The Judgment Of Baboon

: South-african Folk-tales

One day, it is said, the following story happened:



Mouse had torn the clothes of Itkler (the tailor), who then went to

Baboon, and accused Mouse with these words:



"In this manner I come to thee: Mouse has torn my clothes, but will not

know anything of it, and accuses Cat; Cat protests likewise her

innocence, and says, 'Dog must have done it'; but Dog denies it also,

and declares Wood has don it; and Wood throws the blame on Fire, and

says, 'Fire did it'; Fire says, 'I have not, Water did it'; Water says,

'Elephant tore the clothes'; and Elephant says, 'Ant tore them.' Thus a

dispute has arisen among them. Therefore, I, Itkler, come to thee with

this proposition: Assemble the people and try them in order that I may

get satisfaction."



Thus he spake, and Baboon assembled them for trial. Then they made the

same excuses which had been mentioned by Itkler, each one putting the

blame upon the other.



So Baboon did not see any other way of punishing them, save through

making them punish each other; he therefore said,



"Mouse, give Itkler satisfaction."



Mouse, however, pleaded not guilty. But Baboon said, "Cat, bite Mouse."

She did so.



He then put the same question to Cat, and when she exculpated herself,

Baboon called to Dog, "Here, bite Cat."



In this manner Baboon questioned them all, one after the other, but they

each denied the charge. Then he addressed the following words to them,

and said,



"Wood, beat Dog.

Fire, burn Wood.

Water, quench Fire.

Elephant, drink Water.

Ant, bite Elephant in his most tender parts."



They did so, and since that day they cannot any longer agree with each

other.



Ant enters into Elephant's most tender parts and bites him.



Elephant swallows Water.

Water quenches Fire.

Fire consumes Wood.

Wood beats Dog.

Dog bites Cat.

And Cat bites Mouse.



Through this judgment Itkler got satisfaction and addressed Baboon in

the following manner:



"Yes! Now I am content, since I have received satisfaction, and with all

my heart I thank thee, Baboon, because thou hast exercised justice on my

behalf and given me redress."



Then Baboon said, "From to-day I will not any longer be called Jan, but

Baboon shall be my name."



Since that time Baboon walks on all fours, having probably lost the

privilege of walking erect through this foolish judgment.