Page:Papuan Fairy Tales.djvu/91

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MANUBADA'S BRIDE
59

She sat down and wept until she was weary. Then she ate a mango which she had carried with her, and as she made an end of eating, she threw the stone behind her. After a time she saw that the tide was rising, moreover, she remembered that the island was covered at high tide. Then she feared greatly that she would be drowned, as the cruel girls had wished. She looked about for a way of escape, and found that the mango stone she had thrown behind her had already sprouted, and was grown a tree. The girl climbed up quickly, for waves were now washing at the foot of the tree.

By and by came Manubada, the great fish hawk. He flapped his wings with joy when he saw the maiden in the tree. He had never looked on aught so fair before, and he took her to be his bride. Then did Manubada bring her fish, and she turned aside with loathing, saying, "I cannot eat raw flesh." But he had no fire to give her, and sorrow filled his heart that she ate not of his gifts.

After a time a little son was born. As soon as he was grown his mother bade him fly to the mainland and bring her help. Quoth she, "Little son, on the beach thou wilt see a natu tree. Perch on that and wait until a man in mourning garb passes under it. He is thy grandfather, and is mourning for me, his child. Do thou tell him where I am. Ask him also to give thee a cooking pot, a piece of burning wood, some taro, and a pearl shell with which to peel it."

The bird-child did even as his mother bade him,