Page 68 - English Reader - 7

mid-day meal with Snake’s family and have plenty of time left to deliver
the package. Perhaps he was being too hasty. “Wait, Snake,” Chameleon

spoke quickly. “I was being too abrupt. I beg your pardon. I really would
love to have a meal with you. To prove it I will dine with you now and do

my business after the meal!”

Snake smiled to himself before he turned back toward Chameleon. “Oh,

Chameleon,” Snake replied, sounding quite humble indeed, “Thank you!
It is we who will be honoured by your presence, I assure you!” And with

that he led Chameleon off to his burrow.

Snake’s wife had really outdone herself, as usual. She’d prepared a huge

and sumptuous meal and truly was delighted to see that Chameleon had
come to share it with them. She encouraged him to have more and more,

and as it was so delicious, Chameleon helped himself until he was almost
too full to move. He was having such a good time, and was especially

enjoying Snake’s outstanding utshwala (oo-chwah’-lah = a traditional
Zulu beer brewed from sorghum), that he forgot all about his special

mission. Snake smiled slyly as he watched Chameleon’s head nod and
his eyelids droop. Snake laughed aloud as Chameleon fell asleep with a

satisfied little grunt.

“What is so funny, my husband?” asked Snake’s wife, accustomed to the

ways of nature to rest after the mid-day meal in the hottest hours of the
day. She saw nothing strange or funny about Chameleon’s behaviour. It

was actually a compliment to her as a hostess, that she had made her
guest so comfortable and welcome.

“Look here,” Snake hissed, as he gently lifted the package from under
Chameleon’s arm.

“What is that?” she asked.

68 Dolphin English Reader Book 7