But the next day she thought upon it, and said in her heart that the voice might be that of a visitor. So, hungering for human flesh, she crept down the hill again. The child had been eating bananas every day, and there were but a few on the stalk. Yet they knew their work and fulfilled it.
"Who are with thee?" asked the witch once more.
"Au rava," answered the child.
"I would fain hear their voices."
"Au rava!" he called to the bananas.
"U!" they answered from the house within, and their voice was low.
She hastened home again. And in like manner was it every day. Then alas! came an evil day. The little lad, being hungry, picked the last banana on the stalk, and ate it. When he had made an end of eating, he went out and sat on the swing under the almond tree.
Not long was he there ere the witch came again, and asked the child who were with him.
"Au rava," he made answer as was his custom.
"Then let me hear them speak," said the witch.
"Au rava!" he called.
But all was still, for there were no bananas left to speak.
Then did the witch's eyes gleam, and she drew a little nearer, and said in a soft voice,
"Thy people may be sleeping. Call louder, child, that I may listen to their voices."
"Au rava!" shouted the child.
