(The original, in the Hottentot language, of this little
Namaqualand Fable, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s
Manuscript, pp. 33, 35.)
One day, it is said, the following story happened. The Mouse had torn
the clothes of Itkler (the tailor), who then went to the Baboon, and
accused the Mouse with these words:—
“In this manner I come to thee:—The Mouse has torn my clothes, but will
not know anything of it, and accuses the Cat; the Cat protests likewise
her innocence, and says the Dog must have done it; but the Dog denies
it also, and declares the Wood has done it; and the Wood throws the
blame on the Fire, and says, ‘The Fire did it;’ the Fire says, ‘I have
not, the Water did it;’ the Water says, ‘The Elephant tore the
clothes;’ and the Elephant says, ‘The Ant tore them.’ Thus a dispute
has arisen among them. Therefore I, Itkler, come to thee with this
proposition: Assemble the people and try them, in order that I may get
satisfaction.”
Thus he spake, and the Baboon assembled them for trial. Then they made
the same excuses which had been mentioned by Itkler, each one putting
the blame upon the other.
So the Baboon did not see any other way of punishing them, save through
making them punish each other; he therefore said—
“Mouse, give Itkler satisfaction.”
The Mouse, however, pleaded not guilty. But the Baboon said, “Cat, bite
the Mouse.” She did so.
He then put the same question to the Cat, and when she exculpated
herself, the Baboon called to the Dog, “Here, bite the Cat.”
In this manner the Baboon questioned them all, one after the other, but
they each denied the charge. Then he addressed the following words to
them, and said—
“Wood, beat the Dog.
Fire, burn the Wood.
Water, quench the Fire.
Elephant, drink the Water.
“Ant, bite the Elephant in his most tender parts.”
They did so, and since that day they cannot any longer agree with each
other.
The Ant enters into the Elephant’s most tender parts, and bites him.
The Elephant swallows the Water.
The Water quenches the Fire.
The Fire consumes the Wood.
The Wood beats the Dog.
The Dog bites the Cat.
And the Cat the Mouse.
Through this judgment Itkler got satisfaction, and addressed the Baboon
in the following manner:— “Yes! Now I am content, since I have received
satisfaction, and with all my heart I thank thee, Baboon, because thou
hast exercised justice on my behalf, and given me redress.”
Then the Baboon said, “From to-day I will not any longer be called Jan,
but Baboon shall be my name.”
Since that time the Baboon walks on all fours, having probably lost the
privilege of walking erect through this foolish judgment.(?)