Chapter I: The Two Crafty Men
Once upon a time, there were two men called Ikotofetsy and Imahaka. Ikotofetsy comes from the West and Imahaka from the East. One day, the two met at a valley and chatted for the first time.
Imahaka brought a fake spade made of clay and Ikotofetsy brought a pied crow packed in a bag.
Morning, buddy, Ikotofetsy said with a smile. What's in your hand?
It's a spade. I want to barter it for chicken.
Really? I have a chicken here in my bag to be bartered for spade.
That's nice, so let's barter them if you want.
Sure. Be careful though, because it's a shy chicken, so please don't open the bag on your way.
Okay. I urge you as well not to use the spade right away because I've just forged it. Just wait a little while.
After cutting the deal, they exchanged farewells and left.
When they arrived at their respective homes, Imahaka opened the bag and the crow flew away; Ikotofetsy dug with the spade and it shattered into pieces. Gee, we are so crafty! they all mumbled, almost together.
The two men met again few days later.
Listen, Imahaka said in a friendly tone. Now that we are friends, why don't we weigh each other up a little bit?
Sounds good to me.
So I tell you something that puzzles me and if you know the answer, I'll accept that you're smarter than me. Okay?
Go ahead.
I ask myself why a black female zebu produces white milk. Do you know the answer?
Ikotofetsy pondered for a while and said, I don't know, me too I'm so confused about it.
It's your turn now, Imahaka continued.
For me, I wonder why zebu and sheep don't have the same type of tail, even though they eat the same type of grass: zebu's tail is thin an long, whereas sheep's tail is short and furry.
Uh, you're right. I find it bizarre as well.
Well, buddy, Ikotofetsy said. That means we are all smart, so let's have a good friendship.
And they prepare a delicious meal to celebrate their new friendship.
Let's cut a deal first, Imahaka said as soon as the meal was ready.
Yeah?
Let's sleep before eating, and the one who'll have a nice dream will be the only one who's gonna eat the meal.
No problem.
So they went to sleep and tried to have a dream as nice as they could.
When they woke up, both of them were eager to tell their dream. Imahaka started first.
I dreamed that I went up to heaven and saw things that are so wonderful…And how about you? Tell me if you had a better one.
I dreamed that I saw you went up to heaven and I muttered to myself 'I'd better wake up and eat the meal because that guy won't come back anymore.' But, when I actually woke up I realized that you're still here.
They couldn't stop laughing.
That's amazing, Imahaka finally said as he glanced at the meal. Shall we eat?
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