Preface
　　Thechildrenwhoreadfairybooks,orhavefairybooksreadtothem,donotreadprefaces,andtheparents,aunts,uncles,andcousins,whogivefairybookstotheirdaughters,nieces,andcousines,leaveprefacesunread。Forwhom,then,areprefaceswritten？Whenanauthorpublishesabook'outofhisownhead,'hewritestheprefaceforhisownpleasure。Afterreadingoverhisbookinprint——tomakesurethatallthe'u's'arenotprintedas'n's,'andallthe'n's'as'u's'inthepropernames——thentheauthorsays,mildly,inhispreface,whathethinksabouthisownbook,andwhathemeansittoprove——ifhemeansittoproveanything——andwhyitisnotabetterbookthanitis。But,perhaps,nobodyreadsprefacesexceptotherauthors;andcritics,whohopethattheywillfindenoughintheprefacetoenablethemtodowithoutreadinganyofthebook。
　　Thisappearstobethephilosophyofprefacesingeneral,andperhapsauthorsmightbemoredaringandcandidthantheyarewithadvantage,andwriteregularcriticismsoftheirownbooksintheirprefaces,fornobodycanbesogoodacriticofhimselfastheauthor——ifhehasasenseofhumour。Ifhehasnot,thelesshesaysinhisprefacethebetter。
　　TheseFairyBooks,however,arenotwrittenbytheEditor,ashehasoftenexplained,'outofhisownhead。'Thestoriesaretakenfromthosetoldbygranniestograndchildreninmanycountriesandinmanylanguages——French,Italian,Spanish,Catalan,Gaelic,Icelandic,Cherokee,African,Indian,Australian,Slavonic,Eskimo,andwhatnot。
　　Thestoriesarenotliteral,orwordbywordtranslations,buthavebeenalteredinmanywaystomakethemsuitableforchildren。Muchhasbeenleftoutinplaces,andthenarrativehasbeenbrokenupintoconversations,thecharacterstellingeachotherhowmattersstand,andspeakingforthemselves,aschildren,andsomeolderpeople,preferthemtodo。Inmanytales,fairlycruelandsavagedeedsaredone,andthesehavebeensofteneddownasmuchaspossible;thoughitisimpossible,evenifitweredesirable,toconcealthecircumstancethatpopularstorieswereneverintendedtobetractsandnothingelse。
　　Thoughtheyusuallytakethesideofcourageandkindness,andthevirtuesingeneral,theoldstory—tellersadmiresuccessfulcunningasmuchasHomerdoesintheOdyssey。Atleast,ifthecunninghero,humanoranimal,istheweaker,likeOdysseus,BrerRabbit,andmanyothers,thestory—tellerseeslittleinintellectbutsuperiorcunning,bywhichtinyJackgetsthebetterofthegiants。Inthefairytalesofnocountryare'improper'incidentscommon,whichistothecreditofhumannature,astheywereobviouslycomposedmainlyforchildren。
　　Itisnotdifficulttogetridofthiselementwhenitdoesoccurinpopulartales。
　　Theoldpuzzleremainsapuzzle——whydothestoriesoftheremotestpeoplesocloselyresembleeachother？Ofcourse,intheimmeasurablepast,theyhavebeencarriedaboutbyconqueringraces,andlearnedbyconqueringracesfromvanquishedpeoples。Slavescarriedfarfromhomebroughttheirstorieswiththemintocaptivity。Wanderers,travellers,shipwreckedmen,merchants,andwivesstolenfromalientribeshavediffusedthestories;gipsiesandJewshavepassedthemabout;Romansoldiersofmanydifferentraces,movedhereandthereabouttheEmpire,havetraffickedinthem。Fromtheremotestdaysmenhavebeenwanderers,andwherevertheywenttheirstoriesaccompaniedthem。TheslavetrademighttakeaGreektoPersia,aPersiantoGreece;anEgyptianwomantoPhoenicia;aBabyloniantoEgypt;aScandinavianchildmightbecarriedwiththeamberfromtheBaltictotheAdriatic;
