Description
The Orange Fairy Book
The Story of the Hero Makoma
From the Senna (Oral
Tradition)
Once upon a time, at the town of Senna on the banks of the Zambesi, was
born a child. He was not like other children, for he was very tall and
strong; over his shoulder he carried a big sack, and in his hand an
iron hammer. He could also speak like a grown man, but usually he was
very silent.
One day his mother said to him: ‘My child, by what name shall we know
you?’
And he answered: ‘Call all the head men of Senna here to the river’s
bank.’ And his mother called the head men of the town, and when they
had come he led them down to a deep black pool in the river where all
the fierce crocodiles lived.
‘O great men!’ he said, while they all listened, ‘which of you will
leap into the pool and overcome the crocodiles?’ But no one would come
forward. So he turned and sprang into the water and disappeared.
The people held their breath, for they thought: ‘Surely the boy is
bewitched and throws away his life, for the crocodiles will eat him!’
Then suddenly the ground trembled, and the pool, heaving and swirling,
became red with blood, and presently the boy rising to the surface swam
on shore.
But he was no longer just a boy! He was stronger than any man and very
tall and handsome, so that the people shouted with gladness when they
saw him.