tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10461148346970579212024-03-27T03:19:37.934-07:00LAGOUADER'S SPACEMohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-81278867495798159872023-04-24T02:05:00.009-07:002024-03-26T03:44:43.112-07:00<p> </p><blockquote style="border: medium none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span> </div></blockquote><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">THE TAILOR OF MOGADOR </span></b><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large; text-indent: 0px;"> </b></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">(Published
in French in March 2023.)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-one.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter One</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-two.html">Chapter Two</a> </span></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-three.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-four.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;">Chapter Four</a> </span></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-five.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-six.html" style="background-color: initial; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-seven.html" style="background-color: initial; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-eight_19.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul><div style="text-indent: -15px;"><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;"> </span></b></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;"> THE PHILOSOPHER </span></b></li></ul><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">(Published in French in January 2024.)</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="MjjYud" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBEQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiuh_CB-ayEAxXSU6QEHe1eBPAQFSgAegQIERAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; text-align: left; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="K8hf1c" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; display: block; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div><p></p></div><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-one_5.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter One</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-two_5.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-three_5.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-four_5.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-five_5.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six_5.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven_5.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight_5.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;"><br /></span></b></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;">THE POET </span></b></li></ul><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></div><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-one.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter One</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-two.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-three.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-four.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-five.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nine.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nine</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-ten.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Ten</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eleven.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eleven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twelve.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twelve</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-thirteen.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Thirteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fourteen.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fourteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fifteen.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fifteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-sixteen.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Sixteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seventeen.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seventeen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eighteen.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eighteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nineteen.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nineteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-one.html"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-One</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-two.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-three.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-four.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-five.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-six.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Six</span></a></li></ul></div><blockquote style="border: medium none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span><b> </b></div></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: medium none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">THE TAILOR OF MOGADOR </span></b><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;"> </b></div></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: medium none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b> Chapter One</b></span></div></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">I</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">t was noon of the third Tuesday of Ramadan when the Qadi arrived at the southern bank of the wadi. All five young men flocked round him as he slowly made his way towards the terebinth-tree. The tree gave little shade at this time of day, but the young men seemed so filled with concern they would not shy away from sitting on a brazier.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Within moments of their sitting there, the Qadi looked up at one of the young men. Innocent as his look was, it only sparked envy, suspicion and anxiety. But that man the Qadi had looked at just now exuded a charm which would captivate even cats and dogs, let alone a thoughtful, sixty-year-old Qadi. Besides, at that very moment, that very young man had just winked a tear back.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “You look sad,” said the Qadi to that young man, grinning at the other four.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “We are all sad, Qadi,” protested one of those rather quaveringly.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I know. I know,” said the Qadi, looking as if he had made a blunder. “I know. That’s why I am here. I want to help you. I don’t want you to be sad. I want you to be happy. But, you know, it’s hard –if not impossible– to make you happy all of you. Because you all want the same thing. You all want the same woman, but only one of you can marry her. Each of you says he loves her. Each of you says he deserves her. No one of you is prepared to choose another woman. You said you’d lay down your lives if you don’t get her. Her father has threatened to marry her off on the same day as all the other village girls, and that day is only months away. I have thought and thought about your problem. I have spoken to so many sensible people and they all repeat that I should not have agreed to help you. I agreed and I’m not sorry I did so, but please help me to help you.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “How can we help you?” said one of the young men ungraciously.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “You can help me by being a little bit more sensible. I’m going to make a suggestion, right? Think about it. If you agree to it, we’ll go ahead. Otherwise, I shall not be able to help.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">Nobody spoke, but all eyes were on the Qadi’s lips.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “My suggestion,” said the Qadi, stroking his white beard, “is this. I will give the woman you all covet to the one amongst you who resembles her most in her goodness or wickedness. If she is a good woman she will get a good man; if she is a wicked woman she will get a wicked man.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">There was a chuckle, after which one of the young men asked, raising his eyebrows:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Who would decide who of us is good and who’s wicked?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I’ll find four men who’ll be spying on you,” said the Qadi gravely. “They’ll be watching each of you without your knowledge. And they’ll be monitoring the woman at the same time. It’s they who’ll decide who should marry the woman. They’ll make their decision within the next few months. Now let me hear from you. What do you say to that?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “And what about our weekly meetings with the girls down the valley?” said the charming man. “Shall we be allowed to meet up with Zina during that period of time?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Qadi could not help sighing as he turned to that man, and said with a knowing smile:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “You can see her, no problem. But, remember, Tahar, only one man will marry that woman.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “And that man might not be me,” said Tahar in a muffled voice. “I’ve got it!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “So let me leave you now,” said the Qadi, rising to his feet. “See you soon!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The five young men looked at one another. Each seemed to use the other’s eyes as a mirror to find out whether he was “good” or “wicked”.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Suddenly, Tahar turned his gaze to the opposite bank. He sighed. Then he looked down and moved away.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Where are you going?” said one of the other four.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I’m going home,” said Tahar simply.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> At home, Tahar’s mother was preparing a tajeen, and a little way from her, on the right side of the courtyard, her twenty-year-old daughter-in-law was baking bread in an earthen oven. Between them stood a huge tree that shaded the whole place. The mud hut that served as a kitchen in the rainy season stood further away and no smoke was coming from it now. So the chickens roaming about the house could pop in and out of the kitchen without fear of being scared away. The only nuisance to the chickens, though, was Tahar’s three-year-old nephew, who was after the hen with chicks. So Tahar, who was sitting on a wooden stool on the other side of the courtyard, hailed him gently and the little boy ran to him and swung round and stood between his knees.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “What were you doing?” said Tahar, throwing his voice.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I was playing with the chicks,” said the little boy.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “No, Salem, don’t do that! You are a kid, not a chick. And kids play with kids, and chicks play with chicks…”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar talked on and on, first with his nephew, then with his elder brother, then with his father, and at foutour, with everybody. But only his tongue was talking with all those. His true talk was with himself, and it was in silence.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> His heart was full of questions and his mind could not afford answers, or rather answers that would quench the fire that was raging in his heart.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Am I good?” the questions went on endlessly. “How much of a good man am I? Am I wicked? How much of a wicked man am I? I have not put these questions before. But now I must know. The problem is that I don’t know what I should know. Should I go around and ask people what they think of me? Please tell me: Am I good? Please tell me: Am I wicked? Or should I sit back and count all the good deeds and misdeeds I did in the past? I might count the good deeds, but the misdeeds– there’s no counting them! I don’t say my prayers, to begin with. From time to time I drink with the boys. I spend hours and hours playing on my utar, and I keep on playing on it even when I hear the muezzin call for prayer.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “But is Zina any different? I don’t think she drinks, but I don’t think she says her prayers, either. I can’t say she’s a woman of easy virtue, but I can’t say she’s any more pious than her mates, either.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “But, Tahar, why are you thinking of Zina now? No, no, no. I love Zina. I can’t bear seeing her go to someone else. I was the first to talk to her, and she liked me so much– although she’s never told me she loves me. But I could see it in her eyes, on her lips, on her shivering hands. All those boys came down us simply because they were jealous of me. They know that Zina is the most beautiful girl. They just don’t want me to marry her, and that’s it!... But now, Tahar, just tell me: suppose Zina is a wicked woman, would you– No, no, no. I can’t– I can’t think of that. I love Zina. Stop this folly! Get out of here!...”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> It was dark when Tahar left the house. He did not go to the berraka, where the village boys would meet up to have tea and play cards or listen to the utar. He went to the riverbank instead. He sat down under the terebinth-tree and went on musing until it was time for souhour.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Two days after Ramadan two strange men came up to Tahar while he was working on his family fields.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Hi, kid!” said one of the strangers.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Surprised at the sudden warmth of the greeting, Tahar dropped the sickle, and mumbled:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Hi!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> All three men shook hands and bandied words, then, all of a sudden, the strangers introduced themselves:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I am Issa. This is Mussa. We want a word with you about Zina.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Zina?” Tahar muttered, his eyes sparkling suddenly.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Yes,” Issa hastened to add. “But not here and not now. We don’t want anybody else to know.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “If not here, where? If not now, when?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Look here,” said Mussa, clutching Tahar’s hands, “we’ll be waiting for you at the Sidi Ali Crossroads just after dawn tomorrow. Don’t tell anybody. Now, goodbye!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> The next dawn found Tahar at the Sidi Ali Crossroads. Issa and Mussa joined him presently. They took him into a nearby vineyard and served him dates and boiled eggs.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">“Now, what’s the matter?” said Tahar eagerly.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">Issa and Mussa exchanged glances as if both waited for the other to speak first. Tahar was about to repeat his question when Mussa said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Calm down, man! And listen well. Qadi Allal (You know him?)– well, he has asked us to be his eyes and ears. Now, I think you know the rest of the story. What you don’t know, however, is that this meeting might prove very decisive indeed, and we hope earnestly you’ll not miss out on this golden opportunity.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Am I to understand that I should do something or other so that you’ll be saying something in my favour?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “You’ve guessed it!” said Issa enthusiastically.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Something such as what, I wonder?” said Tahar, whose face was beginning to tense up.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Once again Issa and Mussa looked at one another, before the latter said with a little smile:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Well, we know you love Zina, but we also know that love alone is not enough. Yet, we can help you. But first you have to pay us.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Pay you? Pay you what?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Yes, you must pay us. Give us a yearling calf or three sheep or seven goats. It’s up to you to choose!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar sprang to his feet and shouted, tossing away the egg he had been peeling:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “You brought me over here to bribe you!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Shhh! Calm down! Lower your voice! Shut up! Get out of here!...”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> But Tahar gave free rein to his anger so that the two men had to use a big stick to chase him out of the vineyard.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> On his way back home, Tahar was more confused than angry.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Was this part of a scheme?” he thought perplexedly. “Or were they actually trying to swindle money out of me? What should I do now? Should I go and tell the Qadi? Would the Qadi believe me if he trusted these men? And what would be the result? Would he give me Zina? What about the other boys, then? No. I should wait. I must wait and see how they’ll behave in the coming days.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">“And what if those men were genuine? What if I had to bribe them in order to get Zina? Bribe them? I, bribe somebody? And especially those two men? Should I bribe them in order to get Zina? And what about the love that has kindled my heart? Should I love her and, on top of that, bribe people in order to marry her? If her father asked me for a big dowry, I wouldn’t hesitate to sell everything I have to please him. But bribe, no! No, no, this would be a humiliation. I love Zina and I want to marry her. But if– No, no, no. I can’t think of this. Please stop this. Wait! Wait!...”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Wednesday came and the boys and girls from both villages met again, after five weeks of separation, because of Ramadan. Now they were down there humming, shrieking with laughter, clapping their hands, singing. There was no kissing, no necking– never. Nonetheless, some parents and coltish young men and women, who had not yet met partners from the opposite village– all were there, sitting on the higher parts of the slopes. They were up there sitting and watching in silence. Tahar, too, remained seated under the terebinth-tree, just a few yards from the southern bank. And from there he could see Zina and the other four lovers.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Zina was smiling to everybody. Tahar sighed again and again. Zina was listening to the boys, who were speaking all at a time. Tahar watched in silence. Suddenly, there was a cough and then a shadow. Tahar turned round in surprise and was on his feet.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Oh, what a surprise, Qadi!” he yelled with a fetching smile.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Qadi smiled too, and said in a kindly voice:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “You look sad, my son! Why all this gloom? Take it easy! Don’t worry!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “What! Do you mean–”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I just said don’t worry,” said the Qadi, moving away.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Where are you going, Qadi?” Tahar panted out.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I’m going down,” said the Qadi without glancing back. “Won’t you come along?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “No, sir, I’ll stay here.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> And there he stayed, sitting under the terebinth-tree and watching in silence.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> In the evening he was with the boys at the berraka. He had not brought with him his own utar, but someone served him a cup of tea and egged on him to play on the utar that was lying on the mat. Tahar put the cup of tea aside and picked up the utar and began to play on it. And while he played he now and then stole glances at his four rivals, those who vied with him for Zina’s heart.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Surprisingly enough, all those looked at him with gleaming eyes. They all broke into song and clapped their hands and rocked, and encored the utar player. But the utar player, having seen how gleeful his rivals were, was now beginning to feel a pang of anguish. He began to lose his grip on the utar. And before tears gathered in his eyes he dropped the instrument suddenly and left the berraka.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Oh, my God!" he cried, flinging his arms up in exasperation. Above him was a sky studded with stars, in front of him a dark, winding pathway.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "What's the matter, Tahar?" asked an unseen passer-by.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar composed himself, and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "There's nothing the matter with me!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "But I heard you say 'Oh, my God!'?" said the voice, which turned out to be that of a close neighbour of Tahar's.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Yes, that's right!" Tahar conceded with an embarrassed smile. "You know, we all go mad sometimes! Where were you going?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I was going to the berraka."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Alright. See you! Good night!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Good night!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> That night was long, long, and horrendous. "Why, why didn't I agree to bribe them?" Tahar thought ruefully. "All those guys were cheerful tonight. At least one of them must have done it. Maybe they all gave generous gifts. And perhaps each thought he had paid the biggest price for Zina. Zina, my love. But how can she be your love when you were mean to her? Instead of jettisoning just one principle just one time, what you did was chuck out your love. It's too late now! It's a caddish thing to do what you did, my poor Tahar! Yes, sigh again and again, and weep! Your sighs and tears won't help you now…"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> It was prize-day now. Tahar and his four rivals sat in a half circle in front of the Qadi under the terebinth-tree. All eyes were on the Qadi's lips. The Qadi spoke for some length of time of friendship and brotherhood, of fate, and of marriage. Then, he said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I am sorry to say that at this stage, at this point in time, one of you is going to be weeded out. The other four will have to be subjected to more tests."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Then the Qadi dropped his eyes and fell silent. Tahar's heart throbbed. But no one dared speak to the Qadi now. The silence was unbearably long. And then there was a murmur. Tahar's rivals were looking to their right. Dumbfounded, they looked at a flock of camels, cattle, sheep, and goats– all led by four men, two of whom were easily recognizable to Tahar. They were the ones that had called themselves Issa and Mussa.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> When the cortège came to a halt just a few feet from where the uncomprehending young men were sitting, the Qadi looked up at Tahar, and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Tahar, you gave us nothing, so you'll get nothing. Your time is up!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar cast a puzzled look at his hitherto rivals and at the cortège and took his leave. His legs took him down the valley, through which flowed a brook unsteadily as it sometimes would at this time of year. He trudged along the pebbly edge of the brook. "…So I'm not going to marry Zina," he went on speaking to himself like a madman. "Zina's going to marry one of the bunch… one of the wicked." (He burst into laughter.) "So Zina is a wicked woman? All those are wicked men? So I was the only good man? If Zina is a wicked woman, who is a good woman and where could I find her?" (Suddenly, Tahar went berserk.) "No! I must go back and tell the Qadi that I am just as wicked as those, and that only I and nobody else love Zina, and that I must marry Zina, otherwise I will actually kill someone or kill myself…"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Just at that moment a voice called out to him:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Tahar! Tahar! Wait!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar turned round. His pulse began to beat quicker.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Wait!" Issa panted out. "The Qadi has sent me to you. He wants to speak to you."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar just looked on speechless while Issa pointed at a palm-tree up the southern back of the wadi.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Qadi Allal will be there in a moment," Issa said. "Go and await him there!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Both Tahar and the Qadi were panting when they sat down under the palm-tree. It was the Qadi who spoke first.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I thought you were a good man," he said. "I knew you were really hooked on that girl. But I had a feeling that you were good, though. Now, I am disillusioned."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "What more do you want of me now after having torn my love from me?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Would you marry a woman who loves someone else?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "What do you mean?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Well, Zina liked your good looks, but she loved another man, I'm afraid."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "What do you mean?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Zina hated shy men."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "That's no news to me! I know I am a shy person, but why don't you want to tell me her lover's name?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Tahar, you were not her man, and she was not your woman."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "But my heart is full of her!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "She did not deserve you. She does not deserve you."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Who then deserves me? Just tell me!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "How old are you, Tahar?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar sighed and cooled down a bit, then mumbled:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I'm twenty-one years old. Why?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Well, you asked me a question, didn't you? You said: who deserves me? So–"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "So what?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Their eyes met. The Qadi smiled. Tahar shivered.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Tahar," said the Qadi suddenly, "there's a woman who, I think, deserves to be your wife."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Where is she?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "There!" The Qadi pointed towards the opposite village.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Are you mocking at me?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "No!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "So who is she?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I can't tell you who she is."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Qadi, you know I got such a shock when you weeded me out, and now you're yet tormenting me–"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Qadi laughed, then said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Listen, Tahar. I am not mocking at you. There's actually a woman who, I think, deserves to be your wife. She lives in that village. I'm afraid I can't tell you who she is. But if you know some religious songs, do sing them and the woman who deserves your love will come into view!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "But where will this woman spring from?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I said just come here and sit down and sing religious songs and your true love will spring into view! This time I am in earnest."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "But I know all the girls, all the young women who live in that village. I saw them all, and I never lost my heart but to the one you've snatched from me with your ruling!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "That's right," said the Qadi. "You know them all but one!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Are you sure this one lives in that village?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Yes! Sing religious songs and she'll spring into view and you'll see her with your own eyes!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Alright!" said Tahar. "We will see. I don't know religious songs right now, but I'll go and learn some and I'll come back to sing them."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "That's good!" said the Qadi, tapping Tahar on the shoulder. "But if you want your love to hear you, come to this tree and sing. But, tell me, Tahar, where are you going to learn religious songs?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I don't know, really. Do you have any idea?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Yes, go to Marrakesh. There is a man in Djemaâ-el-Fna called Saeed El-Bahi. He keeps a bookstore there…"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> A week later, Saeed El-Bahi was unraveling to Tahar the mysteries of Marrakesh. Their trip started at Djemaâ-el-Fna, where they roamed amongst snake charmers, monkey masters, story-tellers, musicians, acrobat dancers. And from there they went to the Koutoubia Mosque.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Do you pray?" said El Bahi suddenly.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Yes, sometimes."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> But Tahar knew that he was quite new to this world. He had never performed a prayer in a mosque.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> The prayers were over, and El Bahi said they had yet more to see of the city. They went down Agnaou Street, they had a look at Bab-Agnaou, then went on south to Kasba Street, which took them to the Agdal Garden. And there Tahar lost his tongue for a moment. At a glance he could see olive-trees, fig-trees, pear-trees, pomegranate-trees, apple-trees, vines; and other trees he saw for the first time in his life. Never before had he seen orange-trees or peach-trees. Now he saw them, and burst out:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "This is Heaven, isn't it?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "No, my son," said El Bahi. "This is a beautiful garden. But Heaven is quite another matter. Now, come! Let's move on!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Where?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Let's move on to another garden!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> That other garden was a long way away. "Now, we're going to see the Menara," said El Bahi on the way. "But tell me, what led you to Marrakesh?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I think I told you," said Tahar in surprise.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Oh, yes, you told me. I'm sorry. You said you wanted to learn some religious songs. Is that right?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Yes, that's right."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Are you a singer?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "No, I'm not. But I like singing."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "What kind of songs do you sing?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Well, you know, I sing of love– that sort of thing."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "And now you want to sing religious songs. I'm not going to ask you why, but tell me: do you know something of the Koran?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Very little, to be honest."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Can you recite what you know of the Koran?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "No, not really."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Then, I'm afraid, I can't teach you any religious songs or lyrics unless you have learned by heart some Suras of the Koran."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I wish I could! But I can't read and write, you know."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "That's not a problem. I'll teach you how to read and write. And I'll teach you Suras and songs, right?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Thank you! That's why I came to you. But I'm here only for two weeks, no more."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "You're welcome. Look, now we're heading straight to the Menara. I think you'll like it…"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> When he went to bed that night, Tahar did not think of the Agdal Garden or the Menara or the Koutoubia mosque, but of the young women who, from behind their veils, had devoured him with their eyes.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Now, he was back to his village. He told his family that he had learnt to write his name and read Souras from the Koran. Like a school-boy, he recited all the Suras he had learned by heart. And his mother served him a memorable tajeen.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Then he went to mosque. He performed his prayers and had a chat with the Imam. Then he went back home, fetched his utar and made for the palm-tree by the river-bank.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> He sat down, facing towards the river. He tuned up his utar and soon the music stroke.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Tahar went from tune to tune, now raising now lowering his voice. He looked as if he were singing to a spirit, hoping it would spring into view and fulfil his most cherished dream. But what he saw now blurred his eyes. It was beyond belief. The young woman the Qadi had told him about seemed to have been spirited out into the open. She seemed to have heard some spirited music throbbing in the distance. She seemed to have heard Tahar's stirring songs– songs that glorified the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). She was now sitting up there, on the trunk of a tree lying across the lane. Tahar could not see her face, because she was veiled. But he had seen her shape and graceful gait before she sat down. He felt like crying, "Oh, you sitting over there, come and stand by me!" But all he could do was sing more songs and raise his voice high enough for her to feel his heartbeat.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> But now she stood up and began to go away. Tahar was taken aback. He dropped the utar and struggled to his feet. The muezzin was calling for Dusk prayers. The birds were returning to their roosts. The young woman vanished behind a cluster of houses. Three young men came over, and one of them said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Tahar, what's the matter?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar gave no reply, so another voice said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Is this another love-story?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "You could say that," said the third. "I saw him gazing at the young woman in white who had been sitting up there."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Is that right, Tahar?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I don't know," said Tahar, looking down. "I'm sorry, I have to go."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "No, not before you sing us something!" said one of the three.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Some other time!" said Tahar, picking up his utar. "I must go to mosque."