34 Children of Yayoute

to where Bouqui left him, calling out, -Bouqui 6! Bouqui 6!
Come quickly! Something terrible has happened !
 cWhat is it, Malice? What is it?> he yelled as he came.
 -After you left me the ground began to swallow the
donkey and all that is on it. I tried and can't get it out.,
 Why don't you get her by the tail and pull her out? Let
me try it. I'm always known for my strength., He grabbed
the tail with both hands and gave it one hard pull, and he
fell on his back with the donkey's tail in his hand, and made
a double somersault. Oh-oh.- he grunted. <It broke off. But
I'll get it by the ear.v He took each ear in turn and they as
well came out. Oh-oh,, he complained. aThere is some-
thing crooked about the whole thing. Maybe I should not
have sold M&re Bouqui. I have to find a way to buy her
back.- Worriedly he went home.
 Malice presented to have started back home too, but,
by a short cut he ran quickly back to get the donkey and
the load on it. But he found the animal had disappeared
with all the groceries. Malice, too, gained nothing by the
scheme.
 When Bouqui returned home he was surprised to find
Mere Bouqui there. She told him that the mulatto woman
who bought her said that she was too old, and therefore
gave her old clothes, food and ten gourdes; and sent her
home.
 The two colibris, on the way back to their niches from
the fields, came upon Bouqui and Mere Bouqui sitting
together, eating in the utmost harmony.
 -Do you see what I see, Commere Colibri?
 -Yes. She has forgiven him.,