi. Husimama tini wa mlango
Kiwa nde kwenda matembezi, Chiwa nde kaingia sliugbuli,
Kiwaambia wakwe waandazi, Kamwambia Sada na Kehema
Mwandani pasiwa ajizi, Wandani, tendani haraka,
Mwaudae wali na mtuzi. Akimbona nimelimatia,
Kaondoa chakwe kiyakazi,
The same in common Swahili. NiPENi kiti, nikae kitako,
Nii^embeze Mananazi wangu, Niiiembeze mwauamke wangu,
Aniondoa bamu na simanzi. Husimama chini ya mlango
Nikitoka kwenda kutembea,
GUNGU DANCE SONG.
POUNDING FIGURE.
Give me a cliair, that I may sit down,
And sootlie my Mauanazi, That I may soothe my wife,
Who takes away my grief and heaviness. She stands under the door,
When I go out to walk. When I go out on business.
She tells her servants, And says to them, " Sad a and Eehema,
" Cook, and do not delay, " Cook, and make haste,
" Cook rice and curry." If she finds I stay long.
She sends her slave girl.
Nikitoka kufanya shughuli,
Huwaambia watumishi wake, Akamwambia Sada na Rehema
Pikeni msikawilie. Pikeni, mfanya upesi,
Mpike wali na mchuzi. Akiniona nimekawilia,
Humtuma kijakazi chake.
476 UTUMBUTZO WA GUNGU.
Mwangalie usita wa yumbe,
Ao kwao kwa fumo wa ezi, Mwangalie tengoni pa uduze,
Ao kwao kwa mama sbangazi, Kampate, hima uye naye.
Watendani hatta njeu sliizi ? Kamwambia, bwana, waamknwa,
Tenda bima, sifanye ajizi, Yanga lako wimie tutule,
Na matoni butuza tozi. Kaamba tende tangulia, naja,
Kamtuze, ate simanzi, Kamwandama nyuma kiongoya,
Akinuka meski na mbazi. Akiingia kampa sabimu,
Kamjibu mwana wa Hejazi. Saa biyo kaondoka akaima,
Kamwaudika mkono wa fuzi, Kamwombca Muimgu Jabari,
Ewe mama, Mola ngwakujazi.
Mtezame njia ya Sultani,
Ao kwao wa mfahne aliyetawala, Mtezame vikaoni vya nduguze,
Ao kwao kwa mamaye, sbangazi Lake, Kamsbike, upcsi uje naye,
^^"afanya nini batta wakati buu ? Kamwambia, Bwana, unakwitwa,
Twendo npesi, sifanye uvivu, Kukawilia kwako bucboka kusimama
Na macboni yatoka macbozi.
GUNGU DANCE SONG.
" Look for liim in the Sultan's way,
" Or there with the sovereign prince, " Look for him on the seats at
his brother's,
" Or at liis mother's, his aunt's, " And take him, come with him
quickly,
" (What are you doing till this time ?) " And tell him, ' Master, you
are called,
" ' Let us go quickly, do not be slow, " ' Your delay makes her weary
of standing,
" ' And tears come from her eyes.' " And tell him, ' Let us go, go
before, I am coming,
" ' And comfort her that she may leave grieving.' " And follow him
behind, walking elegantly,
"As he smells of musk and ambergris." When he goes and salutes her.
The child of Hejaz replies to him. At once she rises and stands,
And puts her hand on his shoulder. And he prays for her to God the
Lord of all,
" O mother, may God supply your needs."
Kamwambia, twende tangulia nnakuja,
Kamtulize, awache majonzi, Kamfuata nyuma kwa tambo,
Akinuka mesiki na ambari. Akipita akamwamkia,
Kamjibu mtoto wa Hejaz i. Marra hiyo akaondoka akasimama.
Aka'mweka mkono wa bega, Kamwombea Muungu Jabari,
Ewe mama, Muungu atakujalia.
478 UTUMBUIZO WA GVNGU.
Akiinua mkonowe mwana
Kaupeeka juu la mwanzi. Akaangua kisuto clia kaye,
Clia kinisi chema matorazi, Ka'mweka kituzo cha mato,
Buni ami, mwana wa shangazi. Kimwambia, bwana na tukae,
Siimemno, ukataajazi. Nitiani lioyo Timi aye,
Na anguse, ate masindisi, Apakue pilao ya Hiudi,
Mzababu isiyo mtuzi. Ete kiti cliema cba Ulaya,
Na sinia ujema ya Sbirazi Munakaslii inakisbiweyo,
Na sabani liuug'ara ja mwezi. Kaamuru kbodama na waja,
Ai nini hamtnmbiuzi ? Bassi bapo akamwandikia
Naye Timi yusbisbiye kiizi,
Akainua mkono Mwana
Akaupeleka jmi ya mwanzi. Akaangua kisuto cba kikale,
Kizuri kimetariziwa, Akamweka kitulizo cba macbo.
Mwana wa ndugu wa babayc, na mwana \\ : sbangazi. Akamwambia, Bwana tukae
kitako,
Usisimame mno, ukafanye uvivu. Mwiteni buyo Time aje,
Uj)esi, awacbe usingizi,
GUNQU DANCE SONG. 479
And tlie mistress lifts up her hand,
And puts it up to the bamboo, And takes down a large cloth of ancient
work
With a beautiful border woven into it. And he puts a handkerchief to
her eyes.
The child of his father and child of his aunt. And she says to him, "
Master, let us sit down
" Do not stand over much, and make yourself tired, " Call that Time,
let her come
" Quickly, and leave off sleeping, " Let her dish up an Indian pillaw,
" With raisins without curry. " Bring a fine European chair,
" And a good Persian tray " Engraved with engravings,
" And a dish shining like the moon." And she says, " Let the slaves
come too,
" Why are you not singing ?" Immediately it is laid for him.