　　oraSidoniantoOphir,whereverOphirmayhavebeen;whilethePortuguesemayhavebornetheirtalestoSouthAfrica,ortoAsia,andthencebroughtbackothertalestoEgypt。ThestorieswanderedwherevertheBuddhistmissionarieswent,andtheearliestFrenchvoyageurstoldthemtotheRedIndians。Thesefactshelptoaccountforthesamenessofthestorieseverywhere;andtheuniformityofhumanfancyinearlysocietiesmustbethecauseofmanyotherresemblances。
　　InthisvolumetherearestoriesfromthenativesofRhodesia,collectedbyMr。Fairbridge,whospeaksthenativelanguage,andoneisbroughtbyMr。CrippsfromanotherpartofAfrica,Uganda。ThreetalesfromthePunjaubwerecollectedandtranslatedbyMajorCampbell。
　　Varioussavagetales,whichneededagooddealofediting,arederivedfromthelearnedpagesofthe'JournaloftheAnthropologicalInstitute。'Withtheseexceptions,and'TheMagicBook,'translatedbyMrs。Pedersen,from'EventyrfraJylland,'byMr。EwaldTangKristensen（StoriesfromJutland）,allthetaleshavebeendone,fromvarioussources,byMrs。Lang,whohasmodified,whereitseemeddesirable,allthenarratives。
　　CONTENTS
　　TheStoryoftheHeroMakomaTheMagicMirrorStoryoftheKingwhowouldseeParadiseHowIsurotheRabbittrickedGuduIan,theSoldier'sSonTheFoxandtheWolfHowIanDireachgottheBlueFalconTheUglyDucklingTheTwoCasketsTheGoldsmith'sFortuneTheEnchantedWreathTheFoolishWeaverTheCleverCatTheStoryofManusPinkeltheThiefTheAdventuresofaJackalTheAdventuresoftheJachal'sEldestSonTheAdventuresoftheYoungerSonoftheJackalTheThreeTreasuresoftheGiantsTheRoverofthePlainTheWhiteDoeTheGirlFishTheOwlandtheEagleTheFrogandtheLionFairyTheAdventuresofCovantheBrown—hairedThePrincessBella—FlorTheBirdofTruthTheMinkandtheWolfAdventuresofanIndianBraveHowtheStaloswereTrickedAndrasBaiveTheWhiteSlipperTheMagicBookTheOrangeFairyBookTheStoryoftheHeroMakomaFromtheSenna（OralTradition）
　　Onceuponatime,atthetownofSennaonthebanksoftheZambesi,wasbornachild。Hewasnotlikeotherchildren,forhewasverytallandstrong;overhisshoulderhecarriedabigsack,andinhishandanironhammer。Hecouldalsospeaklikeagrownman,butusuallyhewasverysilent。
　　Onedayhismothersaidtohim:'Mychild,bywhatnameshallweknowyou？'
　　Andheanswered:'CallalltheheadmenofSennaheretotheriver'sbank。'Andhismothercalledtheheadmenofthetown,andwhentheyhadcomeheledthemdowntoadeepblackpoolintheriverwhereallthefiercecrocodileslived。
　　'Ogreatmen！'hesaid,whiletheyalllistened,'whichofyouwillleapintothepoolandovercomethecrocodiles？'Butnoonewouldcomeforward。Soheturnedandsprangintothewateranddisappeared。
　　Thepeopleheldtheirbreath,fortheythought:'Surelytheboyisbewitchedandthrowsawayhislife,forthecrocodileswilleathim！'
　　Thensuddenlythegroundtrembled,andthepool,heavingandswirling,becameredwithblood,andpresentlytheboyrisingtothesurfaceswamonshore。
　　Buthewasnolongerjustaboy！Hewasstrongerthananymanandverytallandhandsome,sothatthepeopleshoutedwithgladnesswhentheysawhim。
　　'Now,Omypeople！'hecried,wavinghishand,'youknowmyname——IamMakoma,"theGreater";forhaveInotslainthecrocodilesintothepoolwherenonewouldventure？'
　　Thenhesaidtohismother:'Restgently,mymother,forIgotomakeahomeformyselfandbecomeahero。'Then,enteringhishuthetookNu—endo,hisironhammer,andthrowingthesackoverhisshoulder,hewentaway。
　　MakomacrossedtheZambesi,andformanymoonshewanderedtowardsthenorthandwestuntilhecametoaveryhillycountrywhere,oneday,hemetahugegiantmakingmountains。
　　'Greeting,'shoutedMakoma,'youareyou？'
　　'IamChi—eswa—mapiri,whomakesthemountains,'answeredthegiant;
　　'andwhoareyou？'
