The Enchanted Cuckoo-Clock
The following imagery centers on the fascination of the little Native herdboys with a German cuckoo clock in the author's dining room. She asserts, "In the midst of a cluster of pink roses, at every full hour, a cuckoo here flung up its little door and threw itself forward to announce the hour in a clear insolent voice. Its apparition was every time a fresh delight to the young people of the farm." The imagery revolves around the cuckoo clock, which represents luxury and civilization in the African Highlands. She mentions that timekeeping through clocks is not a necessity in this environment because people can easily tell the time based on the position of the sun. However, the clock becomes a connection to the world beyond the farm for the young Native herd boys. This imagery emphasizes the cultural exchange and curiosity between the European settlers and the local Native population.
The Sea's Mark
Blixen recounts the story of a man named Old Knudsen who approached her and asked for a place to stay. She describes, "He was a singular figure to have on a highland farm: so much a creature of the Sea that it was as if we had had an old, clipped albatross with us. He was all broken by the hardships of life, and by disease and drink, bent and crooked, with the curious coloring of redhaired people gone white, as if he had in reality strewn ashes upon his head, or as if he was marked by his own element and had been salted." Blixen lent him an empty bungalow on her highland farm, and he lived there for six months. He had been a sailor and pioneer in Africa. Moreover, he has been scarred by life leaving a lasting mark on his physical and emotional well-being. Through this vivid imagery, the author portrays him as an intriguing character with a past filled with both triumphs and tragedies.
The Mystical African Native Forest
The author fondly reminisces about the old African Native Forest that used to occupy the Ngong Forest Reserve. She recalls riding through the forest with a man named Farah while enjoying the cool and fragrant air. Blixen says, "An African Native Forest is a mysterious region. You ride into the depths of an old tapestry, in places faded and in others darkened with age, but marvelously rich in green shades. You cannot see the sky at all in there, but the sunlight plays in many strange ways, falling through the foliage. The grey fungus, like long drooping beards, on the trees, and the creepers hanging down everywhere, give a secretive, recondite air to the Native forest." Her use of imagery beautifully captures the essence of the forest emphasizing its enchanting qualities. Moreover, the presence of the unique foliage makes the forest feel like a realm of its own where nature's mysteries coexist.
Buffalo Ballet
Blixen narrates a thrilling encounter with a herd of Buffalo while flying over the Ngong Hills. She recounts, "First we saw them a long way below us, like mice moving gently on a floor, but we dived down, circling over and along their ridge, a hundred and fifty feet above them and well within shooting distance; we counted them as they peacefully blended and separated. There was one very old big black bull in the herd, one or two younger bulls, and a number of calves." This description of the Buffalo's movements highlights the majesty and wild nature of these animals. They are seen grazing on one of the long rounded green ridges of the Ngong hills. The image of the dust and loose stones rising in their wake adds to the intensity of their movement. Additionally, the portrayal of the Buffalo being unaware of the aircraft above them but sensing something strange is also captivating.
