(The original, in the Hottentot language, of this little
Namaqualand Fable, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s
Manuscript, p. 53.)
It is said that once the Sun was on earth, and caught the Horse to ride
it. But it was unable to bear his weight, and therefore the Ox took the
place of the Horse, and carried the Sun on its back. Since that time
the Horse is cursed in these words, because it could not carry the
Sun’s weight:—
“From to-day thou shalt have a (certain) time of dying.
This is thy curse, that thou hast a (certain) time of dying.
And day and night shalt thou eat,
But the desire of thy heart shall not be at rest,
Though thou grazest till morning and again until sunset.
Behold, this is the judgment which I pass upon thee,” said the Sun.
Since that day the Horse’s (certain) time of dying commenced.