The Eighth Tribe, 1975 (2. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1975-07-01 / 7. szám
Page Two THE EIGHTH TRIBE July, 1975 BOTOND Magyar raiders surrounded Byzantium, the pampered, wealthy city of the Greeks, with its high walls, intricate towers, and heavy iron gate, demanding ransom. The Emperor of Byzantium made an unusual proposition. He suggested a duel between his Greek champion and whoever the Magyars would select to fight him. If the Greek won, the Magyars would return home peacefully. If the Magyar should be victorious, Byzantium would pay the ransom. The Magyars accepted the proposition and preparations were made to fight the duel on a bright, sunny day. On the top of the wide stone wall which surrounded the golden city, next to the huge, heavy gate, servants erected a canopied throne for the Emperor. Precious carpets and colorful flags adorned the bastions. Ladies in silk and velvet accompanied the Emperor. The Empress and the entire population of the golden city filled the walls to see the spectacle. They all seemed cheerful and happy. Then the trumpets sounded. The gates opened, and the Greek champion stepped out onto the battle-ground. He was the legendary giant, who once had been supposed to carry the world upon his shoulders. His voice was loud and boasting as he spoke. “Where is that mouse of a Magyar?” he asked arrogantly. “I cannot see you anywhere! Bring ten more with you, if you want to face me, do you hear?” On the walls, all the Greeks laughed and applauded. Across the field, where the Magyars stood, a short stocky fellow getting off his horse, started toward the giant. He seemed so small in comparison to the champion of the Greeks, that the spectators on the wall burst into laughter again. “I came to fight a man, not a child!” the Greek giant mocked. “Isn’t there a man somewhere among you Magyars?” The stocky little Magyar, carrying a heavy battleaxe in his right hand, walked steadily on toward the boastful giant, but his face grew darker and darker from the jeering of the crowd of Greeks. When he reached the front of the gates, where the giant stood, he stopped. “Listen, Boastful One!”, he said quietly, “my name is Botond. Among the Magyars, I am the smallest, but good enough to defeat any Greek on earth. I do not even need a weapon, to do that.” With these words, he raised his battle axe high above his head and threw it against the heavy iron gate of Byzantine. With a thundering noise, the gate split from top to bottom. Up there on the walls, the laughter died into silence, and the faces grew pale. Before they knew what was happening, the stocky little Botond charged against the giant like a battering ram, and the hard Magyar skull hit the Greek in the pit of his belly. As the giant doubled up in pain, Botond grabbed him by the hips, spun him over his head a few times, and threw him to the ground, breaking his neck instantly. The festive grandstand, up there on the wall», became empty in a hurry. Botond had scarcely time to walk back to the cheering Magyars and mount his horse, when through the broken gate, the servants of the frightened Emperor began to carry out the ransom in gold, silver and precious stones. From that day on, Byzantium paid the same ransome, year after year, in order to buy peace from the terrifying Magyars, amongst whom, even a dwarf had more strength than the strongest giant of the Greeks. Translated by Elizabeth M. Wass Reprinted from Selected Hungarian Legends by Albert Wass \unnnnuYinnnn7mnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnYi7}7i7m,rir* )t ^etijlen $restó, 3nc. cordially invites their friends to inspect their new plant and their additional service of THE BETHLEN PHOTO STUDIO WEST PLAZA — LIGONIER, PA. Between Mellon Park and Rt. 30 (next to the A.&P.) THE EIGHTH TRIBE Editor ........................................................... Sándor E. Chomoe Contributing Editor ........................................... Albert Wass Published and printed monthly by The Bethlen Press, Inc. P.O. Box 637, Ligonier, Pa. 15658, U.S.A. Second Class Postage paid at Ligonier, Pa. 15658, U.S.A. Subscription: $8.00 yearly. Authorized representative in Cleveland, Ohio is: Sándor Szabadkai. 1794 W. 30 Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