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "What!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar did not wait to explain himself. He hurried up towards the mosque. He hung his utar on a tree on the way, and joined the few worshippers.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Night fell, but, to Tahar, it was just a continuation of the day. The only difference was that he was now in bed in a dark room. Now again he was going to have a sleepless night. He could not sleep because he could not stop thinking. This had happened to him before. What was new –and hard to grasp– was that he now thought of a featureless woman.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> The next day Tahar did a whole day's work in just a few hours so that he could go in the mid-afternoon to the palm-tree and sing his new songs to spirit his new beloved out of her home. He went there and sang soulfully but his beloved did not seem to have heard him this time round. He came back at the same time the next day and the day after and belted out his best new songs, but the woman he was after did not turn up again.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "So was the Qadi beguiling me with promises when he spoke to me about that ghost of a woman?" Tahar thought gloomily at the end of that day. "The Qadi himself has simply departed from our land! But when he comes back, I'll make it clear to him that I don't want this ghost of a woman anymore!..."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> When Tahar learned that the Qadi was somewhere around, he left everything behind and ran to him.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Oh, Tahar, how are you?" said the Qadi.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "A lot you care!" said Tahar with a nasty look in his eye.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Oh, Tahar, is this the right way to speak to a Qadi? Last time I said nothing, but try to be a little more polite. Now then, what's the problem?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "The problem," said Tahar in a broken voice, "is that you beguiled me with vague promises."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "You love her, then!" said the Qadi, rubbing his neck. "I expected that, and maybe she'll soon be all in all to you!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I don't want her to be all in all to me."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Why not?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Because I don't know her. I can't love a ghost."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "So what do you want now?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I want to see her and meet up with her every week as I used to do with Zina."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I don't think that would be possible," said the Qadi, shaking his head. "This young woman is not like Zina, nor like anyone you have seen before. But if you have something to say to her, I will be pleased to be your carrier pigeon. That's all I can do for you."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar mellowed suddenly.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Yes, Qadi," he said sheepishly. "I have something to say to her. If you, Qadi, think she deserves my love, then I want to marry her."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Alright," said the Qadi with a merry smile. "I shall tell her and bring you the news as soon as I can."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Thank you, Qadi!" said Tahar, leaning forward to kiss the Qadi's hand. "</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Hours later, Tahar appeared to have come in from the cold. His beloved turned up again. She sat down in her usual place and listened patiently while Tahar sang to her with all his heart.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> At sunset the young woman returned home and Tahar went to mosque. The mystery remained whole. To unlock it, Tahar mounted his horse two days later and rode to the Qadi. He found him in a tearoom in a nearby market.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Qadi," he said coyly, "I am troubled about something. I didn't get a wink of sleep last night."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "What's the problem?" said the Qadi, pouring tea in green cups beautifully arranged on a silver tray.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Qadi, before you tell me whether she agreed or not, I would like to know two things."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "One?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Well, I want to know her name."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "And two?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I also want to know whether she's beautiful, because, you know, it would be hard for me to marry a woman with a plain face."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Qadi sighed. Tahar's heart throbbed.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Tahar," said the Qadi suddenly, "by coming to me now you've relieved me of a burden, because, you know, I couldn't come to you. I'm sorry, but I only have depressing news for you."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "What do you mean?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Qadi sighed again, and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "The woman is not going to marry you unless you meet certain demands."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Of course her father won't give her to me for free, but first answer my questions. Tell me her name."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I can't tell you her name."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Is she beautiful?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I can't tell you that, either."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Why not?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Well, I doubt whether you'll be able to meet her demands. In fact, I was going to ask you to forget all about her."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">Now Tahar had a wild look in his eyes. He swallowed hard.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "You let me down last time," he muttered, "and now again–"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Qadi cut him short.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Can you satisfy her conditions?" he said defiantly.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar sobered down, then said in a mumble:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "What on earth does she want?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Well, she says to you: make me two dresses: a dfina and a tahtiya. Make them with your own hands and send them to me. I will try them on, and if they suit me beautifully, I will yet ask you to make me seven more dresses, so that I can have a dress to wear everyday of the week. If you do that, then that would be my dowry, and I'll marry you then."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">The Qadi's words had the effect of a spell on Tahar. His eyes now glittered. Having noticed that, the Qadi went on charming away Tahar's cares:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Let me tell you something, Tahar. You know, with all your goods and chattel, you will never marry this woman unless she believes that you are the right man for her!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">For a moment, Tahar had his head in the clouds. Then, he came round, and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Why shan't I buy her as many good dresses as she would like? I could order for her the best dresses from the best tailors in the country! I am not a tailor, you know. It would take me years and years to become a dressmaker. Would she be willing and able to wait until I have learnt all about sewing and dressmaking?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I'll put that question to her and bring you her answer," said the Qadi, lifting another cup of tea to his mouth.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Tahar saw his beloved twice after that meeting with the Qadi, for she came to her usual place by the riverbank and listened patiently to his singing. But all Tahar could see of her was a white piece of cloth wrapped round a human body. She was still a featureless woman.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Would the Qadi choose her for me if she hadn't a pleasant face?" Tahar asked himself yet again when he was having dinner with his family at home that night. "But whatever her face is like, does she think of me? Does she think of me as much as I think of her now? I saw her yesterday and today. Does it mean that she cares?..."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Tahar," said the Qadi on his return to the village two days later, "I put your questions to your beloved."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Really?" said Tahar, sitting up in front of the Qadi in the shade of the terebinth-tree.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Well, she says to you: Make the first dresses as I told you. If you can't make a dfina and a tahtiya at this stage, then make me two dresses of your own choice, but then these must be ravishing dresses. I'll be waiting for you to finish them. I give you this pledge. The Qadi, who is a very special person to me, bears witness to this. As to my name, I am called Zahiya. I am only eighteen years old. So I can wait until you have made all the dresses. But don't try to look for me before then. If you do try to look for me before I send for you, then make sure you'll never see me again. That's what she said."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Tahar bowed his head, lost in thought.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "How does it sound to you?" said the Qadi suddenly.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Honestly," said Tahar, raising his eyes, "I am intrigued. I am bewitched."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "What are you going to do?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I don't know, really."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Tahar, you have no choice but to make dresses for your beloved. You see, she has already tried to help you by giving you a pledge. And she says if you can't make a dfina and a tahtiya, just make me good dresses of your own choice. What more could you expect of her?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "What if someone else came in my absence and asked for her hand from her father, would she resist?"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "Look here, don't worry about that! As long as I live no one but you will marry her if you remain faithful to her and make all the dresses she's asked for."</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> "I'll make them!" said Tahar, rising to his feet. "So help me God! Do say a prayer for me, Qadi!"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Qadi prayed for him, and both walked slowly along the riverbank, from the terebinth-tree to the palm-tree.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><div class="MsoNormal"><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-two.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Chapter Two</b></span></a></li></ul><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -15px;"><b><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">*******</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -15px;"><p style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: 0px;"> <b><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE FRENCH VERSION </span></span></b></p><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">OF</span></b> </span></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE TAILOR OF MOGADOR</span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-weight: bold;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-weight: bold;"><div class="x_elementToProof x_ContentPasted0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="x_Z26q7c x_UK95Uc x_jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="border: 0px; color: #202124; flex: 0 0 auto; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; 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flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwippaKg382EAxUE_bsIHfVBD7IQFnoECA4QAQ" href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/le-tailleur-de-mogador-mohamed-lagouader/19987415" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://bookshop.org/p/books/le-tailleur-de-mogador-mohamed-lagouader/19987415&ved=2ahUKEwippaKg382EAxUE_bsIHfVBD7IQFnoECA4QAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Le Tailleur de Mogador a book by Mohamed Lagouader</h3><div class="notranslate HGLrXd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="display: inline-block; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><div class="q0vns" style="align-items: center; 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width: 18px;" /></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">bookshop.org</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://bookshop.org<span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"> › books › le-tailleur-de-mogador-m...</span></cite></div></div></div></div></span></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="HGLrXd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="display: inline-block; 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height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-id="collectionitem-web-desktophttps://bookshop.org/p/books/le-tailleur-de-mogador-mohamed-lagouader/19987415" data-viewer-group="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;aevozb:T2P31d;vcOT6c:C6KsF;k7WJpc:beCLof" jscontroller="gOTY1"><div data-ved="2ahUKEwippaKg382EAxUE_bsIHfVBD7IQu5wMegQIDhAJ" data-viewer-entrypoint="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;h5M12e;jGQF0b:kNqZ1c;" jscontroller="RJ1Nyd" jsdata="ReQo8;_;B374EY" jsshadow="" role="button" style="outline: 0px;" tabindex="-1"><div jsslot=""><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="MJ8UF iTPLzd rNSxBe eY4mx lUn2nc" jsname="I3kE2c" role="img" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-size: x-large;"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mohamed <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Lagouader</span> (Author) ; Description. Peut-on passer du jour au lendemain d'un amour à un autre ? Voici une fille, du nom d'Ezzahya, qui en doute fortement.</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">59,00 $US</span></div></div></div></div><span data-csim="" id="z9PoV"></span></div></div><div class="ULSxyf" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 44px;"><div class="MjjYud"><div data-hveid="CBMQAA" jsmodel="QPRQHf"><h2 class="bNg8Rb OhScic zsYMMe BBwThe" style="clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); height: 1px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; user-select: none; white-space: nowrap; width: 1px; z-index: -1000;">Résultats de recherche à proximité</h2></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CDAQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFSgAegQIMBAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="en" style="border-radius: 0px; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="ih6Jnb_TLwSs" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-family: arial, sans-serif; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFnoECB8QAQ" href="https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/le-tailleur-de-mogador-french-edition-9786204964065" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md" jscontroller="M9mgyc" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/le-tailleur-de-mogador-french-edition-9786204964065&ved=2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFnoECB8QAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px;"><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px; position: relative;">e Tailleur de Mogador (French Edition)</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="4" data-frt="0" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; height: 18px; padding: 5px; position: relative; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Better World Books</span></span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.betterworldbooks.com<span class="dyjrff ob9lvb" role="text"> › ...</span></span></cite></div></div></div></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="TbwUpd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div class="eqA2re NjwKYd" style="height: 18px; margin-right: 0px; width: 18px;"></div></span><div><span class="VuuXrf" style="display: block; line-height: 20px;"></span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="dyjrff ob9lvb" role="text"></span></span></cite></div></div></div><div class="csDOgf BCF2pd ezY6nb L48a4c" style="display: inline; height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-bsextraheight="0" data-isdesktop="true" data-movewtractions="true" data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8Q2esEegQIHxAJ" jscontroller="exgaYe" jsdata="l7Bhpb;_;B5wQIk cECq7c;_;B5wQI8"><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="iTPLzd rNSxBe lUn2nc" jsaction="RvIhPd" jsname="I3kE2c" role="button" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-size: large;"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8Qh-4GegQIHxAK" jsname="zOVa8"></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-family: arial, sans-serif; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc lEBKkf" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Buy a copy of <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Le Tailleur de Mogador</span> (French Edition) book.</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: large;">72,55 $US</span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="hlcw0c" style="margin-bottom: 44px;"><div class="MjjYud"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBsQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjPkoumobGBAxV3Q6QEHV6mB64QFSgAegQIGxAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="border-radius: 0px; 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font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px; position: relative;">Le Tailleur de Mogador by Mohamed Lagouader, Paperback</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="1" data-frt="0" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAMAAABEpIrGAAAAKlBMVEVHcExVV1tUVlpZWW1TVlpUVlnRtUfCqkmvm0yejk9saFZeXleLf1J9dVPh0iS4AAAABXRSTlMApdEMyA2ftQ8AAAEaSURBVDiNfZPZlgMhCETNzJFF4P9/d1DBpZMJL+nlWhRUp7x+vlYprzqrmapJfVYCRjCKn0gADEDWFP2nfQLMX4w2TvAHQBBQayqtJrKABoA2nmn0kFuhA3oB9Q2I1rznkNODA9gPNkqpxUyAQkLfF7HG7Ed9D+lAbmBIICPyY01rk31DOWvzTMwyl8xCOzD1lQgRiU9A1O0vQjw5tmtMRuCeVM7AoJeHmYAOo/IBsLlpYciVPwDXxrqGtQ3EJnsS42vom54EgR0KuqKqNkdpiO0BUNyOUYiPRALAzG8Yzc+nbg/rySByYTkFHT220WPMtg+FAlwmw7zHo0reny+NCGueC6W8szNuMSaizLDxut5/3n+qlN/vVf4AxkUXb8AFFswAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); 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font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="x_Z26q7c x_UK95Uc" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="border: 0px; color: #202124; flex: 0 0 auto; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="x_VwiC3b x_yXK7lf x_MUxGbd x_yDYNvb x_lyLwlc x_lEBKkf x_ContentPasted3" style="border: 0px; color: #4d5156; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Voici une fille, du nom d'Ezzahya, qui en doute fortement. Elle veut s'assurer qu'il ne reste plus de trace de l'ex-bien-aimée dans le coeur de son amant, Tahar ...</span></div></div><div class="x_Z26q7c x_UK95Uc" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="border: 0px; color: #202124; flex: 0 0 auto; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="x_fG8Fp x_uo4vr" style="border: 0px; color: #70757a; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">59,00 $US</span></span></div><div style="color: #70757a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="x_fG8Fp x_uo4vr" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; 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background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; height: 92px; padding: 5px; position: relative; width: 92px;" /></span></div></a></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="2" data-snf="nke7rc" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; grid-area: nke7rc / nke7rc / nke7rc / nke7rc; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc" style="color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Le Tailleur de Mogador</span>. Peut-on passer du jour au lendemain d'un amour à un autre ? Voici une fille, du nom d'Ezzahya, qui en doute fortement.</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="3" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="color: #222222; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; grid-area: mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: large;">51,20 €</span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.58;"><br /></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e ieodic" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-size: 15.4px; grid-area: x5WNvb / x5WNvb / x5WNvb / x5WNvb; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwjpqcmQnayBAxU70wIHHY63Cms4ChAWegQIChAB" href="https://www.ceneo.pl/151402386" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md" jscontroller="M9mgyc" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.ceneo.pl/151402386&ved=2ahUKEwjpqcmQnayBAxU70wIHHY63Cms4ChAWegQIChAB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px; position: relative;">Le Tailleur de Mogador - Literatura obcojęzyczna - Ceneo</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-ilt="1694767556365" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); 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contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-size: 15.4px; grid-area: Vjbam / Vjbam / Vjbam / Vjbam; margin-left: auto; overflow: hidden; padding-left: 20px; width: 92px;"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwjpqcmQnayBAxU70wIHHY63Cms4ChCprgF6BAgiEAA" href="https://www.ceneo.pl/151402386" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.ceneo.pl/151402386&ved=2ahUKEwjpqcmQnayBAxU70wIHHY63Cms4ChCprgF6BAgiEAA" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="LicuJb uhHOwf BYbUcd" style="border-radius: 8px; flex: 0 0 auto; height: 92px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 92px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="le tailleur de mogador sur www.ceneo.pl" data-ilt="1694767556365" id="dimg_whkEZenAJ7umi-gPju-q2AY_1" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSs8jMrtkIfBG8TB6JIXGZ5NrAboHDANkMIVBzMlzjMGDFnf1526gH0&usqp=CAE&s" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; height: 92px; padding: 5px; position: relative; width: 92px;" /></span></div></a></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="2" data-snf="nke7rc" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-size: 15.4px; grid-area: nke7rc / nke7rc / nke7rc / nke7rc; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc" style="color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Le Tailleur de Mogador</span>. Książka wydana w 2023 roku.Wydawnictwo: Éditions Muse . Okładka: Miękka . Kod ISBN: 9786204964065.</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="3" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; grid-area: mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: large;">234,24 PLN</span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.58;"><br /></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.58;"><br /></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span><div style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px; transition-property: none;"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id=":rbb:" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; 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transition-property: none;">BUECHER.DE</div></span></div><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="animation-name: none; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; transition-property: none;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x1lkfr7t x1lbecb7 x1s688f xzsf02u x1yc453h" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.1765; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; word-break: break-word;"><span class="x1lliihq x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6 x1j85h84" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; animation-name: none; display: -webkit-box; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 1px; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><div id=":rbl:" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;">Le Tailleur de Mogador</div></span></span></div><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; transition-property: none;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xi81zsa x1yc453h" color="var(--secondary-text)" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; display: block; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; word-break: break-word;"><span class="x1lliihq x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 5; animation-name: none; color: black; display: -webkit-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transition-property: none;">Peut-on passer du jour au lendemain dun amour à un autre ? Voici une fille, du nom dEzzahya, qui en doute fortement. Elle veut sassurer quil ne reste plus de trace de lex-bien-aimée dans le coeur de son amant, Tahar.</span><span class="x1lliihq x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 5; animation-name: none; display: -webkit-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><div class="clearfix price-shipping-free" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-top: 1rem;"><div class="price roboto roboto-400 pull-left" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-size: 30px;">37,99 €</div><div class="price roboto roboto-400 pull-left" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-size: 30px;"><br /></div><div class="price roboto roboto-400 pull-left" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-size: 30px;"><br /></div><div class="price roboto roboto-400 pull-left" style="box-sizing: border-box; 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font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Nalda Le Tailleur de Mogador von Mohamed Lagouader</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd YmJh3d NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-ilt="1704019755589" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="display: block; 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top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-size: x-large;"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span data-ved="2ahUKEwiZ29eWwLmDAxXLTKQEHf0XBAQ4ChCH7gZ6BAgLEAo" jsname="zOVa8"></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">ISBN: 9786204964065 | Preis: undefined CHF | Zustand: Neu | Print on Demand. Lieferbar innerhalb von 7 bis 10 Tagen | Bestpreis-Garantie | Pro Artikel wird .</span><span style="font-size: 14px;">..</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-size: 14px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><div class="g PmEWq" data-hveid="CCEQAA" jsname="pKB8Bc" style="line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative; width: 652px;"><div __is_owner="true" data-ar="1.2500" data-cid="13ace9af" data-eiv="1" data-esrvl="1" data-preloadapi="1" data-surl="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6hAqGZJRFs" data-tpvid="" data-vid="r6hAqGZJRFs" data-vurl="" id="ow186" jsaction="h5M12e;rcuQ6b:npT2md;" jscontroller="rTuANe"><div class="xe8e1b" style="line-height: 20px;"><div class="nhaZ2c"></div></div></div></div></div></span><span class="x1lliihq x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 5; animation-name: none; color: black; display: -webkit-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><br /></span><span class="x1lliihq x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 5; animation-name: none; color: black; display: -webkit-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiK0vmNoLGBAxWhXaQEHYWRAew4ChAWegQIBxAB" href="https://www.medimops.de/mohamed-lagouader-le-tailleur-de-mogador-taschenbuch-M06204964062.html" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md" jscontroller="M9mgyc" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.medimops.de/mohamed-lagouader-le-tailleur-de-mogador-taschenbuch-M06204964062.html&ved=2ahUKEwiK0vmNoLGBAxWhXaQEHYWRAew4ChAWegQIBxAB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px; position: relative;">Le Tailleur de Mogador von Mohamed Lagouader </h3></a><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiK0vmNoLGBAxWhXaQEHYWRAew4ChAWegQIBxAB" href="https://www.medimops.de/mohamed-lagouader-le-tailleur-de-mogador-taschenbuch-M06204964062.html" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md" jscontroller="M9mgyc" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.medimops.de/mohamed-lagouader-le-tailleur-de-mogador-taschenbuch-M06204964062.html&ved=2ahUKEwiK0vmNoLGBAxWhXaQEHYWRAew4ChAWegQIBxAB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; display: inline; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc lEBKkf" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;">Taschenbuch bei medimops.de bestellen. Gebraucht günstig kaufen & sparen. 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margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Le Tailleur de Mogador / Lagouader, Mohamed - ...</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; font-size: 12px; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="1" data-frt="0" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAYAAABzenr0AAAApElEQVR4AWPQsKx4CsSfyMDnGKAAyJYB4uNkmHEfpPk/mfgB1HJzIP5Cphl/GUAuIVPzXiBOArEpwK8pccAvEE1dB9Afjzpg1AGjDhh1wKeBdsD/gXTAIyB2GQgHfADiHiBmZwCCgXBAIQMUDJQDXgJxLaYD6I+vA7HlQOeCPwPtgM+UOGC0KB51wKgDRh3wd6AdsA+I8yl2ACUNCmhl5kRJaAAAicZAHZKYuGgAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" style="display: block; height: 18px; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">紀伊國屋書店ウェブストア</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp<span class="dyjrff ob9lvb" role="text"> › dsg...</span></cite></div></div></div></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="TbwUpd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; 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height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-bsextraheight="0" data-isdesktop="true" data-movewtractions="true" data-ved="2ahUKEwiGz6-i4rOBAxUXVKQEHadECdUQ2esEegQIGBAJ" jscontroller="exgaYe" jsdata="l7Bhpb;_;B9g6qo cECq7c;_;B9g6qs"><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="iTPLzd rNSxBe lUn2nc" jsaction="RvIhPd" jsname="I3kE2c" role="button" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" jsportable="sass-ported" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></svg></span></span></div><span data-ved="2ahUKEwiGz6-i4rOBAxUXVKQEHadECdUQh-4GegQIGBAK" jsname="zOVa8"></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce LnCrMe" data-sncf="0,1,2,3" data-snf="Vjbam" style="contain: layout paint; grid-area: Vjbam / Vjbam / Vjbam / Vjbam; overflow: hidden; padding-left: 20px; width: 92px;"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiGz6-i4rOBAxUXVKQEHadECdUQqa4BegQIGRAA" href="https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/f/dsg-02-9786204964065" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/f/dsg-02-9786204964065&ved=2ahUKEwiGz6-i4rOBAxUXVKQEHadECdUQqa4BegQIGRAA" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="LicuJb uhHOwf BYbUcd" style="border-radius: 8px; flex: 0 0 auto; height: 92px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 92px;"><img alt="Le Tailleur de Mogador · Paperback:紙装版/ペーパーバック版/228 p. · 言語 FRE · 商品コード 9786204964065. sur www.kinokuniya.co.jp" data-atf="1" data-frt="0" id="dimg_17" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" style="display: block; height: 92px; width: 92px;" /></div></a></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="2" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; grid-area: nke7rc / nke7rc / nke7rc / nke7rc; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc" style="color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Paperback</span>:<span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">紙装版</span>/<span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">ペーパーバック版</span>/<span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">228 p</span>. · <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">言語 FRE</span> · <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">商品コード 9786204964065</span>.</div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="3" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; grid-area: mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="line-height: 1.58;">10.486 JPY </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-ilt="1694940153668" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; height: 18px; padding: 5px; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div><span class="VuuXrf" style="display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">Medimops</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.medimops.de<span class="dyjrff ob9lvb" role="text"> › moha...</span></cite></div></div></div></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="TbwUpd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div class="eqA2re NjwKYd" style="height: 18px; margin-right: 0px; width: 18px;"></div></span><div><span class="VuuXrf" style="display: block; line-height: 20px;"></span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span class="dyjrff ob9lvb" role="text"></span></cite></div></div></div><div class="csDOgf BCF2pd ezY6nb L48a4c" style="display: inline; height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-bsextraheight="0" data-isdesktop="true" data-movewtractions="true" data-ved="2ahUKEwiK0vmNoLGBAxWhXaQEHYWRAew4ChDZ6wR6BAgHEAk" jscontroller="exgaYe" jsdata="l7Bhpb;_;B5vnrE cECq7c;_;B5vnrg"><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="iTPLzd rNSxBe lUn2nc" jsaction="RvIhPd" jsname="I3kE2c" role="button" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" jsportable="sass-ported" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></svg></span></span></div><span data-ved="2ahUKEwiK0vmNoLGBAxWhXaQEHYWRAew4ChCH7gZ6BAgHEAo" jsname="zOVa8"></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc lEBKkf" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;">Le Tailleur de Mogador von <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Mohamed</span></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc lEBKkf" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;"> Lagouader</span> Taschenbuch bei medimops.de bestellen. Gebraucht günstig kaufen & sparen. Gratis Versand bei medimops.</div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-size: 14px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;">53,90 €</div></div></span></span></div></div></div><a aria-labelledby=":rbl:" class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz x1heor9g xt0b8zv x5yr21d x10l6tqk x17qophe x13vifvy xh8yej3 x1vjfegm" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buecher.de%2Fshop%2Fgeisteswissenschaft-kunst-und-musik%2Fle-tailleur-de-mogador%2Flagouader-mohamed%2Fproducts_products%2Fdetail%2Fprod_id%2F67741993%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1I7tGGLnDn-rYS_n757mWGsXoxdHLxtQW0OMjPRCaFA-Y7YIupIbFVX0Q&h=AT2tyD-cn5F9mb58CkXefWwyQXwYxPtFxTA2eTTQxRdlIkcCCgghJB6wwfwn9OqQsGUJOTvtIOal_K7z5rf4LciuMQoqAZyV6QReCsAXMuae0O-6TKBXBY3mu9pOENO9ojKQ&__tn__=H-R&c[0]=AT2NKLp_urE2W-xUOudfk8YpWK72v0MbZuRPHl-mz1Xur7t9aDo1MjoQP3zITJSM1EgAYD8EShGgtLc1Wa2uZGRGBX1Ylek7xaUGl1gcT8dY9BczhiU8z5Y3yOhdHfjYvr8kL-A1FMZ74FjvjfO4LlfrD9plAXbGs9l17sufui8aMuR1W-7jfyUNXXp4oJER" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">ISBN13, 9786204964065. 出版社, BLUES KIDS OF AMER. 作者, Mohamed <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Lagouader</span>. 裝訂, 平裝. 規格, 22.9cm*15.2cm*1.3cm (高/寬/厚). 出版日, 2023/03/14.</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-size: 14px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="hlcw0c" style="color: #202124; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 44px;"><div class="MjjYud"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CCQQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiBiPuOwbmDAxWZUaQEHUATDuoQFSgAegQIJBAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="nl" style="border-radius: 0px; 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contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-weight: 400; overflow: hidden; white-space: normal;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Le Tailleur de Mogador</span> by Mohamed <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Lagouader</span> Paperback Book ; Quantity. 