Wakaima and the Clay Man (3)

Wakaima and the Clay Man (3)

Later the moon rose.

There stood the Clay Man. There was his shadow, black in the white moonlight.

Wanjovu had been asleep in his own bed for hours when the little figure of Wakaima stole into his potato patch.

When Wakaima saw the clay man looming up in the moonlight he was frightened.
Could it be Wanjovuwaiting to punish him for stealing the corn and the potatoes ?

He dared not move.

The clay man did not move.

Finally Wakaima gathered courage to speak:
" Hullo, Wanjovu, " he called, " What are you doing here at this time of night ? "

The clay man did not answer.

Wakaima began to lose his temper.

" You are not Wanjovu ! " he shouted.
" You are a thief who has come to steal his corn. Answer me, or I will go at once and tell Wanjovu. "

The clay man did not answer.

Wakaima drew nearer to him.
He was puzzled. He said,
" Who are you ? Why do you not answer ? "

The clay man did not answer.

Wakaima walked cautiously all around him.
The clay man looked very large in the moonlight.

" If you do not answer me, I will hit you ! " shouted Wakaima.

The clay man did not answer.

Wakaima went up to him and struck him as hard as he could with his paw.

And his paw stuck to the soft clay.

" Let me go ! he screamed.
" Let me go, or I will hit you with my other paw ! "

But the clay man did not let him go.

(つづく　3/5)