accomplish that we will give you Ramitovy to wife." So Andrianjàbokély went again to collect the rice west of the compound, and called to him the crows, saying, "Since I have done good to you, come and help me, and please collect up that white rice, for that only prevents me having Ramitovy to wife." So the crows agreed to collect the white rice, and they all took an oath not to swallow what they gathered, but every one put it into the basket. Then they all gathered and collected the whole, which Andrianjàbokély took to Ramitovy's father and mother, and they were amazed.
Then said her parents to him, "You shall have your wife, but go and fetch yonder ox called Sambilo in the woods away there, and bring him here." So Andrianjàbokély went away to fetch the ox, but he saw that it was both fierce and stubborn, so he said, "Since I have done good to you wasps, come drive me this ox, for if I bring him I shall get Ramitovy for my wife." Then the wasps came and settled upon the ox, biting him on the forehead, so that he rushed off until he came to the girl's parents. So again they were astonished when they saw Andrianjàbokély coming with the ox.
Then said they again to him, "This is the last of all, and if you accomplish it Ramitovy shall surely be your wife. Go and fetch those two eggs in the lake east of the village, for if you get them then she shall be your wife." So off he went again to fetch the eggs. And coming to the water-side he called out, "Since I have done good to you crocodiles, just bring me here the two eggs in the lake, for that is the only other thing to be done before I get Ramitovy for a wife." Then the crocodiles brought him the two eggs, and away went Andrianjàbokély with them to Ramitovy's father and mother. They were astonished, and said to him, "You shall surely have our child, for all you have done is thoroughly completed."
So Ramitòviàmindréniny became Andrianjàbokély's wife, and astonished was Andriamatòa when he saw it.
Stories! stories! Legends! legends! This, they say, is the origin of the old proverb, "Let not the rich be proud, and let not the poor be disheartened, for riches are not (equally) divided."—Translated from a contribution by the Rev. W. Montgomery to the Publications of the Malagasy Folk-Lore Society.
