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PAPUAN FAIRY TALES

into which the lad might climb. Therefore the man was glad, and he said in his heart, "Mine enemy is in my hand, and I shall avenge the death of my wife upon him!" But even as he put forth his hand to seize him, the lad was turned into a crab before his eyes, and burrowed swiftly into the earth. And in that form he remained even unto this day, for he became a gwagadogo, and there are many of this tribe on the beach, as thou knowest, who ever flee into their holes if a man do but draw near, for they fear lest he be about to take vengeance for the death of the old woman whom their forefather slew.


THE CASSOWARY.


In the old days there were a man and his wife, and they had one child, a little baby. And the woman was not able to work at the gardens for that she had her child to care for. But the man went each day, and did the work which was to be done. Now, though the food was ripe, yet never brought he home any for his wife to eat. And she said to him, "Why hast thou not brought food that I may cook it? What am I then to eat?" So he bade her wait till the morrow and he would bring her the food she asked of him. And, being hungry, she boiled pebbles and drank the water in which she had boiled