The Magic Mirror -LSB- Native Rhodesian Tale . -RSB- From the Senna A long , long while ago , before ever the White Men were seen in Senna , there lived a man called Gopani-Kufa . One day , as he was out hunting , he came upon a strange sight . An enormous python had caught an antelope and coiled itself around it ; the antelope , striking out in despair with its horns , had pinned the python 's neck to a tree , and so deeply had its horns sunk in the soft wood that neither creature could get away . ` Help ! ' cried the antelope , ` for I was doing no harm , yet I have been caught , and would have been eaten , had I not defended myself . ' ` Help me , ' said the python , ` for I am Insato , King of all the Reptiles , and will reward you well ! ' Gopani-Kufa considered for a moment , then stabbing the antelope with his assegai , he set the python free . ' I thank you , ' said the python ; ` come back here with the new moon , when I shall have eaten the antelope , and I will reward you as I promised . ' ` Yes , ' said the dying antelope , ` he will reward you , and lo ! your reward shall be your own undoing ! ' Gopani-Kufa went back to his kraal , and with the new moon he returned again to the spot where he had saved the python . Insato was lying upon the ground , still sleepy from the effects of his huge meal , and when he saw the man he thanked him again , and said : ` Come with me now to Pita , which is my own country , and I will give you what you will of all my possessions . ' Gopani-Kufa at first was afraid , thinking of what the antelope had said , but finally he consented and followed Insato into the forest . For several days they travelled , and at last they came to a hole leading deep into the earth . It was not very wide , but large enough to admit a man . ` Hold on to my tail , ' said Insato , ` and I will go down first , drawing you after me . ' The man did so , and Insato entered . Down , down , down they went for days , all the while getting deeper and deeper into the earth , until at last the darkness ended and they dropped into a beautiful country ; around them grew short green grass , on which browsed herds of cattle and sheep and goats . In the distance Gopani-Kufa saw a great collection of houses all square , built of stone and very tall , and their roofs were shining with gold and burnished iron .
Gopani-Kufa turned to Insato , but found , in the place XXXXX the python , a man , strong and handsome , with the great snake 's skin wrapped round him for covering ; and on his arms and neck were rings of pure gold .
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