upper country might be in some way concerned in the drought, they sent
one of their number to go and see into the matter.

And after he had traveled three days he came to the place; and there he
found that a dam had been raised across the rivulet, so that no water
could pass, for it was all kept in a pond. Then asking them why they
had made this mischief, since the dam was of no use to them, they bade
him go and see their chief, by whose order this had been built.

And when he came to him, lo, there lay lazily in the mud a creature who
was more of a monster than a man, though he had a human form. For he
was immense to measure, like a giant, fat, bloated, and brutal to
behold. His great yellow eyes stuck from his head like pine-knots, his
mouth went almost from ear to ear, and he had broad, skinny feet with
long toes, exceeding marvelous.

The messenger complained to this monster, who at first said nothing,
and then croaked, and finally replied in a loud bellow,--

"Do as you choose,
Do as you choose,
Do as you choose.

"What do I care?
What do I care?
What do I care?

"If you want water,
If you want water,
If you want water,