{"collection":"African","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/afr/yl/yl05.htm","path":"afr/yl/yl05.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/afr/yl/yl05.htm","text":"Sacred-Texts African Index Previous Next\nA FAMOUS hunter and wrestler named Akiti boasted that he was stronger than any other man or animal. He had easily overcome a giant, a leopard, a lion, a wolf, and p. 4 a boa-constrictor, and as nobody else opposed his claim, he called himself \u201cthe King of the forest.\u201d\nWherever he went, he sang his triumphant wrestling-song, and everyone feared and respected him. But he had forgotten the Elephant, who is a very wise animal and knows many charms. One day the Elephant challenged him and declared that he had no right to call himself \u201cKing,\u201d as the Elephant himself was the monarch of the forest and could not be defeated.\nAkiti thereupon flung his spear at his enemy, but because of the Elephant\u2019s charm, the weapon glanced off his hide and did him no harm. Akiti next tried his bow and poisoned arrows, and his hunting-knife, but still without effect.\nHowever, the hunter also possessed a charm, and by using it, he changed himself into a lion and flew at the Elephant, but the Elephant flung him off. Next he became a serpent, but he could not succeed in crushing the Elephant to death.\nAt last he changed himself into a fly, and flew into the Elephant\u2019s large flapping ear. He went right down inside until he came to the heart, and then he changed himself into a man again and cut up the heart with his hunting-knife. At last the Elephant fell dead, and Akiti stepped out of his body in triumph, for he was now without question \u201cthe King of the forest.\u201d","title":"III AKITI THE HUNTER","type":"page"}