The Chief’s daughter saw Sizwe fall in the mud, but she did not laugh. She never even smiled. His mother was very cross with Sizwe when he told her what had happened. “You stupid boy,” she said, “you should have held the rope and pulled the piglet behind you.” “Never mind Mother. I will do that next time,” said Sizwe.

The next day, Sizwe had to work in the Chief’s kitchen. He worked hard all day washing the dishes. When all the work was done, the cook gave Sizwe a big fish to take home.

Sizwe was very happy with the fish, and remembering what his mother had said, he tied a rope to the fish and went off home, pulling it behind him.

The chief’s cats smelled the fish and came running out of the houses to get a bit of fish. Soon they had eaten all the fish. By the time he got to the Chief’s house, all he was pulling was the fish bones. Did the chief’s daughter laugh? No, she did not even smile.

“You silly, silly boy,” said his mother when she told her what had happened. You should have carried it on your shoulder.” “Don’t worry,” said Sizwe, “I will do so next time.