your meal in peace!"
So the lion, keeping Jabu in front of himself, led
Jackal to the trap. "But you can't tell me that this
little thing could actually hold your head! Never! I
just can't imagine it. Nkosi, would you mind just
sticking your head there so I can see how you looked
when the boy found you?"
"Hawu. You are taxing me with your questions. This
last thing I will do for you and then you must be on
your way and leave me to my dinner in peace." So
Lion stuck his head back between the bars just the
way he had been when Jabu had found him. Then,
quicker that lightning, Jackal threw the top bar in
place. Lion was caught fast once again!
"Yes," said Jackal, “now I see how you were
trapped. What a pity that you are so trapped once
more. But the boy is right, Nkosi. Broken promises
always catch up with you!"
Lion roared in anger, but the sound trap held him
well. Jabu thanked the jackal and ran back to his
cows, who were all patiently waiting for their
shepherd's return.
Jabu drove them home and into the kraal. What a day
he had had! "Jabu, Jabu," Sipho came running from
behind Jabu. "The lion has been caught in the trap
near the river! You and your cows missed all the
adventure!"
Jabu turned and smiled at his friend. "We have had
all the adventure we need for one day," he said. And
as Sipho headed back to the hunters to hear the story
once again of the mighty lion caught in the trap, Jabu
greeted his mother in the cooking house and sat
10
Le portrait magazine