　　'IamMakoma,whichsignifies"greater,"'answeredhe。
　　'Greaterthanwho？'askedthegiant。
　　'Greaterthanyou！'answeredMakoma。
　　Thegiantgavearoarandrusheduponhim。Makomasaidnothing,butswinginghisgreathammer,Nu—endo,hestruckthegiantuponthehead。
　　Hestruckhimsohardablowthatthegiantshrankintoquitealittleman,whofelluponhiskneessaying:'YouareindeedgreaterthanI,O
　　Makoma;takemewithyoutobeyourslave！'SoMakomapickedhimupanddroppedhimintothesackthathecarrieduponhisback。
　　Hewasgreaterthanevernow,forallthegiant'sstrengthhadgoneintohim;andheresumedhisjourney,carryinghisburdenwithaslittledifficultyasaneaglemightcarryahare。
　　Beforelonghecametoacountrybrokenupwithhugestonesandimmenseclodsofearth。Lookingoveroneoftheheapshesawagiantwrappedindustdraggingouttheveryearthandhurlingitinhandfulsoneithersideofhim。
　　'Whoareyou,'criedMakoma,'thatpullsuptheearthinthisway？'
　　'IamChi—dubula—taka,'saidhe,'andIammakingtheriver—beds。'
　　'DoyouknowwhoIam？'saidMakoma。'Iamhethatiscalled"greater"！'
　　'Greaterthanwho？'thunderedthegiant。
　　'Greaterthanyou！'answeredMakoma。
　　Withashout,Chi—dubula—takaseizedagreatclodofearthandlauncheditatMakoma。Buttheherohadhissackheldoverhisleftarmandthestonesandearthfellharmlesslyuponit,and,tightlygrippinghisironhammer,herushedinandstruckthegianttotheground。
　　Chi—dubula—takagrovelledbeforehim,allthewhilegrowingsmallerandsmaller;andwhenhehadbecomeaconvenientsizeMakomapickedhimupandputhimintothesackbesideChi—eswa—mapiri。
　　Hewentonhiswayevengreaterthanbefore,asalltheriver—maker'spowerhadbecomehis;andatlasthecametoaforestofbao—babsandthorntrees。Hewasastonishedattheirsize,foreveryonewasfullgrownandlargerthananytreeshehadeverseen,andclosebyhesawChi—gwisa—miti,thegiantwhowasplantingtheforest。
　　Chi—gwisa—mitiwastallerthaneitherofhisbrothers,butMakomawasnotafraid,andcalledouttohim:'Whoareyou,OBigOne？'
　　'I,'saidthegiant,'amChi—gwisa—miti,andIamplantingthesebao—babsandthornsasfoodformychildrentheelephants。'
　　'Leaveoff！'shoutedthehero,'forIamMakoma,andwouldliketoexchangeablowwiththee！'
　　Thegiant,pluckingupamonsterbao—babbytheroots,struckheavilyatMakoma;buttheherosprangaside,andastheweaponsankdeepintothesoftearth,whirledNu—endothehammerroundhisheadandfelledthegiantwithoneblow。
　　SoterriblewasthestrokethatChi—gwisa—mitishrivelledupastheothergiantshaddone;andwhenhehadgotbackhisbreathhebeggedMakomatotakehimashisservant。'For,'saidhe,'itishonourabletoserveamansogreatasthou。'
　　Makoma,afterplacinghiminhissack,proceededuponhisjourney,andtravellingformanydaysheatlastreachedacountrysobarrenandrockythatnotasinglelivingthinggrewuponit——everywherereignedgrimdesolation。Andinthemidstofthisdeadregionhefoundamaneatingfire。
　　'Whatareyoudoing？'demandedMakoma。
　　'Iameatingfire,'answeredtheman,laughing;'andmynameisChi—idea—moto,forIamtheflame—spirit,andcanwasteanddestroywhatIlike。'
　　'Youarewrong,'saidMakoma;'forIamMakoma,whois"greater"thanyou——andyoucannotdestroyme！'
　　Thefire—eaterlaughedagain,andblewaflameatMakoma。Buttheherosprangbehindarock——justintime,forthegrounduponwhichhehadbeenstandingwasturnedtomoltenglass,likeanoverbakedpot,bytheheatoftheflame—spirit'sbreath。
　　ThentheheroflunghisironhammeratChi—idea—moto,and,strikinghim,itknockedhimhelpless;soMakomaplacedhiminthesack,Woro—nowu,withtheothergreatmenthathehadovercome。