And Time has taken the water bottle.
Apakue pilao ya kihindi,
Ya zabibu haina mchuzi. Lete kiti kizuri cha Ulaya,
Na sinia njema ya Shirazi Imetiwa nakishi,
Na sahani inang'ara kama mwezi. Akanena watumwa na waje,
Kwa nini hamwimbi ? Marra hiyo akaandikiwa
Na Time ameshika guduwia,
480 UTUMBUIZO WA GUNGU.
Yapejeto maji ya zabibu
Kimiiyesha kama mua shizi. Kimlisha akimrehebu
Kimwonya kwema maozi. Kimlisha tambuu ya Siu,
Ya layini layini ya Ozi, Kiukuta kuuo kim\Yakiza,
Kwa ilild pamwe nn jozi. Nikumele kusifu mbeja
Mteule wangu Mananazi.
GUNGU LA KUKWAA.
]\Iama, nipeeke, haoe kaoe
Urembo na shani Ungama,
Haoe mnara mpambe mpambi.', TJzainyeo besbima.
Na wenyi kupamba patoto patoto. Wavete vitiudi na kama,
Imetiwa maji ya zabibu
Akimoywesba kama muyua temb(j. Akimlisba akimrai
Akimwonyesba kwema malazi. Akimlisba tambuu ya Siyu,
Laini laini ya Ozi, AkaikuDJa akimtia kinwani,
Na iliki pamoja na lozi. Nimekoma kusifu mwanamke
Wa kucbagua waugu Mananazi.
G DNG U DAN CE SONG. 48 1
In it lias been put the juice of raisins,
And she makes him drink it like a drinker of wine. And she feeds him,
putting morsels in his mouth,
And shows him a good place for lying down. Giving him to chew betel
leaf from Siwi,
Soft and smooth from Ozi. She folds it and puts it into his mouth,
With cardamoins and almonds. I have finished praising the girl,
My choice one, Mananazi.
THE STUMBLING FIGURE.
Mother take me that I may see, may see
Beauty and ornaments at Ungama, That I may see the tower adorned,
adorned.
And dressed up for honour. And those adorned children, children,
They have put on bracelets and collars.
The second figure in common Swahili. Mama, nipeleke hatazame
Uzuri na pambo Ungama, Hatazame mnara umepambwa,
Uliotengenezwa kwa heshima. Tva waliopamba watoto,
Wamevaa timbi na vidani,
2 I
482 UTUMBVIZO WA GUNGU.
Wavete saufo ziemba ziemba,
Na mikili bee na uyuma. Wavete libasi teule teule,
Kwa zitnana bee na nyuma. Watukuze panga iigao ua ugao.
Mtu hutosliea kuona. Kujile Mugazidja na kubu na kubu,
Ujile kutaka harubu. Kujile Mgala na mata na mata,
Ujile kiitaka kuteta. Tutawatilia iikuta iikuta,
Wasituiugilie myini.
Wamevaa sarufu na vilemba,
Na tamvua mbele na nyuma.
Wamevaa nguo za kucLagua,
Kwa watumwa mbele na nyuma.
Wamechukua pauga na ngao. Mtu hutaajabu akiona.
GUNCtU DANCE SONG. 483
They have put on gold frontlets and turbans, tuiLans
With fringes before and behind. They wear clothes most choice, most
choice,
With slaves before and behind, They hold up swords and shields, and
shields,
One is astonished to see them. There is come a Comoro man with a pot,
a pot,
He has come wanting strife, There is come a Galla with a bow, a bow,
He has come wanting to fight. We will build against them a wall, a
v.all,
That they may not come to us into the town.
Amekuja Mngazidja na kopo, Amekuja kutaka vita.
Amekuja Mgala na uta,
Amekuja kutaka kupigana.
Tutawajengea ukuta,
Wasituingilie mjini.
MWANZO WA UTENZI WA AYUBU.
BEGINNING OF THE UTENZI ON JOB.
MWANZO WA UTEXZI WA AYUBU.
Akhi paui karatasi Na -vvino mema mweusi Na kalamu ya unyasi
Ambayo yaihtariwa. Na andike nikikutubu Hadithi ya Kiarabu Kwa khabari za
Ayubu
Tumwa wa Mola Jalia. Napenda kuwakhubiri Kiarabu kifasiri Kwa lugha yetu
thabiri
Pasio isiomwelea. Na maanaye jiiani Kuyafasiri wendani Kuna wengi insani
Kiarabu wasiojua. Ndipo ikanipendeza Lugha yetu kucleza
Kinuthurau kikutubu
Yalio katika kitabu,
Kwa Kiswabili choua.
BEGINNING OF THE UTENZI ON JOB.
My brother give me paper And good black ink And a pen of reed
Which has been selected. And let me write, inditing A story from the
Arabic With an account of Job,
The prophet of the Lord of glory. I love to inform you, Explaining from
the Arabic, In our language manifestly
Where it was not clear. And know ye its meaning, To explain it to our
friends, There are many people
Who do not know Arabic. Thus it is that it pleases me To explain in
our language,
By speaking and writing,
What is in a book.
Telling it in Swahili.
NOTES.
*»ll^\l
It U »«bI la I
U M t»u4 tlM
.1. but It U
^
EXPLANATIONS OF WORDS IN ITALICS.
