THE BUNDI SPEAKS 



and the good of posterity, are conceptions to which the 

 African is quick to respond if they are put before him 

 in the right way, that is, in a way which he can under- 

 stand. 



One day, while I was camping on the edge of the 

 Nika desert, I held a Baraza. Chiefs came from distant 

 villages, because I wanted to talk to them about tree- 

 planting and show them how they could build a forest 

 barrier and thus stop the desiccation and the advance of 

 the desert. 



When evening came and they had had their meal, 

 they wanted to hear more. As I was sitting in front of 

 my tent they appeared out of the darkness, one by one, 

 and gathered about my camp fire. For a long time no 

 word was spoken beyond the ordinary greeting, and as 

 I finished my coffee, I passed around the native snuff 

 which I kept for their harmless delectation. 



The snuflF box was in the form of an ebony owl, and 

 having gone the round of all the chiefs it was returned 

 to its usual place on my table. This little ebony owl had 

 come to be regarded as my camp mascot, and there he 

 sat looking out towards the night shadows and my audi- 

 ence. 



"Do you know who that is?" I questioned, placing 

 my finger on the head of the owl. They at once assented. 

 Of course, they all knew the Bundi, the wise old bird 

 of the forest. "Do you know why he is so wise?" I next 

 enquired. "It is because he has big eyes and can see all 

 that is happening; he has big ears and can hear all that 



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