HOW THE ALPHABET WAS MADE
THEweekafterTaffimaiMetallumai(wewillstillcallherTaffy,BestBeloved)madethatlittlemistakeaboutherDaddysspeararanger-manaure-letterandall,shewentcarp-fishingagainwithherDaddy.HerMummywantedhertostayathomeandhelphanguphidestodryonthebigdrying-polesoutsidetheirhicCave,butTaffyslippedawaydowntoherDaddyquiteearly,andtheyfished.Presentlyshebegantogiggle,andherDaddysaid,Dontbesilly,child.
Butwasntiting!saidTaffy.DontyourememberhowtheHeadChiefpuffedouthischeeks,andhowfunnytheranger-manlookedwiththemudinhishair?
WelldoI,saidTegumai.Ihadtopaytwodeerskins--softohfriotheStranger-manforthethiohim.
Wedidntdoanything,saidTaffy.ItwasMummyaherhicladies--andthemud.
Wewonttalkaboutthat,saidherDaddy,Letshavelunch.
Taffytookamarrow-boneandsatmousy-quietfortenwholeminutes,whileherDaddyscratchedonpiecesofbirch-barkwithasharkstooth.Thenshesaid,Daddy,Ivethinkedofasecretsurprise.Youmakeanoise--anysortofnoise.
Ah!saidTegumai.Willthatdotobeginwith?
Yes,saidTaffy.Youlookjustlikeacarp-fishwithitsmouthopen.Sayitagain,please.
Ah!ah!ah!saidherDaddy.Dontberude,mydaughter.
Imnotmeaningrude,reallyandtruly,saidTaffy.Itspartofmysecret-surprise-think.Dosayah,Daddy,andkeepyourmouthopenattheend,andletooth.Imgoingtodra-fishsmouthwide-open.
Whatfor?saidherDaddy.
Dontyousee?saidTaffy,scratgawayonthebark.Thatwillbeourlittlesecretsprise.WhenIdra-fishwithhismouthopeninthesmokeatthebackofourCave--ifMummydoesntmind--itwillremindyouofthatah-henlaythatitwasmejumpedoutofthedarkandsprisedyouwiththatnoise--sameasIdidinthebeaver-slastwinter.
Really?saidherDaddy,inthevoicethatgrown-upsusewhentheyaretrulyattending.Goon,Taffy.
Ohbother!shesaid.Itdrawallofacarp-fish,butIdrawsomethingthatmeansacarp-fishsmouth.Dontyouknowhowtheystandontheirheadsrootinginthemud?Well,heresapretencecarp-fish(laythattherestofhimisdrawn).
Heresjusthismouth,andthatmeansah.Andshedrewthis.(1.)
Thatsnotbad,saidTegumai,andscratchedonhisownpieceofbarkforhimself;butyouvefottenthefeelerthathangsacrosshismouth.
ButItdraw,Daddy.
Youdrawanythingofhimexceptjusttheopeningofhismouthandthefeeleracross.Thenwellkno-fish,causetheperchesandtroutshaventgotfeelers.Lookhere,Taffy.Andhedrewthis.(2.)
NowIllcopyit.saidTaffy.Willyouuandthiswhenyouseeit?
Perfectly,saidherDaddy.
Andshedrewthis.(3.)AndIllbequiteassprisedwheanywhere,asifyouhadjumpedoutfrombehindatreeandsaid"Ah!"
Now,makeanothernoise,saidTaffy,veryproud.
Yah!saidherDaddy,veryloud.
Hm,saidTaffy.Thatsamixyheendpartisah-carp-fish-mouth;butwhatwedoaboutthefrontpart?Yer-yer-yerandah!Ya!
Itsverylikethecarp-fish-mouthsdrawaofthecarp-fishandjoinem,saidherDaddy.Hewasquiteioo.
No.Iftheyrejoined,Illfet.Drawitseparate.Drawhistail.Ifhesstandingonhisheadthetailwillefirst.
Sides,IthinkIdrawtailseasiest,saidTaffy.
Agoodnotion,saidTegumai."Heresacarp-fishtailfortheyer-noise.Andhedrewthis.(4.)
Illtrynow,saidTaffy.MemberItdrawlikeyou,Daddy.WillitdoifIjustdrawthesplitpartofthetail,aicky-downlineforwhereitjoins?Andshedrewthis.(5.)
HerDaddynodded,andhiseyeswereshinybrightwithcitement.
Thatsbeautiful,shesaid.Nowmakeanothernoise,Daddy.
Oh!saidherDaddy,veryloud.
Thatsquiteeasy,saidTaffy.Youmakeyourmouthallaroundlikeaneggorastone.Soaneggorastonewilldoforthat.
