--- title: The Story of Hlakanyana. — Kaffir folk-lore · full text with trees · page 2 description: The Story of Hlakanyana., «Kaffir folk-lore» by George McCall Theal: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Once upon a time there was a village with many women in it. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/10/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Kaffir folk-lore](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/) / The Story of Hlakanyana. # The Story of Hlakanyana. · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/10/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/10/page/3/) The army passed over the river quickly.[142](../../142/ "tree and pragmatics") Then that old woman turned into Hlakanyana again.[143](../../143/ "tree and pragmatics") He said in himself: “I will now go on a journey, for I am wiser than the councillors of my father, I being older than they.”[144](../../144/ "tree and pragmatics") The little cunning fellow went to a village, where he saw an old woman sitting beside her house.[145](../../145/ "tree and pragmatics") He said to her: “Would you like to be made young, grandmother?”[146](../../146/ "tree and pragmatics") The old woman replied: “Yes, my grandchild; if you could make me young, I would be very glad.”[147](../../147/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “Take that pot, grandmother, and go for some water.”[148](../../148/ "tree and pragmatics") The old woman replied: “I cannot walk.”[149](../../149/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “Just try, grandmother; the river is close by, and perhaps you will be able to reach it.”[150](../../150/ "tree and pragmatics") The old woman limped along and got the water.[151](../../151/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Hlakanyana took a large pot and set it on the fire, and poured the water into it.[152](../../152/ "tree and pragmatics") He said to the old woman: “You must cook me a little first, and then I will cook you a little.”[153](../../153/ "tree and pragmatics") The old woman agreed to that.[154](../../154/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana was the first to be put in the pot.[155](../../155/ "tree and pragmatics") When the water began to get hot, he said: “Take me out, grandmother; I am in long enough.”[156](../../156/ "tree and pragmatics") The old woman took him out, and went in the pot for her turn.[157](../../157/ "tree and pragmatics") Soon she said: “Take me out now, my grandchild; I am in long enough.”[158](../../158/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana replied: “Not yet, grandmother; it is not yet time.”[159](../../159/ "tree and pragmatics") So the old woman died in the pot.[160](../../160/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana took all the bones of the old woman and threw them away.[161](../../161/ "tree and pragmatics") He left only the toes and the fingers.[162](../../162/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he took the clothing of the old woman and put it on.[163](../../163/ "tree and pragmatics") The two sons of this old woman came from hunting.[164](../../164/ "tree and pragmatics") They went into the hut, and said: “Whose meat is this in the pot?”[165](../../165/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana was lying down.[166](../../166/ "tree and pragmatics") He said in a voice like that of their mother: “It is yours, my sons.”[167](../../167/ "tree and pragmatics") While they were eating, the younger one said: “Look at this, it is like the toe of mother.”[168](../../168/ "tree and pragmatics") The elder one said: “How can you say such a thing?[169](../../169/ "tree and pragmatics") Did not mother give us this meat to eat?”[170](../../170/ "tree and pragmatics") Again the younger one said: “Look at this, it is like the finger of mother.”[171](../../171/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “You are speaking evil of me, my son.”[172](../../172/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said in himself: “I shall be discovered; it is time for me to flee.”[173](../../173/ "tree and pragmatics") So he slipped quietly out of the house and went on his way.[174](../../174/ "tree and pragmatics") When he got a little way off, he called out: “You are eating your mother.[175](../../175/ "tree and pragmatics") Did any one ever see people eating their mother before?”[176](../../176/ "tree and pragmatics") The two young men took their assagais and ran after him with their dogs.[177](../../177/ "tree and pragmatics") They came to the river; it was full.[178](../../178/ "tree and pragmatics") The cunning fellow changed himself into a little round stone.[179](../../179/ "tree and pragmatics") One of the young men picked up this stone, saying: “If I could see him, I would just throw this stone at him.”[180](../../180/ "tree and pragmatics") The young man threw the stone over the river, and it turned into Hlakanyana again.[181](../../181/ "tree and pragmatics") He just laughed at those young men.[182](../../182/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana went on his way.[183](../../183/ "tree and pragmatics") He was singing this song:—[184](../../184/ "tree and pragmatics") Ndahlangana Nonothloya.[185](../../185/ "tree and pragmatics") I met with Nonothloya.[186](../../186/ "tree and pragmatics") Sapekapekana, We cooked each other, Ndagwanya, I was half cooked, Wapekwa wada wavutwa.[187](../../187/ "tree and pragmatics") She was well cooked.