　　Andnow,truly,Makomawasaverygreathero;forhehadthestrengthtomakehills,theindustrytoleadriversoverdrywastes,foresightandwisdominplantingtrees,andthepowerofproducingfirewhenhewished。
　　Wanderingonhearrivedonedayatagreatplain,wellwateredandfullofgame;andintheverymiddleofit,closetoalargeriver,wasagrassyspot,verypleasanttomakeahomeupon。
　　Makomawassodelightedwiththelittlemeadowthathesatdownunderalargetreeandremovingthesackfromhisshoulder,tookoutallthegiantsandsetthembeforehim。'Myfriends,'saidhe,'Ihavetravelledfarandamweary。Isnotthissuchaplaceaswouldsuitaheroforhishome？Letusthengo,to—morrow,tobringintimbertomakeakraal。'
　　SothenextdayMakomaandthegiantssetouttogetpolestobuildthekraal,leavingonlyChi—eswa—mapiritolookaftertheplaceandcooksomevenisonwhichtheyhadkilled。Intheevening,whentheyreturned,theyfoundthegianthelplessandtiedtoatreebyoneenormoushair！
　　'Howisit,'saidMakoma,astonished,'thatwefindyouthusboundandhelpless？'
　　'OChief,'answeredChi—eswa—mapiri,'atmid—dayamancameoutoftheriver;hewasofimmensestatue,andhisgreymoustacheswereofsuchlengththatIcouldnotseewheretheyended！Hedemandedofme"Whoisthymaster？"AndIanswered:"Makoma,thegreatestofheroes。"Thenthemanseizedme,andpullingahairfromhismoustache,tiedmetothistree——evenasyouseeme。'
　　Makomawasverywroth,buthesaidnothing,anddrawinghisfinger—nailacrossthehair（whichwasasthickandstrongaspalmrope）cutit,andsetfreethemountain—maker。
　　Thethreefollowingdaysexactlythesamethinghappened,onlyeachtimewithadifferentoneoftheparty;andonthefourthdayMakomastayedincampwhentheotherswenttocutpoles,sayingthathewouldseeforhimselfwhatsortofmanthiswasthatlivedintheriverandwhosemoustachesweresolongthattheyextendedbeyondmen'ssight。
　　Sowhenthegiantshadgonehesweptandtidiedthecampandputsomevenisononthefiretoroast。Atmidday,whenthesunwasrightoverhead,heheardarumblingnoisefromtheriver,andlookinguphesawtheheadandshouldersofanenormousmanemergingfromit。Andbehold！rightdowntheriver—bedanduptheriver—bed,tilltheyfadedintothebluedistance,stretchedthegiant'sgreymoustaches！
　　'Whoareyou？'bellowedthegiant,assoonashewasoutofthewater。
　　'IamhethatiscalledMakoma,'answeredthehero;'and,beforeIslaythee,tellmealsowhatisthynameandwhatthoudoestintheriver？'
　　'MynameisChin—debouMau—giri,'saidthegiant。'Myhomeisintheriver,formymoustacheisthegreyfever—mistthathangsabovethewater,andwithwhichIbindallthosethatcomeuntomesothattheydie。'
　　'Youcannotbindme！'shoutedMakoma,rushinguponhimandstrikingwithhishammer。Buttherivergiantwassoslimythattheblowslidharmlesslyoffhisgreenchest,andasMakomastumbledandtriedtoregainhisbalance,thegiantswungoneofhislonghairsaroundhimandtrippedhimup。
　　ForamomentMakomawashelpless,butrememberingthepoweroftheflame—spiritwhichhadenteredintohim,hebreathedafierybreathuponthegiant'shairandcuthimselffree。
　　AsChin—debouMau—girileanedforwardtoseizehimtheheroflunghissackWoronowuoverthegiant'sslipperyhead,andgrippinghisironhammer,struckhimagain;thistimetheblowalighteduponthedrysackandChin—debouMau—girifelldead。
　　Whenthefourgiantsreturnedatsunsetwiththepoles,theyrejoicedtofindthatMakomahadovercomethefever—spirit,andtheyfeastedontheroastvenisontillfarintothenight;butinthemorning,whentheyawoke,Makomawasalreadywarminghishandstothefire,andhisfacewasgloomy。