Youtalwaysfindeggsorstones.Wellhavetoscratcharoundsomethinglikeone.Andhedrewthis.(6.)
Mygracious!saidTaffy,whatalotofnoise-pictureswevemade,--carp-mouth,carp-tail,andegg!Now,makeanothernoise,Daddy.
Ssh!saidherDaddy,andfrowohimself,butTaffywastooionotice.
Thatsquiteeasy,shesaid,scratgonthebark.
Eh,what?saidherDaddy.ImeantIwasthinking,anddidntwanttobedisturbed.
Itsathesame.Itsthenoiseasnakemakes,Daddy,whenitisthinkingawanttobedisturbed.Letsmakethessh-noiseasnake.Willthisdo?Andshedrewthis.(7.)
There,shesaid.Thatsanothersprise-secret.Whenyoudrawahissy-shedoorofyourlittleback-cavewhereyoumendthespears,Illknowyourethinkinghard;andIlleinmostmousy-quiet.Andifyoudrawitoheriverwhenyouarefishing,Illknowyouwaowalkmostmostmousy-quiet,soasnottoshakethebanks.
Perfectlytrue,saidTegumai.Andtheresmoreinthisgamethanyouthink.Taffy,dear,IveanotionthatyourDaddysdaughterhashituponthefihingthatthereeverwassiribeofTegumaitooktousingsharksteethinsteadofflintsfortheirspear-heads.Ibelievewevefoundoutthebigsecretoftheworld.
Why?saidTaffy,andhereyesshooowithi.
Illshow,saidherDaddy.Whatswateriegumailanguage?
Ya,ofcourse,anditmeansrivertoo--likeWagai-ya--theWagairiver.
Whatisbadwaterthatgivesyoufeverifyoudrinkit--blackwater--s-water?
Yo,ofcourse.
Nowlook,saidherDaddy.Sposeyousawthisscratchedbythesideofapoolinthebeaver-s?Andhedrewthis.(8.)
Carp-tailandrouwonoisesmixed!Yo,badwater,
saidTaffy.CourseIwouldntdrinkthatwaterbecauseIdknowyousaiditwasbad.
ButIbehewateratall.Imightbemilesaway,hunting,andstill--
Andstillitwouldbejustthesameasifyoustoodthereandsaid,"Gway,Taffy,oryoullgetfever."Allthatinacarp-fish-tailandaroundegg!ODaddy,wemusttellMummy,quidTaffydancedallroundhim.
,saidTegumai;nottillwevegotlefurther.
Letssee.Yoisbadwater,butSoisfoodcookedonthefire,isntit?Andhedrewthis.(9.)
Yes.Snakeandegg,saidTaffySothatmeansdinnersready.
IfyousawthatscratchedonatreeyoudknowitwastimetoetotheCave.SodI.
MyWinkie!saidTegumai.Thatstruetoo.Butwaitaminute.Iseeadifficulty.SOmeans"eandhavedinner,"butshomeansthedrying-poleswherewehangourhides.
Horrid-poles!saidTaffy.Ihatehelpingtohangheavy,hot,hairyhidesonthem.Ifyoudrewthesnakeandegg,andIthoughtitmeantdinner,andIcameinfromthewoodandfoundthatitmeantIwastohelpMummyhawohidesonthedrying-poles,whatwouldIdo?
Youdbecross.SodMummy.Wemustmakeanewpictureforsho.
Wemustdraottyshissessh-sh,andwellplaythattheplainsnakeonlyhissesssss.
Icouldntbesurehowtoputis,saidTaffy.Andprapsifyouwereinahurryyoumightleavethemout,andIdthinkitwassowhenitwassho,andthenMummywouldcatchmejustthesame.No!Ithiterdraictureofthehorridhighdrying-polestheirveryselves,andmakequitesure.
Illputtheminjustafterthehissy-snake.Look!Andshedrewthis.(10.)
Prapsthatssafest.Itsverylike-poles,anyhow,
saidherDaddy,laughing.NowIllmakeanewhasnakeanddrying-polesoundinit.Illsayshi.ThatsTegumaiforspear,Taffy.Andhelaughed.
Dontmakefunofme,saidTaffy,asshethoughtofherpicture-letterandthemudiranger-manshair.Youdrawit,Daddy.
Wewonthavebeaversorhillsthistime,eh?saidherDaddy,Illjustdrawastraightlineformyspear.andhedrewthis.
(11.)
EvenMummycouldntmistakethatformebeingkilled.
Pleasedont,Daddy.Itmakesmeunfy.Dosomemorenoises.