[188](../../188/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana met a boy tending some goats.[189](../../189/ "tree and pragmatics") The boy had a digging-stick with him.[190](../../190/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana proposed that they should pursue after birds, and the boy agreed.[191](../../191/ "tree and pragmatics") They pursued birds the whole day.[192](../../192/ "tree and pragmatics") In the evening, when the sun set, Hlakanyana said: “It is time now to roast our birds.”[193](../../193/ "tree and pragmatics") The place was on the bank of a river.[194](../../194/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “We must go under the water and see who will come out last.”[195](../../195/ "tree and pragmatics") They went under the water, and Hlakanyana came out last.[196](../../196/ "tree and pragmatics") The cunning fellow said: “Let us try again.”[197](../../197/ "tree and pragmatics") The boy agreed to that.[198](../../198/ "tree and pragmatics") They went under the water.[199](../../199/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana came out quickly and ate all the birds.[200](../../200/ "tree and pragmatics") He left the heads only.[201](../../201/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he went under the water again.[202](../../202/ "tree and pragmatics") The boy came out while he was still under the water.[203](../../203/ "tree and pragmatics") When Hlakanyana came out he said: “Let us go now and eat our birds.”[204](../../204/ "tree and pragmatics") They found all the birds eaten.[205](../../205/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “You have eaten them, because you came out of the water first, and you have left me the heads only.”[206](../../206/ "tree and pragmatics") The boy denied having done so, but Hlakanyana said: “You must pay for my birds with that digging-stick.”[207](../../207/ "tree and pragmatics") The boy gave the digging-stick, and Hlakanyana went on his way.[208](../../208/ "tree and pragmatics") He saw some people making pots of clay.[209](../../209/ "tree and pragmatics") He said to them: “Why do you not ask me to lend you this digging-stick, instead of digging with your hands?”[210](../../210/ "tree and pragmatics") They said: “Lend it to us.”[211](../../211/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana lent them the digging-stick.[212](../../212/ "tree and pragmatics") Just the first time they stuck it in the clay it broke.[213](../../213/ "tree and pragmatics") He said: “You have broken my digging-stick, the digging-stick that I received from my companion, my companion who ate my birds and left me with the heads.”[214](../../214/ "tree and pragmatics") They gave him a pot.[215](../../215/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana carried the pot till he came to some boys who were herding goats.[216](../../216/ "tree and pragmatics") He said to them: “You foolish boys, you only suck the goats, you don’t milk them in any vessel; why don’t you ask me to lend you this pot?”[217](../../217/ "tree and pragmatics") The boys said: “Lend it to us.”[218](../../218/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana lent them the pot.[219](../../219/ "tree and pragmatics") While the boys were milking, the pot broke.[220](../../220/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “You have broken my pot, the pot that I received from the people who make pots, the people who broke my digging-stick, the digging-stick that I received from my companion, my companion who ate my birds and left me with the heads.”[221](../../221/ "tree and pragmatics") The boys gave him a goat.[222](../../222/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana came to the keepers of calves.[223](../../223/ "tree and pragmatics") He said to them: “You foolish fellows, you only sit here and eat nothing.[224](../../224/ "tree and pragmatics") Why don’t you ask me to let you suck this goat?”[225](../../225/ "tree and pragmatics") The keepers of calves said: “Allow us to suck this goat.”[226](../../226/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana gave the goat into their hands.[227](../../227/ "tree and pragmatics") While they were sucking, the goat died.[228](../../228/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “You have killed my goat, the goat that I received from the boys that were tending goats, the boys that broke my pot, the pot that I received from the people who make pots, the people who broke my digging-stick, the digging-stick that I received from my companion, my companion who ate my birds and left me with the heads.”[229](../../229/ "tree and pragmatics") They gave him a calf.[230](../../230/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana came to the keepers of cows.[231](../../231/ "tree and pragmatics") He said to them: “You only suck the cows without letting the calf suck first.[232](../../232/ "tree and pragmatics") Why don’t you ask me to lend you this calf, that the cows may be induced to give their milk freely?”[233](../../233/ "tree and pragmatics") They said: “Lend us the calf.”[234](../../234/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana permitted them to take the calf.[235](../../235/ "tree and pragmatics") While the calf was in their hands it died.