Mmnseykli-
- See Note 36
Mazu — See Note 44
Bao
9
mdmzi
, 5
Baraza
,, 19
Wiaja
, 16
Buku
,, 93
Mnazimoja ,
74
Bumuncla
76
Mtama ,
25
Chiclia
4
Mtobivi
, 38
Felefele
,, .'53
Muhadim ,
27
Eodi
8
Pice
, 97
Jolio
,, 35
Seyedina ,
, 86
Kanzu
,, 29
Slunnha
13
Eathi
83
SuhaWieir ,
, 34
Kenge
,, 39
Tamhuu ,
6
Kisuto
., 70
Tango
12
Kitoweo
5
Tiabu
, 18
Ladu
> . 77
Ubelelio
, 16
Masalkheri
,, 32
Upato
, 101
Masheela
,. 9G
NOTES.
1. [P. 17, 1. 20. And they stayed in her house till the space of seven
days was ended.] It is the rule on the Swahili coast that the bride's
father or family should find her a house, and that the husband should
go to live with her, not she with liim. If a man has several wives,
he is bound to spend an equal portion of his time in each wife's
house. In practice, men often make their own mother's house their home ;
others have a house of their own in which tlieir female slaves live, or
perliaps one wife, and have reo;ular times for going to their wives'
houses. But among poor people many have only one wife, and her house is
their home.
NOTES. 491
It is a rule to spend seven clays after marriage in the bride's house
without going out, during wliich time the bride's father sends pro-
visions daily, and the bridegroom is scented, and his hands and feet
stained with henna, as is usually done by women. This period of seven
days is called /ungate, a word which does not occur otherwise in
Swahili, but which in several of the negro languages means seven. See p.
49.
2. [P. 17, 1. 29. Hard dry scorched rice.] It is usual in cooking rice
to pour away the water when the rice is nearly done, and then reversing
the lid of the pot, to fill it with live embers, and set the pot so
covered on one side until the kitoweo (see note 5) is cooked. This hot
cover makes a dry skin on the top of the rice, which fre- quently gets
brown and scorched : it was this dry skin, called in Zanzibar uhoko,
that the stepmother chose for her husband's cliUd.
3. [P. 19, 1. 2G. Let us eat together.] It is not usual among rich
people for women and men to eat together, but it is frequently done
among the poor.
4. [P. 19. Chicha.'] In all cooking in Zanzibar, a cocoa-nut is the
first thing required. It is cracked across by a skilful tajj or two,
the juice is allowed to run away, and the nut scraped to a coarse meal
by the help of an instrument called an mhuzi (goat). The mbuzi is a
piece of plank about two and a half feet long, armed at the end with
a flat iron blade about one inch and a half in width, serrated at the
edges. A piece of plank near the blade at right angles to the main
piece serves to tilt it up at a sufQcient angle ; another near the
opposite end, and on the upper side, serves as a sort of back for the
cook, who sits astride the mhuzi, and works the half cocoa-nut upon the
iron blade till the inside is scraped out. Water is poured over the
scrapings, and they are squeezed with the hand until the water becomes a
thick milky fluid, which is called tui, and is the main part of the
mchuzi and of all curries. The chicha which remains is very woody, and
is generally thrown away, unless used as here, as a sort of soap to
soften and clean the hands.
5. [P. 19, 1. 34. Mchuzi, kitoweo.'] Kitoweo is a general name for
whatever is eaten with the rice or grain : it may be meat, or fish, or
merely salt. The most common kitoweo with rich people is a curried fowl,
among poorer people, a fresh fish or a little bit of some salt fish.
Great quantities of salt shark are brought every year to Zanzibar by the
Arabs, and are eaten by the slaves and the poorest classes of free men.
The mchuzi is the gravy or curry, or whatever liquid stuff" is served
with the kitoweo. It is most commonly a kind of
492 NOTES.
curry. The rice is served in a large dish or woodeu platter, a.^d ihe
kitoweo and mchuzi in a common English pint basin. The party first wash
their hands, which is always done by water being poured over them ;
tlien sit round the rice and help themselves with then- right hands,
taking up a little ball of rice and pitching it into their mouths.
Sometimes the mchuzi is poured over the rice, sometimes the ball of rice
is dipped into it, and a morsel of the kiloweo is taken now and then
by way of relish. After eating, a draught of water is taken, then the
hands are washed as before, and generally a nap follows.
6. [P. 21, 1. 3. Tambuu.'] The tambuu is the leaf of the betel pepper,
in which a little piece of areea-nut, a little lime, and a little
tobacco are folded up, and the whole is then slowly chewed. One effect
of this chewing is to make the teeth and spittle a bright red. There
is an enigma founded on this. Nimekwenda njiani, nimeona kisuto ; mwenyi
kisuto sikumwona. " I went on the way and I saw a woman's cloth (which
is often red) : the wearer of the cloth I did not see." The answer is
— Mate ya tambuu — " Spittle coloured by betel leaf." See p. 481.
7. [P. 21, 1. 5. The bedstead.] A kitanda is the first article of
furniture any one in Zanzibar will procure : it serves for table,
chair, couch, and bedsteatl, ail in one. It is an oblong frame, raised
on four legs, about two feet from the ground, and laced across with
cocoa-nut cord or with thin strips of matting ; over this an mkeka (a
large oblong mat) is spread, and among rich people a thin Indian
mattress and a pillow or cushion ; poorer people sometimes use the wooden
head-rest of the negro tribes, and often sleep without anything at all.
The cloth, which was a dress by day, becomes a coverlid by night, and
except for the mosquitoes it makes a very cool and comfortable sleeping-
place.
