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PAPUAN FAIRY TALES

alone in the village. And as he sat in the house alone he heard a terrible voice, which said, 'O ye sons of men, stay now in your houses, lest I spear you!" Waidudu looked forth, and saw the great and terrible Aidagagiogio, who was decked with leaves and who carried many spears. At this sight Waidudu's heart failed him, and he cried, "I pray thee, spear me not!"

Then said Aidagagiogio, 'Come out then and climb a coco palm that I may have dalo, young ones, to drink."

"Alas, my lord," said Waidudu, "how may I do this thing, seeing I have neither hands nor feet?"

"Let not your heart get hot," answered Aidagagiogio, "but come out and I will give thee my hands and feet, and so shalt thou climb."

Waidudu feared to disobey, and came forth trembling, and put on the hands and feet of Aidagagiogio which he gave him, and began to climb the coco palm. Then was he much afraid, for he had never tried to climb before, and he would have fain come down without going higher, but Aidagagiogio stood beneath with spears many and sharp, and Waidudu was forced to mount to the very top.

There he picked many coconuts and threw them down to the ground, and came down himself. Then Aidagagiogio took back his hands and feet and set about taking the husk from the coconuts. The dalo he cracked, and clasping one in his hands held it high above his head and let the juice flow down his throat