642 literature: primary source documents (continues) the bush rat was boiling water, and jumped into it, and very shortly afterwards came out again When the soup was brought it was as strong and good as usual, as the bat had prepared it beforehand The bush rat then went home and told his wife that he was going to make good soup like the bat’s He therefore told her to boil some water, which she did Then, when his wife was not looking, he jumped into the pot and was very soon dead Africa When his wife looked into the pot and saw the dead body of her husband boiling, she was very angry and reported the matter to the king, who gave orders that the bat should be made a prisoner Every one turned out to catch the bat, but as he expected trouble he flew away into the bush and hid himself All day long the people tried to catch him, so he had to change his habits and only came out to feed when it was dark, and that is why you never see a bat in the daytime From: Elphinstone Dayrell, Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria, West Africa (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1910) • “Elephant and Tortoise” (undated) • Two powers, Elephant and Rain, had a dispute Elephant said, “If you say that you nourish me, in what way is it that you so?” Rain answered, “If you say that I not nourish you, when I go away, will you not die?” And Rain then departed Elephant said, “Vulture! cast lots to make rain for me.” Vulture said, “I will not cast lots.” Then Elephant said to Crow, “Cast lots! who answered, “Give the things with which I may cast lots.” Crow cast lots and rain fell It rained at the lagoons, but they dried up, and only one lagoon remained Elephant went a-hunting There was, however, Tortoise, to whom Elephant said, “Tortoise, remain at the water!” Thus Tortoise was left behind when Elephant went ahunting There came Giraffe, and said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise answered, “The water belongs to Elephant.” There came Zebra, who said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise answered, “The water belongs to Elephant.” There came Gemsbok and said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise answered, “The water belongs to Elephant.” There came Wildebeest, and said, “Give me water!” Tortoise said, “The water belongs to Elephant.” There came Roodebok, and said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise answered, “The water belongs to Elephant.” There came Springbok, and said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise said, “The water belongs to Elephant.” There came Jackal, and said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise said, “The water belongs to Elephant.” There came Lion, and said, “Little Tortoise, give me water!” When little Tortoise was about to say something, Lion got hold of him and beat him; Lion drank of the water, and since then the animals drink water When Elephant came back from the hunting, he said, “Little Tortoise, is there water?” Tortoise answered, “The animals have drunk the water.” Elephant asked, “Little Tortoise, shall I chew you or swallow you down?” Little Tortoise said, “Swallow me, if you please!” and Elephant swallowed him whole After Elephant had swallowed Little Tortoise, and he had entered his body, he tore off his liver, heart, and kidneys Elephant said, “Little Tortoise, you kill me.” So Elephant died; but little Tortoise came out of his dead body, and went wherever he liked From: James A Honeÿ, South-African Folk-Tales (New York: Baker ad Taylor Co., 1910)