10 ‐ Soamandranovola and Big Crocodile

 

(Soamandranovola sy Ravoaibe)

A tale from the Antaimoro (South‐East)

Text : Ratsifa, Illustrations : Ramika

 

(4) A long time ago, dear children, so goes a tale told in the land of Antaimoro, there wasn’t a single dugout in Madagascar and people used crocodiles to cross the waters. So the story goes there was once a princess whose name was Soamandranovola was to cross a river with a friend, and she called (6) The crocodile came and they sat on his back. On their way across the river, the princess couldn’t help saying cheekily « This crocodile smells bad. This crocodile smells bad. »

 Her friend asked her not to say such things, but she would go on « But it is true, it smells really bad! »

 

(8) When they returned, Ravoaibe the crocodile held back the daughter of the king and said: “That Your friend may leave, but not you.».

 And full of anger, he grabbed Soamandranovola and took her slowly down into the water. The princess became frightened:

 « Oh Father, Ravoaibe, Big Crocodile, my feet are getting wet!

 « Oh Father, Big Crocodile, my chest is getting wet ! »

 

(10) « Oh Father,  Ravoaibe, Big Crocodile, my mouth is getting wet ! My head is nearly under water! It’s not under yet but it’s going under!”

 Big Crocodile was very angry with the  princess girl and hid her in a cave. Then he rushed off to invite his family, his children and their children to feast on his prey.

 

(12)But  before all of Big Crocodile’s family had gathered, a zebu happened to pass by over the cave. The roof gave way under the animal’s weight. Soamandranovola was able to grab hold of the bull’s foot and so managed to get out. Once out she climbed up a big tree and hid herself.

 

(14) « Bring her here », growled Big Crocodile, « she’s in the cave ». He sent his servant but he could not find the princess. He sent some other crocodiles but they could not find her. They looked everywhere inside the cave but could not find the girl.

 « Where could she have gone ? » asked Big Crocodile. They opened the entire cave up, but Soamandranovola was nowhere to be found.

 Big Crocodile’s children flew into such a rage that he was obliged to let them eat himself for their dinner instead. Ravoaibe’s children were very angry and he had to sacrifice himself for them to eat.

 

(16) In the meantime, the king was very worried by the absence of his daughter. « Where on earth can my daughter be?».

 Soamandranovola’s friend replied : « We were together, but she was unable to hold her tongue and said that the crocodile smelt horrible. Hearing this, Big Crocodile grabbed her and did not let her go.

 

(18) The king sent many servants in search of Soamandranovola. They looked everywhere but couldn’t find her either. During all this time, Soamandranovola was perched on a tree, calling all the birds that flew by to take her back to her parents.(20) The Crow flew by, he refused because people curse him when he eats their manioc (cassava) roots. Mr Weaverbird  (Foudy) also rebuked her, because he got chased off only for picking up the  grains of rice that had fallen to the ground. When the big Vorondreo [=Cuckoo-roller]  happened to pass by, she cried « Oh Mr Vorondreo, take me back home, to my father and mother. I will give you three sacks of food as a reward! » she said. He paused when he heard that and agreed to carry her home.

 

(22) Vorondreo and Soamandranovola flew over several villages. The  people below heard the resounding voice of Mr Cuckoo singing: « Coo, coo, oh parents of Soamandranovola! It’s a long time since she was abducted by the crocodile. »

 And they went on on their way. « Coo,coo, oh parents of Soamandranovola, Ravoaibe kept your daughter for a long time! »

 

(24) An old woman who was enjoying the sunshine behind the houses of her village,  heard the bird’s voice and called the king. The king came and they listened together to the call of the bird. « Coo, coo! Oh parents of Soamandranovola ! » ‐

 

« Bring her down here, bring her down here! Her father is here, her mother is here ! » shouted the king. And Vorondreo flew down with Soamandranovola on his back.

 

(26) The king was overcome with joy with his daughter back safe and sound. « Thank you very much Mr Vorondreo, may god reward you for what you have done for us », said the king as he gave him the three sacks of food that had been promised. 

 The king had ten zebus killed and sacrificed to the crocodiles in the river, because his daughter had narrowly escaped being killed there. Then, he invited all the people of the village to rejoice and celebrate together with his family.

 

Tales, tales, stories, stories.....

 

(840) C, ropf