Nymo is ambitious to be the wisest man in his town, and to profit thereby at the expense of his neighbors. He makes a long journey into the "big bush” to become the pupil of a famous medicine-man. Nymo finds Medicine-Man, and says to him, ‘Great teacher, I come to you in search of wisdom. I wish to be master over my countrymen, even as you are master over spirits and magic.” — “First let me ask you,” says Medicine-Man, “if you mean to be my friend as well as my pupil.” — “I do,” answers Nymo. Nymo stays ‘many moons” gaining wisdom. To him, on leaving, Medicine-Man makes gifts, — a girl to be his wife; animals, male and female, to increase to him; fine cloth; gold and ivory. Nymo makes Medicine-Man promise to return his visit. One day Medicine-Man decides to pay the promised visit. He sends out a runner with an ivory horn to call his retainers. With others come Death, Disease, and Shame. Medicine-Man sets forth, at the head of his company the herald with his horn. Arrived near Nymo's village, the herald blows the horn, and Nymo recognizes it. But instead of preparing to greet Medicine-Man, Nymo says to his wife, “When Medicine-Man arrives, you must weep bitterly, and say, ‘My poor husband is dead! What shall I do? What shall I do?’" Then Nymo runs into the bush, digs a hole for his grave, and jumps into it. Medicine-Man hears Nymo’s wife wailing, “My poor husband is dead! My poor husband is dead! What shall I do? What shall I do?” So Medicine-Man sends Death to Nymo's grave to find out who has killed him. Presently Death returns, and says, ‘Great teacher, it was not I who killed him.” Then Disease is sent, to return quickly and say, ‘Great teacher, it was not I who killed him.” Shame is sent. After a long while he returns, and says, "Great teacher, if Nymo is dead, as they say, I am sorry to say that I have killed him.”