South-African Folk-Tales | Annotated Tale

COMPLETE! Entered into SurLaLune Database in August 2018 with all known ATU Classifications.



Lion and Baboon

BABOON, it is said, once worked bamboos, sitting on the edge of a precipice, and Lion stole upon him. Baboon, however, had fixed some round, glistening, eye-like plates on the back of his head. When, therefore, Lion crept upon him, he thought, when Baboon was looking at him, that he sat with his back towards him, and crept with all his might upon him. When, however, Baboon turned his back towards him, Lion thought that he was seen, and hid himself. Thus, when Baboon looked at him, he crept upon him. [1] When he was near him Baboon looked up, and Lion continued to creep upon him. Baboon said (aside), "Whilst I am looking at him he steals upon me, whilst my hollow eyes are on him."

               When at last Lion sprung at him, he lay (quickly) down upon his face, and Lion jumped over him, falling down the precipice, and was dashed to pieces.

Notes

FOOTNOTE

[1]: Whilst Baboon did this, Lion came close upon him.

Bibliographic Information

Tale Title: Lion and Baboon
Tale Author/Editor: Honey, James A.
Book Title: South-African Folk-Tales
Book Author/Editor: Honey, James A.
Publisher: The Baker & Taylor Company
Publication City: New York
Year of Publication: 1910
Country of Origin: Southern Africa (San)
Classification: unclassified








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