　　'Inthedarknessofthenight,Omyfriends,'hesaidpresently,'thewhitespiritsofmyfatherscameuponmeandspoke,saying:"Gettheehence,Makoma,forthoushalthavenorestuntilthouhastfoundandfoughtwithSakatirina,whohadfiveheads,andisverygreatandstrong;sotakeleaveofthyfriends,forthoumustgoalone。"'
　　Thenthegiantswereverysad,andbewailedthelossoftheirhero;butMakomacomfortedthem,andgavebacktoeachthegiftshehadtakenfromthem。Thenbiddingthem'Farewell,'hewentonhisway。
　　Makomatravelledfartowardsthewest;overroughmountainsandwater—loggedmorasses,fordingdeeprivers,andtrampingfordaysacrossdrydesertswheremostmenwouldhavedied,untilatlengthhearrivedatahutstandingnearsomelargepeaks,andinsidethehutweretwobeautifulwomen。
　　'Greeting！'saidthehero。'IsthisthecountryofSakatirinaoffiveheads,whomIamseeking？'
　　'Wegreetyou,OGreatOne！'answeredthewomen。'WearethewivesofSakatirina;yoursearchisatanend,fortherestandshewhomyouseek！'AndtheypointedtowhatMakomahadthoughtweretwotallmountainpeaks。'Thosearehislegs,'theysaid;'hisbodyyoucannotsee,foritishiddenintheclouds。'
　　Makomawasastonishedwhenhebeheldhowtallwasthegiant;but,nothingdaunted,hewentforwarduntilhereachedoneofSakatirina'slegs,whichhestruckheavilywithNu—endo。Nothinghappened,sohehitagainandthenagainuntil,presently,heheardatired,far—awayvoicesaying:'Whoisitthatscratchesmyfeet？'
　　AndMakomashoutedasloudashecould,answering:'ItisI,Makoma,whoiscalled"Greater"！'Andhelistened,buttherewasnoanswer。
　　ThenMakomacollectedallthedeadbrushwoodandtreesthathecouldfind,andmakinganenormouspileroundthegiant'slegs,setalighttoit。
　　Thistimethegiantspoke;hisvoicewasveryterrible,foritwastherumbleofthunderintheclouds。'Whoisit,'hesaid,'makingthatfiresmoulderaroundmyfeet？'
　　'ItisI,Makoma！'shoutedthehero。'AndIhavecomefromfarawaytoseethee,OSakatirina,forthespiritsofmyfathersbademegoseekandfightwiththee,lestIshouldgrowfat,andwearyofmyself。'
　　Therewassilenceforawhile,andthenthegiantspokesoftly:'Itisgood,OMakoma！'hesaid。'ForItoohavegrownweary。ThereisnomansogreatasI,thereforeIamallalone。Guardthyself！'andbendingsuddenlyheseizedtheheroinhishandsanddashedhimupontheground。Andlo！insteadofdeath,Makomahadfoundlife,forhesprangtohisfeetmightierinstrengthandstaturethanbefore,andrushinginhegrippedthegiantbythewaistandwrestledwithhim。
　　Hourbyhourtheyfought,andmountainsrolledbeneaththeirfeetlikepebblesinaflood;nowMakomawouldbreakaway,andsummoninguphisstrength,strikethegiantwithNu—endohisironhammer,andSakatirinawouldpluckupthemountainsandhurlthemuponthehero,butneitheronecouldslaytheother。Atlast,uponthesecondday,theygrappledsostronglythattheycouldnotbreakaway;buttheirstrengthwasfailing,and,justasthesunwassinking,theyfelltogethertotheground,insensible。
　　Inthemorningwhentheyawoke,MulimotheGreatSpiritwasstandingbythem;andhesaid:'OMakomaandSakatirina！Yeareheroessogreatthatnomanmaycomeagainstyou。Thereforeyewillleavetheworldandtakeupyourhomewithmeintheclouds。'AndashespaketheheroesbecameinvisibletothepeopleoftheEarth,andwerenomoreseenamongthem。
　　[NativeRhodesianTale。]
　　TheMagicMirrorFromtheSennaAlong,longwhileago,beforeevertheWhiteMenwereseeninSenna,therelivedamancalledGopani—Kufa。
　　Oneday,ashewasouthunting,hecameuponastrangesight。Anenormouspythonhadcaughtanantelopeandcoileditselfaroundit;theantelope,strikingoutindespairwithitshorns,hadpinnedthepython'snecktoatree,andsodeeplyhaditshornssunkinthesoftwoodthatneithercreaturecouldgetaway。