8. [P. 25, 1. 29. Eodi.'] As there are no knockers or bells in
Zanzibar, and the doors are generally open, it is customary to call out
Hodi ! Eodi ! luitil some one comes. It is the height of rude- ness to
go farther than the hall until invited in. If the door is shut , it is
usual to knock as well as to cry hodi !
9. [P. 29, 1. 24. Play at Bao.] This is a very common game on all
the East African coast. It is proj^erly played with a seed called
komice, on a board in which are sunk thirty-two little cup-like hollows,
but it is very often played with pebbles in holes made in tjie ground.
10. [P. 31, 1. 7. The head of the fish.] Fishes' heaads are the
NOTES. 493
cat's meat of Zanzibar : they are carried round in cocoa-nut baskets,
which excite as much attention among the cats as the analogous barrow in
England.
11. [P. 31, 1. 21. Her mother's grave.] It is very noticeable that tombs
and Mohamedanism go togetlier on the African coast : the heathen always
hide their places of burial. Zanzibar and its out- skirts are full of
tombs, and feasts are periodically held at the tomb in memory of the
deceased.
12. [P. 31, 1. 23. Tango.'] The tango is a gourd about the size and
shape of a vegetable-marrovf, but tasting very much like a cuoumber.
It is always eaten raw.
13. [P. 31, 1. 27. Shamha.'] Shamba is a very wide word ; it is used
for a garden or for any plantation however large, and the plural,
masliamba, answers to our phrase, in the country. Kimasha- mba is used
for a country dialect.
14. [P. 33, 1. 15. Strips for mats.] The sleeping mats (miJielca) are
made liy plaiting narrow strips, often less than an inch wide, of an
indeiiuite lengtli. Most of the sti'ips are in one colour, dyed after
plaiting, but some are made of various coloured strips plaited into a
pattern. Six or eight of these sewn together side by side make the
pattern for the large mat; they are then cut in pieces as long as the
mat is to be wide (generally about three feet), and enough of them sewn
together to make the length of the mat (about six feet), the pattern
always running across and not down the mkeka. The materia] is obtained
from the leaf of a species of palm split more or less finely, according
to the intended fineness of the mat. The best are made at Mombas ;
those made in Zanzibar itself are coarse and harsh by comparison. Other
kinds are made at Chaole and in Great Comoro. Making these mats is one
of the chief employments of the lower classes of women.
15. [P. 33, 1. 32. A pole to tie her to.] In the Swahili, mti kati,
i.e., a post between (the legs). This is a favourite means of im-
prisonment where walls and doors are so easily broken through. The feet
being fettered, the prisoner can only move round the post. See pp. 227
and 441.
16. [P. 45, 1. 2. The clotlies, and the dowry, and the mhaja, and the
turban, and the iibeleko.] These are customary presents at a wedding.
Tlie clothes and the dowry are given to the wife as her own property.
The mkaja is a cloth worn at certain times by women, and the tibeleko
is another cloth, used I believe to sling a cTiild on the back with •
these are given to the bride's mother. The
494 NOTES.
turban is the present to the bride's fatlier ; it is not necessarily a
tui'ban, all kinds of gifts passing under this name (see p. 175). On
the completion of any considerable work a turban is always given, being
a present proportioned to the magnitude of the work. It is said that
builders of dhows often leave some secret defect until they get their
turban ; if it satisfies them, they make a pretext to go on board and
put it right; if not, the dliow is soon found to need repairing.
17. [P. 4.5, 1. 11. Feet-washing, door-opening, gift in the hand.] These
are presents at the completion of a wedding. Unmarried women in Zanzibar
have an elder woman called their kungu, who is a general adviser, and
superintends for them all that belongs to their marriage. After the
ceremony, at which the bride is not present, and a few days' subsequent
feasting, the time comes when the bride- groom is for the first time to
see the bride. He has then to give the kungu the kiosha miguu, or
feet-washing, for her trouble in getting the bride ready. When he goes
to her room he finds the kungu at the door, who will not let him in
till he has given her the kifungua mwaitgo, the door-opening. He then
goes in and looks at tlie bride, but does not stay with her: in going
he leaves with her the klpa mkono, or gift in the hand.
18. [P. 45, 1. 24. Tiahu.'] A game played by throwing up small pieces
of stick, &c., and watching how they fall.
19. [P. 45, 1. 30. Baraza.] A bench or seat outside a house. It is of
stone in stone houses, and of earth in mud houses. Here the master sits
wiien disengaged, and his friends come and tlriuk cofl'ee and chat with
him. The Sultan's baraza is his public audience. It is usual for the
Sultan in Zanzibar to sit in public several times every day, and all
business is supposed to be there transacted.
20. [P. 49, 1. 11. Sheikh.] In Arabic an old man, hence a title of
respect, but applied especially to men of learning. Here it is merely a
name of honour.
21. [P. 49. 1. 13. Mualim.] In Arabic a teacher, a man learned in the
Mohamedan law, who comes to write the contract of marriage. Contracts and
deeds are in general written by the kaihis, or judges, who become thus
at once conveyancers and witnesses.
22. [P. 49, 1. 31. A good day.] i.e., a lucky day, about which there
are infinite superstitions.
23. [P. 51, 1. 5. When the sun had set. ] It is highly indecorous for
a respectable woman to be seen abroad in the daytime ; hence all
visiting and moving, and whatever requires a woman's presence, is done
after sunset. See an instance at p. 401.
NOTES. 495
24. [P. 51, 1. 25. The dustLeap.] Every African village has a dustlieap
or two just outside it, where ashes and refuse are thrown, and there is
a dustheap by or in every road that leads out of Zanzibar.
