244 A NATUBALIST IN CELEBES ch. x 



Sumatra believe that the earth rests upon an ox, and that 

 the ox stands upon an egg, which is borne by a fish, which 

 swims in the water contained in a stone cup (91). 



This is the story of the origin of the sun, the moon, and 

 the stars (89). 



' Lingkambene lived at Kinupit with his daughter 

 Pandagian. During the celebration of the Mahatatamb^r 

 ulelen it happened one evening that Pandagian remained at 

 home and took no part in the fun. Her mother rebuked 

 her for this, saying, "Are you satisfied to see only the 

 shoulders and backs of your friends who are amusing them- 

 selves with singing and dancing ? " Then Pandagian arose, 

 went to her acquaintances and joined in the fun. When 

 the fun was over after midnight she returned home, but 

 found the ladder drawn up. Then she cried, "Mother, 

 mother, let the ladder down"; her mother replied, "Ask 

 your father." " Father, father," she cried, " let the ladder 

 down " ; he rephed, " Ask your grandfather " ; but her 

 grandfather bade her ask her grandmother. Her grand- 

 mother referred her to her eldest brother, but, as he would 

 not help, she besought in turn her younger brothers, her 

 sisters, her uncle, her aunt, and so on through all her 

 family. Eeceiving no help, she laid some leaves one upon 

 the other, and began to pray, saying, " Eimasa, lower 

 the ladder for me. Eimasa, lower the ladder for me." 

 After she had said this three times she heard a noise coming 

 from above Uke the sound of golden chains, and saw a golden 

 chair suspended by golden chains lowered from the sky. 

 Having seated herself on the golden chair she prayed, " 

 Eimasa, take me on high." Having reached the height of 

 the windows of her parents' house, she cried out, " Parents, 

 grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncle and aunt, none of 

 you would help me ; now I have no longer need of you, remain 

 where you are." 



