Staffrider Vol.5 No.2 1982 - DISA

Tonata gave her some more
food. But while she was eating, he
took his big iron and cut off her
ear. In a panic the girl ran towards
the mysterious house. Its door
opened, and closed when she was
inside.
remain behind.
The next day the girl arrived just as
before.
'May I sit by the fire?' she asked. 'I
am very cold.' Tonata let her sit.
'Please give me some food,' said the
girl.
Tonata gave her some. She ate it
greedily.
'Please give me some more,' said the
girl.
Tonata gave her some more. But
while she was eating, he took his big
iron and cut off her ear. In a panic the
girl ran towards the mysterious house.
Its door opened, and closed when she
was inside.
Then the ear began to speak: 'Treat
me well and I will give you everything
you like. If you need anything, bite me
and your wish will be granted.
Now, like his friends Tonata too had
an extraordinary gift.
When his friends arrived they were
surprised to find him not tied and with
food for them.
'How did you escape from her?' they
wanted to know.
Tonata told, them what had happened.
'And after I cut off her ear, she ran
into that house that cannot be opened.'
They all agreed that they must
attempt once more to enter the
mysterious house.
Nangolo, Ihalwa and Idhimbwa tried
once more to use their different talents
to enter the house. But they failed.
Then it was Tonata's turn. He tapped
on the door with his iron. It opened
immediately.
'Ah!' said Nangolo. 'Now I can go
inside.' He stepped in. But no sooner
was he in then he ran out, frightened.
'All the animals and reptiles and
people are angry and were about to
attack me,' he cried.
He bit the ear and it said: 'Every
person and every beast will
welcome you into that house.'
And that's what happened. When
Tonata entered every bird, person
and animal was pleased to see him.
And he was given gifts of farms,
wagons, skins and even people. So
busy was Tonata receiving gifts
that he remained in the house for
three days.
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'You're a coward!' said Idhimbwa
and went to see for himself. But he too
received the same reception.
Ihalwa tried too, boasting that he
would swallow every person and beast if
he were attacked. But he couldn't and
ran out instead.
Then it was Tonata's turn. Before
entering he sang a song:
Everybody said I am Lazy
and all my friends laughed at me
but my iron did something
which they couldn't do
Ront, ront, ront, ront
Burr burr tu tu tu
He bit the ear and it said: 'Every person
and every beast will welcome you into
that house.' And that's what happened.
When Tonata entered every bird, person
and animal was pleased to see him. And
he was given gifts of farms, wagons,
skins and even people. So busy was
Tonata receiving gifts that he remained
in the house for three days.
His friends lost hope of ever seeing
him alive and returned home to tell
Tonata's parents about the death of
their son.
But soon afterwards the rich Tonata
returned home with hundreds of people
from the island. All in the village were
happy to see him and a big feast was
held in his honour. He became the chief
of the Kwangali tribe and his friends
were his slaves.
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STAFFRIDER, VOL. 5 NO. 2, 1982 31