25 [P. 51, 1 26. iLRama.] A kind of millet known at the Cape as
Cafl're corn ; it grows very tall, with a large bunch of round grains
at the top. It is the commonest grain throughout all Eastern Africa.
26. [P. 51, 1. 29. An eighth of a pillar dollar.] That is about
sixpence. The current dollar of Zanzibar is the Maria Theresa crown,
worth about four shillings and twopence. The Spanish pillar dollar is now
worth a little less. The native name is reale ya mzhuja, cunnon dollar,
the pillars being taken for cannon by a very natural mistake.
27. [P. 53, 1. 5. Muhadim.'] Besides the Arab chief who is called by
Eiu-opeans the Sultan of Zanzibar, there is a sort of Sultan called tlie
Muniji mkuu (great chief), who represents the ancient kings of the
country. His family is said to have been of Persian origin ; but many
years ago an Arab from Yemen married the heiress of the old family, and
became its second founder. The Muhadims, who repre- sent the old
inhabitants, occupy a number of villages in the island, and pay for each
family two dollars yearly ; of these the Munyi mkuu now gets only one,
the other being taken by the Arab Sultan. They also help the two
Sultans at harvest and clove-picking time. The rest of the island is
owned by Arabs and others, and worked by their slaves. The Muhadims are
very sliy and distrustful : they only come into the town occasionally, to
bring firewood and country produce. There are said to be two dialects in
use among them, neither of which are intelligible to the townspeople.
28. [P. 53, 1. 5. Saazi.l Baazi are a sort of hard pea, which grow on
a bush, not altogether unlike tlie laburnum in its leaf and flower ;
the twigs are very long and pliable.
29. [P. 57, 1. 28. Kanzus.'] The. kanzu is a long garment reach- ing
from the neck to the heels, with narrow sleeves. It opens for a short
distance down the breast. Men's kanzus are invariably in a white material
(some are made of net), or in a stout calico of a brown ochre colour,
called hhuthurungl ; they are always adorned with stitching and patterns
in red silk round the neck and wrists, and down the chest. Women s
kanzus are made in materials of all kinds, from printed calico to silk
brocades, but are always bound with red. No respectable person of either
sex ever appears without a kanzu, wliatever other dress they may wear
over it.
496 NOTES.
30. [P. 63, 1. 7. Oh, my mother !] This is tlie invariable exckmation
of an east-coast African when he is startled or surprised.
31. [P. 63, 1. 15. Muhogo.] The cassava or manioc root, the chief food
of the slaves in Zanzibar. There are two kinds ; the sweet only can be
eaten raw ; it tastes not unlike a chestnut ; in foj-m and colour the
roots resemble a parsnip, but grow in a cluster like a dahlia root.
When boiled it makes a very tasteless, close waxy kind of vegetable.
"When dried and pounded, it is the common kind of arrowroot.
32. [P. 69, 1. 32. Masalkheri.^ The Arabic " Good afternoon." The Sultan
replies, " God make your afternoon fortunate."
33. [P. 73, 1. 11. Pishi, hisaga, Icihaha.'] In weight a pishi is about
six pounds, a kisaga about three pounds, a kibaba about one pound and a
half. In measure a kibaba is about a pint basin full.
■ 34. [P. 77, 1. 11. Sabalkheiri.'] The Arabic " Good morning." These
Arabic salutations are very frequently used in Zanzibar, there being no
Swaljili equivalents.
35. [P. 77, 1. 34. Joho.'] Joho means woollen cloth in general, but is
used specially of a long coat reaching to the ankles and open in front,
which is worn by gentlemen. They are always adorned with gold and silk
embroidery round the neck and down the front as low as the waist, and
have a sQk piping round all the edges.
36. [P. 79, 1. 1. AlhuuseykU.'] Of the sons of lords, lordly.
37. [P. 79, 1. 3. Daria, kariyati.'] Special kinds of stuff. The common
Muscat turban cloth is a blue check with a red border at the ends :
each pattern has a diiFerent name.
38. [P. 79, 1. 8. Mtobwi wood.] Every one carries a stick with a
handle turned at right angles to tlie stem. The best kind are made of
a wood which will bend nearly double, but like a piece of lead, without
returning until straightened again.
39. [P. 8:^, 1. 1. Kenges.'] The kenge is a large water lizard, with a
slender body and long «limbs. ' Including the tail, they are often five
feet long.
40. [P. 83, 1. 18. The sword under his armpit.] Swahilis always wear
their swords hanging from a short strap, whicli passes over the left
shoulder only, so that the top of the hilt is near the left armpit.
41. [P. 87, 1. 2;^. Every nation should play its own music] Seyed
Majid, the present ruler of Zanzibar, has soldiers of four or five
nations, Arab, Tiu-k, Persian, Belooch, and Indian. I suppose this
suggested the several nations in the story.
NOTES. 497
42. [P. 91, 1. 4. The door fastened outside.] All doors in Zan- zibar
consist, of two leaves shutting against the threshold, opening inwards,
and turning not on liinges but on pivots. One leaf has a large
ornamental centre-piece fixed to it, wliich prevents its opening until the
other is opened. The door which must be opened first has always a short
chain with a flattened end fitting over a staple on the outside of the
threshold. When a house or a room is shut up the chain is put over
the staple and a padlock put on. While I was in Zanzibar a robbery was
committed, where tlie thieves had taken the precaution to put down the
chains of all the doors in the street, so that when the alarm was
given the people were all fastened in their houses, and could not get
out to help.
43. [P. 91, 1. 32. For a fly to die in cocoa-nut juice is no loss.]
