FAVOURITE STORIES FROM BORNEO
Why Crocodiles Are Afraid of dayaks
Once upon time, there was a Dayak who was a very good hunter. One day, as he was returning home carrying two jungle fowls. As he was starled to see a large crocodile on the path in front of him. “Where are you going, Mr crocodile?” he asked. Actually, althrough he was afraid, he knew that he could with its shirt legs.
“I am loking some food,” said the crocodile.
“well, why you don’t come home with me? I’m sure my wife will cook something for you, in any case, we can eat these two jungle fowls.”
The Dayak thought this was the best way to answer the crocodile. He was afraid that if he did not treat the crocodile politely, the crocodile would eat him up.
“Thank you,” reflied the crocodile. “you are very kind.” He was curious to see how the Dayaks live as he had never visited one of their houses before. He was very friendly and could talk very well.
After eating the meal which Mrs. Dayak had cooked for him, he said. “I’m very comfortable here. Can I stay with you longer?”
“ofcourse,” the Dayak said. He thought that if would make him appear a very important man to have a crocodile staying at his house.
“Why not allow him to marry our daughter?” his wife asked.
“You mas be mad!” her husband cried.
“Well, what’s wrong with that? Have you never heared the old Dayak story about the crocodile who maried a girl and afterwards changed into a handsome, rich, young man?”
“I don’t have believe in fairy stories,” her husband said. “In real life it never happens like that.”
“All right,” his wife answered,” even if he’s not a handsome, rich, young man, he will have to work to support you. That’s the Dayak custom.”
Finnaly, the Dayak agreed to the crocodile marrying his daughter.
He soon found out that his son-in-law was lazy and good-for-nothing. The crocodile only wanted to lie in the sun the whole day and show his sharp teet from time to time. He refused to do any work. He ate so much that his father-in-law’s supply of rice was soon finished. He than forced the Dayak’s neighbours to give him more by opening his terrible-looking mouth and showing his sharp teeth. Verry soon, he was hated by all the Dayak’s.
“What shall we do?” they asked each other. “if we keep quiet, all the crocodiles will think we’re afraid of them. We must find a way to teach him a good lesson..”
So one day, while he was sleeping, they jumped on him and cut him to pieces.
The news of what had happened quickly reached the king of crocodiles. Surprisingly enough, he agreed with what the Dayaks had done. “Customs are important,” he said quietly.“ They must always be followed. As he marired a Dayaks girl, he should have followed the Dayakcustoms. He deserved what he got.”
And so, to this day, a crocodile will not dare to look a Dayak in the face or do any harm to him.
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