Machwerk
R.W. Aristoquakes
Teil 31 - 41
- Im Elysium -
"Lasst von des Frosches Omina"
Grinste darauf Latona,
"Uns zu den alten braven frommen
Lillooet - Indianern kommen.
Von denen las im Vollmondlichte
Ich kürzlich folgende Geschichte."
The Man in the Moon
- A Legend of the
Lillooet
Tribe of North America -
The three Frog sisters had a house
in a swamp, where they lived together. Not very far away lived a number of
people in another house. Among them were Snake and Beaver, who were friends.
They were well-grown lads, and
wished to marry the Frog girls.
One night Snake went to Frog's
house, and, crawling up to one of the sisters, put his hand on her face. She
awoke, and asked him who he was. Learning that he was Snake, she said she would
not marry him, and told him to leave at once. She called him hard names, such
as, "slimy-fellow," "small-eyes," etc. Snake returned, and
told his friend of his failure.
Next night Beaver went to try, and,
crawling up to one of the sisters, he put his hand on her face. She awoke, and,
finding out who he was, she told him to be gone. She called him names, such as,
"short-legs," "big-belly," "big- buttocks."
Beaver felt hurt, and, going home, began to cry. His father asked him what the
matter was, and the boy told him. He said, "That is nothing. Don't cry! It
will rain too much." But young Beaver said, "I will cry."
As he continued to cry, much rain
fell, and soon the swamp where the Frogs lived was flooded. Their house was
under the water, which covered the tops of the tall swamp-grass. The Frogs got
cold, and went to Beaver's house, and said to him, "We wish to marry your
sons." But old Beaver said, "No! You called us hard names."
The water was now running in a
regular stream. So the Frogs swam away downstream until they reached a
whirlpool, which sucked them in, and they descended to the house of the Moon.
The latter invited them to warm themselves at the fire; but they said,
"No. We do not wish to sit by the fire. We wish to sit there,"
pointing at him.
He said, "Here?" at the
same time pointing at his feet. They said, "No, not there." Then he
pointed to one part of his body after another, until he reached his brow. When
he said, "Will you sit here?" they all cried out, "Yes,"
and jumped on his face, thus spoiling his beauty. The Frog's sisters may be
seen on the moon's face at the present day.
***
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