50. The Rabbit, the Hornbill, and the Party

"The horned animals are having a party," said Hornbill.

"Then we'll wear horns!" said Rabbit. 

So Rabbit and Hornbill made horns of beeswax and went to the party.

After a while, Hornbill whispered, "Our wax is melting."

"What did he say?" Cow asked Rabbit. 

"He said: give us beer," so Cow gave them beer.

"It's really melting," said Hornbill, more loudly.

"What did he say?" Goat asked Rabbit.

"He said: give us wine," so Goat gave them wine.

At last the wax was all gone.

"They don't have horns!" bellowed Buffalo, and then both Rabbit and Hornbill turned and ran.

[an Ila story from Zambia]

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Inspired by: "Hare Makes Himself Horns of Beeswax" in The Ila-Speaking Peoples Of Northern Rhodesia, Volume 2 by Edwin Smith and Andrew Murray Dale, 1920.
Notes: You can read the original story online.

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