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A10 LOCAL
Friday 20 September 2024
Keeping up with the conniving spider…

Nanzi fools Cha Tiger

Many years ago, Cha* him to say such things. ran toward Nanzi’s house,
Tiger did not live in the “You, Nanzi? You are such prepared to teach Nanzi
mondi*, but among civ- a liar! He’ll stomp you into a painful lesson. The entire
il society. Back then, he next Tuesday, stop saying way there he was growling
was feared by everyone. such nonsense.” and yelling, making every-
When he walked past in a “I’m not lying!” Nanzi de- one around aware what
halfway, everyone around fended himself. “He’ll take was going to happen. They
would make room immedi- me all the way to Shon all ran inside and peaked
ately, that’s how ferocious Arei*.” through the blinds to see
he was. the fight that was going to
The next morning, Shon Arei unfold.
One night a group of friends already knew of what Nan-
was hanging out and they zi had been saying about Nanzi also heard Cha Ti-
were talking about Cha Ti- Cha Tiger. He was really ger’s screams, slowly get-
ger. “You know, that tiger curious to see if Nanzi was ting closer and closer.
sure is incredibly strong and brave enough to put his He was terrified. His face
I don’t trust him one bit. He money where his mouth is. turned pale, and his teeth
probably eats a lot too. Oh, Cha Tiger walked past. started chattering like
I’m so scared of him!” one “Hey, Cha Tiger!” someone someone with a high fever.
person said. called to him. He growled Sweat was dripping down
“Oh, don’t be stupid! What at the person. “Hey, Cha his forehead.
can Cha Tiger do? He’s all Tiger! Listen!”
bark and no bite, that’s it. “Nanzi made fun of you, When Cha Tiger arrived at
I certainly am not afraid of said he wasn’t afraid of Nanzi’s place, he stormed
him. I bet you guys that I you at all! Said he could sit in and saw Nanzi’s frail little friends, so I came to Once they started traveling
could even sit on his back on your back and that you body lying face down in hear from your own mouth through the mondi, Nanzi
like I would any donkey.” weren’t as strong as we the corner. “Hey, how are what you have to say to turned to Cha Tiger and
It was Nanzi who said this. think you are.” you, Cha Tiger?” Nanzi me,” Cha Tiger retorted, still said: “These mosquitos are
The people around him Cha Tiger stopped dead in asked, his voice trembling. fuming. so annoying! Cha Tiger, do
laughed at his remarks, his tracks, furious. “Well, I’ll “I Heard you were making you mind if I cut a piece of
thinking how silly it was for set him straight!” Cha Tiger fun of me in front of your “Me? Talk bad about you?” branch so I can keep these
Nanzi chuckled nervously. mosquitos away?” Cha Ti-
“People are such liars, I ger let him take his branch.
swear. Can’t you see how Eventually they made it
sick I am here?” Nanzi took out the mondi to where ev-
a pause, like someone who eryone else was. Nanzi im-
couldn’t breathe prop- mediately perked up and
erly. In his case of course, whacked Cha Tiger with his
it was probably from ex- branch, making the tiger
treme fear. “Shi Maria* jump. He ran all the way to
wanted to take me to Shon Shon Arei’s castle. Exhaust-
Arei, where someone can ed, he plumped down in
heal me from my illness.” front of His Majesty.
Still wrapped up in his act, “See, Shon Arei? Cha Tiger
Nanzi turned back face ain’t nothing but a big don-
down. “Me, a father of nine key!” Nanzi said proudly.
little children…” Everyone around cheered:
Cha Tiger was shocked. “Hurray, Nanzi!” Poor Cha
Nanzi looked absolutely Tiger was so embarrassed
terrible, God knows he was that he was fooled by the
dying. conniving spider, and so he
“Cha Tiger, you’re strong. ran into the mondi to hide.
Could you put me on your To this day, it’s said that the
back and take me to Shon tiger still hides away in the
Arei, I can barely walk,” mondi.
Nanzi pleaded. Cha Tiger
took pity on the spider and Cha: Nickname placed in
agreed to do this favor. front of someone’s name
Nanzi climbed on the ti- and can mean anything,
ger’s back, letting his body like friend. However, it often
fall down and grabbing has negative connotations
on to Cha Tiger’s neck. first.
“Would you mind putting a Mondi: dry wooded areas
rope in your mouth so I can found on the ABC islands.
hold on? That way I can sit Shon Arei: The King
up straight,” Nanzi asked. Shi Maria: Nanzi’s wife.
Cha Tiger growled in re- Story and pictures are from
luctance but said OK. And “Kon Nanzi a Nek Shon Arei
so they made their way to (i otro kuentanan antiano
Shon Arei. di e araña sabi)” by Nilda
Pinto.q