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Updated: June 26, 2025
In times of doubt Gopani-Kufa always consulted the wasp as to what had better be done, so on this occasion he took it out of the little rush basket in which he carried it, saying: 'Zengi-mizi, what gift shall I ask of Insato to-morrow when he would know the reward he shall bestow on me for saving his life?
One night, when all the town slept, he felt beneath her pillow and, finding the Mirror, he stole it and fled back with it to Rei, the chief of the white men. So it befell that, one day, as Gopani-Kufa was gazing up at the river from a window of the palace he again saw the war-canoes of the white men; and at the sight his spirit misgave him.
'Shasasa! my daughter! he cried wildly, 'go fetch me the mirror, for the white men are at hand. 'Woe is me, my father! she sobbed. 'The Mirror is gone! For I loved Butou the traitor, and he has stolen Sipao from me! Then Gopani-Kufa calmed himself, and drew out Zengi-mizi from its rush basket. 'O spirit of my father! he said, 'what now shall I do?
Go back now to thine own country; Sipao will show you the way. Gopani-Kufa was greatly rejoiced, and, taking farewell of the king, said to the Mirror: 'Sipao, Sipao, I wish to be back upon the Earth again! Instantly he found himself standing upon the upper earth; but, not knowing the spot, he said again to the Mirror: 'Sipao, Sipao, I want the path to my own kraal!
'Biz-z-z, hummed Zengi-mizi, 'ask him for Sipao the Mirror. And it flew back into its basket. Gopani-Kufa was astonished at this answer; but knowing that the words of Zengi-mizi were true words, he determined to make the request.
'Zengi-mizi, he said, 'the king seems loth to grant my request for the Mirror is there not some other thing of equal value for which I might ask? And the wasp answered: 'There is nothing in the world, O Gopani-Kufa, which is of such value as this Mirror, for it is a Wishing Mirror, and accomplishes the desires of him who owns it.
Insato was lying upon the ground, still sleepy from the effects of his huge meal, and when he saw the man he thanked him again, and said: 'Come with me now to Pita, which is my own country, and I will give you what you will of all my possessions. Gopani-Kufa at first was afraid, thinking of what the antelope had said, but finally he consented and followed Insato into the forest.
If the king hesitates, go to him the next day, and the day after, and in the end he will bestow the Mirror upon you, for you saved his life. And it was even so. For three days Gopani-Kufa returned the same answer to the king, and, at last, with tears in his eyes, Insato gave him the Mirror, which was of polished iron, saying: 'Take Sipao, then, O Gopani-Kufa, and may thy wishes come true.
And as they passed, the people who were singing at their work in the fields, abandoned their labours and saluted Insato with delight, bringing also palm wine and green cocoanuts for refreshment, as to one returned from a long journey. 'These are my children! said Insato, waving his hand towards the people. Gopani-Kufa was much astonished at all that he saw, but he said nothing.
'Yes, said the dying antelope, 'he will reward you, and lo! your reward shall be your own undoing! Gopani-Kufa went back to his kraal, and with the new moon he returned again to the spot where he had saved the python.
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