He quickly collected all the feathers and threw them into the fire, where they were quickly burned away in a blaze of brightly colored flames. Then he opened the door, called his men, and ordered them to start building a fine big house for his new wife. When his mother returned, she asked Masilo who this beautiful girl was. “My wife Soyane!” answered he, proudly. That same day Manyope saw—to her surprise—that Soyane’s cup was no longer cracked and that her blanket was lying on the shelf in one piece, like new. You can understand that she was very happy! Of course, the men who had been helotomies were all put to death.

Jan Knappert is retired from London University, where he was a professor of African and Asian languages; he now devotes his time to writing. Part two, containing two more Basotho tales, will appear in our next issue.