Tama and His Brother

RıcHLY laden fruit trees hung over a garden wall. Two boys, passing, eyed them with greedy looks.

We could easily reach them from our stilts," remarked Tama.

"At night, when the owners are asleep," added his brother.

At night they came on their tall stilts to the wall. They were able to reach the fruit. They feasted to their heart's content.

So sweet was their stolen treat that they re- turned the next night and the next. But the owners had missed the fruit and lay in wait for the young robbers. Hidden in the branches, they sprang to the ground and gave chase as soon as the brothers appeared beneath the tree.

Tama dashed away on his stilts, but his brother was caught at once and carried into the house. Then the people, taking a short cut, intercepted Tama. The only road left open to him led directly to the sea. He turned into this road. The people followed him and caught him as he reached the sea.

They stood in a semicircle round him on the landward side.

Chop down his stilts Tumble him into the sea they shouted.

A tumble into the sea was the very thing Tama did not desire, so he cunningly laughed as if well pleased at the idea.

This set the people thinking, He wishes to fall into the sea. He has some plan of escape that way." They immediately changed their axe- blows to the landward side.

In a minute the stilts gave way. Tama fell to the ground, but he was ready. With a spring he was up again, running for life. They chased him again, but in the darkness he evaded them.

Hiding in the bush, he heard them searching for him all that night and all next day. At last they grew tired of the hunt and gave it up.

Tama crept out and made his way home. His brother was not there, nor could he find him any- where. The people must have caught him. I must go to his help," said Tama.

As soon as it grew dark he went to the house. A noise of singing and dancing came from within. The door was shut. He could not see in.

He pulled himself up the wall till he reached the roof. Pulling out a little bundle of thatch, he looked into the house.

His brother's face met him, close against the roof. It lit up with joy at the sight of him. Tama ! whispered the poor boy.

What have they done to you asked Tama. They tied me in this basket and hung me to the roof, and here they left me. Not a mouthful of food or water have they given me all day. I fear they mean to starve me to death. Help me, Tama!"

I came to help you," said Tama. But I must think of a plan. I dare not make the hole bigger, or they would see it."

He thought in silence for a few moments. They are dancing below you "he asked.

"Yes."

"How do they dance?"

"Badly. We do it much better."

"Tell them so. Jeer at them. Tell them we dance much better at our home. They will take you down and tell you to prove your words. Dance then till you are hot and must ask for air. When they open the door dance near it till you see a chance to rush out. Be sure to fling the door shut behind you. I will do the rest."

"I will carry out your plan," his brother said. Hi! you people there below," he called from his basket. Why do you not dance gracefully I never saw such wretched dancing !

The dancing stopped. The people gazed up in amazement at his boldness.

Such antics he went on. Such twists and turns Like wooden people I wonder you are not ashamed." He laughed and jeered unceas- ingly.

Keep quiet up there ! cried the people. "We do it far better at home," he went on. You should see our dances !

The angry people rushed at the basket and pulled it down. "Dance, and prove your boasts," they cried.

Setting him free in the middle of the floor, they sat round the sides of the room ready to jeer him. In a few minutes, instead of flouting him they were staring hard with envious eyes, for he danced beautifully. Indeed, they had never seen such grace of movement before.

Round and round he went, backwards and forwards, till everybody could see how hot and tired he was. "Air ! he cried, or I cannot dance."

They opened the door. Now he began to dance in rings, making each circle wider than the one before. As the last one brought him to the door he sprang outside and flung the door shut behind him.

Tama was waiting with a heavy beam. He threw it across the door. Lash that end to the post,"he said. Between them they secured each end As the door opened outwards, the people were prisoners until some passing neighbour drew the beam from its fastenings.

Leaving the tricked people to beat and hammer on the door, the brothers quietly went home. Though victorious in the end, it is said that for many months they kept well out of the way of those people. Certain it is that they never again stole fruit from the garden wall.