Reading
Diary #7, continued: Western African
Folktale
·
The
Ungrateful Man: There was Hunter, who was extremely
poor, who was wondering all through the forest in search of food. He walked and
walked and came to a deep hole, in that hold there was a leopard, a serpent, a
rat, and another man. All of these different animals and the man fell in the
hole, but were unable to get out. They began to constantly heckle and beg the
hunter to help them out of the hole they had fell in. The Hunter did not want to
release any of them except the man because he said the leopard had stolen his
cattle and eaten them, the serpent bit men and caused their death, and the rat
did nothing for anyone. Eventually, the animals begged so much that the Hunter
gave in and freed them from the pit. I return, each of the animals told the
Hunter that they would give him a reward for his kindness, but the man would
not because he was very poor. Each animal supplied the Hunter with his rewards
with the serpent giving him a very powerful antidote for venom. The leopard
killed animals for him and supplied him with food for many weeks. The rat returned
with cloths, gold dust, and ivory, these items would help make the man rich.
After he had received his gifts, the Hunter was allowed to live in great
comfort. The man, on the other hand, was not pleased with the Hunter’s good
fortune, and wanted to harm him. His opportunity would quickly arise as the few
robbers broke into the King’s palace and stolen his valuables. The man made his
way to the King and asked if there was a reward for pointing out the thief. The
King told him he would give a half of what was stolen if he found the thief.
The Hunter was put in prison and brought to Court and was asked to tell how he
became wealthy. They did not believe his story, he was immediately condemned to
death the next day. The Hunter asked to use the antidote from the serpent, but
needed a traitor’s blood, in which the King pointed out the man. The King
proclaimed, “There stands the worst traitor for he gave up the kind host who
had saved his life.” The man was beheaded and the King honored the Hunter with
honours and sent him home.
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