Atondido Stories
never again want for nourishment in my country, I am going to
let each animal and bird choose the kind of food he would most
like to live on if he could get it. And they shall never want for
that kind of food if it can be provided." And he called on each to
make the choice. And the birds said "Grain and seeds and
worms," and the Squirrel said "Nuts," and the Fox said
"Chickens," and the cat said "Milk," and the dog said "Meat and
bones," and the weasel said "Eggs," and the wolf said "Lambs,"
and the bear said "Fish from the frozen sea," and so on until each
animal was called upon and declared his liking. And the Chief
said, "It shall be as you have chosen." But the Chief had purpose-
ly neglected to summon poor Rabbit to the council, and Rabbit
was absent on a long journey. When he came home, he was very
angry when he heard what had happened, for only the left-over
in the world's food remained for him to choose. So he went to
the Chief and said in great wrath, "This is a fine return for rid-
ding your land of giants. But that is a way you have; you always
reward good deeds with evil."
The Chief was very angry because of Rabbit's insolence, and
he said, "You are telling lies again." But Rabbit called as witness-
es to the truth of what he said Sheep and Goat and Duck who
chanced to be passing by and who stood listening to the quarrel.
And old Sheep said, "Rabbit has spoken truly. When I was
young I gave the Chief much wool to make clothes for his back
and he used me well. But now that I am old he is going to kill me
and eat me up. That is my reward." And old Goat said, "Rabbit
has spoken wisely and justly. I served the Chief well in my time
and gave him milk, but now that I am old and have no more
milk he is fattening me and getting me ready for slaughter. That
is my reward." And old Duck said, "That is a true saying of Rab-
bit. Once upon a time I gave the Chief many eggs and young
224