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Friday 6 September 2024 locAl
A10

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