returned home sorrowfully, for he had not got Ramitovy for his wife. And when he came into the house his younger brother (Andrianjàbokély) said, "Well, have you obtained Ramitòviàmindréniny?" "No," he replied. Then said Andrianjàbokély, "Come then, I'll get her, if you can't." But Andriamatòa said, "Why, if I grandly dressed can't get her, how can such a shabby fellow as you obtain her?" "I'll get her" (or, "I have it"), said Andrianjàbokély.[1]
So Andrianjàbokély set off to Ramitovy's father and mother to beg her for his wife. And as he went he passed a wild-hog, who said to him, "Just dig me this fern-root, Andrianjàbo." So he dug up the fern-root and gave it to the wild-hog.
Then he went on again and passed by a crow, who said to him, "Just peel me some raw earth-nuts, Andrianjàbo." So he peeled some raw earth-nuts for the crow and gave them to him.
Then he went on again and passed by a wasp, who said to him, "Just make me a little ball of clay, Andrianjàbo." So he made him a little ball of clay and gave it to him.
Then he went on again and passed by a crocodile, who said to him, "Just kill an ox for me, Andrianjàbo." So he killed an ox and gave it to him.
Then he came to the father and mother of Ramitòviàmindréniny. So he spoke and said, "I wish to take Ramitovy for my wife." Then said her parents, "If you would have her for your wife, go and dig up yonder field of ours east of the village; take care and finish it to-day." So he went to work, and when he came there he called the wild-hogs and said, "Since I have done good to you, come and help me to finish this work, for this only prevents me having Ramitovy for a wife." So the wild-hogs agreed to dig up the rice-field, and rooted it up with their tusks, so that it was finished in a very short time; so Andrianjàbokély went to the young woman's parents and said, "The work is finished, sir and madam."
Then again said her parents to him, "If you would take her for a wife, go and pick up all those three measures of white rice scattered yonder west of the compound amongst the sand; for if you can
- ↑ Jàbo is the Hova name of the coarse rofia palm cloth, worn only by slaves and poor people.