　　'Help！'criedtheantelope,'forIwasdoingnoharm,yetIhavebeencaught,andwouldhavebeeneaten,hadInotdefendedmyself。'
　　'Helpme,'saidthepython,'forIamInsato,KingofalltheReptiles,andwillrewardyouwell！'
　　Gopani—Kufaconsideredforamoment,thenstabbingtheantelopewithhisassegai,hesetthepythonfree。
　　'Ithankyou,'saidthepython;'comebackherewiththenewmoon,whenIshallhaveeatentheantelope,andIwillrewardyouasIpromised。'
　　'Yes,'saidthedyingantelope,'hewillrewardyou,andlo！yourrewardshallbeyourownundoing！'
　　Gopani—Kufawentbacktohiskraal,andwiththenewmoonhereturnedagaintothespotwherehehadsavedthepython。
　　Insatowaslyingupontheground,stillsleepyfromtheeffectsofhishugemeal,andwhenhesawthemanhethankedhimagain,andsaid:
　　'ComewithmenowtoPita,whichismyowncountry,andIwillgiveyouwhatyouwillofallmypossessions。'
　　Gopani—Kufaatfirstwasafraid,thinkingofwhattheantelopehadsaid,butfinallyheconsentedandfollowedInsatointotheforest。
　　Forseveraldaystheytravelled,andatlasttheycametoaholeleadingdeepintotheearth。Itwasnotverywide,butlargeenoughtoadmitaman。'Holdontomytail,'saidInsato,'andIwillgodownfirst,drawingyouafterme。'Themandidso,andInsatoentered。
　　Down,down,downtheywentfordays,allthewhilegettingdeeperanddeeperintotheearth,untilatlastthedarknessendedandtheydroppedintoabeautifulcountry;aroundthemgrewshortgreengrass,onwhichbrowsedherdsofcattleandsheepandgoats。InthedistanceGopani—Kufasawagreatcollectionofhousesallsquare,builtofstoneandverytall,andtheirroofswereshiningwithgoldandburnishediron。
　　Gopani—KufaturnedtoInsato,butfound,intheplaceofthepython,aman,strongandhandsome,withthegreatsnake'sskinwrappedroundhimforcovering;andonhisarmsandneckwereringsofpuregold。
　　Themansmiled。'IamInsato,'saidhe,'butinmyowncountryItakeman'sshape——evenasyouseeme——forthisisPita,thelandoverwhichIamking。'HethentookGopani—Kufabythehandandledhimtowardsthetown。
　　Onthewaytheypassedriversinwhichmenandwomenwerebathingandfishingandboating;andfartherontheycametogardenscoveredwithheavycropsofriceandmaize,andmanyothergrainswhichGopani—Kufadidnotevenknowthenameof。Andastheypassed,thepeoplewhoweresingingattheirworkinthefields,abandonedtheirlaboursandsalutedInsatowithdelight,bringingalsopalmwineandgreencocoanutsforrefreshment,astoonereturnedfromalongjourney。
　　'Thesearemychildren！'saidInsato,wavinghishandtowardsthepeople。Gopani—Kufawasmuchastonishedatallthathesaw,buthesaidnothing。Presentlytheycametothetown;everythinghere,too,wasbeautiful,andeverythingthatamanmightdesirehecouldobtain。
　　Eventhegrainsofdustinthestreetswereofgoldandsilver。
　　InsatoconductedGopani—Kufatothepalace,andshowinghimhisrooms,andthemaidenswhowouldwaituponhim,toldhimthattheywouldhaveagreatfeastthatnight,andonthemorrowhemightnamehischoiceoftherichesofPitaanditshouldbegivenhim。Thenhewasaway。
　　NowGopani—KufahadawaspcalledZengi—mizi。Zengi—miziwasnotanordinarywasp,forthespiritofthefatherofGopani—Kufahadenteredit,sothatitwasexceedinglywise。IntimesofdoubtGopani—Kufaalwaysconsultedthewaspastowhathadbetterbedone,soonthisoccasionhetookitoutofthelittlerushbasketinwhichhecarriedit,saying:'Zengi—mizi,whatgiftshallIaskofInsatoto—morrowwhenhewouldknowtherewardheshallbestowonmeforsavinghislife？'
