In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

A long, long while ago, before ever the white men were seen in Sena, there lived a man called Gopáni-Kúfa. One day, as he was out hunting, he came upon a strange sight. An enormous python had caught an antelope and coiled itself around it. The antelope, striking out in despair with its horns, had pinned the python’s neck to a tree, its horns sunk so deeply in the soft wood that neither creature could get away. “Help!” cried the antelope.“I was doing no harm, yet I have been caught and would have been eaten, had I not defended myself.” “Help me,” said the python, “for I am Insáto, king of all the reptiles, and will reward you well!” Gopáni-Kúfa considered for a moment, then, stabbing the antelope with his assegai, he set the python free. “I thank you,” said the python. “Come back here with the new moon, when I shall have eaten the antelope, and I will reward you as I promised.” “Yes,” said the dying antelope, “he will reward you, and your reward shall be your own undoing.” Gopáni-Kúfa went back to his kraal, and with the new moon he returned to the spot where he had saved the python. Insáto was lying on the ground, still sleepy from the effects of his huge meal, and when he saw the man, he thanked him again and said, “Come with me now to Píta, which is my own country, and I will give you what you will of all my possessions.” Gopáni-Kúfa at first was afraid, thinking of what the antelope had said, but he finally consented and followed Insáto into the forest. For several days they traveled, and at last they came to a hole leading deep into the earth. It was not very wide, but large enough to admit a man. “Hold onto my tail,” said Insáto, “and I will go down first, drawing you after me.” The man did so, and Insáto entered. 176 33 The Magic Mirror 126 Sena (Mozambique)127 Down, down, down they went for days, all the while getting deeper and deeper into the earth, until at last the darkness ended and they dropped into a beautiful country. Around them grew short green grass, on which browsed herds of cattle and sheep and goats. In the distance, Gopáni-Kúfa saw a great collection of houses, all square, built of stone and very tall, and their roots were shining with gold and burnished iron. Gopáni-Kúfa turned to Insáto but found, in the place of the python, a man, strong and handsome, with the great snake’s skin wrapped around him for covering. And on his arms and neck were rings of pure gold. The man smiled. “I am Insáto,” he said, “but in my own country I take man’s shape—even as you see me—for this is Píta, the land over which I am king.” He then took Gopáni-Kúfa by the hand and led him toward the town. On the way, they passed rivers in which men and women were bathing and fishing and boating, and farther on they came to gardens covered with heavy crops of rice and maize and many other grains that GopániK úfa did not even know the name of. And as they passed, the people who were singing at their work in the fields abandoned their labors and saluted Insáto with delight, also bringing palm wine and green coconuts for refreshment , as to one returned from a long journey. “These are my children!” said Insáto, waving his hand toward the people. Gopáni-Kúfa was much astonished at all that he saw, but he said nothing. Presently, they came to the town. Everything here, too, was beautiful, and everything that a man might desire he could obtain. Even the grains of dust in the streets were of gold and silver. Insáto conducted Gopáni-Kúfa to the palace and, showing him his rooms and the women who would wait upon him, told him that they would have a great feast that night. The next day, he might name his choice of the riches of Píta, and it would be given him. Then he went away. Now Gopáni-Kúfa had a wasp called Zéngi...

Share