The Nyamatsanes
The Dangerous Request
A warrior standing near a traditional hut speaking to his wife
Far and far away in a hot land where there is very little water, there once dwelt a great warrior with his wife and children. They were very happy together, until one day the woman said: "I must have the liver of a Nyamatsane for my dinner. If you love me, you will get me one. If you do not, I shall know that you do not love me and that you are no warrior."
"Wife, wife," he answered, "evil will come of this." But she went on pestering him until at last he agreed. Next day, he took his assegai and bag of food and set out.
The warrior found the home of the Nyamatsanes. Through clever tricks and disguises, he managed to secure the liver. But the Nyamatsanes, terrible monsters of the land, chased him. As he ran, he used a magic bright diamond he had found. When he threw it down, it grew into a huge rock as smooth as glass. He climbed it to safety, and the monsters could not reach him. Finally, he returned home safely to his hut.