100 TABULATION OF FOLKTALES.
Sultan took his master, who was provided with bath, clothes, and food, and he ate and was satisfied, telling Sultan all that had happened. Sultan said to-morrow he would resign, and he should be sultan, as he dared not be before his master, who agreed to proposal. — (9) In morning all people were gathered and went to Sultan, who clothed master with royal robes, people wondering. Sultan asked vizirs if they had given him kingship in truth or jest ; they said in truth, as what pleased him pleased them ; so he said it pleased him this man should be sultan. They agreed, he further remarking,
- ' This is my rightful sultan and master there at home, but this is God's
ordering." Those in town had great joy.— (10) Bedouin was drowned, property given to poor, and they lived in peace and enjoyment till the end.
Alphabetical List of Incidents.
Cap, made by hero, means of discovering him (6, 7).
Chief [sultan] method of choosing (3).
Drowning, death by, as punishment (10).
Food, men's flesh sold for (4).
Human beings, flesh of, sold for food (4).
Where published.— ^w^^iZi Tales, by Edward Stecre. London, 1870. Story No. 3, pp. 141-147.
Nature of Collection, whether :—
Original or translation. — Translated by Dr. Steere from Swahili (excepting
verse). 2. If dy word of mouth, state narrator's name. Told to Dr. Steere by
Hamisi wa Kayi or Khamisbin Abubekr.
Special Points noted by the Editor of the above.—i am indebted to
the kindness of the Rev. Dr. Kay, formerly Principal of Bishop's College, Calcutta, for the following suggestions as to these verses (written in cap). They may be read thus in Urdu (now follows different verse to one in story given above), and their literal English would run thus :
" A wonder, truly, well proved ; oh, how great a King is not God ! One the water ate, one a lion ate ; The King in a dungeon ! the slave a monarch ! A wonder, truly, well proved ; how great a King is God ! "
My Swahili informant gave me the words exactly as they are printed in the text, but did not know whence they came or what language they were in.
A very common means of earning a little money among the poorer classes of men in Zanzibar is by stitching or quilting patterns on the white linen skull-caps which form the basis of a turban ; this is custom referred to.
(Signed) Janet Key.