3 available ; Item number. 145439137016 ; Format. Paperback ; ISBN-13. 9786204964065 ...</span></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></div></div></span></span></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc" style="color: #4d5156; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFnoECCIQAQ" href="https://www.ibs.it/le-tailleur-de-mogador-libro-inglese-mohamed-lagouader/e/9786204964065" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md" jscontroller="M9mgyc" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.ibs.it/le-tailleur-de-mogador-libro-inglese-mohamed-lagouader/e/9786204964065&ved=2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFnoECCIQAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px; position: relative;">Le Tailleur de Mogador - Mohamed Lagouader - Libro in ...</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="4" data-frt="0" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; height: 18px; padding: 5px; position: relative; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">IBS</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.ibs.it<span class="dyjrff ob9lvb" role="text"> › ... › General</span></cite></div></div></div></span></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="TbwUpd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div class="eqA2re NjwKYd" style="height: 18px; margin-right: 0px; width: 18px;"></div></span><div><span class="VuuXrf" style="display: block; line-height: 20px;"></span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="dyjrff ob9lvb" role="text"></span></span></cite></div></div></div><div class="csDOgf BCF2pd ezY6nb L48a4c" style="display: inline; height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-bsextraheight="0" data-isdesktop="true" data-movewtractions="true" data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8Q2esEegQIIhAJ" jscontroller="exgaYe" jsdata="l7Bhpb;_;B5wQIg cECq7c;_;B5wQJA"><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="iTPLzd rNSxBe lUn2nc" jsaction="RvIhPd" jsname="I3kE2c" role="button" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-size: large;"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8Qh-4GegQIIhAK" jsname="zOVa8"></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc lEBKkf" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Le Tailleur de Mogador</span> è un libro di Mohamed LagouaderInternational Book Market Service Ltd : acquista su IBS a 78.10€!</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: large;">78,10 €</span></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="3" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; grid-area: mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="hlcw0c" style="color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 44px;"><div class="MjjYud"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CDIQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFSgAegQIMhAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="border-radius: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="ih6Jnb_M5MUTc" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.58;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-family: arial, sans-serif; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFnoECB4QAQ" href="https://www.bol.com/be/nl/p/le-tailleur-de-mogador/9300000147712086/" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md" jscontroller="M9mgyc" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.bol.com/be/nl/p/le-tailleur-de-mogador/9300000147712086/&ved=2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFnoECB4QAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px; position: relative;">Le Tailleur de Mogador, Mohamed Lagouader - Boeken</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="4" data-frt="0" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; height: 18px; padding: 5px; position: relative; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">Bol.com</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.bol.com<span class="dyjrff ob9lvb" role="text"> › le-tailleur-d...</span></cite></div></div></div></span></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="TbwUpd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div class="eqA2re NjwKYd" style="height: 18px; margin-right: 0px; width: 18px;"></div></span><div><span class="VuuXrf" style="display: block; line-height: 20px;"></span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="dyjrff ob9lvb" role="text"></span></span></cite></div></div></div><div class="csDOgf BCF2pd ezY6nb L48a4c" style="display: inline; height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-bsextraheight="0" data-isdesktop="true" data-movewtractions="true" data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8Q2esEegQIHhAJ" jscontroller="exgaYe" jsdata="l7Bhpb;_;B5wQIs cECq7c;_;B5wQJE"><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="iTPLzd rNSxBe lUn2nc" jsaction="RvIhPd" jsname="I3kE2c" role="button" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-size: large;"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8Qh-4GegQIHhAK" jsname="zOVa8"></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc lEBKkf" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Le Tailleur de Mogador</span> (Paperback).</span></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc lEBKkf" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;">83,99</span><br /></span></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc lEBKkf" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc lEBKkf" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58;"><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CDcQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFSgAegQINxAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="border-radius: 0px; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 652px;"><div class="srKDX cvP2Ce" data-snc="ih6Jnb_eoiwk" style="align-items: start; contain: layout paint; display: grid; grid-template-areas: "x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb Vjbam" ". . . . . . . . . . . Vjbam" "nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc Vjbam" "mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf Vjbam" ". . . . . . . . . . . Vjbam"; grid-template-columns: repeat(12, minmax(auto, 54px)); justify-content: space-between; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 652px;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e ieodic" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-size: 15.4px; grid-area: x5WNvb / x5WNvb / x5WNvb / x5WNvb; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFnoECCUQAQ" href="https://www.amazon.fr/Tailleur-Mogador-Mohamed-Lagouader/dp/6204964062" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md" jscontroller="M9mgyc" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.amazon.fr/Tailleur-Mogador-Mohamed-Lagouader/dp/6204964062&ved=2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFnoECCUQAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px; position: relative;">Le Tailleur de Mogador - Lagouader, Mohamed - Livres</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="4" data-frt="0" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; height: 18px; padding: 5px; position: relative; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">Amazon</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.amazon.fr<span class="dyjrff ob9lvb" role="text"> › Tailleur-Mogador-Mohamed...</span></cite></div></div></div></span></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; 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flex: 0 0 auto; font-size: 15.4px; grid-area: Vjbam / Vjbam / Vjbam / Vjbam; margin-left: auto; overflow: hidden; padding-left: 20px; width: 92px;"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8Qqa4BegQILBAA" href="https://www.amazon.fr/Tailleur-Mogador-Mohamed-Lagouader/dp/6204964062" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.amazon.fr/Tailleur-Mogador-Mohamed-Lagouader/dp/6204964062&ved=2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8Qqa4BegQILBAA" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="LicuJb uhHOwf BYbUcd" style="border-radius: 8px; flex: 0 0 auto; height: 92px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 92px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="le tailleur de mogador sur www.amazon.fr" data-atf="4" data-frt="0" id="dimg_3" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; height: 92px; padding: 5px; position: relative; width: 92px;" /></span></div></a></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="2" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-size: 15.4px; grid-area: nke7rc / nke7rc / nke7rc / nke7rc; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf yDYNvb W8l4ac lyLwlc" style="color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Petit à petit, Ezzahya prend la place de Zina dans le coeur de Tahar, le rêve de toutes les filles. Mais à force d'en rajouter, Ezzahya a failli perdre Tahar à ...</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="3" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; grid-area: mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: large;">53,90 €</span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CA4QAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjf9NuQwbmDAxWFUaQEHd-PBoE4ChAVKAB6BAgOEAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="sv" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="ih6Jnb_PUWtPb" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwjf9NuQwbmDAxWFUaQEHd-PBoE4ChAWegQIBBAB" href="https://www.akademibokhandeln.se/bok/le-tailleur-de-mogador/9786204964065" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.akademibokhandeln.se/bok/le-tailleur-de-mogador/9786204964065&ved=2ahUKEwjf9NuQwbmDAxWFUaQEHd-PBoE4ChAWegQIBBAB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Mohamed Lagouader - Le Tailleur de Mogador</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd YmJh3d NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAYAAABzenr0AAAHTklEQVR4Ae1WA3RkyxZNOhnbE3Q6tm0nY3vm2baNse3YZluxnYxtxUn39a1fdV/y9Wyetc5lnX20Czp/OvlHzExMdF0cHfVXLFum/9orr+g/9fjj+kH+/vqWZma8X9cxn897/NFH9b5rzIF9+3QD/fz0fnHnvl5eesFBQbpDr7OmjR+3MjIw4PPVS5fsXzJv7g4Hc7MX4Xe3GQJTrgqRYWF65gKB7i/i3MrcfDgjflRw8PFjx0/0yiurQUlDE6uubwQVTc2gBN5zioTMqy++WDdh9KglaPCaxYt4Aj7/5wXh5+nJOR+ho7Ns66ZN3W2XrgBZXi6Z+fwjGuk8b215gJUm3dNsIGvVnMG8XVvwxlNnWJFUBsICAhKh2RhkO37cuJ8WRICvL+d8pK7uw8lJSaD9/AXq+KLQgUa7iVSPjwHb5m1MF4e7kruefRyr8+ZT912nsBnOhtr8mOODHRcugcVz50qh+aghuB8XhMGsWcOM9j5y6BDR3N5BxjgYaLX+RoCa5wiu+Rgyn77wrOa2lqDv4SRzclEoRoSaASbaBtRZjaETPvugv/XsOeDp7HQEgSTHx/+0GfLEww+XN527AE742g7SwQLQFWkLBqNsQJvLdLogOQEHQxK/8VPsqvsMphv+Z+bagxqrsVR+Ypw2IzsbQJhwhAVJ+cNmh6219fDAeQViCUj+9H3NTdepTH+UHegMswRkmAUoCnYgpJXVhEQiIQEUVXkFqXAzJMlIa3AvzAowEZYg3dtSU9ncAh5dv64IgdE0/cOq8Plnn3EBwCl2shSyOy/ATkOFW3DOeyKsQbf3LDb9ladwoVCIPxfsMwigPNDiTNz8QAwLMgFd4VawSrbgnNNkuuDEUTImPqEPzaChKvzwVmzcuLFRLhKCOqdpBAbL3gUD0EDgDqcpdFZaKi7asZHIsJyIN7R3UABKzCfvY9dhG/ojbUA3DLTXZzbIgbNFqC4FY3V05iNMJ3v7726DhanpMFsnHjlx8o4kIYaBmVAoI678sBJiPyuyuKEFz18ZRVx2mMAk7N/LcUGhUhMqVwOSgG14AKugDeSDgmVhg4rqOuBhZ/scAg0NCtL/oQFMPZmQ2Ck6eZS+CEs5AANAWfXBrNKfXo8LS8vxWg9DCgTzQfzahTgBAHt/UMvEz/XD8GABDMAaoHYULQzsV1TXAl8X51eHVsgfHMDovfsPXJJkpLLtjpNJVAEUxBlY/tyEODxxz05MaDcVOxNmS+x3M9M0d3zVhpMfvoPd9JjB9ELCDsApm7N2vkZaUQUsDWc/gkB9PD2/OwAkEIcjyttvvCGpqKkFFd4mGDvHDlDRtqDY04SsbGomiyUS6kBMHHEsOZU4cCKGaGxpoQEUqVxOlLjOJtkFTqDTaxZTvPlTLE8sZSGcB8K0t7X9bhI6OzrqwTKNRs+mBrO3xKZlgM1BbgNn7Ccyt2xHs5mPrcAV9U1EvJcF3hjpRFVGOJNV/ubkvodXYQxsA5oNsRGeWK/zRDbVeCR+9NAh+sXnX7gK4QQnYmNHhIeEjIDb+TcH4e3hwTHUxMhow769e7sUcnmvTCqlJFIpKUxLwVM/eAPftelLfMtrL2H3XKcwDJwZg6HmAISbAaGvJdHQcYpsbmmhNr75Opa3YxNelJODy+QKSiIW4yqlsuftN988j5YZLjk+/+tBGBsYjPT38QnycnffeujgQaBWqShhcTEuEYlwkVRKiJRqoqSsjExLTCBSw1zxHn9jthORDXKj0Xka/dbLL2llMhmhVKlJoUKJFilCDNcKEVQYAPjw/fd77Kytnwvw83NF/kICA/+zP2RnZXHZz4mMzGhqagIXzp/XtrW20u1tbXQrzKqluZmqr6khISAhRFpRTaREeuI4rMBtbwM25pmH8fK6ejI3O4tQKRRkU3091QptWltbqfb2doRB3rx5E8vLzQWzZ8x4duiM8RUhVy5fzpXDzdk5+oXnnpPBnQ8vLioahNlrYPkwqUSCstAWFhRwmp2ZocnKzMRiE5PwVrdZlDjag0yTyPHkhHhNQX6+FmlRYaFWLBJpoS0B7xjE0yA9fOhQ//o1a07CFnCtcLSz4+nA7LhSODs47C1Rq0F3dzd979490NXVBbqhwnfu+e7du+Ds2bMgNiYGbP3yCyouO7c/dlHIYPzrzw/EpKQNbP7ySxZleOXKFXD//n3OZti2s7MT3L59G/T397Mnjh0DI3i81cgnbLfu8KknRGBsLII9kri7uCjhoVPhDBUGxSl6Rt98vLxUgf7+Elsrq7OrV68Gjy5fSj2+bi2zYN581sbSshqyXO7h6orskd3X7BE2PLyK4UzIsLawMNT5sTJ61Khh4kyYPX36dgtz8xYzgaBm2uTJT+n8XOEbGuq++vLLvP179/K2b9vG27l9+//oDqi7d+7kbfziC15URMTXTjgb1q3j7dqxA41D+jV7hLl/3z7emlWreDOnTft5Z0V04oVt03/x+ed1IZt5cAnX/6lY/8g/8i/FTCwEZgGzQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" style="display: block; height: 18px; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">Akademibokhandeln</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.akademibokhandeln.se<span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"> › ...</span></cite></div></div></div></span></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="TbwUpd YmJh3d iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; 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margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-bsextraheight="0" data-isdesktop="true" data-movewtractions="true" data-ved="2ahUKEwjf9NuQwbmDAxWFUaQEHd-PBoE4ChDZ6wR6BAgEEAs" jscontroller="exgaYe" jsdata="l7Bhpb;_;CYBz0s cECq7c;_;CYBz08"><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="iTPLzd rNSxBe lUn2nc" jsaction="RvIhPd" jsname="I3kE2c" role="button" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-size: x-large;"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span data-ved="2ahUKEwjf9NuQwbmDAxWFUaQEHd-PBoE4ChCH7gZ6BAgEEAw" jsname="zOVa8"></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Författare: Mohamed <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Lagouader</span>; Format: Pocket/Paperback; ISBN: 9786204964065; Språk: Engelska; Antal sidor: 228; Utgivningsdatum: 2023-03-14 ...</span></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBIQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjRkuvHqMODAxUndaQEHc_QBiEQFSgAegQIEhAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="en" style="border-radius: 0px; 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-webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;">Peut-on passer du jour au lendemain d'un amour ? un autre ? Voici une fille, du nom d'Ezzahya, qui en doute fortement. Elle veut s'assurer qu'il ne reste ...</div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;">70,26 $US</div></div></div></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="z9PoV"></span></span></div><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124; font-size: medium;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBAQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjRkuvHqMODAxUndaQEHc_QBiEQFSgAegQIEBAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="ih6Jnb_ZlTgzd" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-size: 14px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="hlcw0c" style="color: #202124; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 44px;"><div class="MjjYud"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CB0QAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjf9NuQwbmDAxWFUaQEHd-PBoE4ChAVKAB6BAgdEAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="ja" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 652px;"><div class="srKDX cvP2Ce" data-snc="ih6Jnb_MtFTvc" style="align-items: start; contain: layout paint; display: grid; grid-template-areas: "x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb Vjbam" ". . . . . . . . . . . Vjbam" "nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc Vjbam" "mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf Vjbam" ". . . . . . . . . . . Vjbam"; grid-template-columns: repeat(12, minmax(auto, 54px)); justify-content: space-between; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 652px;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e ieodic ToJJHb" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; grid-area: x5WNvb / x5WNvb / x5WNvb / x5WNvb; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -15px;"><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> <b><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">*******</span></b></p><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="3" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; grid-area: mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58;"><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CDcQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiboMqwnKyBAxXJ5KQKHatOBR8QFSgAegQINxAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="border-radius: 0px; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 652px;"><div class="srKDX cvP2Ce" data-snc="ih6Jnb_eoiwk" style="align-items: start; contain: layout paint; display: grid; grid-template-areas: "x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb Vjbam" ". . . . . . . . . . . Vjbam" "nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc nke7rc Vjbam" "mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf mCCBcf Vjbam" ". . . . . . . . . . . Vjbam"; grid-template-columns: repeat(12, minmax(auto, 54px)); justify-content: space-between; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 652px;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="3" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; grid-area: mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;">THE POET<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;">Chapter Twenty Two<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br />T</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">he woods ran in a half-circle a little way round the hamlet Kafr-Hanoon –and beyond was the lake. Several people had their cattle, sheep or goats pasture there. These people sent either their little boys or girls, or the elderly, to look after the herds. Sufian had made the Poet’s flesh creep with stories about wolves eating people’s stray sheep around the woods. But this first day there rolled by peacefully. The Poet returned with no sheep or lamb missing. Little by little, he grew accustomed to this piece of work. And right from the start he chose not to mingle with the herd-boys or -girls or even the elderly. He would keep his herd away from those and sit somewhere on a small rock or nestle against the trunk of a tree and read a book.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> At sunset the Poet would herd the animals back to their shed, and after dinner he would recline in bed and read for some time before sleeping. And days went on in this way until one night when he could not sleep because of the thought of Sultana. He thought and wept all through the night. And as dawn came he decided to repent of his past sins. He determined to say his daily prayers regularly and, simultaneously, make up for all those prayers he had missed. So instead of five it would be ten prayers daily. He started this at dawn. And after breakfast he led the herd to the woods. He spent much of the next five nights in worship and penitence. And he read religious books and the Quran more than anything else. Soon he gave up reading in the woods. Instead, he fashioned out a flute and began a habit of playing on it while he was with the herd. This habit soon drove him far away from books and nightly prayers. It made him think of women more than anything else. And the ‘woman’ who had just attracted him now was but a girl of twelve…the daughter of Boutros. This girl pastured her father’s sheep in the woods, not far from the Poet..</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> The Poet did not know the girl’s name. But he named her, though, ‘Hasnaa’, Arabic for ‘beautiful’. Sufian was not at Kafr-Hanoon these days, and the Poet only wished Sufian had been there. For had it been the case, the Poet would have used him as a messenger. Sufian spoke Coptic, the language which Hasnaa spoke. The Poet understood little, and evidently could not reply in Coptic. But lovers –all lovers– do not always need –at least at the beginning– to speak the language of the beloved…</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> So the Poet did not wait for Sufian’s return from his father’s home. He decided to make his first endeavours. He began by bringing his herd closer and closer to Hasnaa’s, but without approaching her in person. Each day, he himself got closer. And now he began to eye the girl up. And sometimes he fastened his eyes on hers. She did not react, though. But her looks purported that she was well aware of the Poet’s satanic endeavours. Sufian’s absence lasted more than the Poet could bear. He could no longer read. By day he played on the flute in the woods. By night he thought of Hasnaa, and sometimes of Yamna. Even when he prayed he could not concentrate on his prayers…</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> One day he resolved to go into action. He waved to the girl from a short distance. She stared at him. He smiled. She did not smile. He babbled out words. She did not reply. He rose to his feet and took steps towards her, smiling. She too rose, uttered a low cry and scurried away. “I’ve done it!” the Poet muttered, his heart throbbing. And he started to count the hours to the trial…</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> At sunset he hurried the herd back to the shed and returned to his tent. His apprehension had now reached its peak. He knew he had exposed himself to the full fury of Assem. At dusk he prayed with tears in the eyes and a fire in the heart. Immediately afterwards two well-set young men darted into the tent and each gripped the Poet by an arm and they dragged him out. The Poet did not protest. He only whimpered. Assem was waiting beside a wooden cross. Without awaiting a signal from him, the two men stripped the Poet to his trousers and tied him up to the cross. “You can go now,” said Assem to the two men. “And come back to me early in the morning.” The two men saluted and moved away. When they had gone out of sight, Assem turned to the Poet and slapped him twice in the face. The Poet burst into bitter tears.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Now you have done this to my friend’s daughter,” Assem growled, his eyes blazing with rage, “next time you’ll do it to my maid or –who knows?– to my grand-son!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> As the Poet began to beg for mercy, making mad excuses, Assem slapped him once again, harder than the first time, and glared at him contemptuously, and turned round to go back to his compound.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> The Poet spent that night on the cross, weeping and cursing himself and praying to God to deliver him from this ordeal. Early in the morning the two young men came back with whips in their hands. Assem stayed aloof and watched as the two men set to thrash the Poet. When the Poet’s voice had gone hoarse from crying, Assem walked over to the two men and made them a sign to withdraw and go away. When they had gone, Assem turned to the Poet and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “From the cross you’ll go straight to the grave!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Poet was already breathless. His head hung on his chest. The naked part of his body clearly bore the red marks of the whip. Assem moved away and did not return until the sun was most painful on the body. He did not come alone. Boutros and the girl were with him. The Poet had glanced at them all, without moving his head. Boutros and his daughter stood a little way to the Poet’s left and Assem on the right. Now the Poet raised his eyes and nearly went mad at the sight of a knife in Assem’s right hand. Tears gushed from his eyes, and he trembled all over. Assem laid his left hand on the Poet’s right shoulder and turned his eyes toward Boutros, waving the knife.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Shall I cut off his head?” he asked Boutros.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Poet was terrified out of his wits. And he begged breathlessly for mercy. Boutros gazed at him for a while then he answered firmly:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Yes.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> And as Assem raised the knife to fulfill his friend’s wish the girl cried, “No! No! No!”, and buried her face in her father’s gown. Boutros signed to his friend to wait. Assem moved the knife away from the Poet’s throat and turned toward the girl. In the meantime the Poet went on beseeching pardon. The girl uncovered her face and glanced at the Poet, then flung herself again at her father, blubbering, “No, dad, don’t kill him!” Boutros cast an affectionate look at her and turned to Assem and said, “That’s enough! Set him free!” Assem glanced at the Poet and turned his steps toward Boutros and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Boutros, I’m sorry for what’s happened. Let’s go!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> And the three moved away, leaving the Poet on the cross.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> In the afternoon the Poet was in bed, alone. It was not until the next morning that a physician came to see him. And all the while he whimpered and moaned. But three days later, he got much better, and he began to yearn to return to the pastures to see his beloved –Hasnaa. She was such a charming girl; and it simply was hard to resist her. The next evening Assem came into the tent and sat quietly by the Poet on the mattress.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “How are you?” Assem asked, displaying some sympathy.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Quite well, sir.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> After a momentary silence Assem said, looking away from the Poet:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Whom do you blame for this?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “None but myself. I avow my guilt.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I nearly thought you’d got a heart quite attuned to worship. But –alas!– you’ve disappointed me. Why did you do it? And with such a young girl –a child even? What has happened to you, Salman?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Poet’s eyes filled with tears. Assem looked at him.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I want to repent,” the Poet burst out.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “That’s enough,” replied Assem, after a pause.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “No. I want to heal the wound in the girl’s heart. I still have to make amends to her.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “How?” Assem smiled.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Poet hesitated for a moment, and then replied in a shaky voice:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I want to give her the lamb you gave me.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Assem roared with laughter. And after a moment’s reflection he said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Tomorrow I shall take you there to give her the lamb. Right?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Thank you, sir.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Assem and the Poet were well received by Boutros. Hasnaa accepted the gift with what looked like avidity. She was indeed surprised and happy. She was even happier when she learned that Assem would give her father three sheep in compensation for the loss of three of Boutros’ sheep when she had scurried away home.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> That same day Assem told the Poet to put the animals out to pasture. And the Poet was happy with this. For he would be able to see his beloved from time to time. But his happiness ended the week after. It was utterly dark outside when Assem sailed into the tent with a lamp in one hand and a basket, a sword and a knife in the other.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Get up!” he said as he entered.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Poet sprang from his bed and gaped.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Take,” said Assem, as he laid on the carpet what he was carrying in his hands. “I want you to go to the woods now and bring me, in this basket, the head of the wolf who ate Boutros’ sheep. You know I’ve paid three of mine for that! Now get up and be quick!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Poet stared at the master, then at the materials on the carpet, and then vacantly into space, before he looked up at Assem and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Are you sure there’s going to be only one wolf in the woods? This very night?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Yes! Now get up! At once! What are you waiting for?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> For the Poet this meant the end, the end of him. But he stood up, picked up the basket and the weapons and put on his shoes and left the tent. The farther he went from the tent the weaker he felt at the knees. And he thought… What to do now? Go away? Where? How? Go to the woods?… to kill the wolf and bring its head– how? Him kill a wolf? But that’s madness! Utter madness! In the desert around Lehreem he had always shirked going where he suspected there to be a wolf or a lion. And on the Poet trudged, looking left and right. The nearer he drew to the woods the faster his heart beat. He stopped a few yards away from the woods to take breath. So far, he could not believe that Assem had actually meant what he said…It was very cold now. And the Poet shivered with cold and terror. Although Assem’s wolf was nowhere to be seen the Poet could not yet venture to enter the woods. The first thing he thought suitable to do was to have a walk round the woods. And he set off at a slow trot, looking in every direction and holding the sword at the ready. And suddenly he was totally aware of what he was doing. He awoke to his opportunities. He now took Assem seriously. And consequently he had to chase the wolf and kill it and bring its head in the basket. Hadn’t he, the Poet, said that he should avail himself of every opportunity to acquire a manly heart? This was the best of all opportunities. All people had stigmatized him as a coward. Now, he had to avenge this insult… And while the Poet was busy steeling his heart, a wolf, somewhere on the other side of the woods, howled. The Poet nearly wetted his pants. He was immediately gripped by an impulse to run away. But where? How? He stood rooted to the spot, and tried to overcome his terror. And he thought all the while… Assem had meant what he said. There was now a wolf. Maybe it was this very wolf that had eaten Boutros’ sheep… But what to do? Chase the wolf? The Poet’s heart throbbed fit to burst. The wolf –or the wolves– howled again. The Poet plucked up courage and raised his eyes up to the sky and jabbered out prayers, and then moved off hesitantly…in the direction of the howl. He went along the edge of the woods, being still unable to go through the trees. Soon his sham courage faded away. And yet he plodded on his way, looking in every direction with a sharp eye and listening with a sharp ear. And now and then he stopped to get his breath back. The wolves –now the Poet was sure there was a herd of them– howled again and again. The Poet slowed down and almost went on tiptoe…And now he stopped. He could move no farther. He had already reached quite the middle of the second side of the woods. He was panting and, despite the cold, he was in a sweat. He faced the trees, but every moment he turned this way and that to make sure he had not trapped himself. His hands trembled, the sword now felt heavier. His eyes were rolling. “Where are they now?” he thought. “Here we are!” the wolves seemed to reply at once. For they now howled just a little way from him. Startled out of his wits, the Poet just raised his eyes to the sky and mumbled prayers. He waved his unwieldy sword and strained his eyes to see what was coming towards him. A wolf appeared between the trees and glared at him. The Poet nearly went mad at the grisly spectacle. He ran even farther backward while he kept facing the wolf’s eyes and teeth. And here was the dreadful moment at last! The wolf gave a short jump and slowly headed straight at the Poet. Another wolf appeared behind, and a third. And the Poet was nearer and nearer to madness. And no sooner had the first wolf given the first real jump in the direction of the Poet than a long arrow shot through its sides. The two other wolves let out a mad howl and flew away through the trees. The one which was hit lay on the ground growling and moaning and wriggling in convulsions, just a few yards from the Poet. The Poet’s terror had not abated, though. And while he stood gazing at the dying creature on the ground, a thin, short arrow zipped just a few inches past his nose. Aghast, he turned quickly toward where the shot had come from. He could descry nobody, and real terror gripped him. He stood there petrified until a human voice broke this jungle silence. The Poet recognized the voice at once. It was Assem. The Poet could not believe his ears, nor his eyes, when he saw Assem coming towards him from the place where the wolves had first appeared to him.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “You’re still a babe, poor boy!” Assem said smilingly as he rested his hand on the Poet’s shoulder. With the other hand alone he carried a sword, a bow and arrows. The Poet could not speak. He felt ashamed.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “This is another step on a long way you have to go,” said Assem softly. “Shall we walk back home?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The Poet turned his steps to the compound. Assem wound his arm round the Poet’s back and they moved off unhurriedly.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Tell me, sir,” said the Poet suddenly. “How did you know that the wolves would be in the woods this very night? When I saw Sir Boutros home I heard them howl only three or four times?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I wasn’t quite sure of that, but I had made up my mind to send you tonight. Now, just forget all about this, and think of the future. What about your readings? It seems the girl has absorbed all your attention, eh?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “No, no, sir. I’ll be reading more and more.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br /></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-one.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Chapter One</b></span></a></li></ul><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><b style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><b style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></b></div><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-sixteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Sixteen</span></a></li></ul></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">.</span><b><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 30.6667px;">T</span></b><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 30.6667px;">he next morning Larbi and the Poet had breakfast together and then went to see Ben Mahmood. Now the Poet suspected Larbi’s every move but wilfully made an ass of himself. When Larbi said it was “only an ordinary courtesy visit”, the Poet nodded and replied, “Fine”. On that very occasion Ben Mahmood invited, then insisted, then begged the Poet to stay with him. “I’m glad to offer you this private room for the time being,” he said smoothly. “And when money comes my way, I’ll build a separate cottage for you!” The Poet smiled broadly, trying to ferret out what kind of plans Ben Mahmood was carrying out. So far, the Poet was determined to hold on to his love of Yamna. He knew he was but a lamb amidst wolves. But he meant to be a clever, slippery lamb. So he thought of planning quite everything with the greatest care. He knew it would be a stupid mistake to demand to see Yamna now. And he did not make that mistake.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 30.6667px;"><br /></span></p></span></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">*******</span></b></div></b><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;">THE PHILOSOPHER<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><br /></li></ul></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br />H</span><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">e saw the children coming. But he drew water from the well and watered his mule. Then he drank straight from the bucket and washed his face. The children were soon standing in a half circle in front of him. He met their gaze, and his face creased into a broad smile.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Are you from Azlu?” he said suddenly, glancing back at his mule.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> All the children raised their eyebrows.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I am hungry. Are you from Azlu?” he said again.