IV. Animal Fables.

Specimens of Bushman Folklore, by W.H.I. Bleek and L.C. Lloyd, [1911], at sacred-texts.com

First Version.

The Hyena was the one who went to the Lion's house, then, he deceived the Lion; while he felt that the Lion had acted grudgingly towards him about the quagga's flesh; therefore, the Lion came to the Hyena's house, when the Hyena was boiling there in the Hyena's pot; the Hyena boiled ostrich flesh in it.

Therefore, the Hyena gave soup to the Lion therefore, the Lion took hold of the pot, while the pot was hot; the Hyena also grasped the pot with his, hands; the Hyena said: "O Lion! Allow me to pour soup into the inside of thy mouth." The Hyena poured soup into the Lion's mouth; then, he put the mouth of the pot over the Lion's head, while the pot was hot; the soup was burning the Lion's eyes; the soup also burned the inside of his mouth. Then, he swallowed hot soup with his throat, he swallowed, causing himself to die with hot soup he died, while his head was inside the pot.

The Hyena took up the Hyena's stick, the Hyena was beating him with the stick, while his head was inside the pot; the Hyena was beating him; the Hyena struck, cleaving the pot asunder; while the Hyena felt that the Hyena had deceived him therefore, he came to the Hyena.

The Hyena killed him, with hot soup; while he felt that the pot had stood upon the fire; he took the pot off from the fire, while he felt that he intended to burn the Lion to death, with the soup's heat; while he felt that the Lion had been niggardly towards him about the quagga's flesh; therefore, he deceived him with the ostrich flesh; while he felt that he intended to put the Lion's head into the pot; therefore, he deceived him; while he felt that (he had married a female Hyena, he also is a male Hyena; therefore, be is a "Decayed Arm",[1] on account of it.

The Lion also marries a Lioness, as the Lion is a male Lion. The Hyena also marries a female Hyena, as the Hyena is a male Hyena. The leopard also marries a leopardess, as the leopard is a male leopard. The hunting leopard[2] marries a hunting leopardess, as the hunting leopard is a male hunting leopard.

[1. This expression is used to denote a person who acts ungenerously regarding food.

2. Felis jubata.]