[236](../../236/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “You have killed my calf, the calf that I received from the keepers of calves, the keepers of calves that killed my goat, the goat that I received from the boys that were tending goats, the boys that broke my pot, the pot that I received from the people who make pots, the people who broke my digging-stick, the digging-stick that I received from my companion, my companion who ate my birds and left me with the heads.”[237](../../237/ "tree and pragmatics") They gave him a cow.[238](../../238/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana continued on his journey.[239](../../239/ "tree and pragmatics") He saw a young man going the same way.[240](../../240/ "tree and pragmatics") He said: “Let us be companions and travel together.”[241](../../241/ "tree and pragmatics") The young man agreed to that.[242](../../242/ "tree and pragmatics") They came to a forest.[243](../../243/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “This is the place for picking up kerries.”[244](../../244/ "tree and pragmatics") They picked up kerries there.[245](../../245/ "tree and pragmatics") Then they reached another place, and Hlakanyana said: “This is the place for throwing away kerries.”[246](../../246/ "tree and pragmatics") They threw the kerries away.[247](../../247/ "tree and pragmatics") Again they came to another place, and Hlakanyana said: “This is the place for throwing away spoons.”[248](../../248/ "tree and pragmatics") The companion of Hlakanyana threw his spoon away, but the cunning little fellow only pretended to throw his away.[249](../../249/ "tree and pragmatics") In fact, he concealed his spoon.[250](../../250/ "tree and pragmatics") They went on.[251](../../251/ "tree and pragmatics") They came to another place, and Hlakanyana said: “This is the place for throwing knives away.”[252](../../252/ "tree and pragmatics") It happened again as with the spoons.[253](../../253/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana concealed his knife, when his companion threw his away.[254](../../254/ "tree and pragmatics") They came to a certain place, and Hlakanyana said: “This is the place for throwing away izilanda” (awls used to make holes in skins when they are sewed together, and also for taking thorns out of the bare feet and legs of pedestrians).[255](../../255/ "tree and pragmatics") His companion threw his isilanda away, but Hlakanyana kept his.[256](../../256/ "tree and pragmatics") They went on and reached a place where they had to walk on thorns.[257](../../257/ "tree and pragmatics") Afterwards they looked at their feet, and saw many thorns in them.[258](../../258/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “Let us sit down and take out the thorns.”[259](../../259/ "tree and pragmatics") His companion replied: “I cannot do so, because I have no isilanda.”[260](../../260/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Hlakanyana took the thorns out of his feet, and the other was obliged to walk lame.[261](../../261/ "tree and pragmatics") They came to a village.[262](../../262/ "tree and pragmatics") The people said to them: “Tell us the news.”[263](../../263/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana replied: “Just give us something to eat first; look at our stomachs and behold the pinchings of hunger.”[264](../../264/ "tree and pragmatics") The people of that village brought meat.[265](../../265/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said to his companion: “Now let us eat.”[266](../../266/ "tree and pragmatics") The companion of Hlakanyana answered: “I have no knife.”[267](../../267/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “You are just a child; I shall not lend you my knife.”[268](../../268/ "tree and pragmatics") The people of that village brought millet and put before them.[269](../../269/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said to his companion: “Why do you not eat?”[270](../../270/ "tree and pragmatics") He answered: “I have no spoon.”[271](../../271/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana said: “You are just a child; I shall not lend you my spoon.”[272](../../272/ "tree and pragmatics") So Hlakanyana had all the meat and the millet to himself.[273](../../273/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana met a girl herding some goats.[274](../../274/ "tree and pragmatics") He said: “Where are the boys of your village, that the goats are herded by a girl?”[275](../../275/ "tree and pragmatics") The girl answered: “There are no boys in the village.”[276](../../276/ "tree and pragmatics") He went to the father of the girl and said: “You must give me your daughter to be my concubine, and I will herd the goats.”[277](../../277/ "tree and pragmatics") The father of the girl agreed to that.[278](../../278/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Hlakanyana went with the goats, and every day he killed one and ate it till all were done.[279](../../279/ "tree and pragmatics") He scratched his body with thorns.[280](../../280/ "tree and pragmatics") The father of the girl said: “Where are all the goats?”[281](../../281/ "tree and pragmatics") Hlakanyana replied: “Can you not see how I have been fighting with the wild dogs?[282](../../282/ "tree and pragmatics") The wild dogs have eaten the goats.[283](../../283/ "tree and pragmatics") As for me, I will stay here no longer.”[284](../../284/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/10/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/10/page/3/) - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg71335/10/) - next →: [page 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