　　'Biz—z—z,'hummedZengi—mizi,'askhimforSipaotheMirror。'Anditflewbackintoitsbasket。
　　Gopani—Kufawasastonishedatthisanswer;butknowingthatthewordsofZengi—miziweretruewords,hedeterminedtomaketherequest。Sothatnighttheyfeasted,andonthemorrowInsatocametoGopani—Kufaand,givinghimgreetingjoyfully,hesaid:
　　'Now,Omyfriend,nameyourchoiceamongstmypossessionsandyoushallhaveit！'
　　'Oking！'answeredGopani—Kufa,'outofallyourpossessionsIwillhavetheMirror,Sipao。'
　　Thekingstarted。'Ofriend,Gopani—Kufa,'hesaid,'askanythingbutthat！Ididnotthinkthatyouwouldrequestthatwhichismostprecioustome。'
　　'Letmethinkoveritagainthen,Oking,'saidGopani—Kufa,'andto—morrowIwillletyouknowifIchangemymind。'
　　Butthekingwasstillmuchtroubled,fearingthelossofSipao,forthemirrorhadmagicpowers,sothathewhoownedithadbuttoaskandhiswishwouldbefulfilled;toitInsatoowedallthathepossessed。
　　Assoonasthekinglefthim,Gopani—KufaagaintookZengi—mizi,outofhisbasket。'Zengi—mizi,'hesaid,'thekingseemslothtograntmyrequestfortheMirror——istherenotsomeotherthingofequalvalueforwhichImightask？'
　　Andthewaspanswered:'Thereisnothingintheworld,OGopani—Kufa,whichisofsuchvalueasthisMirror,foritisaWishingMirror,andaccomplishesthedesiresofhimwhoownsit。Ifthekinghesitates,gotohimthenextday,andthedayafter,andintheendhewillbestowtheMirroruponyou,foryousavedhislife。'
　　Anditwasevenso。ForthreedaysGopani—Kufareturnedthesameanswertotheking,and,atlast,withtearsinhiseyes,InsatogavehimtheMirror,whichwasofpolishediron,saying:'TakeSipao,then,OGopani—Kufa,andmaythywishescometrue。Gobacknowtothineowncountry;Sipaowillshowyoutheway。'
　　Gopani—Kufawasgreatlyrejoiced,and,takingfarewelloftheking,saidtotheMirror:
　　'Sipao,Sipao,IwishtobebackupontheEarthagain！'
　　Instantlyhefoundhimselfstandingupontheupperearth;but,notknowingthespot,hesaidagaintotheMirror:
　　'Sipao,Sipao,Iwantthepathtomyownkraal！'
　　Andbehold！rightbeforehimlaythepath！
　　Whenhearrivedhomehefoundhiswifeanddaughtermourningforhim,fortheythoughtthathehadbeeneatenbylions;buthecomfortedthem,sayingthatwhilefollowingawoundedantelopehehadmissedhiswayandhadwanderedforalongtimebeforehehadfoundthepathagain。
　　ThatnightheaskedZengi—mizi,inwhomsatthespiritofhisfather,whathehadbetteraskSipaofornext？
　　'Biz—z—z,'saidthewasp,'wouldyounotliketobeasgreatachiefasInsato？'
　　AndGopani—Kufasmiled,andtooktheMirrorandsaidtoit:
　　'Sipao,Sipao,IwantatownasgreatasthatofInsato,theKingofPita;andIwishtobechiefoverit！'
　　ThenallalongthebanksoftheZambesiriver,whichflowednearby,sprangupstreetsofstonebuildings,andtheirroofsshonewithgoldandburnishedironlikethoseinPita;andinthestreetsmenandwomenwerewalking,andyoungboysweredrivingoutthesheepandcattletopasture;andfromtherivercameshoutsandlaughterfromtheyoungmenandmaidenswhohadlaunchedtheircanoesandwerefishing。AndwhenthepeopleofthenewtownbeheldGopani—Kufatheyrejoicedgreatlyandhailedhimaschief。
　　Gopani—KufawasnowaspowerfulasInsatotheKingoftheReptileshadbeen,andheandhisfamilymovedintothepalacethatstoodhighabovetheotherbuildingsrightinthemiddleofthetown。Hiswifewastooastonishedatallthesewonderstoaskanyquestions,buthisdaughterShasasakeptbegginghimtotellherhowhehadsuddenlybecomesogreat;soatlastherevealedthewholesecret,andevenentrustedSipaotheMirrortohercare,saying:
　　'Itwillbesaferwithyou,mydaughter,foryoudwellapart;whereasmencometoconsultmeonaffairsofstate,andtheMirrormightbestolen。'
