FLOGGING A SHADOW 



eller in the shape of hospitaUty is a M'dafu, or cocoanut. 

 Indeed, on a hot day after a long tramp in the sun, 

 nothing could be more acceptable than a long drink 

 from a young cocoanut. In spite of all that they have 

 suffered in recent years, they seem to harbour little or 

 no resentment, and even if they feel it, they do not 

 show it. It is only by their proverbs or stories that one 

 can get a glimpse into the thoughts at the back of their 

 mind. 



As an example of a story with proverbial significance, 

 I will endeavour to recite one told to me at Mambrui. 

 The following is a literal translation as nearly as I can 

 render it. 



"Once upon a time there lived a rich man and a poor 

 man in the same village. The rich man was very, very 

 rich, and the poor man was very, very poor. It was the 

 custom of the rich man to partake of his meals on the 

 verandah of his house, and the poor man having noth- 

 ing to eat, would come and sit on the side of the rich 

 man's table some distance away, but near enough to be 

 able to inhale the scent of the viands. He enjoyed the 

 aroma and, not having a morsel to eat, drew in his 

 girdle, returned to his poor abode, feeling as though he 

 had partaken of the sumptuous repast. This continued 

 for several days, but finally the rich man became en- 

 raged and took the poor man before the Judge, asking 

 him to administer suitable punishment. The Judge held 

 court and tried the poor man and found him guilty of 

 having stolen the aroma of the viands wafted by the 



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