“Oh, Mr. Ape!” said the witch, “let me hide myself first, for I am not able to dig for myself, and you are.  Do me this favor, please.”

“I should be very impolite, if I refused to do a favor for a lady,” said the ape.  “Come down, but hurry, or you will be too late.”

The witch hurried as fast as she could and got down into the pit.  Then the ape threw stones down on her until she was dead.  The house then became free from enchantment and always visible.

The ape then returned to the chief’s house and reported that all was ready for the wedding.  So the chief, Masoy, and the bride, escorted by a large number of people, set out for Masoy’s palace.  On the way they saw many rich farms and great herds of cattle.  The chief asked the people who the owner of these farms and cattle was.  The answer always was that they belonged to Masoy.  Consequently the chief was greatly impressed by Masoy’s great wealth.

The chief greatly admired the palace and considered himself fortunate to have such a son-in-law.  That night the wedding took place, and Masoy lived many years in the palace with his wife, having the ape and a great number of slaves to serve him.

CHAPTER 20

Arnomongo and Iput-Iput.

(The Ape and the Firefly.)

One evening the firefly was on his way to the house of a friend, and as he passed the ape’s house, the latter asked him:  “Mr. Fire-fly, why do you carry a light?” The firefly replied:  “Because I am afraid of the mosquitoes.”  “Oh, then you are a coward, are you?” said the ape.  “No, I am not,” was the answer.  “If you are not afraid,” asked the ape, “why do you always carry a lantern?” “I carry a lantern so that when the mosquitoes come to bite me I can see them and defend myself,” replied the firefly.  Then the ape laughed aloud, and on the next day he told all his neighbors that the firefly carried a light at night because he was a coward.

When the firefly heard what the ape had said, he went to his house.  It was night and the ape was asleep, but the firefly flashed his light into his face and awakened him.  The firefly was very angry and said:  “Why did you spread the report that I was a coward?  If you wish to prove which of us is the braver, I will fight you on the plaza next Sunday evening.”

The ape inquired:  “Have you any companions?” “No,” replied the fire-fly, “I will come alone.”  Then the ape laughed at the idea of such a little creature presuming to fight with him, but the firefly continued:  “I shall be expecting you on the plaza about six o’clock next Sunday afternoon.”  The ape replied:  “You had better bring some one to help you, as I shall bring my whole company, about a thousand apes, each as big as myself.”  This he said, thinking to frighten the strange little insect, who seemed to him to be crazy.  But the firefly answered:  “I shall not need any companions, but will come alone.  Good-by.”