The cocoa-nut juice, tui, is explained in note 4. The proverb, ns
IMasazo told it, was, " For a fly to die on a sore [kidondani] is no
loss ;" but my more refined friends said that that was a dreadfully
coarse idea, as indeed it was, and they substituted tui, as the deUcacy
which a fly might be glad to be drowned in.
44. [P. 95, 1. 32. 3Iazu.'] Mazu are a kind of banana.
45. P. 97, 1. 30. A girl of nine.] Girls are held to be'marriageable
between nine and ten.
46. [P. 99, 1. 17. Into the court.] All stone houses in Zanzibar have a
central court, or at least a light hole, with open corridors round it
on each story. One object of this is that women may get light and air
without being seen from the outside. With the same object mud houses
have an enclosed yard, shut in by a high fence of plaited cocoa-nut
leaves. See p. 23.
47. [P. 99, 1. 26. Slaves and goods.] The Swahili is a euphemism .
Kinenaclio na fc{see7jo?ie?ia, what speaks, i. e., slaves, and what
speaks not, i. e., goods and dumb animals. See p. 307.
48. [P. 101, 1. 10. The time when all prayers are granted.] The leilat
al kadri, the " middle night " of the Eamathan, when what- ever is
prayed for is supposed to be siu-ely granted.
49. [P. 103, 1. 24. Five o'clock.] It must be remembered that the sun
always sets about six o'clock, and that by half-past six it is dark.
50. [P. 105, 1. 14. Escape from the sini]. P>y beginning their jom-ney
early.
51. [P. Ill, 1. 6. And the master went in.] In the Swahili, and that
youth went in. This was explained to me by the answer, " Every man is
a youtli in his own house."
2 K
498 NOTES.
52. [P. 115, 1. 30. Milarabani.] A kind of striped silky material from
India.
53. [P. 117,1. 5. Felefele mtama.'] A red inferior kind of millet
brought from Brava.
54. [P. 121, 1. 2S. Such as they tie on camels.] Camels are only used
in Zanzibar to grind in oil mills, and while at work have blinders on
their eyes made of basket-work. They are very unhealthy and soon die. A
few are brought down from the Sumauli coast to be slaughtered and eaten.
55. [P. 129, 1. 2. ]My sheikh.] See note 20.
56. [P. 129. 1. 14. Which I hang ou my shoulder.] Both men and women
in Zanzibar are fond of wearing a scarf or cloth thrown over one or
both shoulders. See p. 163.
57. [P. 129, 1. 10. The old woman is crying.] In the Swahili there is
added, Halilu hatafunilci, " she is not eaten, she is not chewed;"
meaning, I suppose, that as some tilings are eaten ; and some, like
sugar-cane, only chewed and not swallowed ; and what is done neither with
is in no way disposed of; so the old woman remained with her errand
unfulfilled.
58. [P. 143, 1. 80. Ajabtu rangadida, &c.] I am indebted to the kindness
of the Rev. Dr. Kay, formerly principal of Bishop's College, Calcutta,
for the following suggestions as to these verses. They may be read thus
in Urdu : —
'Ajab tu ranj-didah,— na kitna hi Kaja Uahi !— Eke kliurdali nari, eke
kburdah shire ; Raja bandakhana, ghulam badshahi, 'Ajab tu ranj-dida, kitna
hi Raj.i llahi I
And their literal English would run thus : —
" A wonder, truly, well-proved; oh, how great a King is not God ! One
the water ate, one a lion ate ; The iiin^ in a dungeon ! the slave a
monarch ! A wonder, truly, well-proved ; how great a King is God !
My Swahili informant gave me the words exactly as they are printed in
the text, but did not know whence they came, or what language they were
in.
I am glad to be able here to acknowledge my obligations to the great
kindness of the Rev. Dr. Kay, and the friends whom he has consulted for
me, on this and on many other occasions.
59. [P. 105, 1. 30. SoJnni.] In the Arabic original this island is
called the island of Znnnj, or '' tlie blacks," whence originated the
NOTES. 499
name Zanzibar, in ^Arabic ^Zenjibar, the meaning of which answers exactly
to our phrase, " the negro coast."
60. [P. 175, 1. 23. My turban.] See note IG.
61. [P. 179, 1. 34. Nuhas.] Nuhas is the Arabic for trass.
62. [P. 193, 1. 2. Tlie tongue has no bone,] Therefore there is nothing
to check a man's talk or to make him tell the truth.
63. [P. 193, 1. 5. A new thing is good.] A sore is an amusement the
first day, and only a trouble when its novelty is over.
64. [P. 193, 1. 6. Running on a roof.] The stone houses liav always
flat stone roofs, generally without parapets.
65. [P. 195, 1. 2. Continually, continually.] Eeferring especially to the
cord by which the calabashes are let down into the wells.
66. [P. 195, 1. 10. He has fallen into a well.] This is used of any
calamity, as we say, he lias got into a scrape.
67. [P. 199. 1. 22. The mortar for cleaning corn.] All grain is cleared
from the husk throughout Africa by pounding in a large wooden mortar ;
this pounding and the sifting off of the grain and chatf is especially
the work of the slave women. When I was speak- ing one day about the
number of inhabitants in London, my Zanzi- bar friends asked if I could
give them an idea how many women were employed cleaning the grain day
by day for so many people's dinners.
68. [P. 205, 1. 31. The second head-man.] In the Swahili nolwa.
Plantations in Zanzibar have generally an Arab overlooker, called
Msimamizi, a chief slave who is called Nokoa, and a second head slave
called Kadamii.