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The children looked at each other and exchanged smiles.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Who does that vineyard belong to?” he said, plunging his hand deep in his pockets, from which he took out a handful of coins.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The children beamed at the sight of the coins.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Who can bring me grapes from that vineyard?” he said, jingling the coins in his hand. “I am hungry!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Tell us who you are and we’ll bring you grapes,” said one of the children.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I am a hungry man,” said the man. The children burst out laughing as he went on, “My father is my mouth and my mother is my stomach.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “And your children?” said another child, whose eyes were still riveted on the coins.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “All Azlu children are my children!” said the man. “That’s why I am giving you this. Here!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The children held out their hands each in turn as the man pressed a coin in each hand. “Now, let’s sit down!” he said. And all the children sat down at once as if they had been told by their own fathers.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I said I’m hungry,” the man said. “You haven’t brought me grapes, so I’ll start eating your hands!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The children laughed again, but one of them sprang up and charged towards the vineyard. A moment later, he was back, holding a goodly bunch of grapes in both hands. “Here!” he said to the man, who snatched the grapes and started eating them with great zest. “You know,” he said, chewing. “I’ve gone so many places, but when I saw Azlu, I said to myself there’s no prettier place under the sun.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Are you from Azlu?” said one child in a hesitant voice.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “What do you think?” replied the man, betrayed by the hot blush that spread up into his face.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I have never seen you,” said the child. “But you speak like us.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I do speak like you,” replied the man, “but I’m not dressed liked you, am I? You are wearing white jellabas; I am wearing a yellow turban and a sky-blue gown and white slippers.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Yes,” said another child. “And you have a thick beard and a shaven moustache.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “And you are a hungry man,” said a third child.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “So I look strange, don’t I?” said the man, handing the remainder of the grapes to one of the children.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The children nodded, and some of them chuckled. The man, whose eyes had been roving from face to face, as if looking for something, suddenly fixed his eyes on one of the children and asked him:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “What’s your name, boy?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “My name is Hussein,” said the child bashfully.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Who is your father?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “My father is H’mad Amgoon.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The man was startled. He looked as if he had come upon something he had been looking for. Amazed, the children just looked on as he suddenly sighed and said in a rather tremulous voice:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Tell me, Hussein, do you know me?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “No, sir.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Yes, sir.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Tell me their names!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Ahmed, Brahim, Hassan, Yezza and Fatma.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “That’s all?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The children let out a timid chuckle, but Hussein then said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I also have another brother who is absent.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Where has he gone?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I don’t know. I have never seen him.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “What’s his name?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Muhammad.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> A sudden smile illuminated the man’s face. And all the children listened in wide-eyed amazement as the man said, almost tearfully:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I am your brother Muhammad!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Hussein looked incredulous, though.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Really?” he said with a blush. “My brother Muhammad has got a nickname. Do you have a nickname?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Yes. My nickname is “The Philosopher”.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Hardly had Muhammad uttered those words than Hussein sprang to his feet and broke into a run in the direction of his home, shouting:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “The Philosopher’s back! The Philosopher’s back!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> And in no time the whole village –men and women and children– emerged from behind the nearest houses and surged forward, with the little children chanting: “The Philosopher’s back! The Philosopher’s back!” Muhammad let himself go as he embraced his tearful relatives one by one. He even sobbed when his weeping father took him in his arms.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> And they led him back home as they would lead a bride to her new home. His father’s house was larger than the local mosque, but there just was not enough room for all the people who came to give their best wishes for Muhammad’s return. Muhammad was then seated among the most important village men in the most beautiful room in his father’s home.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">And he answered question after question even before tea was served.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Where have you been all this time?” was one question.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I was everywhere and nowhere,” was Muhammad’s answer.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Didn’t I tell you?” said the first speaker, looking around the crowded room. “This man can’t give clear answers. That’s why Sheik Himi called him ‘The Philosopher’. He really is a philosopher, isn’t he? But–” He turned back to Muhammad and said, “tell us, philosopher, what did you bring with you after all these years of absence?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Everything and nothing,” said Muhammad, without any note of malice in his voice.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “We understand ‘nothing’,” said the same speaker amid the audience’s laughter, “but what do you mean by ‘everything’?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I can show you ‘nothing’ by letting you look into my pockets and my bag, because you’ll find nothing in my pockets or in my bag; but I can’t show you ‘everything’, because everything is in my mind, and my mind is in my head, and I have only one head, so I can’t cut or break my head just for the sake of showing you that ‘everything’ is in my head indeed!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Please! Please!” said another speaker. “Let him be! He is free. If he has everything, that’s what we wish for him; if he has nothing, that’s his own problem. Now let’s drop the subject!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Muhammad glanced at his father and sighed. He knew from his father’s glum face that he was not happy. So he just hung his head and prayed within himself. Soon after, the first dishes began to be set on the low tables at the men’s feet. Muhammad looked at the dish in front of him and wondered when he had last eaten such thing: chicken with rice and raisins. He sat close to the table and began to eat in silence, trying his best not to comment on what the men around him here saying.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> As evening fell, the last visitors left, and so Muhammad found himself sitting alone in this large room. He could not leave the room. He left ashamed. He knew that only his mother and two sisters and some little children –who most probably were his nephews and nieces– were in the adjoining rooms. He could hear their voices. But he could not go and sit with them. He dreaded embarrassing questions. So he just stayed with eyes riveted on the door and waited to see whether anyone would come to him and sit with him and talk to him. He waited and waited, while the noise of the few women and their children went on unabated in the rooms around. And suddenly a young woman of twenty appeared fleetingly at the door and flashed him a look of wonder. As if struck by lightening, Muhammad shuddered at the young woman’s look. A moment later, his sister came in smiling and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Muhammad, why are you sitting there alone? Come! Come and sit with us!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> But Muhammad was too weak to stand on his feet. He opened his lips as if to speak, but remained silent.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Oh, what’s the matter?” his sister grinned.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I–I–I am sorry,” he said at length, “a young woman didn’t know I was here and she looked in and saw me. I’m sorry.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Don’t worry!” said his sister with a yapping laugh. “That’s only Yetto, my aunt Khadija’s daughter. She told me. Don’t worry about that. Come! Come and sit with us.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">Muhammad struggled to his feet and followed his sister out of the room. She led him into a much smaller room, and she had almost to guide him like a blind man when he stumbled over the doorsill. His mother and sisters and three other women laughed quietly as they saw his eyes glued to the young woman in orange and green. He could hardly take his eyes off her when his mother called to him to sit by her side. And as he sat down, his mother said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I thought you would never be back. You were only twenty-four when you left us. Now you are getting on for thirty-nine. Your younger brothers have all got married. Even Hassan, whom you left as a child, got married three months ago. Only Hussein is not married yet, because he’s still too young. Look! Those are the wives of your brothers. And your sisters too are married now, and they have children…Now, tell us something about you. Where have you been? What have you been doing with yourself? Tell us, we are eager to hear from you!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “What shall I tell you, Mother?” said Muhammad in a quavering voice. “You know, I was always keen on learning. I felt as if I were ill. Or mad, if you will. And I felt that the only way I could cure myself was through learning. So I learned everything I could learn here, and when I had nothing more to learn here, I went away, like a madman. I went from place to place looking for knowledge. I went after knowledge wherever I thought I could find it. I was always hungry for more and more knowledge. And day by day, month by month, year after year, I found myself going farther and farther away.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “And where did your journey end?” said Yezza with a mocking smile.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Muhammad looked at her tenderly and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “My journey ended when I could go no further. I missed you. I missed the village. I missed its people. I missed my mother’s rice. I missed you all. And recently a friend of mine, who liked me so much, wanted to give me his daughter in marriage. And when I was about to say yes, because I liked that friend, and I knew that his daughter was young and beautiful and virgin- when I was about to accept his offer, I realized that Mother would be very cross with me if I married a girl from outside of the village. So, one day, I rose very early in the morning and I left that place without my friend’s knowing. And here I am now again.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “But you have come back empty-handed, I see,” said Yezza. “How can you marry while you have no money?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Muhammad just hung his head in shame and fell silent.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Have you said your prayers?” asked his mother.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “No,” he replied with a blush, rising to go out.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> And he shuffled out of the room. As he got outside, he cast his eyes up and saw the three-day-old crescent standing alone on one corner of the sky, south of the village. He sighed, and cursed Satan. But Yetto’s face would not leave his mind. Her dark eyes and eye-brows and little red mouth were there: inside his mind, before his eyes, and they were becoming clearer and clearer the longer he went into the darkness. They forced him to think of her.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Here was the mosque. Six men were lounging by its door. They were chatting, but now that Muhammad said peace be with you they all fell silent. Muhammad went into the mosque and found one man sitting in a corner and reading the Koran. Muhammad greeted him and started his prayers. And as he was praying, he found himself thinking of Yetto still. Yetto’s face would just not leave his mind.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> He finished his prayers and went back to his father’s home. He asked his sister Yezza for a place to sleep. She told him to sleep on the carpet in the guest-room, the very room where he had first seen Yetto’s dark eyes and eyebrows. He went in there and lay on his side and tried to sleep. But sleep would just not come.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> In the morning, Muhammad was sitting with legs crossed when Yezza kicked the door open and came in holding a tray in both hands.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Here’s your breakfast,” she said with a littler smile.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> As she put down the tray on the carpet and began to go out, Muhammad hailed her in a shaky voice:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Yezza!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Yezza stopped and turned round.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Yes?” she said.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Come closer, please. I want to talk to you.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Yezza sat down in front of him and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Here I am! What was it you wanted to talk to me about?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Is Yetto married?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Yetto? Why?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Is she married?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “She isn’t. But why are you asking me about her?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I want to marry her– that’s why.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “What! Are you crazy? Maybe you don’t know that Yetto is the most beautiful girl anyone has ever seen anywhere. Men have come from miles and miles away and offered her father gold and silver and pearls and camels and all sorts of wealth and yet he has refused to give her to any of them. Maybe you don’t know that any man from this village who dared to voice his wish for her hand would immediately be turned into the village idiot. Yetto is a woman only a fool would dream of. And tell me, suppose her father were willing to give her to you, what would you give her as a dowry?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “My mule, that’s all I have!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Yezza broke into derisive laughter. Then she said as she rose to go:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I thought you were serious. Have a nice breakfast!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> As soon as he had had breakfast, his mother came in and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Good morning! All the village men have gone to market, why haven’t you?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I shall go to market next week, Insha Allah.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Alright. But please don’t leave this room until the men have come back from market! Don’t get us into trouble with the village girls!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I can’t stay here in this room!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Go to the backyard, then!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Alright.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> And he went to the backyard and sat on a bale of straw and leant against the trunk of an olive-tree and faced the plain rolling down to the wadi. Soon he pictured himself leaving the house with Yetto walking at his side, with her orange robe fluttering in the slight wind– walking slowly and talking in whispers as they went down to the wadi, and then making their way through that thick line of reed that almost hid the wadibed…</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> He remained there musing about his Yetto, until his younger brother Hussein came to him and said that there was a man outside asking for him.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Go and ask Mother if I could go outside and meet the man,” said Muhammad, rising to his feet.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Hussein disappeared for a moment and then came back with his mother’s answer.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “She says you can meet with him in the guest-room,” he said.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Alright.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Muhammad did not know the visitor, but he instantly knew that he was from somewhere nearby, because he spoke the same Berber and he was wearing a white jellaba.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I just came to ask you whether you have any knowledge of Arithmetic,” said the visitor as he sat down close to Muhammad in the guest-room. “I was at the market this morning and I heard about you, and I was desperately looking for someone to teach me basic Arithmetic.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Why do you want to learn Arithmetic?” said Muhammad.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Well, to be honest with you, I have heard of an interesting job, and I can’t get that job if I don’t know Arithmetic.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Is it a job offered by a ruler?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Yes, if you wish,” said the visitor hesitantly.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Where do you live?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I live in Tushki.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “That’s not very far from here. But how much will you pay me?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Well, as I said, I only need to learn basic Arithmetic. And I am under pressure of time. All my efforts will have been in vain if I don’t get the job within two weeks. So I will only need you for two weeks.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Alright! But still how much will you pay me?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I’ll give you five dirhams a day and a chicken per week, as a bonus.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Done!” said Muhammad with a smile.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> The visitor smiled blissfully and rose to go.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I shall come to you as soon as the village men have come back from market,” said Muhammad in a satisfied voice.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “See you then!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Wait! Before you go remind me of your name…”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">Muhammad showed his visitor out, and as he turned round and stepped back into the house his mother hailed him from a little way to his right, and when he stood in front of her, she said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Who was that man and what did he want?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “That was a man from Tushki. He wanted me to teach him how to make calculations so that he could get a job, as he said.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “How much will he pay you?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Five dirhams a day, plus a chicken per week, he said.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “And you’ll take the job?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Why not?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Alright! You can go to him, but, take it from me, don’t tell your brothers about your pay, otherwise they’ll hold you up to ridicule!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Muhammad smiled shyly, and moved on to the backyard. And there he stayed, thinking and dreaming, until his father and brothers came back from market. Then he joined them in the dining-room and greeted them with peace be with you and sat by his father’s side. His father smiled at him a forced smile, and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Are you still tired?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I am fine, Father.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Tell me, Father,” said Hassan, one of Muhammad’s siblings. “Are you really going to sell the camel to H’ssein?” </span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I’m still thinking about that,” his father began. “I’ve heard that–”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> At that moment, Yezza brought in a dish of fish and set in on the table, saying:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Now eat and talk afterwards!”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> Muhammad moved close to the table and began to eat in silence, while his father and brother resumed their talk about the camel.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Immediately after lunch, Muhammad rose and left the dining-room. He performed his ablutions in the backyard and then said his prayers in the guest-room and went out. He knew that Yetto’s home was to the east and Tushki was to the southwest, but he did not know what way to take. He led his mule out of the stable and walked a short way as slowly as he could, just to make up his mind. In the end, he mounted the mule and headed southwest, to Tushki. The sun was in his eyes. The children who had first seen him the previous day waved to him now as he rode past the vineyard. The grapes in the vineyard were dark purple, almost the colour of Yetto’s eyes. Those eyes were leading him no they were teaching him new things now; they were opening up a whole new world before him now. But Yetto herself as there: back, behind him, hidden from him– waiting for a ‘fool’ to take her away from her father…</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> These thoughts accompanied Muhammad all the way to Tushki. The man who wanted him was waiting for him in the doorway of his home. He greeted him with the warmest words and took his mule into the stable and came back to conduct him into a large room carpeted with a black-and-orange carpet. Tea was already there, and also cakes and almonds. And so Muhammad sat down and began his first lesson.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> The birds were flying back to their nests and night was beginning to fall hen Muhammad’s mule headed back to Azlu, the village where Yetto would soon go to sleep.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Would she think of him hen she went to sleep? And why him? Didn’t she know anyone before him? They had seen each other only twice, twice in the same day. And then she was gone. Why had she stayed late that day? Why she of all other women?…</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> These thoughts accompanied Muhammad all the way back to Azlu.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Not a single human figure was around when he entered Azlu. Only a few late-roosting birds squealed overhead and a few roaming dogs barked here and there.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> Muhammad’s family were asleep. And none of them rose when the chained dog by the front door shook the night with its wild barks. The door was close. Muhammad did not dare open it, not from fear; but simply, he did not want to disturb anybody. He tied up his mule to a tree and took don the saddle and propped it up against the trunk of another tree and sat don on it. He looked up at the luminous crescent, then east– towards Yetto’s home.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /> And there he stayed until dawn, when he rose and headed for the mosque. “Oh, if only the mosque as near her home!” he thought sadly.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> On his return from mosque, Muhammad found his father sitting under one of the trees in front of the house. He greeted him politely and squatted by his side, and said:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Father, I am free all morning. If you need me for any work in the fields, I can help you.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “No, my son,” said his father, “I don’t need your help. Don’t help me! Help yourself! That’s what I want of you. You lost so many years on nothing, my son. You wasted your youth on nothing. You’ve been leading a wasted life. Now you are almost forty, with no home, no wife, no children, no lands, no money, with nothing. How long will you live on, my son? When will you start your life? Were you happy the other day when the village men made fun of you? They were right in asking what you had brought with you after all these years of absence. Is it reasonable what you did?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “Father, I want to say something.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> His father said nothing, but listened expectantly.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “I want to marry Yetto. That’s what I wanted to say.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><b><o:p></o:p><br /></b><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"> “What! Do you want me to become the village idiot? Listen and listen well! I warn you! Don’t mention that name again! Or else go back where you came from!”</span></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "" serif "" , serif; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><ul class="posts" style="border-width: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-two_5.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Chapter Two</b></span></a></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> <b><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE FRENCH VERSION </span></span></b></p><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">OF</span></b> </span></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b style="font-size: 15.4px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;">THE PHILOSOPHER </span></b></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b style="font-size: 15.4px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b style="font-size: 15.4px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: x-large; line-height: 28.5333px;"><div class="MjjYud" style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: start;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBAQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiCm9rmz4yFAxU8UaQEHe-9CEYQFSgAegQIEBAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="de" style="border-radius: 0px; 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-webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse</span> de joie. <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse</span> de joie - Lagouader, Mohamed. Fotogalerie. 18,99 €. inkl. MwSt. Versandfertig in 6-10 Tagen. In den Warenkorb. payback.</div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce A9Y9g" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 1 1 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #5e5e5e; line-height: 1.58;">18,99 €</div></div></div></div></div><div class="MjjYud" style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: start;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBIQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiCm9rmz4yFAxU8UaQEHe-9CEYQFSgAegQIEhAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="xhrJc" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; 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font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 1px; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><div id=":rds:" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yetto, faiseuse de joie a book by Mohamed Lagouader</span></div></span></span></div><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; transition-property: none;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xi81zsa x1yc453h" color="var(--secondary-text)" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; display: block; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; word-break: break-word;"><span class="x1lliihq x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 5; animation-name: none; display: -webkit-box; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Très peu de gens l'ont vue. Pourtant, il n'y a pas un homme qui ne soit au courant de sa beauté, pour laquelle des prétendants ont proposé de l'or, de l'argent, des perles, des chameaux et toutes sortes de richesses. Et puis vient le jour où elle apparait à son cousin, un homme sans le sou. Lu...</span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><ul class="posts" style="border-width: 0px; color: #222222; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><br style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;" /></li></ul></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b style="font-size: 15.4px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 28.5333px;"><br /></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124; 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font-weight: bold;">faiseuse de joie</span>. 978-620-4-97223-7. Très peu de gens l'ont vue. Pourtant, il n'y a pas un homme qui ne soit au courant de sa beauté, ...</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">26,90 €</span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="animation-name: none; color: black; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><div class="x1cy8zhl x78zum5 x1q0g3np xod5an3 x1pi30zi x1swvt13 xz9dl7a" style="align-items: flex-start; animation-name: none; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 16px; padding-top: 12px; transition-property: none;"><div class="x1iyjqo2" style="animation-name: none; 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display: -webkit-box; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transition-property: none;">Très peu de gens l’ont vue. Pourtant, il n’y a pas un homme qui ne soit au courant de sa beauté, pour laquelle des prétendants ont proposé de l'or, de l'argent, des perles, des chameaux et toutes sortes de richesses. Et puis vient le jour où elle apparait à son cousin, un homme sans le sou...</span><span class="x1lliihq x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 5; animation-name: none; display: -webkit-box; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><br /></span><span class="x1lliihq x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 5; animation-name: none; display: -webkit-box; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><br /></span><span class="x1lliihq x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 5; animation-name: none; display: -webkit-box; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><div class="MjjYud"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBYQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiCm9rmz4yFAxU8UaQEHe-9CEYQFSgAegQIFhAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 652px;"><div class="srKDX cvP2Ce" data-snc="Y2kBEd" style="align-items: start; contain: layout paint; display: grid; grid-template-areas: "x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb Vjbam Vjbam" ". . . . . . . . . . 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Vjbam Vjbam"; grid-template-columns: repeat(12, minmax(auto, 54px)); justify-content: space-between; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 652px;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; grid-area: x5WNvb / x5WNvb / x5WNvb / x5WNvb; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiCm9rmz4yFAxU8UaQEHe-9CEYQFnoECBEQAQ" href="https://www.amazon.fr/Yetto-faiseuse-joie-Mohamed-Lagouader/dp/6204972235" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.amazon.fr/Yetto-faiseuse-joie-Mohamed-Lagouader/dp/6204972235&ved=2ahUKEwiCm9rmz4yFAxU8UaQEHe-9CEYQFnoECBEQAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px;"><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Yetto, faiseuse de joie - Lagouader, Mohamed</h3><div class="notranslate HGLrXd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="display: inline-block; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px; width: 540px;"><div class="q0vns" style="align-items: center; display: flex; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"><span class="DDKf1c" style="margin-right: 12px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re UnOTSe Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="1" data-csiid="8" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="background-color: #f1f3f4; 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height: 92px; object-fit: cover; width: 92px;" /></div></a></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="2" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; grid-area: nke7rc / nke7rc / nke7rc / nke7rc; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 3; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;">Et puis vient le jour où elle apparait à son cousin, un homme sans le sou. Lui aussi n'a d'yeux que pour elle. Son amour pour elle a fait de lui un héro. Même ...</div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic" data-sncf="3" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; grid-area: mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf / mCCBcf; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #5e5e5e; line-height: 1.58;">28,23 €</div></div></div></div><span data-csim="" id="z9PoV"></span></div><div class="MjjYud"><span data-csim="" face="arial, sans-serif" id="fld_1" lta="1711273831320" style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-size: medium;"></span><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBgQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiCm9rmz4yFAxU8UaQEHe-9CEYQFSgAegQIGBAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 652px;"><div class="srKDX cvP2Ce" data-snc="jXMKoc" style="align-items: start; contain: layout paint; display: grid; grid-template-areas: "x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb x5WNvb Vjbam Vjbam" ". . . . . . . . . . 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Vjbam Vjbam"; grid-template-columns: repeat(12, minmax(auto, 54px)); justify-content: space-between; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 652px;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce ieodic jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; grid-area: x5WNvb / x5WNvb / x5WNvb / x5WNvb; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div></span></span></div></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span data-csim="" id="z9PoV"></span></span></div></div><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"></ul></div></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; 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color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Yetto, faiseuse de joie : Lagouader, Mohamed</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="1" data-csiid="12" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="display: block; height: 18px; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">Amazon.sg</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.amazon.sg<span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"> › Yetto-faiseuse-joie-Mohamed-...