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PAPUAN FAIRY TALES

It came to pass on the morrow that the second almond turned itself from side to side in like manner to the largest. And when it had now turned many times, it too became a young man, as had the other on the day before. And he also set forth to catch fish, and having caught them, he saw the same old woman making a cup of coconut shell. Now when she saw him she was very glad, and called to him, "Ah, little brother, wilt thou climb and pluck me some coconuts, for there is here no man to climb for me."

And the second brother climbed, and came down with his head first, as the old woman bade him, and was killed and eaten, even as his brother had been.

On the third day it was the turn of the smallest almond. It lay under the tree, and turned from side to side continually, until it became a young man, and arose and stood upright. Then he did as had done his brothers. He speared fish, and then came to where the old woman sat making her cup. And she hailed him with joy, and when she had asked him the same favour she had his brothers, he climbed up at once. When he had thrown down the nuts he started to come down, and the dame cried, as she had done before, "Ah, little brother, why dost thou come down in this manner? Let thy head be first!"

But though the lad had been long in an almond shell yet was he not a fool, and he called back with a loud voice, "Who ever came down with the head