There were only two unmarried men in the village. All the rest had found suitable partners, but Kalemeleme was so gentle that he would not stand up for his own rights, or anyone else's, while Kinku was so bad-tempered that no one could stand his tantrums for long. Thus these two lived in unhappy loneliness, until one day Kalemeleme took his bow and arrows and going into the forest in the early morning, when the dew was on the grass, he shot a grey wild-cat and a brown wild-cat. On his way home he met Moma, the great rock python, mightiest snake in the forest, and was about to shoot when Moma pleaded, "Gentle one, have mercy on me, for I am stiff with cold. Take me to the river where it is warm." Touched with pity, Kalemeleme took the great reptile on his shoulders to the stream and threw him in. Moma lifted his head above the reeds and said, "Thank you. gentle one. I have seen your loneliness. Throw in your grey wild-cat and your brown wild-cat and take what the water-spirit gives you." Kalemeleme threw his grey wild-cat and his brown wildcat into the river. Immediately the water began to ripple and grow redder and redder until beneath the surface there appeared a great, red, open mouth. He put in his hand and pulled out a gourd. He took it home and opened it, when out stepped . . . the most beautiful girl that was ever seen, and she was as good as she was lovely. She could weave mats, plait baskets, and make pots; she kept the house so neat, and cultivated the garden so well, she prepared the food so carefully and helped her neighbors so willingly, that soon Kalemeleme and his beautiful wife were the favourites of the village. Kinku came to him and asked, "Tell me, Kalemeleme, where did you get your wife?" "The water-spirit gave her to me," Kalemeleme replied, and he told him the circumstances. "Well, I want a wife too," said Kinku, so he took his bow and his arrows and went off into the forest when the sun was boiling hot overhead. He killed a grey wild-cat and a brown wild-cat. On his way home he too met Moma, the mighty python, wilting with the heat under a bush. He was about to shoot when Moma pleaded, "Mercy, Kinku. Have mercy on me for I am suffocated with this heat. Take me to the river where it's cool." "What! Take you, a loathsome reptile? Find your own way to the river!" "Very well. Come along." And the snake glided through the undergrowth, while Kinku followed. Moma plunged into the water and, lifting his head above the reeds, he called out, "Kinku. I have seen your loneliness. Now throw in your grey wild-cat and your brown wild-cat and take what the water-spirit gives you." Kinku threw in his grey wild-cat and his brown wildcat. At once the water began to ripple and became redder and redder, until beneath the surface Kinku saw a huge open mouth. He put in his hand and drew out a pumpkin. He staggered home with it. It became heavier and heavier as he went, and at last he dropped it. It cracked, and out stepped . . . the ugliest woman that ever was, and before he could recover from his shock she boxed him soundly on the ears, and taking him by the nose she said, "Come on, Kinku. I am your wife." She didn't give him the chance to say "no", but pummelled him and biffed him, bullied him and blamed him. She led him a dog's life, for she was as lazy as she was hideous. "Kinku, carry the water! Kinku, cut the firewood! Kinku, cultivate the garden! Kinku, cook the meal!" while she simply lay about and abused him. Of course Kinku blamed the water-spirit, but had he only known it, he had nobody to blame but himself.
The Bachelors and the Python
英语社
人气:1.13W
相关文章:
- The english we speak(BBC教学)第139期:Two phrases about fatherhood 两个与父亲身份有关的短语
- bank loans which are based on funds which have been allocated by the state to the bank是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解
- The english we speak(BBC教学)第260期:There's method to my madness 我这么做是有原因的
- 现代科技与人类的关系The Relationship Between Modern Technology and Human
- The english we speak(BBC教学)第194期:throw the baby out with the bathwater
- 高中生是否应该兼职?Whether Should High School Students Take A Part time Job?
- bank loans which are based on funds which have been allocated by the state to the bank是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解
- cathode ray tube,photographic arrangement at the vessel是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解释
- 科技是否扩大贫富差距?Dose Technology Widen the Gap Between the Poor and the Rich
- 股东并非公司所有者 Shareholders think they own the company they are wrong
热门推荐
- 1The english we speak(BBC教学)第265期:Six of one, half a dozen of the other 半斤八两
- 2(completed projects have been) checked and accepted by (the government)是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解释
- 3The english we speak(BBC教学)第325期:At the drop of a hat 毫不犹豫
- 4孩子是否该带手机去学校 Whether Should Children be Allowed to Bring Cell phones to School
- 5(specialized banks) extend loans based on the amount of deposits they have acquired是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解释
- 6第265课:Should there be an age limit beyond which people should not be allowed to
- 7是否应该参加专业以外的课程?Should College Students Take Part in the Course Beyond Their Major?
- 8英语散文:Why do leaves change color in the fall? 秋天叶子为什么会变颜色?
- 9经济学中的最大未知数 The greatest unknown the impact of technology on the economy
- 10The english we speak(BBC教学)第234期:The penny dropped 恍然大悟
猜你喜欢
- 1挑战魔鬼沙漠马拉松 Beyond the marathon: a 165km race through the Oman desert
- 2第248课:Do you think people can be in love with someone after the first date?
- 3中国房地产债券为何受追捧 Why are Chinese high yield property bonds outperforming
- 4The english we speak(BBC教学)第93期:To catch your eye/eye catching 引起注意
- 5水杯需要智能吗 Smart cup and bottle quench thirst you never knew you had
- 6The english we speak(BBC教学)第255期:That'll put hairs on your chest 那会使你健康强壮
- 7宿舍保持和谐关系的最佳方法The Best way to Keep a Harmonious Relationship in the Dormitory
- 8(joint venture shall have provided,)in a form acceptable to the bank,collateral security是什么意思、英文翻译及中
- 9The english we speak(BBC教学)第164期:The boot is on the other foot 情况发生逆转.jpg
- 10第114课:What’s the best thing that happened to you last week?
- 11伦敦奥运会中国代表团成立The Establishment of the Chinese Delegation of the London Olympic Games,
- 12(corrected a situation which had) prevented the attainment of the year's production target是什么意思
- 13bear costs and expenses proportionally to the contract value of the individual share是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解释
- 14英语寓言故事 The Shepherds Boy and the Wolf
- 15第143课:Do you think that human activity is posing a threat to the oceans of the w
今日热门
- 1cartridge type brush holder (tubular brush holder) current collector是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解释
- 2人脑和电脑The Brain and the Computer英语作文
- 3The Cobbler and the Banker赏析
- 4carburettor with fuel supply parts opened and closed in synchronism with engine stroke是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解
- 5The Raven and the Swan
- 6The english we speak(BBC教学)第263期:To lie through your teeth 睁眼说瞎话
- 7The Arrow And The Song
- 8第21课:Who had the biggest impact on the person you have become?
- 9The english we speak(BBC教学)第87期:Fly by the seat of your pants 凭感觉
- 10The ants and the cricket1200字
更多推荐
- 1新概念:广受好评的4门课,强推!
- 2如何面对大城市堵车难题? How to Deal With Traffic Jam in Metropolis?
- 3关于英语双语的英语文章
- 4日本驻华大使座驾在北京遭袭
- 5perform的第三人称单数和例句
- 6剑桥商务英语高级题目
- 7不掺添加剂的水是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解释
- 8低温谷是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解释大纲
- 9年9月中口英译汉原文
- 10coronal model是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解释
- 11管理检测系统是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解释
- 12access是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解释例子
- 13关于中秋佳节的英语古诗词
- 14ac coupling是什么意思、英文翻译及中文解释
- 152021年上半年6月英语四级成绩查询入口