Tink-tinkje
: South-african Folk-talesThe birds wanted a king. Men have a king, so have animals, and why
shouldn't they? All had assembled.
"The Ostrich, because he is the largest," one called out.
"No, he can't fly."
"Eagle, on account of his strength."
"Not he, he is too ugly."
"Vulture, because he can fly the highest."
"No, Vulture is too dirty, his odor is
"Peacock, he is so beautiful."
"His feet are too ugly, and also his voice."
"Owl, because he can see well."
"Not Owl, he is ashamed of the light."
And so they got no further. Then one shouted aloud, "He who can fly the
highest will be king." "Yes, yes," they all screamed, and at a given
signal they all ascended straight up into the sky.
Vulture flew for three whole days without stopping, straight toward the
sun. Then he cried aloud, "I am the highest, I am king."
"T-sie, t-sie, t-sie," he heard above him. There Tink-tinkje was flying.
He had held fast to one of the great wing feathers of Vulture, and had
never been felt, he was so light. "T-sie, t-sie, t-sie, I am the
highest, I am king," piped Tink-tinkje.
Vulture flew for another day still ascending. "I am highest, I am king."
"T-sie, t-sie, t-sie, I am the highest, I am king," Tink-tinkje mocked.
There he was again, having crept out from under the wing of Vulture.
Vulture flew on the fifth day straight up in the air. "I am the highest,
I am king," he called.
"T-sie, t-sie, t-sie," piped the little fellow above him. "I am the
highest, I am king."
Vulture was tired and now flew direct to earth. The other birds were mad
through and through. Tink-tinkje must die because he had taken
advantage of Vulture's feathers and there hidden himself. All flew after
him and he had to take refuge in a mouse hole. But how were they to get
him out? Some one must stand guard to seize him the moment he put out
his head.
"Owl must keep guard; he has the largest eyes; he can see well," they
exclaimed.
Owl went and took up his position before the hole. The sun was warm and
soon Owl became sleepy and presently he was fast asleep.
Tink-tinkje peeped, saw that Owl was asleep, and z-zip away he went.
Shortly afterwards the other birds came to see if Tink-tinkje were still
in the hole. "T-sie, t-sie," they heard in a tree; and there the little
vagabond was sitting.
White-crow, perfectly disgusted, turned around and exclaimed, "Now I
won't say a single word more." And from that day to this White-crow has
never spoken. Even though you strike him, he makes no sound, he utters
no cry.
More
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