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 at all that he saw , but he said nothing . Presently they came to the town ; everything here , too , was beautiful , and everything that a man might desire he could obtain . Even the grains of dust in the streets were of gold and silver . Insato conducted Gopani-Kufa to the palace , and showing him his rooms , and the maidens who would wait upon him , told him that they would have a great feast that night , and on the morrow he might name his choice of the riches of Pita and it should be given him . Then he was away . Now Gopani-Kufa had a wasp called Zengi-mizi . Zengi-mizi was not an ordinary wasp , for the spirit of the father of Gopani-Kufa had entered it , so that it was exceedingly wise . In times of doubt Gopani-Kufa always consulted the wasp as to what had better be done , so on this occasion he took it out of the little rush basket in which he carried it , saying : ` Zengi-mizi , what gift shall I ask of Insato to-morrow when he would know the reward he shall bestow on me for saving his life ? ' ` Biz-z-z , ' hummed Zengi-mizi , ` ask him for Sipao the Mirror . ' And it flew back into its basket .
Gopani-Kufa was astonished at this answer ; but knowing XXXXX the words of Zengi-mizi were true words , he determined to make the request .
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