Congo Folklore Tales: Stories I–VI

I. How the Fowl evaded his Debt Once upon a time a cock Fowl and a Leopard began a friendship, and not

very long afterwards the Leopard lent some money to the Fowl. It was

arranged that on a certain day the Leopard should receive the money at

the Fowl’s residence.

On the morning of the appointed day the Fowl ground up some red peppers,

and mixed them with water so that it looked like blood, and when he

heard that the Leopard was on the way to his house he went into his

courtyard and said to his slaves: “When the Leopard arrives and asks for

me, tell him my head has been cut off and carried to the women in the

farms to be combed and cleaned.” Then he hid his head under his wings

and told them to pour some of the pepper water on his neck, which they

did, and it fell to the ground like blood.

The Leopard arrived and asked for his friend the Fowl. The slaves

repeated what they had been told, and, on the Leopard hearing it, he

wished to be allowed a closer view of the marvel, and on beholding the

red-pepper water dropping to the ground, he thought it was all true.

On returning later he asked the Fowl how it was done, and the Fowl

replied: “When you reach your town, you cut off your head, and send it

to the farm to be combed and cleaned, and there you are.”

“Oh! thank you, friend,” said the Leopard, “I will astonish the natives

of my town.”

Away he went to his town, and told all his wives that he had been taught

some wonderful magic by his friend the Fowl.

“What is it?” they asked.

“Well, my head is cut off,” said the Leopard, “and then you take it to

the farm to comb and clean, and then you bring it back.”

“All right,” they cried in chorus.

The Leopard sent messengers to all the towns in his district, inviting

the folk on a certain day to come and see the wonder. On the day a great

crowd of people arrived, and when all was ready the Leopard went into

the centre, and his head was cut off, but his legs gave way, and he fell

down.

The head was returned after being combed and cleaned, but when they put

it on the neck it would not stay there. Thus died the Leopard because of

his conceit in thinking he could do all that others did; and also

because he did not use his common sense to perceive the foolishness of

what the Fowl told him. Do not believe all you see and hear.