The Anteater, Springbok and Lynx (||kabbo's version 2)

Metadata

Title

Collection

Lucy Lloyd |xam notebooks

Contributor

kabbo (Jantje) (II)

Summary

The Anteater inquires from a flock of springbok ewes, one after another, whether her child is a female. Each mother answers that hers is a male, until, at last, a foolish Springbok confesses that her child is a daughter. The Anteater offers to hold the child, so that the Springbok should eat some of the Anteater's food. The latter then springs into a hole with the kid, and tells the mother, who is crying for her child, to go. The male Springbok scolds his wife for having lost their child. The Anteater then lays down the law with regard to the proper food for different animals, and that their marriages should be suitable. They all listen to the Anteater, and also to the Lynx, who repeats to them the Anteater's words. In the discourse there is imbedded a fable about the knorhaan, relating to how its head was burnt in the fire; but this requires further explanation. (L II.-3. 406-416.) On account of her husband's anger, the Springbok mother sends the Lynx to recover her child for her. The Lynx slips into the Anteater's hole underneath the young Springbok, and, pushing her out, runs off with her. The Anteater, trying to follow, is caught in the bowstring of the Lynx, as in a sling. Disengaging herself, she again proceeds to deliver to the Lynx her important messages concerning the nature and habits of the different animals.

Comments

1) pp. 406-415: 'translated (with the help of David Hoesar) March 4th 1875', 2) see also

Type

story

Date

9 August 1871 (started, parts translated in March 1875)

Category

History (Early Race)

Keyword

Anteater's laws ( the Anteater, Springbok and Lynx )

animals ( the Anteater, Springbok and Lynx )

animals ( the Anteater's laws )