Jackal And Monkey
: South-african Folk-talesEvery evening Jackal went to the Boer's kraal. He crept through the
sliding door and stole a fat young lamb. This, clever Jackal did several
times in succession. Boer set a wip[2] for him at the door. Jackal went
again and zip--there he was caught around the body by the noose. He
swung and swayed high in the air and couldn't touch ground. The day
began to dawn and Jackal became uneasy.
On a stone kopje, M
whole affair, and descended hastily for the purpose of mocking Jackal.
He went and sat on the wall. "Ha, ha, good morning. So there you are
hanging now, eventually caught."
"What? I caught? I am simply swinging for my pleasure; it is enjoyable."
"You fibber. You are caught in the wip."
"If you but realized how nice it was to swing and sway like this, you
wouldn't hesitate. Come, try it a little. You feel so healthy and strong
for the day, and you never tire afterwards."
"No, I won't. You are caught."
After a while Jackal convinced Monkey. He sprang from the kraal wall,
and freeing Jackal, adjusted the noose around his own body. Jackal
quickly let go and began to laugh, as Monkey was now swinging high in
the air.
"Ha, ha, ha," he laughed. "Now Monkey is in the wip."
"Jackal, free me," he screamed.
"There, Boer is coming," shouted Jackal.
"Jackal, free me of this, or I'll break your playthings."
"No, there Boer is coming with his gun; you rest a while in the noose."
"Jackal, quickly make me free."
"No, here's Boer already, and he's got his gun. Good morning." And with
these parting words he ran away as fast as he could. Boer came and saw
Monkey in the wip.
"So, so, Monkey, now you are caught. You are the fellow who has been
stealing my lambs, hey?"
"No, Boer, no," screamed Monkey, "not I, but Jackal."
"No, I know you; you aren't too good for that."
"No, Boer, no, not I, but Jackal," Monkey stammered.
"Oh, I know you. Just wait a little," and Boer, raising his gun, aimed
and shot poor Monkey dead.
FOOTNOTES:
[2] Wip: A Dutch word for springle, consisting of a bent green stick,
to which a noose is attached at one end; the trap is delicately adjusted
by a cross stick, which when trod on releases the bent bough, pulling
the noose quickly around the animal and into the air.
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