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 of 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 . The man smiled . ' I am Insato , ' said he , ` but in my own country I take man 's shape -- even as you see me -- for this is Pita , the land over which I am king . ' He then took Gopani-Kufa by the hand and led him towards the town . On the way they passed rivers in which men and women were bathing and fishing and boating ; and farther on they came to gardens covered with heavy crops of rice and maize , and many other grains which Gopani-Kufa did not even know the name of . And as they passed , the people who were singing at their work in the fields , abandoned their labours and saluted Insato with delight , bringing also palm wine and green cocoanuts for refreshment , as to one returned from a long journey . ` These are my children ! ' said Insato , waving his hand towards the people .
Gopani-Kufa was much astonished XXXXX all that he saw , but he said nothing .
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