Weregettingoifully.
Er-hm!saidTegumai,lookingup.Wellsayshu.Thatmeanssky.
Taffydrewtheshedrying-pole.Theopped.Wemustmakeanewpictureforthatendsound,mustntwe?
Shu-shu-u-u-u!saidherDaddy.Why,itsjustliketheround-egg-soundmadethin.
Thensposewedrawathinroundegg,aenditsafrogthathasenanythingforyears.
N-no,saidherDaddy.Ifwedrewthatinahurrywemightmistakeitfortherouself.Shu-shu-shu!Itellyouwhatwelldo.WellopenalittleholeattheendoftherouoshowhowtheO-noiserunsoutallthin,ooo-oo-oo.Likethis.Andhedrewthis.(12.)
Oh,thatslovely!Muchbetterthanathinfrog.Goon,saidTaffy,usinghersharkstooth.HerDaddywentondrawing,andhishandshookwithi.Hewentontillhehaddrawnthis.(13.)
Dontlookup,Taffy,hesaid.Tryifyoumakeoutwhatthatmeansiegumailanguage.Ifyou,wevefoundtheSecret.
Snake--pole--broken--egg--carp--tailandcarp-mouth,saidTaffy.Shu-ya.Sky-water(rain).Justthenadropfellonherhand,forthedayhadcloudedover.Why,Daddy,itsraining.
Wasthatwhatyoumeanttotellme?
Ofcourse,saidherDaddy.AndItoldityouwithoutsayingaword,didntI?
Well,IthinkIwouldhaveknownitinamithatraindropmademequitesure.Illalwaysremembernow.Shu-yameansrain,or"itisgoingtorain."Why,Daddy!Shegotupanddancedroundhim.SposeyouwentoutbeforeIwasawake,anddrawedshu-yainthesmokeonthewall,IdknowitwasgoingtorainandIdtakemybeaver-skinhood.WouldntMummybesurprised?
Tegumaigotupanddanced.(Daddiesdidntminddoingthosethingsinthosedays.)Morethanthat!Morethanthat!hesaid.
SposeIwaellyouitwasntgoingtorainmudyoumustedowntotheriver,whatwouldwedraw?SaythewordsinTegumai-talkfirst.
Shu-ya-las,yamaru.(Sky-waterending.Rivereto.)whatalotofnewsounds!Idontseehowwedrawthem.
ButIdo--butIdo!saidTegumai.Justattendamiaffy,adoanymoreto-day.Wevegotshu-yaallright,havethislasisateaser.La-la-laandhewavedhisshark-tooth.
Theresthehissy-sheendandthecarp-mouthbeforethesnake--as-as-as.Weonlywantla-la,saidTaffy.
Iknowit,butwehavetomakela-la.Ahefirstpeopleinalltheworldwhoveevertriedtodoit,Taffimai!
Well,saidTaffy,yawning,forshewasrathertired.Lasmeansbreakingorfinishingaswellasending,doesntit?
Soitdoes,saidTegumai.To-lasmeansthattheresnowateriankforMummytocookwith--justwhenImgoinghunting,too.
Andshi-lasmeansthatyourspearisbroken.IfIdonlythoughtofthatinsteadofdrawingsillybeaverpicturesfortheStranger!
La!La!La!saidTegumai,waivinghisstidfrowning.Ohbother!
Icouldhavedrawnshiquiteeasily,Taffywenton.ThenIdhavedrawnyourspearallbroken--thisway!Andshedrew.(14.)
Theverything,saidTegumai.Thatslaallover.Itisntlikeanyoftheothermarkseither.Andhedrewthis.(15.)
Nowforya.Oh,wevedobefore.Nowformaru.
Mum-mum-mum.Mumshutsonesmouthup,doesntit?Welldrawashutmouthlikethis.Andhedrew.(16.)
Thenthecarp-mouthopen.ThatmakesMa-ma-ma!Butwhataboutthisrrrrr-thing,Taffy?
Itsoundsallroughandedgy,likeyourshark-toothsawwhenyourecuttingoutaplankfortheoe,saidTaffy.
Youmeanallsharpattheedges,likethis?saidTegumai.Andhedrew.(17.)
Xactly,saidTaffy.Butwedontwantallthoseteeth:onlyputtwo.
Illonlyputinone,saidTegumai.IfthisgameoingtobewhatIthinkitwill,theeasierwemakeoursound-picturesthebetterforeverybody.Andhedrew.(18.)
Now,wevegotit,saidTegumai,standingononeleg.Illdrawemallinastringlikefish.
Haderputalittlebitofstiethiweeneachword,sostheywontrubupagainsteachotherandjostle,sameasiftheywerecarps?
