And his mother called the head men of the town , and when they had come he led them down to a deep black pool in the river where all the fierce crocodiles lived . ' O great men ! ' he said , while they all listened , ` which of you will leap into the pool and overcome the crocodiles ? ' But no one would come forward . So he turned and sprang into the water and disappeared . The people held their breath , for they thought : ` Surely the boy is bewitched and throws away his life , for the crocodiles will eat him ! ' Then suddenly the ground trembled , and the pool , heaving and swirling , became red with blood , and presently the boy rising to the surface swam on shore . But he was no longer just a boy ! He was stronger than any man and very tall and handsome , so that the people shouted with gladness when they saw him . ` Now , O my people ! ' he cried , waving his hand , ` you know my name -- I am Makoma , `` the Greater '' ; for have I not slain the crocodiles into the pool where none would venture ? ' Then he said to his mother : ` Rest gently , my mother , for I go to make a home for myself and become a hero . ' Then , entering his hut he took Nu-endo , his iron hammer , and throwing the sack over his shoulder , he went away . Makoma crossed the Zambesi , and for many moons he wandered towards the north and west until he came to a very hilly country where , one day , he met a huge giant making mountains . ` Greeting , ' shouted Makoma , ` you are you ? ' ' I am Chi-eswa-mapiri , who makes the mountains , ' answered the giant ; ` and who are you ? ' ' I am Makoma , which signifies `` greater , '' ' answered he . ` Greater than who ? ' asked the giant . ` Greater than you ! '
answered XXXXX .
Chi-eswa-mapiri Makoma Nu-endo Zambesi breath crocodiles day ground north west