A Trading Incident in Fiji

“Tinned Cat”

years back, when I was trading in the Yasawas (Northern Fiji) I had a case of tinned rabbit in stock, and my first attempt to sell it was to a Waya native, who wanted a 1lb. tin of corned beef. I proposed he buy a 2lb. tin of rabbit, which was the same price as a 1lb. tin of corned beef.

I explained to him what a rabbit was, and that it ate grass, etc. He could not or would not understand, so for short I said its a bush vusi (cat). After long argument and explanations, he still per sisted in his belief that they did not put cats (or vusis) into tins. Besides, on the tin was a picture of both sheep and cattle.

I then said to him: “You give me 5/-, and I’ll open a tin for you. If it’s ‘cat' you pay for the tin and I’ll give you four more tins for your 5/-, which pays for the opened tin. If it is not ‘cat’ I return your 5/- and give you four tins as a pre sent, free.”

He thought it out, and when I repeated the offer a second time, up came the 5/-,. which he was certain he would get back, with four free tins of what he thought would be “bullmakau” (beef).

I opened the tin, put the contents on a plate, and showed him the “cat’s” shoul der-blade, ribs, backbone, and thigh or leg bones, and invited him to taste the “cat.’' By this time we had ceased entirely call ing it rabbit: it was vusi now.

He tasted it, squared up to the plate and devoured the lot. When he had finished he apologised for doubting my word, stood still, and with a far-away look in his eyes, said: “Turaga cats real good eating. My town is FULL of cats. When I go back home,

they are all mine!’’-

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