and with his tail in the air, he jabbed at everything floating in the wind.
He spread terror throughout the town.
Hearts burned with fear, and mothers
ran to take in their children.
Merchants folded up their wares.
People took cover where they could.
Then the King commanded that the bull be killed.
Most hunters took their weapons and spears.
Alas! They remained powerless before the bull.
He moved like a tornado sending leaves scurrying.
The little man with snake-like feet said
to the three friends, “Get up and let's go,
before catastrophe reaches the bush.”
Then he continued, crying out:
“Oh neighbors! Leave your homes,
stop the bull before he reaches the woods,
otherwise nameless disaster will be upon us.”
They refused to band together to overcome the beast.
Everyone armed himself, thinking only of his own safety,
defending only his own family.
They surrounded the impetuous male, but couldn't take him.
The beast charged, jostled, dispersed people like fallen leaves.
His muzzle in the air, he snorted, overturned all obstacles.
He broke loose and made for the bush.
As soon as he went in the high, dense grass
he came transformed again, turning into a glowing ember.
The grass caught fire, sparks reached the trees.
The flames climbed high, and the fire lit up the whole area.
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
Everything burned, smouldered, became ashes.
Nothing escaped, everything died, perished.
Then the three friends saw
that they had escaped, and Demburu said:
“Where are we now, sons of my mother?”
The ashes answered and said: “You have reached
an extraordinary country that troubles its visitors;