</span></cite></div></div></div></span></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="TbwUpd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div class="eqA2re NjwKYd" style="height: 18px; margin-right: 0px; width: 18px;"></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="display: block; line-height: 20px;"></span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"></span></span></cite></div></div></div><div class="csDOgf BCF2pd ezY6nb L48a4c" style="display: inline; height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-id="collectionitem-web-desktophttps://www.amazon.sg/Yetto-faiseuse-joie-Mohamed-Lagouader/dp/6204972235?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3TO6LA7SR42Q6" data-viewer-group="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;aevozb:T2P31d;vcOT6c:C6KsF;k7WJpc:beCLof" jscontroller="gOTY1"><div data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQu5wMegQIERAJ" data-viewer-entrypoint="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;h5M12e;jGQF0b:kNqZ1c;" jscontroller="RJ1Nyd" jsdata="ReQo8;_;B5SE3c" jsshadow="" role="button" style="outline: 0px;" tabindex="0"><div jsslot=""><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="MJ8UF iTPLzd rNSxBe eY4mx lUn2nc" jsname="I3kE2c" role="img" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-size: x-large;"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Book details · Print length. 92 pages · Language. French · Publication date. 19 January 2024 · ISBN-10. 6204972235 · ISBN-13. 978-6204972237 · See all details.</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">68,00 $SG</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBsQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFSgAegQIGxAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="sBS25d" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFnoECA4QAQ" href="https://www.exlibris.ch/fr/livres/livres-francais/mohamed-lagouader/yetto-faiseuse-de-joie/id/9786204972237/" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.exlibris.ch/fr/livres/livres-francais/mohamed-lagouader/yetto-faiseuse-de-joie/id/9786204972237/&ved=2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFnoECA4QAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Yetto, faiseuse de joie - Mohamed Lagouader</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="1" data-csiid="13" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="display: block; height: 18px; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">Ex Libris</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.exlibris.ch<span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"> › ... › Yetto, faiseuse de joie</span></cite></div></div></div></span></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="TbwUpd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div class="eqA2re NjwKYd" style="height: 18px; margin-right: 0px; width: 18px;"></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="display: block; line-height: 20px;"></span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"></span></span></cite></div></div></div><div class="csDOgf BCF2pd ezY6nb L48a4c" style="display: inline; height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-id="collectionitem-web-desktophttps://www.exlibris.ch/fr/livres/livres-francais/mohamed-lagouader/yetto-faiseuse-de-joie/id/9786204972237/" data-viewer-group="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;aevozb:T2P31d;vcOT6c:C6KsF;k7WJpc:beCLof" jscontroller="gOTY1"><div data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQu5wMegQIDhAJ" data-viewer-entrypoint="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;h5M12e;jGQF0b:kNqZ1c;" jscontroller="RJ1Nyd" jsdata="ReQo8;_;B5SE3o" jsshadow="" role="button" style="outline: 0px;" tabindex="0"><div jsslot=""><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="MJ8UF iTPLzd rNSxBe eY4mx lUn2nc" jsname="I3kE2c" role="img" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-size: x-large;"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Informations sur le produit ; Titre: <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse</span> de joie ; Sous-titre : DE ; Auteur: Mohamed Lagouader ; EAN: 9786204972237 ; ISBN: 6204972235.</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">36,90 CHF · En stock</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CB0QAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFSgAegQIHRAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="en" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="wQBayf" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFnoECA8QAQ" href="https://www.magersandquinn.com/product/FRE-YETTO-FAISEUSE-DE-JOIE/26429520" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.magersandquinn.com/product/FRE-YETTO-FAISEUSE-DE-JOIE/26429520&ved=2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFnoECA8QAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Yetto, faiseuse de joie</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; 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Lagouader, Mohamed. Paperback. General Reference. Currently unavailable to order. Notify me when this becomes ...</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBgQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFSgAegQIGBAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="da" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="WSgks" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; 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display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Få <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse</span> de joie af Mohamed Lagouader som bog på fransk - 9786204972237 - Bøger rummer alle sider af livet. Læs Lyt Lev blandt millioner af bøger ...</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">294,95 DKK · En stock</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="oUAcPd" data-csim="" id="fld_1" lta="1708418543807"></span></span><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CDAQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFSgAegQIMBAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="sv" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="NHjSrd" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; 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display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="4" data-csiid="16" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="display: block; height: 18px; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">Adlibris</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.adlibris.com<span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"> › bok › y...</span></cite></div></div></div></span></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="TbwUpd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div class="eqA2re NjwKYd" style="height: 18px; margin-right: 0px; width: 18px;"></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="display: block; line-height: 20px;"></span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"></span></span></cite><div class="eFM0qc BCF2pd iUh30" style="align-items: center; display: flex; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; visibility: visible;"><span class="LAWljd" style="padding: 0px 4px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">·</span></span><a class="fl iUh30" href="https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=fr&sl=sv&u=https://www.adlibris.com/se/bok/yetto-faiseuse-de-joie-9786204972237&prev=search&pto=aue" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://translate.google.com/translate%3Fhl%3Dfr%26sl%3Dsv%26u%3Dhttps://www.adlibris.com/se/bok/yetto-faiseuse-de-joie-9786204972237%26prev%3Dsearch%26pto%3Daue&ved=2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQ7gF6BAguEAo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Traduire cette page</span></a></div></div></div></div><div class="csDOgf BCF2pd ezY6nb L48a4c" style="display: inline; height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-id="collectionitem-web-desktophttps://www.adlibris.com/se/bok/yetto-faiseuse-de-joie-9786204972237" data-viewer-group="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;aevozb:T2P31d;vcOT6c:C6KsF;k7WJpc:beCLof" jscontroller="gOTY1"><div data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQu5wMegQILhAL" data-viewer-entrypoint="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;h5M12e;jGQF0b:kNqZ1c;" jscontroller="RJ1Nyd" jsdata="ReQo8;_;B5SE38" jsshadow="" role="button" style="outline: 0px;" tabindex="0"><div jsslot=""><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="MJ8UF iTPLzd rNSxBe eY4mx lUn2nc" jsname="I3kE2c" role="img" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-size: x-large;"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse</span> de joie - pocket, Franska, 2024. 331kr. Skickas inom 5-7 vardagar. Beskrivning. Produktinfo. ISBN 9786204972237. Språk Franska.</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">331,00 SEK</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MjjYud" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CCsQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFSgAegQIKxAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="de" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="tCyS7d" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFnoECCIQAQ" href="https://www.ebay.de/itm/355465589322?_ul=DE&var=0" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.ebay.de/itm/355465589322%3F_ul%3DDE%26var%3D0&ved=2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFnoECCIQAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Yetto, faiseuse de joie</h3><div class="notranslate TbwUpd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="4" data-csiid="17" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAYAAABzenr0AAABDklEQVR4Ae3VAUQDYRiH8fNVEGDUIABwThQxa2AGGEgVBBiAOQAA2ACQFQEkIImEkyQhJCQAI/hiCBORjLcH32WXHLvtxnhffuA7/g9wnp5elgvD0MDHruNjauM+bjGAOAPcwc97PMA7vnGKfecEX+4tyGt8Ho9uqP7Pe929PcDkEVCG4CDlmw4E5TwCmhDUUr6pQdAce/BtvVSBjb1ubPb3dg5lrvHc8xovNvZ5YX59nC/07s+WpHW10m9HRTukkiWgChm2vXUsjCYwnPB0uSgM/lXVAA3QAA3QgJkMWJ1gQDB6wFrJMHozgYDrdrRsvCxHRIHhDrqwBFhGExhNICD+BXdx1IqKhbQNPT29H701JYkkX2HfAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC" style="display: block; height: 18px; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">eBay</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.ebay.de<span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"> › itm</span></cite></div></div></div></span></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="TbwUpd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="align-items: center; display: flex; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 237, 239); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div class="eqA2re NjwKYd" style="height: 18px; margin-right: 0px; width: 18px;"></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="display: block; line-height: 20px;"></span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"></span></span></cite><div class="eFM0qc BCF2pd iUh30" style="align-items: center; display: flex; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; visibility: visible;"><span class="LAWljd" style="padding: 0px 4px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">·</span></span><a class="fl iUh30" href="https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=fr&sl=de&u=https://www.ebay.de/itm/355465589322%3F_ul%3DDE%26var%3D0&prev=search&pto=aue" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://translate.google.com/translate%3Fhl%3Dfr%26sl%3Dde%26u%3Dhttps://www.ebay.de/itm/355465589322%253F_ul%253DDE%2526var%253D0%26prev%3Dsearch%26pto%3Daue&ved=2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQ7gF6BAgiEAo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Traduire cette page</span></a></div></div></div></div><div class="csDOgf BCF2pd ezY6nb L48a4c" style="display: inline; height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-id="collectionitem-web-desktophttps://www.ebay.de/itm/355465589322?_ul=DE&var=0" data-viewer-group="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;aevozb:T2P31d;vcOT6c:C6KsF;k7WJpc:beCLof" jscontroller="gOTY1"><div data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQu5wMegQIIhAL" data-viewer-entrypoint="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;h5M12e;jGQF0b:kNqZ1c;" jscontroller="RJ1Nyd" jsdata="ReQo8;_;B5SE34" jsshadow="" role="button" style="outline: 0px;" tabindex="0"><div jsslot=""><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="MJ8UF iTPLzd rNSxBe eY4mx lUn2nc" jsname="I3kE2c" role="img" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-size: x-large;"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Très peu de gens l'ont vue. Lui aussi n'a d'yeux que pour elle. Son amour pour elle a fait de lui un héro. Mais son plus beau cadeau n'est autre que <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>.</span></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="color: #202124; line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFnoECCUQAQ" href="https://www.medimops.de/mohamed-lagouader-yetto-faiseuse-de-joie-taschenbuch-M06204972235.html" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.medimops.de/mohamed-lagouader-yetto-faiseuse-de-joie-taschenbuch-M06204972235.html&ved=2ahUKEwjPpKODw7mEAxWeRKQEHczdDIwQFnoECCUQAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Yetto, faiseuse de joie von Mohamed Lagouader</h3></span></a></span></div><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span style="color: #1a0dab; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CC8QAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwi13d37ldCEAxX27rsIHau4AB8QFSgAegQILxAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="xhrJc" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwi13d37ldCEAxX27rsIHau4AB8QFnoECCIQAQ" href="https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/yetto-faiseuse-de-joie/52356480/item/63513487/?isbn=6204972235&idiq=63513487" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/yetto-faiseuse-de-joie/52356480/item/63513487/%3Fisbn%3D6204972235%26idiq%3D63513487&ved=2ahUKEwi13d37ldCEAxX27rsIHau4AB8QFnoECCIQAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Yetto, faiseuse de joie book</h3><div class="notranslate HGLrXd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="display: inline-block; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><div class="q0vns" style="align-items: center; display: flex; padding: 0px;"><span class="H9lube" style="align-items: center; background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(218, 220, 224); display: inline-flex; height: 26px; justify-content: center; margin-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle; width: 26px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re NjwKYd Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; margin-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="4" data-csiid="25" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="display: block; height: 18px; width: 18px;" /></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">ThriftBooks</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.thriftbooks.com<span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"> › yetto-faiseuse-de-joie › item</span></cite></div></div></div></div></span></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="HGLrXd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="display: inline-block; 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height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-id="collectionitem-web-desktophttps://www.thriftbooks.com/w/yetto-faiseuse-de-joie/52356480/item/63513487/?isbn=6204972235&idiq=63513487" data-viewer-group="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;aevozb:T2P31d;vcOT6c:C6KsF;k7WJpc:beCLof" jscontroller="gOTY1"><div data-ved="2ahUKEwi13d37ldCEAxX27rsIHau4AB8Qu5wMegQIIhAJ" data-viewer-entrypoint="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;h5M12e;jGQF0b:kNqZ1c;" jscontroller="RJ1Nyd" jsdata="ReQo8;_;CU3wls" jsshadow="" role="button" style="outline: 0px;" tabindex="-1"><div jsslot=""><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="MJ8UF iTPLzd rNSxBe eY4mx lUn2nc" jsname="I3kE2c" role="img" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-size: x-large;"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, faiseuse de joie [French]. By: <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Lagouader</span>, Mohamed. $36.75. Format: Paperback. Condition: New. Qty: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10+. 50 Available Ships ...</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">36,75 $US</span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CDEQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiJ4eL5ltqEAxVfV6QEHb4FCkEQFSgAegQIMRAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="en" style="background-color: var(--xhUGwc); border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="wQBayf" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiJ4eL5ltqEAxVfV6QEHb4FCkEQFnoECCEQAQ" href="https://www.magersandquinn.com/product/FRE-YETTO-FAISEUSE-DE-JOIE/26429520" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.magersandquinn.com/product/FRE-YETTO-FAISEUSE-DE-JOIE/26429520&ved=2ahUKEwiJ4eL5ltqEAxVfV6QEHb4FCkEQFnoECCEQAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); outline: 0px;"><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Yetto, faiseuse de joie</h3><div class="notranslate HGLrXd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="display: inline-block; 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-webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse de joie</span>. <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Lagouader</span>, Mohamed. 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overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse de joie</span> è un libro di Mohamed LagouaderInternational Book Market Service Ltd : acquista su IBS a 38.40€!</div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: var(--IXoxUe); line-height: 1.58;">38,40 € · En stock</div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: var(--IXoxUe); line-height: 1.58;"><br /></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: var(--IXoxUe); line-height: 1.58;"><div class="MjjYud"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CC4QAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiElZa_5uGEAxVCRaQEHV7WDjkQFSgAegQILhAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="en" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; 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padding-top: 0px;"><span class="LEwnzc Sqrs4e" style="color: #70757a; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 jan. 2024 — </span><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse de joie</span> · by Mohamed Lagouader · Paperback / Softback.</div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MjjYud"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CDEQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiElZa_5uGEAxVCRaQEHV7WDjkQFSgAegQIMRAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="en" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="wQBayf" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; 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overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;">書名:<span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse de joie</span>,ISBN:9786204972237,出版社:BLUES KIDS OF AMER,作者:Mohamed Lagouader,頁數:,出版日期:2024/01/19.</div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBsQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiY_qCyvvOEAxXjVKQEHVK5CME4ChAVKAB6BAgbEAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="de" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; 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padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" role="button" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; outline: 0px; position: absolute; width: 22px;" tabindex="0"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></svg></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="LEwnzc Sqrs4e" style="color: #70757a; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">19 jan. 2024 — </span><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse de joie</span> · Ähnliche Bücher, die interessant für Sie sein könnten Autor: Mohamed Lagouader · Meine zuletzt angesehenen Bücher.</div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;">28,96 € · En stock</div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><br /></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #1f1f1f;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CCIQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjrg7r5w4KFAxWHT6QEHeA8DU4QFSgAegQIIhAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="fr" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="ISHphb" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="line-height: 1.58;"><span jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;PYDNKe:bLV6Bd;mLt3mc" jscontroller="msmzHf"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwjrg7r5w4KFAxWHT6QEHeA8DU4QFnoECBMQAQ" href="https://www.morawa.at/detail/ISBN-9786204972237" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.morawa.at/detail/ISBN-9786204972237&ved=2ahUKEwjrg7r5w4KFAxWHT6QEHeA8DU4QFnoECBMQAQ" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px;"><h3 class="LC20lb MBeuO DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 18px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Yetto, faiseuse de joie - Lagouader, Mohamed</h3><div class="notranslate HGLrXd NJjxre iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="display: inline-block; left: 0px; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-size-adjust: none; top: 0px;"><div class="q0vns" style="align-items: center; display: flex; padding: 0px;"><span class="DDKf1c" style="margin-right: 12px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eqA2re UnOTSe Vwoesf" style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="XNo5Ab" data-atf="1" data-csiid="12" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABwAAAAcCAMAAABF0y+mAAAAY1BMVEX////629z62tr0rK3kAADrUVLwiYrsWlvlAADympv4ycrmAAX0p6jmAAD+9/j84+TsYGHnEhToISPta2zudXb3v7/oJij+8vLvfH3qRkfzoqPtaGnucHH1sbLxj5D86en3xMRtfquuAAAAmUlEQVR4AdXNRQLCQAwF0A8ECA2h1F3uf8m6ywH6NjNxXNQNgzt2HvRE50Xv3Rwxf9qPQUJfrKmK0A34cfsxsfRnEVELeHYfe31QWux8uP+4mJik0mGWHnkY+SobygF6IcsOR+gY1IcqsvhwjJZyix5DleIh8UPj6ySJkxrIqJsIYbqO46Q5VhIWUR8nLFUucMIk8nDqXuK6asa3CawdbYn3AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC" style="background-color: #f1f3f4; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid rgb(218, 220, 224); display: block; height: 26px; width: 26px;" /></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px; white-space: nowrap;">morawa.at</span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">https://www.morawa.at<span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"> › detail › ISBN-9786204972237</span></cite></div></div></div></div></a></span><div class="B6fmyf byrV5b Mg1HEd" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; height: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="HGLrXd iUh30 ojE3Fb" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 1.3; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><div class="q0vns" style="align-items: center; display: flex; padding: 0px;"><span class="DDKf1c" style="margin-right: 12px;"><div class="eqA2re UnOTSe" style="height: 26px; width: 26px;"></div></span><div class="GTRloc"><span class="VuuXrf" style="color: #202124; display: block; line-height: 20px;"></span><div class="byrV5b" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><cite class="qLRx3b tjvcx GvPZzd cHaqb" role="text" style="color: #4d5156; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span class="ylgVCe ob9lvb" role="text"></span></cite></div></div></div></div><div class="csDOgf BCF2pd L48a4c" style="display: inline; height: 18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 16px; position: relative; visibility: visible;"><div data-id="collectionitem-web-desktophttps://www.morawa.at/detail/ISBN-9786204972237" data-viewer-group="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;aevozb:T2P31d;vcOT6c:C6KsF;k7WJpc:beCLof" jscontroller="gOTY1" jsdata="PFrTzf;_;BYUhu8"><div data-ved="2ahUKEwjrg7r5w4KFAxWHT6QEHeA8DU4Qu5wMegQIExAJ" data-viewer-entrypoint="1" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md;h5M12e;jGQF0b:kNqZ1c;" jscontroller="RJ1Nyd" jsdata="ReQo8;_;BYUhvA" jsshadow="" role="button" style="outline: 0px;" tabindex="-1"><div jsslot=""><div aria-label="À propos de ce résultat" class="MJ8UF iTPLzd rNSxBe eY4mx lUn2nc" jsname="I3kE2c" role="button" style="cursor: pointer; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 12px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 28px; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><span class="D6lY4c mBswFe" jsname="czHhOd" style="border-radius: 11px; height: 22px; position: absolute; width: 22px;"><span class="xTFaxe z1asCe" jsname="Bil8Ae" style="color: #4d5156; display: inline-block; fill: currentcolor; height: 18px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 18px;"><svg focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M12 8c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm0 2c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2zm0 6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2s.9 2 2 2 2-.9 2-2-.9-2-2-2z"></path></svg></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="1" data-snf="nke7rc" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="VwiC3b yXK7lf lVm3ye r025kc hJNv6b Hdw6tb" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse de joie</span> von Lagouader, Mohamed ✓ Gratisversand mit Kundenkarte ✓ Blitzschnelle Lieferung ▻ Jetzt bei morawa.at bestellen!</div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #5e5e5e; line-height: 1.58;">28,50 €</div></div></div></div></div><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-size: medium;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CBQQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjrg7r5w4KFAxWHT6QEHeA8DU4QFSgAegQIFBAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="en" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; 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margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse</span> de joie von Mohamed Lagouader Taschenbuch bei medimops.de bestellen. Gebraucht günstig kaufen & sparen. Gratis Versand bei medimops.</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="color: #202124; contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">26,90 € · En stock</span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CAoQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjQ4JGOw7mEAxW6V6QEHdUQAAM4ChAVKAB6BAgKEAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="de" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="LP4Mke" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; 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-webkit-line-clamp: 2; color: #4d5156; display: -webkit-box; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Titel: <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">Yetto</span>, <span style="color: #5f6368; font-weight: bold;">faiseuse de joie</span> | Medium: Taschenbuch | Autor: Mohamed Lagouader | Einband: Kartoniert / Broschiert | Ausstattung / Beilage: Paperback ...</span></div></div><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce" data-sncf="2" data-snf="mCCBcf" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; font-size: 14px; overflow: hidden;"><div class="fG8Fp uo4vr" style="color: #70757a; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MjjYud" style="color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><div class="g Ww4FFb vt6azd tF2Cxc asEBEc" data-hveid="CAsQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjQ4JGOw7mEAxW6V6QEHdUQAAM4ChAVKAB6BAgLEAA" jsaction="QyLbLe:OMITjf;ewaord:qsYrDe;xd28Mb:A6j43c" jscontroller="SC7lYd" lang="de" style="border-radius: 0px; border-width: 0px; box-shadow: none; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="N54PNb BToiNc cvP2Ce" data-snc="DslWMb" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; contain: layout paint; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: start; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><div class="kb0PBd cvP2Ce jGGQ5e" data-snf="x5WNvb" data-snhf="0" style="contain: layout paint; flex: 0 0 auto; overflow: hidden;"><div class="yuRUbf" style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.58;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><br /></li></ul></div>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-41190167860073748082022-01-19T03:28:00.004-08:002022-01-22T01:09:36.946-08:00Chapter One<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">I</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">t was noon of the third Tuesday of Ramadan when the
Qadi arrived at the southern bank of the wadi. All five young men flocked round
him as he slowly made his way towards the terebinth-tree. The tree gave little
shade at this time of day, but the young men seemed so filled with concern they
would not shy away from sitting on a brazier.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Within moments of their sitting there,
the Qadi looked up at one of the young men. Innocent as his look was, it only
sparked envy, suspicion and anxiety. But that man the Qadi had looked at just
now exuded a charm which would captivate even cats and dogs, let alone a
thoughtful, sixty-year-old Qadi. Besides, at that very moment, that very young
man had just winked a tear back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You look
sad,” said the Qadi to that young man, grinning at the other four.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “We are all
sad, Qadi,” protested one of those rather quaveringly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I know. I
know,” said the Qadi, looking as if he had made a blunder. “I know. That’s why
I am here. I want to help you. I don’t want you to be sad. I want you to be
happy. But, you know, it’s hard –if not impossible– to make you happy all of
you. Because you all want the same thing. You all want the same woman, but only
one of you can marry her. Each of you says he loves her. Each of you says he
deserves her. No one of you is prepared to choose another woman. You said you’d
lay down your lives if you don’t get her. Her father has threatened to marry
her off on the same day as all the other village girls, and that day is only
months away. I have thought and thought about your problem. I have spoken to so
many sensible people and they all repeat that I should not have agreed to help
you. I agreed and I’m not sorry I did so, but please help me to help you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How can we
help you?” said one of the young men ungraciously.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You can help
me by being a little bit more sensible. I’m going to make a suggestion, right?
Think about it. If you agree to it, we’ll go ahead. Otherwise, I shall not be
able to help.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Nobody spoke, but all eyes were on the Qadi’s lips.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “My
suggestion,” said the Qadi, stroking his white beard, “is this. I will give the
woman you all covet to the one amongst you who resembles her most in her
goodness or wickedness. If she is a good woman she will get a good man; if she
is a wicked woman she will get a wicked man.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">There was a chuckle, after which one of the young men
asked, raising his eyebrows:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Who would
decide who of us is good and who’s wicked?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ll find
four men who’ll be spying on you,” said the Qadi gravely. “They’ll be watching
each of you without your knowledge. And they’ll be monitoring the woman at the
same time. It’s they who’ll decide who should marry the woman. They’ll make
their decision within the next few months. Now let me hear from you. What do
you say to that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And what
about our weekly meetings with the girls down the valley?” said the charming
man. “Shall we be allowed to meet up with Zina during that period of time?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Qadi could
not help sighing as he turned to that man, and said with a knowing smile:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You can see
her, no problem. But, remember, Tahar, only one man will marry that woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And that man
might not be me,” said Tahar in a muffled voice. “I’ve got it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “So let me
leave you now,” said the Qadi, rising to his feet. “See you soon!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The five young
men looked at one another. Each seemed to use the other’s eyes as a mirror to
find out whether he was “good” or “wicked”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Suddenly,
Tahar turned his gaze to the opposite bank. He sighed. Then he looked down and
moved away.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where are you
going?” said one of the other four.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m going
home,” said Tahar simply.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
At home, Tahar’s mother was preparing a
tajeen, and a little way from her, on the right side of the courtyard, her
twenty-year-old daughter-in-law was baking bread in an earthen oven. Between
them stood a huge tree that shaded the whole place. The mud hut that served as
a kitchen in the rainy season stood further away and no smoke was coming from it
now. So the chickens roaming about the house could pop in and out of the
kitchen without fear of being scared away. The only nuisance to the chickens,
though, was Tahar’s three-year-old nephew, who was after the hen with chicks.
So Tahar, who was sitting on a wooden stool on the other side of the courtyard,
hailed him gently and the little boy ran to him and swung round and stood
between his knees.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What were you
doing?” said Tahar, throwing his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I was playing
with the chicks,” said the little boy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, Salem,
don’t do that! You are a kid, not a chick. And kids play with kids, and chicks
play with chicks…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar talked
on and on, first with his nephew, then with his elder brother, then with his
father, and at foutour, with everybody. But only his tongue was talking with
all those. His true talk was with himself, and it was in silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
His heart was full of questions and his
mind could not afford answers, or rather answers that would quench the fire
that was raging in his heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Am I good?”
the questions went on endlessly. “How much of a good man am I? Am I wicked? How
much of a wicked man am I? I have not put these questions before. But now I
must know. The problem is that I don’t know what I should know. Should I go
around and ask people what they think of me? Please tell me: Am I good? Please
tell me: Am I wicked? Or should I sit back and count all the good deeds and
misdeeds I did in the past? I might count the good deeds, but the misdeeds–
there’s no counting them! I don’t say my prayers, to begin with. From time to
time I drink with the boys. I spend hours and hours playing on my utar, and I
keep on playing on it even when I hear the muezzin call for prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">“But is Zina any different? I don’t think she drinks,
but I don’t think she says her prayers, either. I can’t say she’s a woman of
easy virtue, but I can’t say she’s any more pious than her mates, either.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But, Tahar,
why are you thinking of Zina now? No, no, no. I love Zina. I can’t bear seeing
her go to someone else. I was the first to talk to her, and she liked me so
much– although she’s never told me she loves me. But I could see it in her
eyes, on her lips, on her shivering hands. All those boys came down us simply
because they were jealous of me. They know that Zina is the most beautiful
girl. They just don’t want me to marry her, and that’s it!... But now, Tahar,
just tell me: suppose Zina is a wicked woman, would you– No, no, no. I can’t– I
can’t think of that. I love Zina. Stop this folly! Get out of here!...”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
It was dark when Tahar left the house.