Oh,Illleaveaspaceforthat,saidherDaddy.Andveryincitedlyhedrewthemallwithoutstopping,onabigofbirch-bark.(19.)
Shu-ya-lasya-maru,saidTaffy,readingitoutsoundbysound.
Thatsenoughforto-day,saidTegumai.Besides,yettingtired,Taffy.Nevermind,dear.Wellfinishitallto-morrow,andthenwellberememberedforyearsandyearsafterthebiggesttreesyouseeareallchoppedupforfirewood.
Sotheywenthome,andallthateveningTegumaisatononesideofthefireandTaffyoher,drawingyasandyosandshusandshisinthesmokeonthewallandgigglingtogethertillherMummysaid,Really,Tegumai,youreworsethanmyTaffy.
Pleasedontmind,saidTaffy.Itsonlyoursecret-sprise,Mummydear,aellyouallaboutittheverymisdopleasedontaskmewhatitisnow,orelseIllhavetotell.
SoherMummymostcarefullydidnt;andbrightandearlymTegumaiwentdowntotherivertothinkaboutnewsoundpictures,aaffygotupshesawYa-las(waterisendingorrunningout)chalkedonthesideofthebigstoer-tank,outsidetheCave.
Um,saidTaffy.Thesepicture-soundsareratherabother!
DaddysjustasgoodaseherehimselfandtoldmetogetmorewaterforMummytocookwith.Shewenttothespringatthebackofthehouseandfilledthetankfromabarkbucket,andthensherandowntotheriverandpulledherDaddysleftear--theobeloohertopullwhenshewasgood.
Nowealongandwelldrawalltheleft-oversound-pictures,
saidherDaddy,andtheyhadamostingdayofit,aifullunthemiddle,andtwogamesofromps.WhentheycametoT,Taffysaidthatashername,andherDaddys,andherMummysallbeganwiththatsound,theyshoulddrawasortoffamilygroupofthemselvesholdinghands.Thatwasallverywelltodrawowice;butwhenitcametodrawingitsixorseveaffyandTegumaidrewitscratchierandscratchier,tillatlasttheT-soundwasonlyathinlongTegumaiwithhisarmsouttoholdTaffyandTeshumai.Youseefromthesethreepicturespartlyhoened.(20,21,22.)
Manyoftheotherpicturesweremuchtoobeautifultobeginwith,especiallybeforelunch,butastheyweredrawnoverandainonbirch-bark,theybecameplainerandeasier,tillatlastevenTegumaisaidhecouldfindnofaultwiththem.Theyturhehissy-sheotherwayroundfortheZ-sound,toshowitwashissingbackwardsinasoftaleway(23);andtheyjustmadeatwiddleforE,becauseitcameintothepicturessooften(24);andtheydrewpicturesofthesacredBeaveroftheTegumaisfortheB-sound(25,26,27,28);andbecauseitwasanasty,nosyheyjustdrewnosesfortheN-sound,tilltheyweretired(29);andtheydreictureofthebiglake-pikesmouthfreedyGa-sound(30);andtheydrewthepikesmouthagainearbehinditforthescratchy,hurtyKa-sound(31);andtheydrewpicturesofalittlebitofthewindingWagairiverforthenidy-windyWa-sound(32,33);andsoonandsoforthandsofollowingtilltheyhaddoneanddrawnallthesound-picturesthattheywanted,andtherewastheAlphabet,allplete.
Andafterthousandsandthousandsandthousandsofyears,andafterHieroglyphidDemotidNilotidCryptidCufidRunidDoridIonidallsortsofotherridtricks(becausetheWoons,andtheNeguses,andtheAkhoonds,andtheRepositoriesofTraditionwouldneverleaveagoodthingaloheysawit),thefineoldeasy,uandableAlphabet--A,B,C,D,E,aofem--gotbatoitspropershapeagainforallBestBelovedstolearheyareoldenough.
ButIrememberTegumaiBopsulai,andTaffimaiMetallumaiandTeshumaiTewindrow,herdearMummy,andallthedaysgoneby.Anditwasso--justso--alittletimeago--onthebanksofthebigWagai!
OFalltheTribeofTegumai
Whocutthatfigure,noneremain,--
OnMerrowDownthecuckooscry
Thesilehesunremain.
Butasthefaithfulyearsreturn
Asunwoundedsingagain,
esTaffydangthroughthefern
ToleadtheSurreyspringagain.
Herbrowsareboundwithbra-fronds,
Andgoldenelf-locksflyabove;
Hereyesarebrightasdiamonds
Andbluerthantheskiesabove.