69. [P. 221, 1. 15. A headkerchief, &c.] These articles make up the
dress of a Zanzibar lady : Trousers, fitting rather tightly ; kanzu, see
note 29 ; headkerchief generally of striped silk, arranged round the head
so as completely to hide the hair, with ends hanging down behind ; a
mask reaching down to the upper lip, made of gauze with an opaque gold
band down the centre and across the bottom (it leaves the eyes and part
of the forehead visible through the gauze, and the lower lip and chin
visible below it) ; the veil is a square of black silk about two yards
each way, which is thrown over the head and envelops the whole figure
when out of doors ; in-doors it is re- placed by a scarf. Some wear,
besides these, a sort of sleeved waistcoat, much embroidered with gold
and coloured silks.
70. [P. 231, 1. 13. Kisuto.'] A kisuto and headcloth make the dress of
a woman slave. The headcloth is a piece of blue calico covering the
head and hanging down the back nearly to the ground
500 NOTES.
in two long ends, which ave often adorned with spangles. It is tied on
by a string passed loosely under the chin, from which generally hangs a
silver ornament called a jehu. The Icisuto U a large pitce of calico
about two yards square, wrapped tightly round the body immediately below
the armpits, and reaching to the ankles. It may be of blue or. of
printed calico ; a pocket-handkerchief piece is very commonly used, and
it is often of some red stuff. See note 6.
71. [P. 233, 1. 14. Banyans.] The Banyans are heathen Indians coming
chiefly from Cutch. They come in great numbers, l)ut never bring their
wives, and never settle permanently in Zanzibar. The Hindees are Indian
Mohamedans : there are two tribes, the Khojas and Bohras, of which great
numbers are settled in Zanzibar. Almost all the trade of the country is
in the hands of one or other of these Indian tribes. Tlie five chief
national divisions in Zanzibar are tliose in the story. 1. Tlie Arab
rulers and gentrj-, including the half Arab SwahiU. 2. The Banyans. 8.
The Hindees. 4. The Europeans, of whom there maybe in all thirty or
forty. 5. The slaves and freedmen who are of negro origin.
72. [P. 243, 1. 16. Don't take those things.] Because they are so cheap
and common.
73. pp. 243, 1. 25. With horns, and with clarionets, and drums.] The
horn iharagumu) is a long twisted antelope's horn, with a hole near the
smaller extremity by which it is soimded. The zomari is a short pipe
with a broad mouth and a reed at the smaller end : it is very
commonly used in Zanzibar, and reminds people who are not Scotchmen, of
the bagpipes, by its harsh, piercing, monotonous sound.
74. [P. 249,1. 21. Mnazimoja.'] Mnazimoja [one cocoa-nut tree] is tiie
neck of land which connects the peninsula on which the town of Zanzibar
stands with the mainland of the island : it is therefore one of the
chief roads out of the town. There is only this patli and one by a
bridge over tlie creek which are always passable, though at low water
the creek is very nearly diy, and may be crossed in many places.
Mnazimoja adjoins and partly forms the largest cemetery of the town, full
of tombs, and covered by a thick undergi-owth of weeds and bushes. There
is a constant stream of women fetching water passing along each of these
roads, ob the water in the town itself is salt or brackish.
75. [P. 253, 1. 24. Its name is NundaJ] The Nunda is a sort of
mythical beast, about which there are many stoiies. I heard of one story
in whicli it ate up everything in the country except tiie hero, and
when he killed it cvt rvthini; returned t'l lift' ajrain.
NOTES. 501
70. [P 263, 1. 8. Bumiiudas.] Bumundas are a soft kiud of cake or
dumpling made of mtama meal. ^
77. [P. 265, \. 33. Ladm.'] Ladus are round .balls from one to two
inches in diameter, made of semsem seed, treacle, and spice.
78. [P. 209, 1. 9. Sliiudano.] Shindano means a needle.
79. [P. 277, 1. 4. That has two cloths.] The common slave's dress is a
single cloth wound round the body just above the hips, and reaching to
the knees. A second cloth is often thro wn over the shoulder, or woimd
round the body in various ways, or made into a turban. When the loose
part of the cloth would be in the way the bottom is drawn from behind,
between the legs, and tucked into the top in front so as to make the
cloth sit tight to the body.
80. [P. 288,1.7. A wife of his own- family.] It is always usual to
marry a first cousin if there be one, partly with a view to keep
property together, and partly to secure a stronger tie between hus- band
and wife than that of a marriage which may at any moment bo dissolved.
81. [P. 283, 1. 31. Cimma.] Chuma means iron in Swahili, and heads in
the Yao language. It is a man's name in Yao.
82. [P. 287.] In the Swahili it is interesting in this story to observe
the concords required to adapt the same words to so many ditfereut
subjects. The verbals are also curious, the literal version of the last
string being : You gazelle eater of tick, and tick sticl-er io ox, and
ox drinker of water, and water putter out of fire, &c. &c. The words
in italics are represented by a single verbal noun governing the
following suljstautive. The verb to he is very rarely expressed iu«
Swahili.
S3. [P. 299,1. 11. The cadi.] I have elsewhere translated /i'af/ti by the
word judge, which is its best English equivalent. There were in Zanzibar
when I was there four Kathis ; one was too old to be con- sulted,
except in special cases ; one had fallen into disgi'ace ; and of the
remaining two, one belonged to the sect of the Sultan and Oman Arabs,
so that there was but one, Sheikh Yusuf, to whom the towns- people could
generally go. The character of the Cadis in the Arabian Nights might
very well stand for a picture of what people say of them now. Many
Arabic words have got much distorted by coming to us through languages
which have no w or ih. This word for judge is pronounced Ktih-thee. The
name of the fasting month is not Eamadan, but Eamathahn : the th is in
both these~cases a thick sound like the th hi thee. The man who calls
the hour of prayer at the mosques is not properly a Muezzin, but a
Moixlh-theen.