He did not go to the berraka, where the village boys would meet up to have tea
and play cards or listen to the utar. He went to the riverbank instead. He sat
down under the terebinth-tree and went on musing until it was time for souhour.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Two days after Ramadan two strange men
came up to Tahar while he was working on his family fields.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Hi, kid!”
said one of the strangers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Surprised at
the sudden warmth of the greeting, Tahar dropped the sickle, and mumbled:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Hi!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> All three men
shook hands and bandied words, then, all of a sudden, the strangers introduced
themselves:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am Issa.
This is Mussa. We want a word with you about Zina.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Zina?” Tahar
muttered, his eyes sparkling suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes,” Issa
hastened to add. “But not here and not now. We don’t want anybody else to
know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “If not here,
where? If not now, when?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Look here,”
said Mussa, clutching Tahar’s hands, “we’ll be waiting for you at the Sidi Ali
Crossroads just after dawn tomorrow. Don’t tell anybody. Now, goodbye!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next dawn found Tahar at the Sidi
Ali Crossroads. Issa and Mussa joined him presently. They took him into a
nearby vineyard and served him dates and boiled eggs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">“Now, what’s the matter?” said Tahar eagerly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Issa and Mussa exchanged glances as if both waited for
the other to speak first. Tahar was about to repeat his question when Mussa
said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Calm down,
man! And listen well. Qadi Allal (You know him?)– well, he has asked us to be
his eyes and ears. Now, I think you know the rest of the story. What you don’t
know, however, is that this meeting might prove very decisive indeed, and we
hope earnestly you’ll not miss out on this golden opportunity.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Am I to
understand that I should do something or other so that you’ll be saying
something in my favour?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You’ve
guessed it!” said Issa enthusiastically.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Something
such as what, I wonder?” said Tahar, whose face was beginning to tense up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Once again
Issa and Mussa looked at one another, before the latter said with a little smile:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, we know
you love Zina, but we also know that love alone is not enough. Yet, we can help
you. But first you have to pay us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Pay you? Pay
you what?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, you must
pay us. Give us a yearling calf or three sheep or seven goats. It’s up to you
to choose!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar sprang
to his feet and shouted, tossing away the egg he had been peeling:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You brought
me over here to bribe you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Shhh! Calm
down! Lower your voice! Shut up! Get out of here!...”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> But Tahar gave
free rein to his anger so that the two men had to use a big stick to chase him
out of the vineyard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
On his way back home, Tahar was more
confused than angry.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Was this part
of a scheme?” he thought perplexedly. “Or were they actually trying to swindle
money out of me? What should I do now? Should I go and tell the Qadi? Would the
Qadi believe me if he trusted these men? And what would be the result? Would he
give me Zina? What about the other boys, then? No. I should wait. I must wait and
see how they’ll behave in the coming days.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">“And what if those men were genuine? What if I had to
bribe them in order to get Zina? Bribe them? I, bribe somebody? And especially
those two men? Should I bribe them in order to get Zina? And what about the love
that has kindled my heart? Should I love her and, on top of that, bribe people
in order to marry her? If her father asked me for a big dowry, I wouldn’t
hesitate to sell everything I have to please him. But bribe, no! No, no, this
would be a humiliation. I love Zina and I want to marry her. But if– No, no,
no. I can’t think of this. Please stop this. Wait! Wait!...”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Wednesday came and the boys and girls
from both villages met again, after five weeks of separation, because of
Ramadan. Now they were down there humming, shrieking with laughter, clapping
their hands, singing. There was no kissing, no necking– never. Nonetheless,
some parents and coltish young men and women, who had not yet met partners from
the opposite village– all were there, sitting on the higher parts of the
slopes. They were up there sitting and watching in silence. Tahar, too,
remained seated under the terebinth-tree, just a few yards from the southern
bank. And from there he could see Zina and the other four lovers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Zina was smiling to everybody. Tahar
sighed again and again. Zina was listening to the boys, who were speaking all
at a time. Tahar watched in silence. Suddenly, there was a cough and then a
shadow. Tahar turned round in surprise and was on his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Oh, what a
surprise, Qadi!” he yelled with a fetching smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Qadi
smiled too, and said in a kindly voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You look sad,
my son! Why all this gloom? Take it easy!
Don’t worry!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What! Do you
mean–”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I just said
don’t worry,” said the Qadi, moving away.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where are you
going, Qadi?” Tahar panted out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m going
down,” said the Qadi without glancing back.
“Won’t you come along?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, sir, I’ll
stay here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And there he
stayed, sitting under the terebinth-tree and watching in silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
In the evening he was with the boys at
the berraka. He had not brought with him his own utar, but someone served him a
cup of tea and egged on him to play on the utar that was lying on the mat.
Tahar put the cup of tea aside and picked up the utar and began to play on it.
And while he played he now and then stole glances at his four rivals, those who
vied with him for Zina’s heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Surprisingly enough, all those looked
at him with gleaming eyes. They all broke into song and clapped their hands and
rocked, and encored the utar player. But the utar player, having seen how
gleeful his rivals were, was now beginning to feel a pang of anguish. He began
to lose his grip on the utar. And before tears gathered in his eyes he dropped
the instrument suddenly and left the berraka.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Oh, my
God!" he cried, flinging his arms up in exasperation. Above him was a sky studded with stars, in
front of him a dark, winding pathway.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What's
the matter, Tahar?" asked an unseen passer-by.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar composed
himself, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "There's
nothing the matter with me!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "But I
heard you say 'Oh, my God!'?" said the voice, which turned out to be that
of a close neighbour of Tahar's.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Yes,
that's right!" Tahar conceded with an embarrassed smile. "You know,
we all go mad sometimes! Where were you going?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I was
going to the berraka."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Alright.
See you! Good night!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Good
night!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> That night was
long, long, and horrendous. "Why, why didn't I agree to bribe them?"
Tahar thought ruefully. "All those guys were cheerful tonight. At least
one of them must have done it. Maybe they all gave generous gifts. And perhaps
each thought he had paid the biggest price for Zina. Zina, my love. But how can
she be your love when you were mean to her? Instead of jettisoning just one
principle just one time, what you did was chuck out your love. It's too late
now! It's a caddish thing to do what you did, my poor Tahar! Yes, sigh again
and again, and weep! Your sighs and tears won't help you now…"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
It was prize-day now. Tahar and his
four rivals sat in a half circle in front of the Qadi under the terebinth-tree.
All eyes were on the Qadi's lips. The Qadi spoke for some length of time of
friendship and brotherhood, of fate, and of marriage. Then, he said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I am
sorry to say that at this stage, at this point in time, one of you is going to
be weeded out. The other four will have to be subjected to more tests."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Then the Qadi
dropped his eyes and fell silent. Tahar's heart throbbed. But no one dared
speak to the Qadi now. The silence was unbearably long. And then there was a
murmur. Tahar's rivals were looking to their right. Dumbfounded, they looked at
a flock of camels, cattle, sheep, and goats– all led by four men, two of whom
were easily recognizable to Tahar. They were the ones that had called
themselves Issa and Mussa.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
When the cortège came to a halt just a
few feet from where the uncomprehending young men were sitting, the Qadi looked
up at Tahar, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Tahar,
you gave us nothing, so you'll get nothing. Your time is up!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar cast a
puzzled look at his hitherto rivals and at the cortège and took his leave. His
legs took him down the valley, through which flowed a brook unsteadily as it
sometimes would at this time of year. He trudged along the pebbly edge of the
brook. "…So I'm not going to marry Zina," he went on speaking to
himself like a madman. "Zina's going to marry one of the bunch… one of the
wicked." (He burst into laughter.) "So Zina is a wicked woman? All
those are wicked men? So I was the only good man? If Zina is a wicked woman,
who is a good woman and where could I find her?" (Suddenly, Tahar went
berserk.) "No! I must go back and tell the Qadi that I am just as wicked
as those, and that only I and nobody else love Zina, and that I must marry
Zina, otherwise I will actually kill someone or kill myself…"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Just at that
moment a voice called out to him:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Tahar!
Tahar! Wait!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar turned
round. His pulse began to beat quicker.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Wait!" Issa panted out. "The Qadi has sent me to you. He
wants to speak to you."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar just
looked on speechless while Issa pointed at a palm-tree up the southern back of
the wadi.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Qadi
Allal will be there in a moment," Issa said. "Go and await him
there!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Both Tahar and
the Qadi were panting when they sat down under the palm-tree. It was the Qadi
who spoke first.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I
thought you were a good man," he said. "I knew you were really hooked
on that girl. But I had a feeling that you were good, though. Now, I am
disillusioned."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What
more do you want of me now after having torn my love from me?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Would
you marry a woman who loves someone else?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What do
you mean?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Well,
Zina liked your good looks, but she loved another man, I'm afraid."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What do
you mean?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Zina
hated shy men."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "That's
no news to me! I know I am a shy person, but why don't you want to tell me her
lover's name?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Tahar,
you were not her man, and she was not your woman."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "But my
heart is full of her!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "She did
not deserve you. She does not deserve you."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Who then
deserves me? Just tell me!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "How old
are you, Tahar?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar sighed
and cooled down a bit, then mumbled:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I'm
twenty-one years old. Why?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Well,
you asked me a question, didn't you? You said: who deserves me? So–"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "So
what?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Their eyes
met. The Qadi smiled. Tahar shivered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Tahar," said the Qadi suddenly, "there's a woman who, I
think, deserves to be your wife."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Where is
she?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"There!" The Qadi pointed towards the opposite village.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Are you
mocking at me?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"No!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "So who
is she?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I can't
tell you who she is."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Qadi,
you know I got such a shock when you weeded me out, and now you're yet
tormenting me–"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Qadi
laughed, then said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Listen,
Tahar. I am not mocking at you. There's actually a woman who, I think, deserves
to be your wife. She lives in that village. I'm afraid I can't tell you who she
is. But if you know some religious songs, do sing them and the woman who
deserves your love will come into view!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "But
where will this woman spring from?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I said
just come here and sit down and sing religious songs and your true love will
spring into view! This time I am in earnest."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "But I
know all the girls, all the young women who live in that village. I saw them
all, and I never lost my heart but to the one you've snatched from me with your
ruling!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "That's
right," said the Qadi. "You know them all but one!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Are you
sure this one lives in that village?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Yes!
Sing religious songs and she'll spring into view and you'll see her with your
own eyes!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Alright!" said Tahar. "We will see. I don't know
religious songs right now, but I'll go and learn some and I'll come back to
sing them."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "That's
good!" said the Qadi, tapping Tahar on the shoulder. "But if you want your love to hear you,
come to this tree and sing. But, tell me, Tahar, where are you going to learn
religious songs?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I don't
know, really. Do you have any idea?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Yes, go
to Marrakesh. There is a man in Djemaâ-el-Fna called Saeed El-Bahi. He keeps a
bookstore there…"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
A week later, Saeed El-Bahi was
unraveling to Tahar the mysteries of Marrakesh. Their trip started at
Djemaâ-el-Fna, where they roamed amongst snake charmers, monkey masters,
story-tellers, musicians, acrobat dancers. And from there they went to the Koutoubia
Mosque.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Do you
pray?" said El Bahi suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Yes,
sometimes."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> But Tahar knew
that he was quite new to this world. He had never performed a prayer in a
mosque.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The prayers were over, and El Bahi said
they had yet more to see of the city. They went down Agnaou Street, they had a
look at Bab-Agnaou, then went on south to Kasba Street, which took them to the
Agdal Garden. And there Tahar lost his tongue for a moment. At a glance he
could see olive-trees, fig-trees, pear-trees, pomegranate-trees, apple-trees,
vines; and other trees he saw for the first time in his life. Never before had
he seen orange-trees or peach-trees. Now he saw them, and burst out:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "This is Heaven,
isn't it?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "No, my
son," said El Bahi. "This is a beautiful garden. But Heaven is quite another matter. Now, come!
Let's move on!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Where?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Let's
move on to another garden!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> That other
garden was a long way away. "Now, we're going to see the Menara,"
said El Bahi on the way. "But tell me, what led you to Marrakesh?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I think
I told you," said Tahar in surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Oh, yes,
you told me. I'm sorry. You said you wanted to learn some religious songs. Is
that right?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Yes,
that's right."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Are you
a singer?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "No, I'm
not. But I like singing."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What
kind of songs do you sing?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Well,
you know, I sing of love– that sort of thing."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "And now
you want to sing religious songs. I'm not going to ask you why, but tell me: do
you know something of the Koran?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Very
little, to be honest."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Can you
recite what you know of the Koran?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "No, not
really."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Then,
I'm afraid, I can't teach you any religious songs or lyrics unless you have
learned by heart some Suras of the Koran."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I wish I
could! But I can't read and write, you know."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "That's
not a problem. I'll teach you how to read and write. And I'll teach you Suras and songs,
right?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Thank
you! That's why I came to you. But I'm here only for two weeks, no more."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "You're
welcome. Look, now we're heading straight to the Menara. I think you'll like
it…"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> When he went
to bed that night, Tahar did not think of the Agdal Garden or the Menara or the
Koutoubia mosque, but of the young women who, from behind their veils, had
devoured him with their eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Now, he was back to his village. He
told his family that he had learnt to write his name and read Souras from the
Koran. Like a school-boy, he recited all the Suras he had learned by heart. And
his mother served him a memorable tajeen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Then he went to mosque. He performed
his prayers and had a chat with the Imam. Then he went back home, fetched his
utar and made for the palm-tree by the river-bank.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
He sat down, facing towards the river.
He tuned up his utar and soon the music stroke.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar went from tune to tune, now
raising now lowering his voice. He looked as if he were singing to a spirit,
hoping it would spring into view and fulfil his most cherished dream. But what
he saw now blurred his eyes. It was beyond belief. The young woman the Qadi had
told him about seemed to have been spirited out into the open. She seemed to
have heard some spirited music throbbing in the distance. She seemed to have
heard Tahar's stirring songs– songs that glorified the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
She was now sitting up there, on the trunk of a tree lying across the lane.
Tahar could not see her face, because she was veiled. But he had seen her shape
and graceful gait before she sat down. He felt like crying, "Oh, you
sitting over there, come and stand by me!" But all he could do was sing
more songs and raise his voice high enough for her to feel his heartbeat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But now she stood up and began to go
away. Tahar was taken aback. He dropped the utar and struggled to his feet. The
muezzin was calling for Dusk prayers. The birds were returning to their roosts.
The young woman vanished behind a cluster of houses. Three young men came over,
and one of them said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Tahar,
what's the matter?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar gave no
reply, so another voice said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Is this
another love-story?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "You
could say that," said the third. "I saw him gazing at the young woman
in white who had been sitting up there."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Is that
right, Tahar?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I don't
know," said Tahar, looking down. "I'm sorry, I have to go."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "No, not
before you sing us something!" said one of the three.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Some
other time!" said Tahar, picking up his utar. "I must go to
mosque."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"What!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar did not
wait to explain himself. He hurried up towards the mosque. He hung his utar on
a tree on the way, and joined the few worshippers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Night fell, but, to Tahar, it was just
a continuation of the day. The only difference was that he was now in bed in a
dark room. Now again he was going to have a sleepless night. He could not sleep
because he could not stop thinking. This had happened to him before. What was
new –and hard to grasp– was that he now thought of a featureless woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next day Tahar did a whole day's
work in just a few hours so that he could go in the mid-afternoon to the
palm-tree and sing his new songs to spirit his new beloved out of her home. He
went there and sang soulfully but his beloved did not seem to have heard him
this time round. He came back at the same time the next day and the day after
and belted out his best new songs, but the woman he was after did not turn up
again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "So was
the Qadi beguiling me with promises when he spoke to me about that ghost of a
woman?" Tahar thought gloomily at the end of that day. "The Qadi
himself has simply departed from our land! But when he comes back, I'll make it
clear to him that I don't want this ghost of a woman anymore!..."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> When Tahar
learned that the Qadi was somewhere around, he
left everything behind and ran to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Oh,
Tahar, how are you?" said the Qadi.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "A lot
you care!" said Tahar with a nasty look in his eye.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Oh,
Tahar, is this the right way to speak to a Qadi? Last time I said nothing, but
try to be a little more polite. Now then, what's the problem?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "The
problem," said Tahar in a broken voice, "is that you beguiled me with
vague promises."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "You love
her, then!" said the Qadi, rubbing his neck. "I expected that, and
maybe she'll soon be all in all to you!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I don't
want her to be all in all to me."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Why
not?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Because
I don't know her. I can't love a ghost."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "So what
do you want now?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I want
to see her and meet up with her every week as I used to do with Zina."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I don't
think that would be possible," said the Qadi, shaking his head. "This
young woman is not like Zina, nor like anyone you have seen before. But if you
have something to say to her, I will be pleased to be your carrier pigeon.
That's all I can do for you."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar mellowed
suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Yes,
Qadi," he said sheepishly. "I have something to say to her. If you,
Qadi, think she deserves my love, then I want to marry her."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Alright,"
said the Qadi with a merry smile. "I shall tell her and bring you the news
as soon as I can."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Thank
you, Qadi!" said Tahar, leaning forward to kiss the Qadi's hand. " <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Hours later,
Tahar appeared to have come in from the cold. His beloved turned up again. She
sat down in her usual place and listened patiently while Tahar sang to her with
all his heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
At sunset the young woman returned home
and Tahar went to mosque. The mystery remained whole. To unlock it, Tahar
mounted his horse two days later and rode to the Qadi. He found him in a
tearoom in a nearby market.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Qadi," he said coyly, "I am troubled about something. I
didn't get a wink of sleep last night."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What's
the problem?" said the Qadi, pouring tea in green cups beautifully arranged
on a silver tray.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Qadi,
before you tell me whether she agreed or not, I would like to know two
things."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"One?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Well, I
want to know her name."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "And
two?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I also
want to know whether she's beautiful, because, you know, it would be hard for
me to marry a woman with a plain face."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Qadi
sighed. Tahar's heart throbbed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Tahar," said the Qadi suddenly, "by coming to me now
you've relieved me of a burden, because, you know, I couldn't come to you. I'm
sorry, but I only have depressing news for you."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What do
you mean?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Qadi
sighed again, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "The
woman is not going to marry you unless you meet certain demands."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Of
course her father won't give her to me for free, but first answer my questions.
Tell me her name."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I can't
tell you her name."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Is she
beautiful?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I can't
tell you that, either."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Why
not?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Well, I
doubt whether you'll be able to meet her demands. In fact, I was going to ask
you to forget all about her."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Now Tahar had a wild look in his eyes. He swallowed
hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "You let
me down last time," he muttered, "and now again–"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Qadi cut
him short.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Can you
satisfy her conditions?" he said defiantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar sobered
down, then said in a mumble:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What on
earth does she want?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Well,
she says to you: make me two dresses: a dfina and a tahtiya. Make them with
your own hands and send them to me. I will try them on, and if they suit me
beautifully, I will yet ask you to make me seven more dresses, so that I can
have a dress to wear everyday of the week. If you do that, then that would be
my dowry, and I'll marry you then."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">The Qadi's words had the effect of a spell on Tahar.
His eyes now glittered. Having noticed that, the Qadi went on charming away
Tahar's cares:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Let me
tell you something, Tahar. You know, with all your goods and chattel, you will
never marry this woman unless she believes that you are the right man for
her!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">For a moment, Tahar had his head in the clouds. Then,
he came round, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Why
shan't I buy her as many good dresses as she would like? I could order for her
the best dresses from the best tailors in the country! I am not a tailor, you
know. It would take me years and years to become a dressmaker. Would she be
willing and able to wait until I have learnt all about sewing and
dressmaking?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I'll put
that question to her and bring you her answer," said the Qadi, lifting
another cup of tea to his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar saw his beloved twice after that
meeting with the Qadi, for she came to her usual place by the riverbank and listened
patiently to his singing. But all Tahar could see of her was a white piece of
cloth wrapped round a human body. She was still a featureless woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Would
the Qadi choose her for me if she hadn't a pleasant face?" Tahar asked
himself yet again when he was having dinner with his family at home that night.
"But whatever her face is like, does she think of me? Does she think of me
as much as I think of her now? I saw her yesterday and today. Does it mean that
she cares?..."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Tahar," said the Qadi on his return to the village two days
later, "I put your questions to your beloved."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Really?" said Tahar, sitting up in front of the Qadi in the
shade of the terebinth-tree.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Well,
she says to you: Make the first dresses as I told you. If you can't make a
dfina and a tahtiya at this stage, then make me two dresses of your own choice,
but then these must be ravishing dresses. I'll be waiting for you to finish
them. I give you this pledge. The Qadi, who is a very special person to me,
bears witness to this. As to my name, I am called Zahiya. I am only eighteen
years old. So I can wait until you have made all the dresses. But don't try to
look for me before then. If you do try to look for me before I send for you,
then make sure you'll never see me again. That's what she said."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar bowed
his head, lost in thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "How does
it sound to you?" said the Qadi suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Honestly," said Tahar, raising his eyes, "I am
intrigued. I am bewitched."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What are
you going to do?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I don't
know, really."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Tahar,
you have no choice but to make dresses for your beloved. You see, she has
already tried to help you by giving you a pledge. And she says if you can't
make a dfina and a tahtiya, just make me good dresses of your own choice. What
more could you expect of her?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What if
someone else came in my absence and asked for her hand from her father, would
she resist?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Look
here, don't worry about that! As long as I live no one but you will marry her
if you remain faithful to her and make all the dresses she's asked for."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I'll
make them!" said Tahar, rising to his feet. "So help me God! Do say a
prayer for me, Qadi!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Qadi
prayed for him, and both walked slowly along the riverbank, from the
terebinth-tree to the palm-tree.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-two.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-seven.html" style="background-color: initial; color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-eight_19.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-15937672722008197892022-01-19T03:26:00.003-08:002022-01-22T01:10:02.687-08:00Chapter Two<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">T</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">ahar had yet to wait until the next Wednesday. He
wanted to meet his twenty-year-old cousin Fatima.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Now Fatima was walking slowly towards
the riverbank, where her lover, a young man from the opposite village, was
waiting for her. The place was already full of lovers from both villages.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Good
morning," said Tahar a bit shyly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Good
morning," replied Fatima, who had been trying to avoid him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I'm
sorry to stop you, but I have something to say to you."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Yes?" said Fatima, unveiling her face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Could
you do me a favour?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Yes?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Well,
please tell my mother that I am leaving the village this afternoon. I am going
to Mogador. I will stay there until Zina has got married. Tell my mother that
I'm not going to marry Zina. The Qadi will meet my father and explain
everything to him."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What are
you going to do in Mogador?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I don't
know, really. Just tell my mother what I've told you. I couldn't tell her
myself because I know she would assail me with questions. I don't want to talk
about Zina anymore, right?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Alright!
I'll tell her. Have a good journey!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Thank
you!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
On the way to Mogador, Tahar came
across Laâbeed, the black nomads who sometimes spent a month or two in his home
area. Tahar was relieved to see them, because he knew that some of them would
help his father and brother during his absence. Laâbeed would be only too glad
to work in his family fields.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar left Laâbeed's camp and rode on
to Mogador. As soon as he arrived there, he booked a room in a funduq, a cheap
inn. The room had no bed, no table, no chair. There was only a mat partly
covered with a thin mattress with a low pillow and a woolen sheet. But there
was no other place where Tahar could be accommodated with his mount under the
same roof.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
That was not the problem, though. The
problem was that once he had booked that room, Tahar felt the urge to go back
to his village, and especially to that palm-tree by the river-bank, from where
he had been able to see his beloved Zahiya, or at least something of her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Now he left the funduq and headed for
the mosque, guided by the voice of the muezzin, who was calling for
mid-afternoon-prayers. On the way there Tahar saw two young women clad in white
and his longing for Zahiya became more painful.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Even while at prayer he thought of her.
But he did not think of her alone. He also thought of Zina. He pictured himself
sitting with Zahiya within hailing distance from Zina.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, I did
think of her,” he thought, speaking to Zahiya, “but now she no longer means
anything to me. I am not impressed by her beauty, you know. You are by far more
beautiful than her. No, believe me! I’m telling the truth!...”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
As he was leaving the mosque, Tahar
mistakenly took someone else’s shoes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Excuse me,
brother,” said a handsome young man with Berber features, “those are my shoes.
Here are yours!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Ah, sorry!
You’re right. Those are mine indeed!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No problem!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Outside the mosque, Tahar found himself
walking in the same alleyway as the young man. His heart pounded as he turned
round and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Are you going
my way, brother?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where are you
going?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am looking
for a tailor’s shop.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You aren’t
from this town, are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, I’m not.
