The Orange Fairy Book

like other children, for he was very tall and strong; over his shoulder he carried a big sack, an

o him: ‘My child, by what

d his mother called the head men of the town, and when they had come he led th

leap into the pool and overcome the crocodiles?’ But no one would

life, for the crocodiles will eat him!’ Then suddenly the ground trembled, and the pool, heavin

than any man and very tall and handsome, so that

my name — I am Makoma, “the Greater”; for have I not slai

ome for myself and become a hero.’ Then, entering his hut he took Nu-endo

towards the north and west until he came to a very hilly co

outed Makoma,

kes the mountains,’ answered

h signifies “great

n who?’ aske

n you!’ answ

oma said nothing, but swinging his great hamme

his knees saying: ‘You are indeed greater than I, O Makoma; take me with you to be your sl

d gone into him; and he resumed his journey, carrying his bur

ds of earth. Looking over one of the heaps he saw a giant wrapped in dust d

akoma, ‘that pulls up

’ said he, ‘and I am m

said Makoma. ‘I am he th

who?’ thunde

n you!’ answ

arth fell harmlessly upon it, and, tightly gripping his iron hammer, he rushed in and struck the giant to the ground. Chi-dubula-taka grovelled before him,

to a forest of bao-babs and thorn trees. He was astonished at their size, for every one was full grown and lar

s brothers, but Makoma was not afraid, and

and I am planting these bao-babs and thor

‘for I am Makoma, and would lik

a; but the hero sprang aside, and as the weapon sank deep into the soft earth,

s had done; and when he had got back his breath he begged Makoma to take him as

e at last reached a country so barren and rocky that not a single living thing grew upon it — eve

u doing?’ de

‘and my name is Chi-idea-moto, for I am the flam

I am Makoma, who is “greater” tha

nd a rock — just in time, for the ground upon which he had been standing was turne

king him, it knocked him helpless; so Makoma placed him in the

make hills, the industry to lead rivers over dry wastes, foresight and

and full of game; and in the very middle of it, close to a la

lder, took out all the giants and set them before him. ‘My friends,’ said he, ‘I have travelled far and am weary. Is n

i-eswa-mapiri to look after the place and cook some venison which they had killed. In the even

stonished, ‘that we find yo

were of such length that I could not see where they ended! He demanded of me “Who is thy master?” And I answered: “Makoma, the

is finger-nail across the hair (which was as thick and st

the fourth day Makoma stayed in camp when the others went to cut poles, saying that he would see for himself what s

verhead, he heard a rumbling noise from the river, and looking up he saw the head and shoulders of an enormous man emerging from it. An

the giant, as soon as

ero; ‘and, before I slay thee, tell me also wha

iver, for my moustache is the grey fever-mist that hangs above the wat

r giant was so slimy that the blow slid harmlessly off his green chest, and as Makoma stumbled an

of the flame-spirit which had entered into him, he breathe

wu over the giant’s slippery head, and gripping his iron hammer, struck him again

come the fever-spirit, and they feasted on the roast venison till far into the night; but in the m

nd spoke, saying: “Get thee hence, Makoma, for thou shalt have no rest until thou hast found and fought with Sak

; but Makoma comforted them, and gave back to each the gifts he ha

ep rivers, and tramping for days across dry deserts where most men would have died, until at leng

his the country of Sakatirina of

end, for there stands he whom you seek!’ And they pointed to what Makoma had thought were two tall moun

reached one of Sakatirina’s legs, which he struck heavily with Nu-endo. Nothing happened, so he hit again

ring: ‘It is I, Makoma, who is called “Greate

trees that he could find, and making an enormou

for it was the rumble of thunder in the clouds. ‘Who is

o see thee, O Sakatirina, for the spirits of my fathers bade me go se

herefore I am all alone. Guard thyself!’ and bending suddenly he seized the hero in his hands and dashed him upon the ground. And lo! instead of death, Makoma

ith Nu-endo his iron hammer, and Sakatirina would pluck up the mountains and hurl them upon the hero, but neither one could slay the other. At last, upon the second day,

eroes so great that no man may come against you. Therefore ye will leave the world and take up your home with me in the cloud