THE FAMINE.
In the years when the locusts visited the lands of the chief Makaota,
and devoured all the food, the people grew thin and ill from starvation,
and many of them died. When their food was all gone, they wandered in
the lands and up the mountains, searching for roots upon which to feed.
Now as they searched, Mamokete, the wife of the Chief Makoata, chanced
to wander near some bushes, when suddenly she heard the most exquisite
singing. She stopped to listen, but could see nothing. So she walked up
to the bushes and looked in, and there she saw the most beautiful bird
she had ever seen. "Oh! ho! little bird," she cried, "help me, for I and
my husband and children are starving. Our cattle are all dead, and we
know not where to find food."
"Take me," sang the bird, "and I will be your food. Keep me safely,
guard me well, and you shall never starve as long as I remain with you."
Thankfully the poor woman took the bird and hurried home with it. She
placed it in an earthen pitcher and went to call her husband. When they
returned, they opened the pitcher to look at the bird, when lo! milk
poured from the mouth of the pitcher, and the hungry people drank. How
their hearts rejoiced over the gift which had been given them!
One day Makaota and his wife were going out to the lands to work, but
before leaving they called their children, and bade them be good, and
guard the pitcher well. The children promised to obey, but soon began to
quarrel. Each wished to drink out of the pitcher first, and in their
greediness they upset and broke the pitcher, and the bird flew out of
the open door. Terrified at what they had done, the children ran after
it; but when they got outside, there was no sign of the beautiful bird.
It had completely vanished.
What grief now filled their hearts and the hearts of Makaota and
Mamokete his wife! Hunger seized once more upon them, and despair filled
their hearts. Day by day they sought the wonderful bird, but found her
not. At length, when the two children lay sick for want of food, and the
parents' hearts were heavy with grief, there came again the wonderful
singing, borne upon the evening wind. Nearer and nearer it came, and
then, lo! at the open door stood the lovely bird.
"I have come back," she said, "because the punishment has been enough.
Take me, and your house shall prosper."
Gladly they took the beautiful bird in their hands, and vowed never
again to let anger and greed drive her away from them; and so their
house did thrive, even as the bird had said, and peace and plenty dwelt
not only in the house of Makaota, but in the whole village for ever
after.
ROBERT STOCKWELL,
Printer,
BADEN PLACE, CROSBY ROW, BOROUGH,
LONDON, S.E.