Inmocassinsanddeer-skincloak,
Unfearing,freeandfairsheflits,
Andlightsherlittledamp-woodsmoke
ToshowherDaddywheresheflits.
Forfar--oh,veryfarbehind,
Sofarsheotcalltohim,
esTegumaialoofind
Thedaughterthatwasalltohim.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
Butwasntiting!saidTaffy.DontyourememberhowtheHeadChiefpuffedouthischeeks,andhowfunnytheranger-manlookedwiththemudinhishair?
WelldoI,saidTegumai.Ihadtopaytwodeerskins--softohfriotheStranger-manforthethiohim.
Wedidntdoanything,saidTaffy.ItwasMummyaherhicladies--andthemud.
Wewonttalkaboutthat,saidherDaddy,Letshavelunch.
Taffytookamarrow-boneandsatmousy-quietfortenwholeminutes,whileherDaddyscratchedonpiecesofbirch-barkwithasharkstooth.Thenshesaid,Daddy,Ivethinkedofasecretsurprise.Youmakeanoise--anysortofnoise.
Ah!saidTegumai.Willthatdotobeginwith?
Yes,saidTaffy.Youlookjustlikeacarp-fishwithitsmouthopen.Sayitagain,please.
Ah!ah!ah!saidherDaddy.Dontberude,mydaughter.
Imnotmeaningrude,reallyandtruly,saidTaffy.Itspartofmysecret-surprise-think.Dosayah,Daddy,andkeepyourmouthopenattheend,andletooth.Imgoingtodra-fishsmouthwide-open.
Whatfor?saidherDaddy.
Dontyousee?saidTaffy,scratgawayonthebark.Thatwillbeourlittlesecretsprise.WhenIdra-fishwithhismouthopeninthesmokeatthebackofourCave--ifMummydoesntmind--itwillremindyouofthatah-henlaythatitwasmejumpedoutofthedarkandsprisedyouwiththatnoise--sameasIdidinthebeaver-slastwinter.
Really?saidherDaddy,inthevoicethatgrown-upsusewhentheyaretrulyattending.Goon,Taffy.
Ohbother!shesaid.Itdrawallofacarp-fish,butIdrawsomethingthatmeansacarp-fishsmouth.Dontyouknowhowtheystandontheirheadsrootinginthemud?Well,heresapretencecarp-fish(laythattherestofhimisdrawn).
Heresjusthismouth,andthatmeansah.Andshedrewthis.(1.)
Thatsnotbad,saidTegumai,andscratchedonhisownpieceofbarkforhimself;butyouvefottenthefeelerthathangsacrosshismouth.
ButItdraw,Daddy.
Youdrawanythingofhimexceptjusttheopeningofhismouthandthefeeleracross.Thenwellkno-fish,causetheperchesandtroutshaventgotfeelers.Lookhere,Taffy.Andhedrewthis.(2.)
NowIllcopyit.saidTaffy.Willyouuandthiswhenyouseeit?
Perfectly,saidherDaddy.
Andshedrewthis.(3.)AndIllbequiteassprisedwheanywhere,asifyouhadjumpedoutfrombehindatreeandsaid"Ah!"
Now,makeanothernoise,saidTaffy,veryproud.
Yah!saidherDaddy,veryloud.
Hm,saidTaffy.Thatsamixyheendpartisah-carp-fish-mouth;butwhatwedoaboutthefrontpart?Yer-yer-yerandah!Ya!
Itsverylikethecarp-fish-mouthsdrawaofthecarp-fishandjoinem,saidherDaddy.Hewasquiteioo.
No.Iftheyrejoined,Illfet.Drawitseparate.Drawhistail.Ifhesstandingonhisheadthetailwillefirst.
Sides,IthinkIdrawtailseasiest,saidTaffy.
Agoodnotion,saidTegumai."Heresacarp-fishtailfortheyer-noise.Andhedrewthis.(4.)
Illtrynow,saidTaffy.MemberItdrawlikeyou,Daddy.WillitdoifIjustdrawthesplitpartofthetail,aicky-downlineforwhereitjoins?Andshedrewthis.(5.)
HerDaddynodded,andhiseyeswereshinybrightwithcitement.
Thatsbeautiful,shesaid.Nowmakeanothernoise,Daddy.
Oh!saidherDaddy,veryloud.
Thatsquiteeasy,saidTaffy.Youmakeyourmouthallaroundlikeaneggorastone.Soaneggorastonewilldoforthat.
Youtalwaysfindeggsorstones.Wellhavetoscratcharoundsomethinglikeone.Andhedrewthis.(6.)