502 NOTES.
84. [P. 305, 1. 34. Mraslu.] Mrasld is the name given to a long- necked
bottle used for sprinkling scent over a favoured visitor ; it is also a
woman's name.
85. [P. 309, 1. 18. Let us go and perfonn our devotions.] Tlie regular
Mohamedan times for prayer are. 1. Immediately after sunset, called
INIagaribi; this begins the day, which is reckoned from sunset to sunset.
2. Esha, about an hour later. 3. Alfajiri, about four in the morning,
or when the first dawning of day is visible. 4. Athuuri, at noon. 5.
Alasiri, about half-past three in the after- noon. The best observed of
all these hours is that after sunset. Tliere are a great number of
mosques in Zanzibar, endowed generally witb land, from the proceeds of
which the lamps are supplied with oil, and payments are made to the
Imam and the Muethin. This last sweeps out the mosque and takes care of
it, and calls tlie hours of prayer, generally from the door-step, as
tliere is only one minaret in all Zanzibar. The Imam attends on great
days to lead the regular devotions. In some mosques there is always some
one present to lead the devotions, but in many there is united prayer
only ou special occasions. A sort of homily is delivered in one of the
mosques every Friday ; there is no other preaching.
86. [P. 313, 1. 16. Subalkheir Seyedina.] "May the morning be good, O
our Lord !" The reply is, " May God make it good to the Vizir."
87. [P. 323, 1. 10. Arab and Sheheri.j The people of Shehr, on the
coast of Huthramant, form an appreciable part of the inhabitants of
Zanzibar. They are the butchers and coarse matting-makers of the place,
and many act as porters at the custom-house. Tlie men of Shehr are of
course Arabs, but ihe Arabs of Zanzibar are now the Omanis from Muscat
and its neighbourhood.
88. [P. 323, 1. 18. Ninga.] Ninga is the name of a kind of green
dove ; it is also used as a woman's name.
89. [P. 339, 1. 23. Its padlock of gold.] See note 42.
90. [P. 343, 1. 5. The prophet.] More correctly the Apostle, i.e.,
Mohamed.
91. [P. 353,1.5. To the north.] Literally to the direction towards which
one turns to worship, to the Tdblali. With Mohamedans this is towards
INIecca, wliich is, roughly speaking, north of Zanzibar ; so that by
hiUah or liibula, they often mean only the north.
92. [P. 355, 1. 32. Seyedati Shems.] Tliat is " tlie lady of tlie
sun."
93. [P. 371, 1. 5. The buJcu.'] The buku is an exceedingly large kind
of rat.
NOTES. 503
94. [P. 377, 1. 2. Salaam.] Salaam is the Indian salutation, as
distinguished from the usual Arab ones. The Arabic, '' Salaam alaik," "
Peace be with you," is only used by religious persons and on formal
occasions.
95. [P. 397, 1. 1. With grain.] Until about the year 1840 there was no
small coin in use in Zanzibar. Cliange used then to be given and small
purchases made by means of little bags of millet seed These are the
grain referred to here and in other places in the stories,
96. [P. 401, 1. 1. A masheela.] A sort of litter carried on a pole by
four men, two before and two behind. There is a sort of small couch
hanging from the pole, which last is generally covered with zebra skin.
Masheelas are not often seen in Zanzibar, but are much used by the
Portuguese in their settlements.
97. [P. 418, 1. 8. Pice.'] The only copper coin current in Zanzibar is
the Anglo-Indian pice, worth about a farthing and a half. Of these a
varying number goes to a dollar, sometimes 136, sometimes only 112.
98. [P. 415, last line. Pemba.] The large island to the north of
Zanzibar is remarkable equally for its fertility and for its unhealthi-
ness : the inhabitants are commonly ridicided for stupidity. The P is
pronounced with a strong aspirate like an Irish P'.
99. [P. 433. 1. 25. In a sleeping mat.] The fumba is a kind of
sleeping mat used on the mainland of Africa, which is in shape a large
bag, about six feet long and three wide, opening aloug one side. In
using the fumha one gets into it, and pulling it round one, and drawing
the edges over one another, lies upon tiie open side, so as to close
it completely, leaving no opening by whicli cold or insects can enter.
Fmnhas are often used as shrouds or coffins, the body being sewn up in
one and tied along a pole, by which two men carry it to its burial.
100. [P. 441, 1. 1. Shanga.] A town long since in ruins, not fur from
Melinda.
101. [P. 445, 1. 32. VjMto.'] Au npato is a i^lute of metal beaten
with a stick.
102. [P. 451, 1. 8. A copper needle.] A large copper needle is always
used to sew matting together with.
103. [P. 479, 1. 2. The bamboo.] It is very usual to build in a bamboo
across the room, which then serves to hang a curtain to by way of
screen, or merely to hang things on out of the way.
CORRIGENDA.
P. 171, 1. (j, for making in game, read making game. P. 270, 1. 18,
/or His slave, read His slaves. P. 343, 1. 21, for his rings, read his
ring. P. 347, 1. 2, for ton, read two.
P. 4, 1. 23, /or gana, read gani.
P. 20, 1. 16, /or muungu, read mvungu.
„ 1. 11, for mwenweye, read mwenyewe. P. 98, ]. 24, /or
nakisichoiieria, read na kisichonei».
„ 1. 34, foi- liukima, read hakuna. P. 102, 1. 9. for mwe, read,
'mwe. P. 220, 1. 22, /or kikiwe, read kikiwa. P. 394, 1. 19, /or
Akakaahatta, read Akukaa hatta.
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