# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1929_S137
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

136

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

to life. Some tribes in Africa see a token of another
life after death in the likeness of children to their
parents and grandparents.

A Kafir Story.

Dr. Kropf, a former missionary among the Kafirs
on the east coast of South Africa, tells the following
story in illustration of what the Kafirs think of the
origin of death: —

A great dispute arose among the mighty ones on
earth as to the, advisability of permitting death to

sengers. The one party sent the chameleon with the
message: “The great ones of the earth have decided
that men should not die.” The other party sent the
lizard with the message: “Man shall die.” Then
a great tumult arose. “How is it possible,” said the
one party, “to send the chameleon with the lizard,
since the former runs much more slowly than the
latter? It must be very plain that the lizard will
have arrived at its destination before the chameleon
will have made up its mind to go.” After much
arguing of the question, during which the noise

A Heathen Hottentot Village.

come upon the earth, since men were multiplying,
at such a rapid rate that soon they would no longer
have room on earth. A great meeting was called to
deliberate upon the question how the number of
people on earth might be diminished, so that one
might not oppress the other. There was much argu-
ment put forth before an agreement was brought
about. Some said: “The only relief can be brought
about by permitting death to enter the world.”
Others exclaimed, “Nevermore!” Finally all agreed
to send two messengers to the residence of the
Creator and ask the great Lord of life and death to
decide the matter. Two animals were sent as mes-

became ever greater,it was agreed that the chameleon
be permitted to go ahead of the lizard up to a cer-
tain point. It was so done. The chameleon leisurely
pursued its way, climbed trees for flies, and finally
lay down to sleep. The lizard hastened past the
sleeping chameleon to deliver its message of death.
The chameleon awoke just as the hastening lizard
passed, opened its mouth wide in wonder at the
great speed developed by its competitor, and
gathered all its strength to catch up with it. But
its endeavors were vain. The lizard, having arrived
at the palace of the Creator, cried with its shrill
voice: “The rulers of the earth have decided that