Mygracious!saidTaffy,whatalotofnoise-pictureswevemade,--carp-mouth,carp-tail,andegg!Now,makeanothernoise,Daddy.
Ssh!saidherDaddy,andfrowohimself,butTaffywastooionotice.
Thatsquiteeasy,shesaid,scratgonthebark.
Eh,what?saidherDaddy.ImeantIwasthinking,anddidntwanttobedisturbed.
Itsathesame.Itsthenoiseasnakemakes,Daddy,whenitisthinkingawanttobedisturbed.Letsmakethessh-noiseasnake.Willthisdo?Andshedrewthis.(7.)
There,shesaid.Thatsanothersprise-secret.Whenyoudrawahissy-shedoorofyourlittleback-cavewhereyoumendthespears,Illknowyourethinkinghard;andIlleinmostmousy-quiet.Andifyoudrawitoheriverwhenyouarefishing,Illknowyouwaowalkmostmostmousy-quiet,soasnottoshakethebanks.
Perfectlytrue,saidTegumai.Andtheresmoreinthisgamethanyouthink.Taffy,dear,IveanotionthatyourDaddysdaughterhashituponthefihingthatthereeverwassiribeofTegumaitooktousingsharksteethinsteadofflintsfortheirspear-heads.Ibelievewevefoundoutthebigsecretoftheworld.
Why?saidTaffy,andhereyesshooowithi.
Illshow,saidherDaddy.Whatswateriegumailanguage?
Ya,ofcourse,anditmeansrivertoo--likeWagai-ya--theWagairiver.
Whatisbadwaterthatgivesyoufeverifyoudrinkit--blackwater--s-water?
Yo,ofcourse.
Nowlook,saidherDaddy.Sposeyousawthisscratchedbythesideofapoolinthebeaver-s?Andhedrewthis.(8.)
Carp-tailandrouwonoisesmixed!Yo,badwater,
saidTaffy.CourseIwouldntdrinkthatwaterbecauseIdknowyousaiditwasbad.
ButIbehewateratall.Imightbemilesaway,hunting,andstill--
Andstillitwouldbejustthesameasifyoustoodthereandsaid,"Gway,Taffy,oryoullgetfever."Allthatinacarp-fish-tailandaroundegg!ODaddy,wemusttellMummy,quidTaffydancedallroundhim.
,saidTegumai;nottillwevegotlefurther.
Letssee.Yoisbadwater,butSoisfoodcookedonthefire,isntit?Andhedrewthis.(9.)
Yes.Snakeandegg,saidTaffySothatmeansdinnersready.
IfyousawthatscratchedonatreeyoudknowitwastimetoetotheCave.SodI.
MyWinkie!saidTegumai.Thatstruetoo.Butwaitaminute.Iseeadifficulty.SOmeans"eandhavedinner,"butshomeansthedrying-poleswherewehangourhides.
Horrid-poles!saidTaffy.Ihatehelpingtohangheavy,hot,hairyhidesonthem.Ifyoudrewthesnakeandegg,andIthoughtitmeantdinner,andIcameinfromthewoodandfoundthatitmeantIwastohelpMummyhawohidesonthedrying-poles,whatwouldIdo?
Youdbecross.SodMummy.Wemustmakeanewpictureforsho.
Wemustdraottyshissessh-sh,andwellplaythattheplainsnakeonlyhissesssss.
Icouldntbesurehowtoputis,saidTaffy.Andprapsifyouwereinahurryyoumightleavethemout,andIdthinkitwassowhenitwassho,andthenMummywouldcatchmejustthesame.No!Ithiterdraictureofthehorridhighdrying-polestheirveryselves,andmakequitesure.
Illputtheminjustafterthehissy-snake.Look!Andshedrewthis.(10.)
Prapsthatssafest.Itsverylike-poles,anyhow,
saidherDaddy,laughing.NowIllmakeanewhasnakeanddrying-polesoundinit.Illsayshi.ThatsTegumaiforspear,Taffy.Andhelaughed.
Dontmakefunofme,saidTaffy,asshethoughtofherpicture-letterandthemudiranger-manshair.Youdrawit,Daddy.
Wewonthavebeaversorhillsthistime,eh?saidherDaddy,Illjustdrawastraightlineformyspear.andhedrewthis.
(11.)
EvenMummycouldntmistakethatformebeingkilled.
Pleasedont,Daddy.Itmakesmeunfy.Dosomemorenoises.
Weregettingoifully.
Er-hm!saidTegumai,lookingup.Wellsayshu.Thatmeanssky.
Taffydrewtheshedrying-pole.Theopped.Wemustmakeanewpictureforthatendsound,mustntwe?
