MALAGASY FOLK-TALES. 165
child, because this falling down of her eyes is extraordinary ! " So she went away; and, coming in, she said, ** What is it has happened to you that I cannot light the fire ? " Her child answered, " Why, mother, the people are dividing the household goods ; but I have no eyes, and that is why I am weeping." So the mother said, '* Where is it that I may do it ? " Then she plaited the mat quickly, and it was finished, and she went away.
After that Andriambahbaka's wives said, " Come, work away, and give her some silk " (for spinning or weaving). But again Ramait- soanala wept, and her mother could not light the fire. So she came again, saying, " What is the matter with you now, child, that I cannot light the fire ? " She answered, " Why, mother, they have brought me silk." Then her mother finished the silk for her ; and when it was finished she went oflf again, and began to tend the fire on the hearth. And after a little while again Andriambahdaka's wives brought cloths and dresses for Ramaitsoanala to sew, and said, ** Will she be able to finish these; for if we bring many things afterwards, won't she run away ? " But they thought that when she brought them they would not be finished. Then Ramaitsoanala wept again and said, " Oh dear, but this is too difficult ! " So her tears again flowed down upon the hearth, and again her mother rose up, saying, " What ever can this be again happening to my child? " and away she went; and on coming to her daughter and inquiring she showed her the clothes and the dresses, which the mother finished and went away as before.
And after waiting a little Andriambahbaka's wives said, "Come, let us three be compared together, for we two are put to shame by this child of a bird; for people called her very beautiful, although she had her eyes put out, and has only bones ! " But Andriambahbaka said, " Enough of that, Ramatoa ; for what will you do,^say I, to shame her ? Enough of that." But she would not be quiet, but spoke all the more. And as Andriambahbaka could not prevent the two women from speaking, he said, " When then will you be compared ?" The two answered, " On Thursday " ; and, going away to Ramaitsoanala, he told her she should be compared with the other two on the Thurs- day. Then Ramaitsoanala wept, and again her mother could not light any fire ; upon which she rose up and came to her daughter ;
