Suriname folk-lore

15. Gɔ̨' Dɛdɛ.

Anąnsi go leni wan gɔ̨' na Hɔntiman. Dąn a sɛn' piki ala den meti, taki, den mu kɔm na ɛ̨ŋ, bikasi gɔ̨' dɛdɛ. Ala den mɛti bɛn brei̯ti bikasi gɔ̨' bɛn dɛ wąn takru sani. Na gɔ̨' bɛn dɛ kiri den na busi. Ɛn so den bɛn brei̯ti fō yeri taki a dɛdɛ.

Dąn Anąnsi meki den meki wa trapu. Dąn a pɔti gɔ̨' na tapu taki, dę i go bɛri hɛm. Ma a meki den meti waka lɛti na fesi, dą' a pɔti gɔ̨' mɔfo leti na tapu 'a trapu. Dą' den pikin fō ɛ̨ŋ tyari na trapu. Dąn Anąnsi go sidɔn na tapu gɔ̨'. Fa-i-si a luku ala den meti de na wan rei̯ na fesi fō gɔ̨, so a süt' gɔ̨'. Ala den meti dɛdɛ, dą' Anąnsi bɛn fen' furu nyąm.

Anąnsi kɔni tumusi.

15. Mock Funeral. - Gun is Dead.⁴

Anansi went and borrowed a gun from Hunter. Then he sent word to all the animals that they must come to him, because gun was dead. All the animals were happy because gun was an evil thing. It was gun that had been killing them in the bush. And so they were happy to hear that it was dead.

Then Anansi had them make a ladder. Then he put the gun on top, saying they were going to bury it. But he made the animals walk right in front, and he put the nozzle of the gun right on top of the ladder. And his children carried the ladder. Then Anansi went to sit down on top of the gun. As he saw all the animals in a single row in front of the gun, he discharged the gun. All the animals died, and Anansi found much food.

Anansi is very cunning.

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