# Papuan Fairy Tales/How the Twins killed Manubada

HOW THE TWINS KILLED MANUBADA.
Kototabe and Kelokelo were twin brothers whose father had been killed by Manubada, the great hawk. It came to pass that on a day they played with slings, and made as if to aim at the boys who were their companions. But they said, "Hurt us not, O Kototabe and Kelokeio, but aim at the bird which killed your father."
The boys wondered much what this might mean, and ran home to ask their mother. The widow told them that it was true Manubada had killed their father, but she warned them that none might hope to fight with so great an enemy and yet prevail.
"Nay, mother," answered the children, "but when we are bigger we shall slay him who hath slain our father." The widow trembled much at these daring words, but held her peace.
When Kototabe and Kelokelo were now grown they made ready for the journey to Manubada's eyrie. They took a strong canoe, and loaded it with slings and clubs. Then they gave to their mother a branch of dracaena leaves, and said, "Watch these leaves, ​mother. When they wave thou mayest dance, but if they droop thou must weep, for we shall indeed be dead."
Then set they forth to search for Manubada. Many times on the way they sent stones whizzing from their slings towards the mountains, but not so did they find Manubada. At last they came to the cliff where on high they could see his eyrie; and they sent a big stone flying towards it. Now Manubada was watching from above, and when he saw how few and feeble were the enemy who had come to attack him his fierce anger was aroused. He opened his broad wings, and soared high above Kototabe and Kelokelo in their little canoe below. Then he began to descend.
The lads watched until he was now close to them. Then they slipped quickly into the water, one on each side of the canoe, and dived. Now Manubada in his wrath came down with such speed that he could not stop, and his mighty beak pierced the wood of the canoe, and made him fast to it. Then did he struggle with much force, and waves lashed and beat against the vessel. But it held firm, and Manubada having prevailed not, must perforce rest, that his strength might return to him.
Then did Kototabe and Kelokelo swim to the canoe, and, still one on each side, broke the wings of their enemy. As Manubada was therefore now without power, the lads slew him speedily with their heavy clubs.
​When this was done it was time to make for home. Manubada was heavy freight indeed, nevertheless at last they reached their village once more.
Now it came to pass that ere they landed their mother had been to look at the branch of dracaena leaves, and found it was shaking and quivering as though a strong wind were blowing. Thereupon, never doubting her sons' word, the widow began to dance.
"What doest thou, O widow?" asked her neighbours.
"I do but rejoice since my sons have killed Manubada, who slew their father."
"How then could two little lads have killed so great a bird?" mocked the villagers.
But the widow gave them no heed, and danced on until the canoe came to the shore.
Then did Kototabe and Kelokelo land, and they showed the spoil to the men who thronged about them. And Manubada was roasted and divided into joints, so that every tribe might have a share. The mountain people were given the head, and, when an enemy attacks them now, they bow the head that they may not be hurt. But to the coast folk was given the side, and it is therefore always their custom to leap aside when spears are flying, and so they cannot be harmed by their enemies. And lo, I who tell this tale am of the coast, and thou mayest know that the word is true, for never have I been harmed, though I have fought many fights.