I’m from…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> An hour later
the two were friends. They had tea together at the funduq.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I was happy
to meet you, Smaïl,” said Tahar. “I hope to see you again and again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You too!”
said Smaïl. “But now let’s go! I’ll show you a tailor who, I think, will soon
take a liking to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Oh, thank
you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The tailor’s shop opened into a busy
street. The tailor himself was a little fat man in his fifties dressed in a
beige djellaba. He was sitting at the back of the tiny shop, working on a garment
while a teenage boy, standing at the edge of the street, pulled threads that he
crossed in synchronization with the tailor’s sewing. The tailor did not move
from his place when Smaïl stood at the door and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Hi, H’sein!
How are you? Can I have a few quick words with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You’re
welcome!” replied H’sein. “Come in!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “There’s a
friend with me,” said Smaïl, glancing round at Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You’re
welcome both! Come and sit by me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you!
Well, I came to place this man as an apprentice to you,” said Smaïl, sitting
down on the right of H’sein, while Tahar sat on his left.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> H’sein looked
up at Tahar, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I have never
had an apprentice his age!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, but this
man is willing to learn and pay for his apprenticeship.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well,” said
H’sein at length, “I’ll do my best.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you!”
said Tahar shyly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now let me
show you what I do, right?” said H’sein, rising to his feet and waving to his
apprentice to take a seat inside the shop. He then stood by a garment hung on
the wall, and said, looking at Tahar:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “This is a
takchita, you know. It’s an expensive one.” He unhooked the takchita and began
to display its inner and outer parts, naming each part and saying how long it
took to make. Tahar’s heart beat fast as the tailor sat down and went on,
“Look, I am the mâallam, or chief tailor, if you will. This means that I don’t
do all the work all by myself. That’s why I have several people working for me.
Each of them has something to do. One, for example, is the berram. He twists
silk thread to make trassen, or braid, which are used with sfifa. Sfifa is this
thing you see here on this dfina. It’s here round the neck and it also runs
down along the middle of the front of the dfina. Trassen are this thing you see
on the fringe of sfifa. Trassen are also used here, pretty in the middle of
sfifa, to fix the âkadi, you know. These buttons here are the âkadi, see? Sfifa
and trassen and âkadi are made by two different people. The one who makes âkadi
also makes dfira, which is this thing you see right in the middle of trassen.
And then there’s me; I sew together all parts of the takchita. And, last, in
comes the one who puts the finished touches to it. As you may probably know, a
takchita is made up of two pieces: a tahtiya, which is the part beneath, and a
dfina, which is the outer garment. You could also add the m’demma, or belt,
which is in itself special work. I forgot to tell you that the boy over here
helps me with berchmane. My primary job as mâallam is this: After a client is
measured for a dress, I note down her wishes for her dress. Then I design the
dress, I cut it out, and then I share out the work with my partners and
apprentices, who are scattered all over the quarter. There are also women who
do embroidery for me in their own homes. Now, how do you find that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar did not
open his mouth. He was bamboozled. He longed to go out for a breath of air. “I
have to go back home,” he thought. “It would take me a whole lifetime to do
this!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How do you
find that?” the tailor repeated.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Sorry?” said
Tahar in a mumble. “Oh, thank you! I shall try. I shall try. Now, I think, we
have to leave you. Thank you once again!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> On leaving the
shop, Tahar took a deep breath.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t be so
pessimistic!” said Smaïl, patting him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry! I see the
tailor has made you dizzy by showing you all that stuff. But you shouldn’t be
put off so easily.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Honestly,”
said Tahar, finding his tongue at last. “I was befuddled.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s quite
normal, brother. Now look, go and rest for an hour or two. And don’t leave your
room except for mosque. As to me, I have
to go home. My wife doesn’t know where I am. I will see to her needs, and then
I’ll try to fetch you, right? You’ll dine with me tonight, because I can’t see
you again before next Thursday.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why so?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You know, I
now work as a teacher with a family outside the town. I teach their children at
home. I am also a physician. So I have very little time left to spend with
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am happy to
meet you, anyway. I don’t know what I could have done without you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You know
what, you remind me of my early youth!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How old are
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am
forty-one. And you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am
twenty-one.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s what I
guessed! I know this is a special age. Alright! This is the way to the funduq. Have a nice time!
See you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar bought a big cake at a shop on
his way to the funduq. Inside the funduq, the eating-room was packed with
people who seemed to have come more to talk than eat. Only a little way from
them, on the other side of the wall, two donkeys filled the air with their
bray. Tahar looked round for a place to sit, but then whispered to the waiter
that he would prefer to have a cup of tea in his room. “I’ll bring it to you at
once,” said the waiter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar ate the cake and drank the tea
and lay on his back, but then suddenly he jumped to his bag that was lying at
his feet, and took out his utar and pressed it to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
He laid down his utar only for as long
as he said his dusk and then, an hour or so later, evening prayers. So when
Smaïl came back and stood at the room door, Tahar was still plucking his utar. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s a good
surprise to me!” said Smaïl, squatting down in front of Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You liked
it?” said Tahar, laying down his utar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Sure! But now
get up! As I told you, you’ll dine with me tonight. I’m going to have another
man for dinner!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Please, I’m a
shy person, you know! I don’t feel at home with strangers.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I said get
up!” said Smaïl, plucking at Tahar’s sleeve. “This man who’s going to dine with
us is unlike any other you have ever seen in your life. Be quick! Look alive!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
That special guest was an old man in
his seventies, but he could still walk without a stick. He lived not far from
the mosque where Tahar and Smaïl had first met. On their way to Smaïl’s home,
Tahar did not speak a word. At first he thought about the old man, wondering in
what respect he would be special to him. But then his thoughts shifted to a
woman who had just caught sight of him and then hastened to half-close her
window so that she could steal glances at him from behind the shutters. In
another moonlit alleyway it was a much younger woman who peered at him from
behind the door of her home. Tahar was enraptured, but embarrassed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
His embarrassment all but doubled when
he stepped into Smaïl’s house. It was a large house, beautifully painted and
tiled. Tahar looked straight ahead, but his eyes rolled right and left looking
for Smaïl’s wife. He wanted to see her face. He wanted to see whether she was
beautiful. “Make yourself at home!” Smaïl was saying to him. “You needn’t be
shy in my home…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
In the guest room, Smaïl told the old
man Tahar’s story. Every now and then the old man glanced at Tahar while Smaïl
was speaking.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t tell me
more!” said the old man suddenly. “You want me to pray for him? That’s what
I’ll be doing when we have eaten, Insha Allah. I smell the tajeen, if I’m not
mistaken?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s
right,” said H’sein with a big smile. “It’s a tajeen. It was especially made
for you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Oh, thank
you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> While they ate
Tahar thought of the little hands which had prepared such an appetizing tajeen.
But once they had eaten, the old man faced him, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Before I pray
for you, my son, let us recite some Koran!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> To Tahar’s
great relief, the old man started with the shortest Souras which Tahar had
learned in Marrakesh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And now, what
is your wish?” said the old man.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I wish to
become a dressmaker, sir,” said Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Oh God…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The old man
prayed ungrudgingly for Tahar. But Tahar was a bit sceptical. He whispered to
his friend Smaïl that he wished to know when these prayers would be answered.
Smaïl reported that to the old man, who smiled, and said to him:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “When did I
pray for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You prayed
for me when I was thirty,” said Smaïl with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> (Tahar was
staggered.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And when was
my prayer for you fulfilled?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Moneywise, it
was fulfilled two years ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That is, when
you were thirty-nine!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, Âmmy
Abderrahman, but Tahar is only twenty-one years old. He can’t wait as long as I
did.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Let me ask
him, can you wait?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I hope so,”
said Tahar dolefully. “What’s–what’s–what’s important for me is–is whether the
prayer will be fulfilled at all!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “There is no
room for doubt about that,” said Smaïl. “If Âmmy Abderrahman prays for anybody,
then you can be sure that prayer will be fulfilled sooner or later. It’s only a
question of time!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Your friend
doesn’t seem to understand yet,” said the old man. “Look, my son,” he went on,
looking at Tahar, “God doesn’t look at you alone. God looks beyond you. He
looks at the whole world around you. If God gives you something now, He may be
giving it to one of your unborn children through you. If God wants your child
to grow up in a smart house, then He will provide you with the means to get a
smart house, even if you don’t deserve it yourself. If God wants your child to
be beautiful, then He will make you marry a beautiful woman, even if you don’t
deserve her yourself. If God gives you something good now and you don’t deserve
it, then He may have something bad in store for you. And you won’t know when
nor how that bad then will happen to you. If you don’t worship God and yet have
a large workshop or vast fertile lands, then He may be giving you that because
He knows that a good faithful who worships Him always will be very happy to
find work, humble as it may be, in your workshop or in your fields and he will
thank God for that and devote his life to Him. Don’t imagine that God behaves
at random!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How do I know
I deserve that?” said Tahar shyly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You will know
by looking at your own behaviour,” said the old man. “Look at this man here. He
was no less handsome than you, if not more. I know of women who had a terrific
desire to marry him. Those women married other men years ago, but Smaïl stayed
single until a little more than a year ago.
He could not marry in his twenties or even in his thirties simply
because he was penniless.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What I liked
most about him is that he was aware of what was happening to him. You might be
surprised, given your age, but this man has always been clear with himself. He
sinned, yes, but he was brave to admit he was a sinner. He always owned up to
his past sins and asked God’s forgiveness. And that helped him endure his
hardships. So, if you, Tahar, want to marry while you are so young, so
handsome, be careful! Think of God as being constantly on your right and of
Satan as being constantly on your left. I know you youngsters hate being
preached, but I know also that you love to be happy. ”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> That night
Tahar returned to the funduq deeply frustrated. He had wished to see Smaïl’s
wife, but he had only heard her voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next morning he was at H’sein’s
shop.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Have you had
breakfast?” asked H’sein.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, and
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I have, too,
but a cup of tea now would only do me good, don’t you think?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I pay for
it!” said Tahar, plunging his hand deep in his pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Before tea
came, H’sein started teaching Tahar what a master tailor would teach a very
young apprentice. To Tahar’s surprise, H’sein’s words were music to his ears.
It all looked as if he were only learning by heart one of Saeed El-Bahi’s
religious songs. H’sein too was surprised when Tahar said to him:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I would like
to make a gandoura like this one. I think it’s easier for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright!”
said H’sein. “I’ll give you all the materials you need. But now we have tea
first!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And so that
first morning passed off peacefully. In the afternoon, a man speaking Arabic
with a Berber accent came in and greeted H’sein, and said, “I want this and
this and this.” He was all smiles as he said that. But when it came to the
point of paying, his last smile froze on his lips.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That was a
Jew,” said H’sein slyly. “He’s always like this. But he’s a good client.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Does he come
very often?” said Tahar, affecting interest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, he’s
been a client of mine for more than five years now. He lives in Mogador. He
comes to me once a week.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “He’s a
merchant, you mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, he is.
He is a travelling salesman. He roams all the region around. He sells from door
to door. Sometimes he goes as far as Marrakesh.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I know two
Jewish men who do quite the same thing. They often come to our village. But I
had never seen this one before.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now forget
all about him and keep your mind on your work. Be careful, that piece of cloth
is delicate. But I see you’re doing well! Go on!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And well he
did indeed. His first dress ever was ready seven days later.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well done!”
exclaimed H’sein, handling the dress carefully. “It’s a stunning dress! Very good!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now I want to
make a takchita,” said Tahar, heartened by H’sein’s comments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, friend.
It’s too early for you to start on a takchita.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But just let
me try!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do me three
more dresses like this one and I’ll let you do a takchita, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright!”
said Tahar reluctantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Now, with more and more women appearing
here and there, Tahar could not but think more of women than anything else. And
the woman he thought of now was Zina. He tried to forget all about her. He tried
to think more seriously of Zahiya. But Zina was there, still in his heart. He
had seen Zina. He had talked with Zina. He had laughed with Zina. He had
dreamed of Zina. And now Zina was going to marry soon, maybe in the next few
weeks or soon after Eed El-Kebeer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Even when he returned to the funduq at
sunset, he would pick up his utar and sing his old songs, those he had sung to
Zina.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Now he was no longer eager to make
dresses for Zahiya. For him dressmaking had now become so easy –as easy as winking–,
so dull, that he no longer thought about it. All his work had now become
jejune, all his life insipid.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
So one evening he ran to the old man
who had prayed for him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Âmmy
Abderrahman,” he said, “I came to tell you that your prayer for me appears to
have been fulfilled. I have succeeded in making good dresses which pleased the
master tailor.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s a good
thing!” said Abderrahman, who was sitting on a stool with other old men near
the mosque. “Now, what’s the problem?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, sir,
I’ve begun to feel homesick. I feel lonesome.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “So what can I
do for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I wonder
whether you know of a school or any other place where I could spend the evening
and learn something good.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Would you
like to join a zaouia?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That would
make me glad!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright! Come
along!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar joined the zaouia. He was
thrilled to sit with dozens of men of all ages in a large house scented with
musk and ambergris. It took him very little to overcome his timidness. He was
given a book, and so he joined in the chanting as best he could.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But once back to his room in the funduq
he found himself thinking of Zina once again. The next morning he thought of
her still. He waited for her to fall ill because of him and refuse all
treatment until he, Tahar, came back to her and said to her that he loved her
still and that he would marry her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Thursday came. Smaïl came. But the
story remained the same. Zina just refused to get out of his head.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Days went on like this until one
evening when a stranger came up to Tahar as he was ordering for his dinner in
the funduq eating-room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “May I have a
word with you?” said the stranger.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Both sat down
on the mat and talked over tea.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Believe me,”
said the stranger, “you needn’t learn more than you have learned already. Just
by making dresses like those you made you’ll certainly make a fortune! That
master you’re working for will only exploit you. Come and work with me. I’ll
pay you good wages. You’ll become rich in a matter of months…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The stranger left and Tahar spent that
night thinking. In the morning he went back to H’sein’s shop.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Master
H’sein,” he said within moments of his arrival, “I must learn more. I must make
a dfina and a tahtiya now. It’s a must.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, no,
friend! You needn’t learn all that. Just keep making the same dresses you’ve
been doing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I have done
more than enough, and it was I who paid you.
You never paid me a penny!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I shall pay
you this time. I promise.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, master! I
must make a dfina and a tahtiya. I’ll take them to my family on the eve of eed,
and then I’ll be back and I’ll work for you. I’ll make any dresses you like.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, but…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The master gave in in the end and Tahar
started work on a dfina. And little by little, he found himself thinking of
Zahiya again. And he thought more of her when he sat with the good men in the
zaouia. And he sang for her when he was alone in the funduq.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
A month later he was on his horse,
riding back to his village.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “These are two
of the dresses I’ve made,” he said to his family boastfully.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Oh, how
lovely they are!” said his mother. “But have you earned any money?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Not yet,
mother. I was only an apprentice, you know. But next time I’ll bring some money
with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “We don’t need
your money, you know,” his mother said.
“But if you want to marry and start a family you’ll have to earn your
living somehow.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I know,
mother. If I don’t earn enough money making dresses I’ll come back to work in
the fields.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Fortunately
for me,” said his father, “Lâabeed were here during your absence. I wonder what
I’ll do when they go.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ll find you
a jobber or two,” said Tahar. “Don’t worry!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s in
your bag?” said his mother.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Only the utar
and clothes for me,” said Tahar with a blush.
“I have to leave you now. I’m going to Kremat to wish the Qadi a good
eed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Wait! Wait a
moment!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> But Tahar
picked up his bag and scuttled out of the house. He swung himself into the
saddle and set out for the Qadi’s village.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Qadi did
not show up until late in the evening.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What are you
doing here?” he said, looking suspiciously at
Tahar, who was standing against the trunk of a tree just outside the
Qadi’s home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I came to
tell you that the dresses are now ready.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What dresses
do you mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, look!”
said Tahar, opening his bag with trembling hands, “here are the dresses. I made
them. I made them myself, with the help of the master tailor. This is the
dfina, and here’s the tahtiya.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where did you
get them?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I said I made
them! I swear it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You made them
in less than forty days?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Let me
explain, Qadi! On my arrival in Mogador I happened upon a young man who
introduced me to an old man who prayed for me. I myself was surprised when I
felt that I was learning very quickly.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Who’s that
man who prayed for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “All I know is
that he’s called Âmmy Abderrahman. I can take you to him, if you like.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “When did you
come back from Mogador?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I came
earlier on today.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Did you see
Zahiya?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do you want
to see her?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “When?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Tomorrow will
be eed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I know. But I
can’t wait.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright! I’ll
try to come to your village tomorrow afternoon and I’ll take you to her home.
Would that suit you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, sir! I
can’t go to her home now. I am a shy person, you know. I don’t want to look
ridiculous in front of her.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright!” the
Qadi grinned. “We’ll meet somewhere around her home, then.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you!
May I leave these dresses with you? I don’t want my family to see them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright!”
said the Qadi, bursting into laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar was so happy he could not sleep
that night.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next morning he shunned everybody
until his mother began doing a roast in the courtyard of their home some time
around noon. But even then the other members of his family, who were sitting
around, had so much to talk about that he needed not talk with them at all. He
retreated within himself, and waited patiently for the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The Qadi came late in the afternoon and
found Tahar dressed not in an everyday jellaba, but in a beautiful white
tchameer shimmering at the neck beneath a conspicuous white djellaba, itself
laid with a black, thin selham. A yellow âssaba adorned Tahar’s head, and his
yellow slippers were a delight to the eyes. In a word, he looked his best and
his natural good looks gave him the aura of a prince.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> On the
opposite side of the river Zahiya was waiting with her father in an olive
grove. She was dressed not in an everyday heïk, but in a blue takchita and a
yellow-and-white thick headscarf fringed with jingling old coins. And she was
shod in a very beautiful green sherbeel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The Qadi was the first to speak to her.
He seemed to have met her before fetching Tahar, but even now Tahar hung on her
lips.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Come!” she
said suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar took
quick steps towards her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Peace be with
you!” he said in a wavering voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Peace be with
you too!” she replied, running her blue eyes on every feature of his reddish
face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Did you like
the dresses?” Tahar said, glancing at the Qadi and Zahiya’s father, who were
shuffling off towards another olive-tree.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, I did.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Can I marry
you now?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why not?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You can’t
enter my life before I enter your heart.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What do you
mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I was
not interested in any of the dresses you made, to be honest. I only wanted you
to go and stay away from these lands for some time. I wanted you to cleanse
your heart and mind of Zina.” More blood rushed to Tahar’s face as Zahiya went
on, “I didn’t expect you to return so early. Now go back to Mogador and stay
there until you have made more dresses for me. Don’t go back to that old man to
pray for you so that you can make the dresses in three days. I’m not in a
hurry. M’barek Eedak! Good bye!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Wait a
moment!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Zahiya did not
wait a moment. She ambled up to her father. And, on the way, she exchanged a
few words with a passing young man. The Qadi came towards Tahar, and whispered
to him:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now, please,
go! Don’t get us into trouble here!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Who’s that
man she’s spoken to?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I said go!”
said the Qadi, moving away from him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar spent that night in the open,
speaking to himself and to the moon and stars. In the morning, he was galloping
back to Mogador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Once again, he booked a room in the
funduq, and went to work in H’sein’s shop.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The next
Thursday he begged H’sein for a break so that he could spend some time with
Smaïl. Smaïl took him to the Skala. They sat on one of the cannons facing
towards the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do you trust
your wife?” said Tahar suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “We were
talking about the sea, weren’t we? Why are you now asking me about my wife?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Something in
my heart pushes me to. Please tell me, do you trust your wife?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I make
as if.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You mean you
don’t worry?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Look, Âmmy
Abderrahman said you should be careful, if you remember. He meant by that that
you should pay attention to your own behaviour. If you behave well; if you’re a
good man; if you say your prayers regularly; if you don’t take bribes; if you
don’t take away people’s money; if you don’t flirt with women other than your
own wife; if you always feel that God is watching you, then you needn’t worry!
And then if your wife did something wrong, that would be 'a bad thing for you',
as Âmmy Abderrahman put it, meaning a punishment for you– for something you did
in the past and forgot all about it. But even then, if you don't change for the
worse God would certainly give you something better."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "You mean
a better wife?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Why not?
Look, let me tell you one thing. You can't get your wife to be faithful to you
by just beating her or imprisoning her or by spying on her all the time or by
subjecting her to test after test. That won't help. Love her and keep faithful
to her and bring her only food and goods which you bought with clean money– money
that you earned by the sweat of your brow. Do that and then entrust your wife
to God's care. If she is a good wife she will stay with you, by the grace of
God. If she turns out to be a wicked woman, God will find you a solution. And
then, let me conclude with this. You know what, I myself was a sinner. Many
people trusted in me while I was anything but trustworthy. I hope that my
sufferings in the past were a punishment for that. Now, to tell you the truth,
I don't worry about my wife, because I have a strong feeling that God chose her
for me. Thank God!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Did you
love your wife before you married her?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Now,
that's enough! Please, forget all about my wife. Let's move from here!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I'm
sorry, I didn't mean…"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar was
deeply hurt by the way Smaïl had rebuked him.
Smaïl had scowled at him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Now he was back to the funduq. He
crammed himself with a big cake and three bunches of grapes. Then he lay on his
back and closed his eyes. Zahiya's face came in flying. Her blue eyes and fair
face were inviting, her whispers soothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next morning Tahar left the funduq
later than usual. H'sein greeted him
with, "Where have you been all this time, you son of bitch?" Tahar
gave him a scathing look and spat in his face and made his way back to the
funduq. He collected his belongings, fetched his horse and rode back home. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
His family talked and talked and he did
not care twopence. He went to mosque. He said his prayers and chatted with the
Imam. Then he went back home, fetched his utar and trotted up to the palm-tree
by the riverbank.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
He sang. Zahiya came out. She stood
away from the bank and looked on as Tahar strummed on his utar. A young man
came up to Zahiya and spoke to her. Tahar stopped singing. Before he could do
anything else, Zahiya vanished behind the houses. The young man who had spoken
to her went in another direction. Tahar panted and his heart pounded.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
An hour later, he was in Kremat, the
Qadi’s village.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What are you
doing here?” said the Qadi, looking askance at Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Qadi, I saw a
man with Zahiya!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where and
when?” said the Qadi, lifting up his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “In her
village. Today.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Listen! I
tried to help you because I thought you were mature and sane. Now, never come
back to me again! Stay away from the girl! If you ever harass her, then that’ll
be the end of you. I’ll lodge a complaint against you with the Qaïd!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">The word ‘qaïd’ sent shivers down Tahar’s spine. So he
just bowed his head and led his horse away from the Qadi’s home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
He then spent two days roaming the
place, not knowing what to do with himself. The next day was Wednesday, so he
took his utar and sat in the shade of the terebinth-tree and sang to himself
while lovers from both villages enjoyed themselves down the valley.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Hey you over
there!” said a voice unexpectedly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Tahar turned round and gaped. It was one of the Jewish
hawkers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Tahar? Why
are you sitting here alone?” said the Jew, approaching the terebinth-tree.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Hi, Âmmy
Dawud!” said Tahar, laughing nervously. He then picked himself up, and said, “I
was longing to see you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “To see me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why so?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I want to
work with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “To work with
me? How?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I make
dresses and you sell them and give me my share of the profits.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But I only
sell good dresses, like those you bought from me for your mother. How could you
make good dresses yourself?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I was an
apprentice to Mâallem H’sein, the master tailor in Mogador, do you know him?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “O course, I
know him! Now, what do you expect of me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I’ll
give you some money to buy me the necessary materials. I’ll make the dresses
and I’ll give them to you to sell them, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright!
That’s a good idea!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar built himself a shed a little way
from his parents’ home. He found an apprentice. And he set to work.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The news spread that he had now become
a tailor. People –men and women– came to him asking for a hem to be let down or
a tear to be sewn up or a button to be sewn on. But he turned them away kindly
saying he only made new dresses to be sold elsewhere by Âmmy Dawud. Birds
twittered over his head as he worked. His mother brought him his lunch at
midday. And everything was alright.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But then came the day when the village
became infested with horses, when women filled the air with trilling cries of
joy, when children pranced about in clothes they had been denied even on the
day of eed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
That was the Wedding Day. Lovers from
both villages would now marry, to their families’ delight. Tahar’s family would
join the folks. They would join in the festivities, but they would not share in
the joy. They had no groom or bride to have a celebration for.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Both Tahar’s father and brother would
take part in the fantasia parades. They had been preparing their horses for
some time now. His brother had even changed his rifle and bought new gunpowder.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar himself had always enjoyed
fantasia. He would love to stand his horse with the other horses assembling at
the start and then wait impatiently for the starting signal so that he could
rush his horse forward, abreast of the other horses, until the Mqaddem gave
them the signal to fire, while the women standing on either side of the field
filled the air with trilling cries of joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But today was different. Tahar had not
the heart to do that on the day someone else would marry Zina.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar did not leave the village,
though. He only went to the palm-tree by the river-bank. He sat down there and
sang to himself in a low voice. He had not brought with him his utar. He had
only brought a basketful of grapes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And while he was eating and singing, a
shape appeared on the other side of the river. “It’s her!” Tahar cried within
himself. “It’s Zahiya! I swear by God it’s her! But–” He could not believe his
eyes. Zahiya walked slowly to the river. She looked as if she were heading for
Tahar’s village. But she stopped at the water’s edge. She stooped down and
splashed her face with water, then she stood up, glanced at Tahar and turned to
go. Tahar watched her with beating heart. As soon as she had disappeared he
turned round and ran to the mosque, his face aglow with pleasure. He sat down
in the mosque and performed the tayammum, but then he remembered that it was
un-islamic to say prayers at this time of day. So he left the mosque and
returned to the palm-tree by the riverbank. He stayed there until the muezzin
called for dusk prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next day Tahar returned to his
work. And two weeks later, new potential lovers began to show themselves down
the valley. At first Tahar just stayed seated in the shade of the
terebinth-tree, watching. But then he saw a shape quite like that he had seen
before. It was the same shape, the same gait. But now? Here? Could it be her?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar got up and, in no time, he was on
the other side. Many girls looked at him, making him blush. He looked as if he
were looking for someone, and then plonked himself into a pile of dry bush a
little way from the farthest group to the right. Several girls looked in his
direction, but his eyes were somewhere else. He was striving to look
indifferent, even to Zahiya, who was sitting alone, aloof from everybody. Tahar
was fired with the desire to go and speak to her. His feet could hardly touch
the ground. He now felt lighter than the air. But he simply could not do
anything. The Qadi had threatened to lodge a complaint against him with the
Qaïd. But then, all of a sudden, Zahiya stood up. Tahar had his heart in his
mouth. He wondered what to do. But then, to his great surprise, he saw Zahiya
working her way round towards him. He saw her approaching him, but then
suddenly he cut her dead. Zahiya did not look his way, either. She just walked
past him with head erect.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And every night thereafter Tahar lulled
himself to sleep with dreams that Zahiya would do again what she did on that
day. But Zahiya never reappeared again, and Tahar began to kick himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
He got fed up with going to the
palm-tree by the riverbank in the hope of catching a glimpse of her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
People started to plough their lands.