　　ThenShasasatooktheMagicMirrorandhiditbeneathherpillow,andafterthatformanyyearsGopani—Kufaruledhispeoplebothwellandwisely,sothatallmenlovedhim,andneveroncedidheneedtoaskSipaotogranthimawish。
　　Nowithappenedthat,aftermanyyears,whenthehairofGopani—Kufawasturninggreywithage,therecamewhitementothatcountry。UptheZambesitheycame,andtheyfoughtlongandfiercelywithGopani—Kufa;but,becauseofthepoweroftheMagicMirror,hebeatthem,andtheyfledtothesea—coast。ChiefamongthemwasoneRei,amanofmuchcunning,whosoughttodiscoverwhencesprangGopani—Kufa'spower。SoonedayhecalledtohimatrustyservantnamedButou,andsaid:'Goyoutothetownandfindoutformewhatisthesecretofitsgreatness。'
　　AndButou,dressinghimselfinrags,setout,andwhenhecametoGopani—Kufa'stownheaskedforthechief;andthepeopletookhimintothepresenceofGopani—Kufa。Whenthewhitemansawhimhehumbledhimself,andsaid:'OChief！takepityonme,forIhavenohome！WhenReimarchedagainstyouIalonestoodapart,forIknewthatallthestrengthoftheZambesilayinyourhands,andbecauseIwouldnotfightagainstyouheturnedmeforthintotheforesttostarve！'
　　AndGopani—Kufabelievedthewhiteman'sstory,andhetookhiminandfeastedhim,andgavehimahouse。
　　Inthiswaytheendcame。FortheheartofShasasa,thedaughterofGopani—Kufa,wentforthtoButouthetraitor,andfromherhelearntthesecretoftheMagicMirror。Onenight,whenallthetownslept,hefeltbeneathherpillowand,findingtheMirror,hestoleitandfledbackwithittoRei,thechiefofthewhitemen。
　　Soitbefellthat,oneday,asGopani—Kufawasgazingupattheriverfromawindowofthepalaceheagainsawthewar—canoesofthewhitemen;andatthesighthisspiritmisgavehim。
　　'Shasasa！mydaughter！'hecriedwildly,'gofetchmethemirror,forthewhitemenareathand。'
　　'Woeisme,myfather！'shesobbed。'TheMirrorisgone！ForIlovedButouthetraitor,andhehasstolenSipaofromme！'
　　ThenGopani—Kufacalmedhimself,anddrewoutZengi—mizifromitsrushbasket。
　　'Ospiritofmyfather！'hesaid,'whatnowshallIdo？'
　　'OGopani—Kufa！'hummedthewasp,'thereisnothingnowthatcanbedone,forthewordsoftheantelopewhichyouslewarebeingfulfilled。'
　　'Alas！Iamanoldman——Ihadforgotten！'criedthechief。'Thewordsoftheantelopeweretruewords——myrewardshallbemyundoing——theyarebeingfulfilled！'
　　ThenthewhitemenfelluponthepeopleofGopani—KufaandslewthemtogetherwiththechiefandhisdaughterShasasa;andsincethenallthepoweroftheEarthhasrestedinthehandsofthewhitemen,fortheyhaveintheirpossessionSipao,theMagicMirror。
　　StoryoftheKingWhoWouldSeeParadiseOnceuponatimetherewaskingwho,onedayouthunting,cameuponafakeerinalonelyplaceinthemountains。ThefakeerwasseatedonalittleoldbedsteadreadingtheKoran,withhispatchedcloakthrownoverhisshoulders。
　　Thekingaskedhimwhathewasreading;andhesaidhewasreadingaboutParadise,andprayingthathemightbeworthytoenterthere。
　　Thentheybegantotalk,and,by—and—bye,thekingaskedthefakeerifhecouldshowhimaglimpseofParadise,forhefounditverydifficulttobelieveinwhathecouldnotsee。Thefakeerrepliedthathewasaskingaverydifficult,andperhapsaverydangerous,thing;butthathewouldprayforhim,andperhapshemightbeabletodoit;onlyhewarnedthekingbothagainstthedangersofhisunbelief,andagainstthecuriositywhichpromptedhimtoaskthisthing。However,thekingwasnottobeturnedfromhispurpose,andhepromisedthefakeeralwaystoprovidedhimwithfood,ifhe,inreturn,wouldprayforhim。
　　Tothisthefakeeragreed,andsotheyparted。