- RATAKIBOKY ET TRIMOBE
Once upon a time, in a quiet little village on the edge of a vast, dark forest, there lived a green ogre named Trimobé. Trimobé was as large as a barn, as strong as ten oxen, but as foolish as a stump. He had a nasty habit of terrorizing the villagers by stealing their crops and chasing them away from their fields.
One day, Trimobé decided he was tired of the chase. He stomped into the village and roared, "I’m sick of hunting you down! Farmer Ratakiboky , where will you work tomorrow? Tell me, and I’ll come straight there to catch you!"
Farmer Ratakiboky, known for his wits, tipped his hat and smiled. "Oh, mighty Trimobé, tomorrow I’ll be working in the east field. Come and get me if you dare!"
The next morning, Trimobé lumbered to the east field, but to his dismay, Farmer Ratakiboky was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he was happily plowing the west field. Furious, the ogre roared and stomped away, vowing to catch the farmer the next day.
This became a daily routine. Trimobé would demand to know where Farmer Ratakiboky would work, and the farmer would lie. One day it was the south field, another day the north. No matter how hard Trimobé tried, Farmer Ratakiboky always seemed to outwit him.
The Sack Trick
One day, Trimobé had enough of the trickery. He ambushed Farmer Ratakiboky and stuffed him into a large sack. "Now you can’t escape, clever man!" the ogre growled, slinging the sack over his shoulder.
But Farmer Ratakiboky was quick-thinking. Inside the sack, he spotted a sharp thorn poking through the fabric. Using it, he quietly cut a hole, wriggled out, and replaced himself with a large stone. Then, he hurried away and hid behind a tree.
When Trimobé returned to his cave, he laughed. "Finally, I’ve got you!" He dumped the sack on the floor with a heavy thud. But when he opened it, all he found was the big stone. Furious, he howled so loudly the trees shook, and the birds scattered.
The Fiery End
Days later, Trimobé managed to catch Farmer Ratakiboky again. This time, the farmer was grilling insects over a fire at the edge of the forest.
"I’ll eat you for dinner this time!" roared the ogre, grabbing the farmer by his collar.
But Farmer Ratakiboky , ever cunning, spoke up. "Why settle for me when you can have a taste of these delicious, crunchy insects? Open your mouth, close your eyes, and I’ll give you a treat!"
Trimobé's greed got the better of him. He opened his mouth wide and shut his eyes tight. Meanwhile, Farmer Ratakiboky picked up the red-hot sword he had been heating in the fire and thrust it into the ogre’s gaping mouth.
With a terrible scream, Trimobé stumbled backward, his mouth scorched and smoke pouring out of his nostrils. He staggered into the forest, where he collapsed, never to bother the villagers again.
Ratakiboky’s Triumph
The villagers rejoiced when Farmer Ratakiboky returned to the village and told his tale. From that day on, they worked their fields in peace, knowing that no ogre would ever outwit their clever farmer.
And so, the tale of the gullible ogre and the clever farmer was passed down for generations, a reminder that wit can always triumph over brute strength.
The End
Grizzle is Trimobé
Farmer Hodge is Ratakiboky (sorry the app would not read foreign names)
tiré 'de Littératures Populaires et toutes les Nations, Nouvelle série, Tome XI, Contes et Légendes du Sud-Ouest de Madagascar, pp154-158, Paris, Editions G.P. Maisonneuve et Larose. 1962.
