|| A South-African folktale ||
The birds wanted a king. Men have a king, so have animals, and why shouldn’t they? So they all had assembled.
“The Ostrich, because he is the largest,” one called out.
“No, he can’t fly.”
“Eagle, on account of his strength.”
“Not he, he is too ugly.”
“Vulture, because he can fly the highest.”
“No, Vulture is too dirty, his odor is terrible.”
“Peacock, he is so beautiful.”
“His feet are too ugly, and also his voice.”
“Owl, because he can see well.”
“Not Owl, he is ashamed of the light.” And so they get no further. There was some fault with every bird.
Then one shouted aloud, “He who can fly the highest will be king.”
“Yes, yes,” they all screamed, and at a given signal they all ascended straight up into the sky.
Vulture flew for three whole days without stopping, straight toward the sun. The other birds grew exhausted and gave up much earlier. Then he cried aloud, “I am the highest, I am king.”
“T-sie, t-sie, t-sie,” he heard above him. There Tink-tinkje was flying. (African tink tinkie, is a small bird that is known for its unique chirp). He had held fast to one of the great wing feathers of Vulture, and had never been felt, for he was so light. “T-sie, t-sie, t-sie, I am the highest, I am king,” piped Tink-tinkje.
Vulture flew for another day still ascending. “I am highest, I am king.” “T-sie, t-sie, t-sie, I am the highest, I am king,” Tink-tinkje mocked. There he was again, having crept out from under the wing of Vulture.
Vulture flew on the fifth day straight up in the air. “I am the highest, I am king,” he called.
“T-sie, t-sie, t-sie,” piped the little fellow above him. “I am the highest, I am king.”
Vulture was tired and now flew direct to earth. The other birds, of course, were mad through and through. Tink-tinkje was a cheat and must pay the price because he had taken advantage of Vulture’s feathers and there hidden himself.
All birds flew after him and he had to hide in a mouse hole.
But how were they to get him out? Some one must stand guard to seize him the moment he put out his head.
“Owl must keep guard; he has the largest eyes; he can see well,” they exclaimed.
Owl went and took up his position before the hole. The sun was warm and soon Owl became sleepy and soon he was fast asleep.
Tink-tinkje peeped, saw that Owl was asleep, and z-zip away he went. Shortly afterwards the other birds came to see if Tink-tinkje were still in the hole. “T-sie, t-sie,” they heard in a tree; and there the little mischievous bird still was sitting in a small hole laughing at them. The birds decided to ignore him and went their separate ways without choosing a king.
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