82 THE BIG CANOE

Care-free as a child, Shim wandered among the
villages, laughing, singing, talking, telling stories,
beating upon the drum which he always carried.

Shim liked children who did not tease him, but
he hated those who did, and often played cruel tricks

upon them in return. He liked Maada, who had al-
ways been kind to him, so that now, finding her alone
and weeping in the forest, he was troubled.

As Maada looked up at Shim, a plan came to her
mind. She was sure that the Foolish One would do
anything she asked him to do, no matter what it might
be; and he would not be punished, for he was held