Shu-shu-u-u-u!saidherDaddy.Why,itsjustliketheround-egg-soundmadethin.
Thensposewedrawathinroundegg,aenditsafrogthathasenanythingforyears.
N-no,saidherDaddy.Ifwedrewthatinahurrywemightmistakeitfortherouself.Shu-shu-shu!Itellyouwhatwelldo.WellopenalittleholeattheendoftherouoshowhowtheO-noiserunsoutallthin,ooo-oo-oo.Likethis.Andhedrewthis.(12.)
Oh,thatslovely!Muchbetterthanathinfrog.Goon,saidTaffy,usinghersharkstooth.HerDaddywentondrawing,andhishandshookwithi.Hewentontillhehaddrawnthis.(13.)
Dontlookup,Taffy,hesaid.Tryifyoumakeoutwhatthatmeansiegumailanguage.Ifyou,wevefoundtheSecret.
Snake--pole--broken--egg--carp--tailandcarp-mouth,saidTaffy.Shu-ya.Sky-water(rain).Justthenadropfellonherhand,forthedayhadcloudedover.Why,Daddy,itsraining.
Wasthatwhatyoumeanttotellme?
Ofcourse,saidherDaddy.AndItoldityouwithoutsayingaword,didntI?
Well,IthinkIwouldhaveknownitinamithatraindropmademequitesure.Illalwaysremembernow.Shu-yameansrain,or"itisgoingtorain."Why,Daddy!Shegotupanddancedroundhim.SposeyouwentoutbeforeIwasawake,anddrawedshu-yainthesmokeonthewall,IdknowitwasgoingtorainandIdtakemybeaver-skinhood.WouldntMummybesurprised?
Tegumaigotupanddanced.(Daddiesdidntminddoingthosethingsinthosedays.)Morethanthat!Morethanthat!hesaid.
SposeIwaellyouitwasntgoingtorainmudyoumustedowntotheriver,whatwouldwedraw?SaythewordsinTegumai-talkfirst.
Shu-ya-las,yamaru.(Sky-waterending.Rivereto.)whatalotofnewsounds!Idontseehowwedrawthem.
ButIdo--butIdo!saidTegumai.Justattendamiaffy,adoanymoreto-day.Wevegotshu-yaallright,havethislasisateaser.La-la-laandhewavedhisshark-tooth.
Theresthehissy-sheendandthecarp-mouthbeforethesnake--as-as-as.Weonlywantla-la,saidTaffy.
Iknowit,butwehavetomakela-la.Ahefirstpeopleinalltheworldwhoveevertriedtodoit,Taffimai!
Well,saidTaffy,yawning,forshewasrathertired.Lasmeansbreakingorfinishingaswellasending,doesntit?
Soitdoes,saidTegumai.To-lasmeansthattheresnowateriankforMummytocookwith--justwhenImgoinghunting,too.
Andshi-lasmeansthatyourspearisbroken.IfIdonlythoughtofthatinsteadofdrawingsillybeaverpicturesfortheStranger!
La!La!La!saidTegumai,waivinghisstidfrowning.Ohbother!
Icouldhavedrawnshiquiteeasily,Taffywenton.ThenIdhavedrawnyourspearallbroken--thisway!Andshedrew.(14.)
Theverything,saidTegumai.Thatslaallover.Itisntlikeanyoftheothermarkseither.Andhedrewthis.(15.)
Nowforya.Oh,wevedobefore.Nowformaru.
Mum-mum-mum.Mumshutsonesmouthup,doesntit?Welldrawashutmouthlikethis.Andhedrew.(16.)
Thenthecarp-mouthopen.ThatmakesMa-ma-ma!Butwhataboutthisrrrrr-thing,Taffy?
Itsoundsallroughandedgy,likeyourshark-toothsawwhenyourecuttingoutaplankfortheoe,saidTaffy.
Youmeanallsharpattheedges,likethis?saidTegumai.Andhedrew.(17.)
Xactly,saidTaffy.Butwedontwantallthoseteeth:onlyputtwo.
Illonlyputinone,saidTegumai.IfthisgameoingtobewhatIthinkitwill,theeasierwemakeoursound-picturesthebetterforeverybody.Andhedrew.(18.)
Now,wevegotit,saidTegumai,standingononeleg.Illdrawemallinastringlikefish.
Haderputalittlebitofstiethiweeneachword,sostheywontrubupagainsteachotherandjostle,sameasiftheywerecarps?
Oh,Illleaveaspaceforthat,saidherDaddy.Andveryincitedlyhedrewthemallwithoutstopping,onabigofbirch-bark.(19.)
Shu-ya-lasya-maru,saidTaffy,readingitoutsoundbysound.
