Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/53

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THE KING OF THE SNAKES
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with the tip of it the angry waters which were about to cover him. And on a sudden the sea rose no more, but began to flow down the side of the mountain. Still was Raudalo not content, and he pursued the flood down the hill, ever and anon putting forth his forked tongue that there might be no tarrying on the way. Thus went they down the mountain and over the plain country until the sea shore was reached. And the waters lay in their bed once more and the flood was stayed. But Raudalo feared to depart lest the waters should rise again. He therefore took his dwelling in a cave of coral among the cliffs of Qarara, and remaineth unto this day, to keep guard over the sea. And when its waves are big and the people fear a flood, Raudalo comes forth from his cave, and repeats a charm which when the sea heareth, it is still and the people's fear melteth away.


THE TALKING BANANAS.

In the old days lived a man and his wife who had one little son. They dwelt in peace, and had but one fear. This was that some day the witch on the hill behind the house might come down and kill their little child.

Now it fell on a day that the husband and wife