(The original, in the Hottentot language, is in Sir G. Grey’s
Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, pp. 3, 4.)
The Lion, it is said, used once to fly, and at that time nothing could
live before him. As he was unwilling that the bones of what he caught
should be broken into pieces, he made a pair of White Crows watch the
bones, leaving them behind at the kraal whilst he went a-hunting. But
one day the great Frog came there, broke the bones in pieces, and said,
“Why can men and animals live no longer?” And he added these words,
“When he comes, tell him that I live at yonder pool; if he wishes to
see me, he must come there.”
The Lion, lying in wait (for game), wanted to fly up, but found he
could not fly. Then he got angry, thinking that at the kraal something
was wrong, and returned home. When he arrived, he asked, “What have you
done that I cannot fly?” Then they answered and said, “Some one came
here, broke the bones into pieces, and said, ‘If he wants me, he may
look for me at yonder pool!’” The Lion went, and arrived while the Frog
was sitting at the water’s edge, and he tried to creep stealthily upon
him. When he was about to get hold of him, the Frog said, “Ho!” and,
diving, went to the other side of the pool, and sat there. The Lion
pursued him; but as he could not catch him he returned home.
From that day, it is said, the Lion walked on his feet, and also began
to creep upon (his game); and the White Crows became entirely dumb
since the day that they said, “Nothing can be said of that matter.”