MORONGOE THE SNAKE.
Mokete was a chief's daughter, but she was also beautiful beyond all the
daughters of her father's house, and Morongoe the brave and Tau the lion
both desired to possess her, but Tau found not favour in the eyes of her
parents, neither desired she to be his wife, whereas Morongoe was rich
and the son of a great chief, and upon him was Mokete bestowed in
marriage.
But Tau swore by all the evil spirits that their happiness should not
long continue, and he called to his aid the old witch doctor, whose
power was greater than the tongue of man could tell; and one day
Morongoe walked down to the water and was seen no more. Mokete wept and
mourned for her brave young husband, to whom she had been wedded but ten
short moons, but Tau rejoiced greatly.
When two more moons had waned, a son was born to Mokete, to whom she
gave the name of Tsietse (sadness). The child grew and throve, and the
years passed by, but brought no news of Morongoe.
One day, when Tsietse was nearly seven years old, he cried unto his
mother, saying, "Mother, how is it that I have never seen my father? My
companions see and know their fathers, and love them, but I alone know
not the face of my father, I alone have not a father's protecting love."
"My son," replied his mother, "a father you have never known, for the
evil spirits carried him from amongst us before ever you were born." She
then related to him all that had happened.
From that day Tsietse played no more with the other boys, but wandered
about from one pool of water to another, asking the frogs to tell him of
his father.
Now the custom of the Basuto, when any one falls into the water and is
not found, is to drive cattle into the place where the person is
supposed to have fallen, as they will bring him out. Many cattle had
been driven into the different pools of water near Morongoe's village,
but as they had failed to bring his father, Tsietse knew it was not much
use looking near home. Accordingly, one day he went to a large pond a
long distance off, and there he asked the frogs to help him in his
search. One old frog hopped close to the child, and said, "You will find
your father, my son, when you have walked to the edge of the world and
taken a leap into the waters beneath; but he is no longer as you are,
nor does he know of your existence."
This, at last, was the information Tsietse had longed for, now he could
begin his search in real earnest. For many days he walked on, and ever
on. At length, one day, just as the sun was setting, he saw before him a
large sea of water of many beautiful colours. Stepping into it, he began
to ask the same question; but at every word he uttered, the sea rose up,
until at length it covered his head, and he began falling, falling
through the deep sea. Suddenly he found himself upon dry ground, and
upon looking round he saw flocks and herds, flowers and fruit, on every
side. At first he was too much astonished to speak, but after a little
while he went up to one of the herd boys and asked him if he had ever
seen his (Tsietse's) father. The herd boy told him many strangers
visited that place, and he had better see the chief, who would be able
to answer his question.
When Tsietse had told his story to the chief, the old man knew at once
that the great snake which dwelt in their midst must be the child's
father; so, bidding the boy remain and rest, he went off to consult with
the snake as to how they should tell Tsietse the truth without
frightening him; but as they talked, Tsietse ran up to them, and, seeing
the snake, at once embraced it, for he knew it was his father.
Then there was great joy in the heart of Morongoe, for he knew that by
his son's aid he should be able to overcome his enemy, and return at
length to his wife and home. So he told Tsietse how Tau had persuaded
the old witch doctor to turn him into a snake, and banish him to this
world below the earth. Soon afterwards Tsietse returned to his home, but
he was no longer a child, but a noble youth, with a brave, straight look
that made the wicked afraid. Very gently he told his mother all that had
happened to him, and how eager his father was to return to his home.
Mokete consulted an old doctor who lived in the mountain alone, and who
told her she must get Tsietse to bring his father to the village in the
brightness of the day-time, but that he must be so surrounded by his
followers from the land beyond that none of his own people would be able
to see him.
Quickly the news spread through the village that Morongoe had been found
by his son and was returning to his people.
At length Tsietse was seen approaching with a great crowd of followers,
while behind them came all the cattle which had been driven into the
pools to seek Morongoe. As they approached Mokete's house the door
opened and the old doctor stood upon the threshold.
Making a sign to command silence, he said:--"My children, many years ago
your chief received a grievous wrong at the hand of his enemy, and was
turned into a snake, but by the love and faithfulness of his son he is
restored to you this day, and the wiles of his enemy are made of no
account. Cover, then, your eyes, my children, lest the Evil Eye afflict
you."
He then bade the snake, which was in the centre of the crowd, enter the
hut, upon which he shut the door, and set fire to the hut. The people,
when they saw the flames, cried out in horror, but the old doctor bade
them be still, for that no harm would come to their chief, but rather a
great good. When everything was completely burnt, the doctor took from
the middle of the ruins a large burnt ball; this he threw into the pool
near by, and lo! from the water up rose Morongoe, clad in a kaross, the
beauty of which was beyond all words, and carrying in his hand a stick
of shining black, like none seen on this earth before, in beauty, or
colour, or shape. Thus was the spell broken through the devotion of a
true son, and peace and happiness restored, not only to Mokete's heart,
but to the whole village.