Thatsenoughforto-day,saidTegumai.Besides,yettingtired,Taffy.Nevermind,dear.Wellfinishitallto-morrow,andthenwellberememberedforyearsandyearsafterthebiggesttreesyouseeareallchoppedupforfirewood.
Sotheywenthome,andallthateveningTegumaisatononesideofthefireandTaffyoher,drawingyasandyosandshusandshisinthesmokeonthewallandgigglingtogethertillherMummysaid,Really,Tegumai,youreworsethanmyTaffy.
Pleasedontmind,saidTaffy.Itsonlyoursecret-sprise,Mummydear,aellyouallaboutittheverymisdopleasedontaskmewhatitisnow,orelseIllhavetotell.
SoherMummymostcarefullydidnt;andbrightandearlymTegumaiwentdowntotherivertothinkaboutnewsoundpictures,aaffygotupshesawYa-las(waterisendingorrunningout)chalkedonthesideofthebigstoer-tank,outsidetheCave.
Um,saidTaffy.Thesepicture-soundsareratherabother!
DaddysjustasgoodaseherehimselfandtoldmetogetmorewaterforMummytocookwith.Shewenttothespringatthebackofthehouseandfilledthetankfromabarkbucket,andthensherandowntotheriverandpulledherDaddysleftear--theobeloohertopullwhenshewasgood.
Nowealongandwelldrawalltheleft-oversound-pictures,
saidherDaddy,andtheyhadamostingdayofit,aifullunthemiddle,andtwogamesofromps.WhentheycametoT,Taffysaidthatashername,andherDaddys,andherMummysallbeganwiththatsound,theyshoulddrawasortoffamilygroupofthemselvesholdinghands.Thatwasallverywelltodrawowice;butwhenitcametodrawingitsixorseveaffyandTegumaidrewitscratchierandscratchier,tillatlasttheT-soundwasonlyathinlongTegumaiwithhisarmsouttoholdTaffyandTeshumai.Youseefromthesethreepicturespartlyhoened.(20,21,22.)
Manyoftheotherpicturesweremuchtoobeautifultobeginwith,especiallybeforelunch,butastheyweredrawnoverandainonbirch-bark,theybecameplainerandeasier,tillatlastevenTegumaisaidhecouldfindnofaultwiththem.Theyturhehissy-sheotherwayroundfortheZ-sound,toshowitwashissingbackwardsinasoftaleway(23);andtheyjustmadeatwiddleforE,becauseitcameintothepicturessooften(24);andtheydrewpicturesofthesacredBeaveroftheTegumaisfortheB-sound(25,26,27,28);andbecauseitwasanasty,nosyheyjustdrewnosesfortheN-sound,tilltheyweretired(29);andtheydreictureofthebiglake-pikesmouthfreedyGa-sound(30);andtheydrewthepikesmouthagainearbehinditforthescratchy,hurtyKa-sound(31);andtheydrewpicturesofalittlebitofthewindingWagairiverforthenidy-windyWa-sound(32,33);andsoonandsoforthandsofollowingtilltheyhaddoneanddrawnallthesound-picturesthattheywanted,andtherewastheAlphabet,allplete.
Andafterthousandsandthousandsandthousandsofyears,andafterHieroglyphidDemotidNilotidCryptidCufidRunidDoridIonidallsortsofotherridtricks(becausetheWoons,andtheNeguses,andtheAkhoonds,andtheRepositoriesofTraditionwouldneverleaveagoodthingaloheysawit),thefineoldeasy,uandableAlphabet--A,B,C,D,E,aofem--gotbatoitspropershapeagainforallBestBelovedstolearheyareoldenough.
ButIrememberTegumaiBopsulai,andTaffimaiMetallumaiandTeshumaiTewindrow,herdearMummy,andallthedaysgoneby.Anditwasso--justso--alittletimeago--onthebanksofthebigWagai!
OFalltheTribeofTegumai
Whocutthatfigure,noneremain,--
OnMerrowDownthecuckooscry
Thesilehesunremain.
Butasthefaithfulyearsreturn
Asunwoundedsingagain,
esTaffydangthroughthefern
ToleadtheSurreyspringagain.
Herbrowsareboundwithbra-fronds,
Andgoldenelf-locksflyabove;
Hereyesarebrightasdiamonds
Andbluerthantheskiesabove.
Inmocassinsanddeer-skincloak,
Unfearing,freeandfairsheflits,
Andlightsherlittledamp-woodsmoke
ToshowherDaddywheresheflits.
Forfar--oh,veryfarbehind,
Sofarsheotcalltohim,
esTegumaialoofind
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