In a moment Stone spoke again.
“You speak all tongues?” he asked thickly.
And the emergent minikin replied in sudden English:
“Yea, verily, all that you speak,” putting out its microscopic tongue, writhing its lips and wagging its head from side to side. We could see the thready ribs on its exiguous flanks heave as if the thing breathed.
“Has she forgiven me?” Stone asked in a muffled strangle.
“Not while the moss hangs from the cypresses,” the head squeaked. “Not while the stars shine on Lake Pontchartrain will she forgive."
Lukundoo by Edward Lucas White. (1925)
I enjoy this little story, though it can be difficult to ignore the very colonial racism present. Mighty White Explorer goes to Africa and ultimately has a rough time of it. Of course, mighty white explorers need somewhere to go be brave and impressive and Africa seemed to fit the bill: wildest Africa! Strange Africa! Darkest and scariest and completely unexplored by anyone ever (pay no attention to those people over there...or there...or over there) Africa! Where men are tough, women are meek, and a fair few horrifying encounters could probably be avoided if the explorers would actually listen to the locals who darn well know what they’re talking about.
Though I enjoy reading stories with adventurous individuals going to places outside my own sphere of experience, it would be nice to see more from other perspectives. What goes through the mind of the guide when these new people arrive and demand to be shown around?
What can I say about this little. 6 months already. Wow! Growing so fast. We love you 😍. #mivida #lukundoangelanachalwe #lukundoo #musyaniphotography #prideofwinamwanga @mixed_baby_mumma (at Murdoch, Western Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B52Xfn-JVwl/?igshid=1a8a1deexdwta