The sky was becoming cloudier with each passing day. And it soon started to
rain. There was no place left to sit by the riverbank. All places were wet, or
so they seemed to Tahar. And there was more and more water in the wadi. The
brook was gradually swelling into a running stream, making it impossible for
lovers to meet for months to come.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
That was Tahar’s only comfort. But for
how long?<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><br /><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-seven.html" style="background-color: initial; color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-eight_19.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul></span></div>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-41918704757060299202022-01-19T03:23:00.003-08:002022-01-22T01:10:47.882-08:00Chapter Four<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">A</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">fter less than half an hour’s ride, they came in view
of a secluded house up the road. “The party’s going to be held there, in that
house,” said Balîd suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
When they arrived there, Balîd alighted
and opened his arms to embrace two men who had rushed forward to welcome him.
Other men, young and old, came towards him and kissed his hand. Then he glanced
round and said to Tahar, “Stay there!” Tahar remained standing up beside the
donkey and looked on as Balîd, flanked by the other men, walked into the house.
The sound of music could be heard all around.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
For some time Tahar remained out alone;
he remained standing up beside the donkey. And that position enraged him. He
thought of running away. He thought of revenge. But how?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And here was Balîd coming out of the
house, flanked by two young women. A feeling of jealousy made Tahar’s heart
ache for a moment, although none of the two women was singularly good-looking.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “This is my
tailor,” said Balîd with a shade of pride in his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Really?” said
the women, who were conspicuously mesmerized by Tahar’s beauty. But Balîd,
seeing himself suddenly ignored by the two women whom he himself had brought
out from the house, could not stand that. “Now, you know him,” he said huffily.
“So if you want him to make you any kind of dress, come to me. Now, go back!
See you!” Then he turned to Tahar, and said, “Let’s go!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
On their way back, Balîd did not say
anything that could hurt Tahar’s feelings. But Tahar was now aware that God
only knew what the future held for him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
So once he was back to the douar, he
performed his ablutions and said his prayers, and went on praying and reciting
the suras he had learned in Marrakesh until he could no more fight sleep back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But he slept no more than an hour or
two. He then stayed awake for the rest of the night, brooding over his days in
Marrakesh, in the zaouia in Mogador, in his village. He chewed over all he had
heard from the Qadi, from Smaïl, from Abderrahman, from Zahiya. He pondered
over life. He puzzled over luck. He wondered why of all women the son of a qaïd
(!) should marry a swarthy fatty with not a single good feature. He wondered
why the son of another qaïd (!) should marry a ravishing young woman for six
long years and yet fail to beget a child. He thought and sighed and thought and
sighed until he heard voices in the courtyard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Mweina came
back three weeks later and took her takchita.
Tahar did not ask her how she found it. But she expatiated upon its
beauty, its virtues, its wonders. She dwelled upon that for a good while as if
she were trying to sell that takchita to Tahar, who had made it. But Tahar said
no more that, “Good!”, which he kept on
repeating almost maliciously until
Mweina rose and wiggled out of the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
A moment later, Tahar visualized
Zahiya’s pinkish face. Zahiya smiled at him. Her blue eyes were crystal clear
and her mouth more tempting than Mweina’s, which he had failed to kiss. Once again
he gave a gurgle of delight, to the boy’s stupefaction. The boy did not know
that every cackle, every crow, he heard that afternoon carried Tahar to his
village, miles and miles away. Every bray, every moo, catapulted Tahar into
Zahiya’s village.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
At night Tahar reverted to his Koranic
recitations and prayed on and on till he burst out, “O God I know I sinned! I
now repent. O God help me turn from sin. Lead me not into temptation…” And then
Tahar went to sleep, free from worry or fear.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next morning Balîd popped up
unexpectedly in Tahar’s room and said he would take him to another party later
in the day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar looked to that party with some
kind of hankering, as if he believed that his salvation could only come through
an encounter with someone at one of such parties. He flattered himself he had
everything that would attract anybody’s attention.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Those hopes crumbled at noon, when
Balîd burst in on him, and said, “Get up! We’ll go hunting.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
They went on foot under a threatening
sky. They were caught in a shower. They got soaked to the skin. And yet they
plodded on, with Tahar carrying a leather haversack over his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
They arrived at a valley. The land was
becoming verdant again. Birds tweeted overhead. “Wait!” Balîd said
suddenly. “Look yonder! It’s a rabbit!”
The rabbit was hopping around a shrub. Balîd lurked behind a bush. He filled
his quiver and then picked an arrow, which he quickly feathered and levelled at
the rabbit. Then he shot. A moment later he was up, hugging himself over his
prey.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar held his breath as Balîd pulled
out a knife and slit the rabbit’s throat. The rabbit weltered in its blood for
a moment, then lay still. “Now, we can rest,” said Balîd, sitting on a rock,
facing the rabbit. “Let the rain give it a wash! Raise your eyes! Look, it’s
not raining right now, but the sky is threatening, isn’t it? Now hand me that
jug in the haversack. Quickly!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Tahar, who remained standing up just a yard off Balîd
looked warily as the latter unsealed the jug.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How did you
find this outing?” said Balîd suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I feel very
good about it, nâamass,” said Tahar, bending over so that Balîd could hear him
clearly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right. Would
you like something to drink?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s very
kind of you, nâamass! But I have a stomach ache.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright!
That’s your problem,” said Balîd, sniffing the jug. “This is my wine, anyway.” And then he
giggled as he went on, “It’s not like Mweina’s wine. Hers was old and smelly.
It was made of unripe grapes. Mine is new and fragrant. It’s only last year’s
vintage. It was made in Doukkala! This kind of wine travels well, I can assure
you.” Then he fell silent and started drinking. Tahar remained standing up,
although he was fagged out. After a while, Balîd began to speak again. Tahar’s
ears pricked up. He listened intently, as if he were trying to penetrate the
mind of the man sitting just a yard off him. Tahar himself squatted down when heard
Balîd say, “None but you is in my heart. You have to know this. Don’t mention
my wife, please! My wife has been a blight on my life. You alone can make me
happy.” “What’s he drivelling about?” Tahar muttered to himself. “Why is he
speaking to himself in this way?” Has he had one or two drinks more than he can
carry?” “What the hell would happen if
she didn’t fall into my grip?” Balîd said dismally. “She’s not the only pebble
on the beach!” “It’s clear he’s wagering on something,” Tahar thought. “It seems
as if some woman or other is bringing him to the verge of insanity. Listen:
he’s hailing down curses on himself! This is mad, really! What’s this? Is he
going to pass out on me? Oh my God! He came over faint! What should I do, oh my
God?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar did nothing at all. He only
waited for Balîd to sober up. And Balîd did sober up hours later. He willed
himself to stand up, but sank down on his knees, and yowled with pain.
Mercifully, nobody seemed to have heard him. Tahar was going to help him back
to his feet when he finally stood up, and, to Tahar’s horror, said, “Now, we’ll
go wenching. Let’s go!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And what a gruelling journey it was! At
every step there was something to dread: if it was not the weather, then it was
the mere thought of being seen trekking along like two tramps going nowhere
special.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But who could be out in this weather
but a wretched beggar or a roaming dog? So no one saw them on their way, first
to the Qaïd’s home, where Balîd handed over the rabbit to his flabbergasted
wife and changed his clothes, and then to the house on which Balîd seemed to
have pinned his hopes. They arrived there just before it started to drizzle.
The dogs barked to announce their arrival. In the twinkling of an eye a woman
appeared at the front door. Balîd waved to her. But instead of coming towards
him she went back into the house. And then a houseful of women swarmed out of
the house and bunched together in front of Tahar, some of them repeating
unflaggingly, “It’s the Tailor! It’s the Tailor!” And then Balîd was swamped
with pleas. “Let him sit with us just this once!” they said. But Balîd
stubbornly refused, so the women thronged round Tahar and hustled him into the
house. They took him further into a large room, where a young woman was sitting
alone. Once Tahar had clapped eyes on that woman he forgot all about the other
women, he forgot all about Balîd, he forgot all about the world. That woman was
a moon without scores. She was a rose without thorns. She was a body set with
jewels. Her face was a diamond flashing fire. No artist could depict her beauty
neither in words nor in picture. Even a mirror, one would say, could hardly
reflect her image in all its beauty. But that woman too just watched in mute
admiration as the women seated Tahar just opposite her. Tahar had first learned
eye language when he used to sit with Zina. That language served him now again.
But there were other women there, and all of them watched him. They all sat
down in a half circle in front of him, making it hard for him to look beyond
them at the beautiful woman, who had not moved from her place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s your
name?” said one voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “My name is
Tahar.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where are you
from?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am from
Shiadma.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How old are
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am
twenty-two.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where did you
learn dress-making?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “In Mogador?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Are you
married?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Not yet.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Are you in
love?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes.” The
women shrieked with laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Who with?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The other
women gave a screech of laughter. Tahar was bathed in sweat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Will you make
me a dress, then?” said the woman who had been questioning him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What kind of
dress do you want?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I want
a robe with short sleeves and open at the neck. Can you do it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I too want an
open-necked frock which leaves my arms free.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> At that
moment, a brown woman, one of those sitting at Tahar’s feet, glanced round and
met the beautiful woman’s eye. Tahar squinted at the beautiful woman and caught
her winking at the brunette. His heart then pounded. He suddenly got the
feeling that something awful was being prepared right under his nose. He felt
as if he were a bait, although he had no idea who the angler was. Was it Balîd?
Or was it the beautiful woman? But the women left him no time to mull over all
that. The women were speaking to him. They were describing the kind of dresses
they wanted him to make them. And he listened attentively. And then he decided
to take three clients, including the brunette at whom the beautiful woman had
winked. And he rose to go. The women wrapped up pieces of cloth in a small bundle
and gave it to him. They also gave him a reed basket brimming with dates and
dry figs, and then they saw him out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Balîd saw the gift and yet did not
utter a word. “I’m sorry to be late,” said Tahar, facing Balîd. “They gave me
pieces of cloth and asked me to make them dresses.” “Right,” said Balîd. “Let’s
go back!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
So Balîd took Tahar back to the douar
and locked the front door behind him. Tahar went straight to bed. But he could
not sleep. Not only because he went to bed shivering with cold, but also
because he went to bed infatuated. Had he not seen a face like a diamond
flashing fire? Tahar was not yet sure whether that woman was the one Balîd had
been gabbling about in the valley. But what if that was so? And why should it
not be so? Was he not a man and she a woman? Could it not be because of her
that he was so unhappy? How could he not be so unhappy when such a woman was
not his own? He had married another woman. Comparing that beautiful woman with
Balîd’s wife was like comparing honey with colocynth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
That might be Balîd’s own problem,
anyway. But it could soon be Tahar’s as well. What if both fell in love with
the same woman? All the signs were that the beautiful woman was going to get
Tahar into trouble with the Qaïd’s son, enamoured Balîd.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
It was mid-afternoon the next day when
Balîd stood at Tahar’s room door. There was nothing horrible about his look or
voice, but Tahar’s heart jumped.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Whose dress
is this you’re working on?” said Balîd, squatting down in front of Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “It’s your
mother’s takchita, nâamass.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “On, no!” said
Balîd grumpily., snatching the dress from
Tahar and throwing it aside. “Put this off till later on. Where’s the
purple cloth?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Here it is,
nâamass! Wait a moment! Here you are!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Great! That’s
what you should have started on today, Tahar!
Listen: forget all about other dresses. Do this first. I’ll pick it up
in two days’ time, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That is
impossible, nâamass!” Tahar said stuffily. “I’ll try to make it in four weeks.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright. But
start on it now! Do you want anything?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, nâamass!
I want a book or two to read in the evening. I feel lonesome.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “A book? You
read books? Well, I’ll see. May God help you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Another
thing, nâamass!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I think
Mweina will tell you about the other materials I’ll need to make this dress.
The cloth in itself is not enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Balîd made Tahar a present of two
books, but Tahar could not read them. His head was full already. Now he was
sure that Balîd loved the beautiful woman. It was the brunette who had ordered
the purple robe –just after the beautiful woman had winked at her. So the
purple robe was for the beautiful woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar had already started on that robe.
He could not afford not to. Balîd had given him orders. So he had no choice but
to obey those orders.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But what about God? What would God say?
Was this work allowable? Why not? What if Balîd wanted to make that woman his
wife, his second wife? That would be all too normal. But what if he wanted to
make her his mistress?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar feared he might abet Balîd in
such a crime. But what could he do? “I could have killed him when he was drunk
in the valley,” Tahar thought. “I could have left him there with a stone or
even his own dagger embedded in his skull and then run away. But I don’t want
to be a murderer. Human life is dear to God, as the saying goes. I once heard
El-Habib say, ‘A good end does not justify a bad means.’ Balîd is virtually an
enemy of mine, but I can’t put him to death out of revenge. Let God tackle him!
O God You know who I am, where I am; You know how much I suffer; O God deliver
me of this!...” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The following morning Mweina came and
enquired after the takchitas of Balîd’s mother and wife. Mweina was wearing
scent and makeup. Tahar’s instincts stirred. He struggled to hold out against
temptation. Mweina’s bewitching smiles and honeyed words did not help him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Is this
Shama’s dress?” said Mweina suddenly, pointing at the purple dress.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Who is
Shama?” said Tahar curiously, glancing at Mweina’s gleaming lips.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I don’t know.
I’m sorry. What about the takchitas? You said you haven’t done them yet, have
you? So what shall I say to Balîd’s
mother and wife?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Say they
aren’t ready yet.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright. See
you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Before you
go, please! Who is Shama?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Shama? Well,
she’s the daughter of a rich landed proprietor.
Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I love that
name. That’s why!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You love the
name or the woman?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar smiled.
Mweina looked fondly at him, but only for a fleeting moment. The boy was
watching both with sharp eyes and listening with sharp ears. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
So it was Shama then. Tahar worked on
her robe with great devotion as if it were her dowry.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And that night he was in the mood for
reading. So he opened one of the two books and endeavoured to peruse a page.
The book was called, “Asseera Annabawiya” (The life History of the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh)). As he ran his eye over a page of the book, Tahar remembered
Zahiya, to whom he had sung religious songs, songs that glorified the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But once he put out the light and went
to bed Mweina was on his mind again. Zahiya was far, too far away. Shama was
not made for him. So only Mweina could raise his hopes. True, Mweina was
expecting a man to return from Haj to marry her, maybe her former husband –as
Saleh had said. But she could still come to him and sit with him in his room
and speak to him and smile at him and wear scent and makeup for him. Who but
her could do that?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Some time the next morning Tahar
wondered why he was working so scrupulously, so meticulously, so fastidiously,
on a robe that would not fetch much. What would he gain by this work? By all
the odds Balîd would never be grateful to him for anything. “But why should I
do this for him?” Tahar thought, looking as if he were challenging somebody.
“I’m not acting on his behalf. I am doing this to make my presence known to
everybody around. So if I succeeded in becoming friends with my enemy’s enemy,
it would only do me good. Yet, why should you do all this? Why didn’t you run
away the other day when he was drunk? No. That wasn’t so sure. Why don’t I
rather make Shama a jolly good dress that she would boast wherever she was?
Shama might be grateful to me for that. The least she could do for me is help
me escape unhurt, without having to run away or kill anybody. If Balîd loves
her and cannot meet up with her, then he’s certainly in her bad books. Why
don’t I try to be in her good books by making her a dress she has never dreamt
of? This might be the way I can escape with head erect. If Balîd thinks the
universe revolves around him, I’ll prove him wrong. If he wields a lot of
clout, I have a lot of skill and a lot of charm. I can gain mastery over him.
Yes, it’s true I fell into his power, but I can always find a way to end this
subservience and go back home. My life is not in Balîd’s hands. It’s the other
way about; it’s his life that lies in my hands. If he has got the power of gun,
I have the power of love and the power of thought. Shama must have caused him
so much heartache. Now I can either aggravate or allay his pain. How? By doing
what I am doing now! So I should be working uncomplainingly. I should be full
of vim. I should not let anybody whomsoever lacerate me. I was lucky enough to
have this opportunity of making a dress for the daughter of a rich landed
proprietor who might have some power over Balîd himself. I have no chance of
marrying that woman. All I want is go back home and marry Zahiya. Who knows?
All I have to do now is act in good faith. Even Balîd, who is my enemy, is no
less unhappy than I am. As a Muslim I should help somebody in his extremity.
And Balîd is in his extremity. But how could I help him? By doing what I am
doing now! I can’t see into his heart to know whether he’ll be grateful. But
I’ll see what I can winkle out of him. If I can charm something out of him and
escape unhurt eventually, that would be a good deal better than killing him and
risking being killed myself.” Tahar stopped to sneeze and blow his nose, then
went on kidding himself, “Poor Balîd! He must have messed up his life by
marrying that swarthy fatty. It’s horrible to think of a husband and wife as
mismatched people. This could be conducive to crime and death. It makes me
dizzy to think of marrying a woman I don’t like. Qadi Allal knew that perhaps.
He’s a man who has been around. That’s perhaps why he chose Zahiya for me. But
where’s Zahiya now, shall I ever see her again? I narrowly missed being killed
the other day when Balîd dragged me out of the room and beat me up in the
courtyard. Who know what happens next? May Allah help us! All I can do now is
try to win Shama’s friendship.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar suddenly realized that the boy
was watching him curiously. So he drew the basket towards him and helped
himself to dates, and said to the boy, “Help yourself!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar had a
bit of cough when Balîd came into his room three weeks later.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Have you
finished the dress?” Balîd said in a mild voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes,
nâamass.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Show it me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Here you are
nâamass!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Wow!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Balîd danced
for joy. He kissed Tahar’s forehead and promised him a roasted chicken.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
So Tahar lunched on that roasted
chicken. But he did not feel happy, though. “What if anything went wrong?” he
thought apprehensively.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Mweina came the next day and enquired
once again after the takchitas of Balîd’s mother and wife.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “When are you
going to make them?” she said with a twinkle in her eye.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar was
shamed into silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do you know
that your friend Balîd is ill?” Mweina said in a rather provocative tone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No. what made
him ill?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That accursed
purple robe made him ill.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s what I
dreaded!” Tahar thought. But then he looked despondently at Mweina, then said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Are you sure
he is ill?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am a liar,
then!” she said, staring him out. “Do you wonder at it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Please leave
me alone!” said Tahar, his eyes downcast.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “This is what
I dreaded,” Tahar thought once Mweina had stepped out of the room. “God only
knows what’s going to happen tomorrow. This is dangerous, no doubt. But should
I laugh or cry? Should I crow over him? Should I gloat over his misfortunes?
No. I should feel pity for him. Yes, he is my enemy. But he is a lover, too. I
know what it’s like to be a man crossed in love.” Tahar sighed as he went on
thinking, “What I fear is what happens next. How would Balîd behave towards me
in the next days? That’s what matters to me now!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Four days later, Tahar was still
thinking apprehensively of the fallout of Balîd’s miscarriage when he heard the
voices of people coming towards him. His heart gave a jump when he heard the
voice of his father. He then dropped everything and rushed out. The courtyard
was full of men from his village. They were all in their travelling suits. With
them were Balîd and his father, the Qaïd.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What are you
doing here?” said Tahar’s father as Tahar went round embracing his fellow
village men. Tahar heard the question but no answer flashed into his mind. His
father walked further on and peered into Tahar’s room. Other men followed him
at different paces. So Tahar found himself standing up beside Balîd and his
father, aloof from all the others. And while Tahar avoided Balîd’s eye, the
latter said in a despondent voice, “Don’t go!” Tahar then looked him full in
the face and said, "I will!" "Let him go!" said Balîd's
father. "We've got nothing to do
with him." "But, father, I need him!
He must stay!" said Balîd desperately.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I am
your father and I am the Qaïd of the tribe too; if you don't want to listen to
me for one reason, then listen to me for the other. Then I don't see what you
need him for."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Father!
I said I need him. He must stay. No, Tahar, don't go!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar waited
until all his fellow village men had gathered round him, and opened his lips to
speak but said nothing. His father spoke for him. He said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "We came
here because we believed and still believe today that our son's home is in our
village and tribe, not here."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I don't
disagree with you," said the Qaïd. "Your son should go back with you.
We don't need him here. And I'm sorry for the trouble we've made for you."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Balîd saw red.
He barked:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "No,
father, I won't let him go! He won't go now. I need him for some time."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Just
tell me what you need him for!" his father shouted back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Balîd turned
away from his father and faced Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Please
stay just one more month!" he beseeched.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Give me
back my horse and pay me for the work I've done and then I'll stay one more
month," said Tahar in a trembling voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Were you
a bondsman here?" said Tahar's father in surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I've
never thought of taking away your horse from you," said Balîd, looking
apologetically at Tahar. "I'll bring it to you at once. And I've never
looked on you as a bondsman. I'll pay you in full. Now!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Balîd took out
gold and silver coins from his pocket and handed them to Tahar, who, in turn,
passed them on to his father.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Now come
along everybody!" said Balîd, facing the men. "You are my guests for three days.
You're welcome! Come, Tahar! I'll show
you your horse. You can send it back home with your father, if you like. We are
friends, aren't we?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "The mind
boggles!" Tahar thought. "Why all this?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar had yet to wait fifteen more days
to know why Balîd had been so generous. Meanwhile, he enjoyed three days in
company with his father and fellow village men, all staying in two
well-furnished tents and served good food.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
During those three days only Balîd was
around. His father was nowhere to be seen So Balîd was there when Tahar bade
his father goodbye and asked him to take care of the horse (which Balîd had
restored to him). And once Tahar's father and the rest of the company went out
of sight, Balîd turned to Tahar, and said, "Now go back to your
work." "Right, nâamass!" said Tahar, moving away.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But when Tahar returned to his room in
the douar he did not know what to do. "What dress should I be working on
now?" he muttered. "Should I work on the takchitas of Balîd's wife
and mother or on the dresses of Shama's mates?" Nobody told him. Neither
Balîd nor Mweina turned up again until one night when Balîd aroused Tahar from
sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Don't be
afraid, Tahar!" said Balîd, stepping into the room. "I am Sy Balîd. I came to speak to you
about an important matter." Tahar was too confused to speak. "I'll
just say a few words to you and I'll go," Balîd went on. "Listen:
there will be a fantasia parade this afternoon. A lot of people will be there.
To be honest with you, I'm interested in just one person of all those who'll be
there. I think you can guess who. It's Shama, the woman you made the purple
dress for. Well, I love that woman. And I think you can feel what it's like for
a man to be in love with a beautiful woman like Shama. At present we don't
speak to each other. We haven't had the occasion. All eyes are on us. So to
elude surveillance I have thought up an idea, for which I'll need your help.
Well, I'll disguise myself in an old man. Your role will be to lure Shama into
view. You'll keep going round the place until Shama in person or one of her
mates sees you. They'll certainly come to you. At that time I'll try to
approach Shama to speak to her. If you see me speaking to Shama then try to
lure the other women away from us. And don't let yourself be impressed by
Shama! You'll gain nothing by speaking to her. Now, let me hear from you. Can I count on you?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "You can
count on me," said Tahar in a mumble, wondering what else he had left to
say.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Thank
you! I'll come back at noon. I'll bring you your lunch. And you'll help me with the disguise,
right?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Right,
nâamass!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
As promised, Balîd brought Tahar his
lunch at noon. Nobody was in the courtyard. So Tahar ate his lunch and then
helped Balîd disguise himself in an old man dressed in rags and walking with a
stick. They bade each other goodbye and each went by a different way towards
the field where the fantasia parade was going to be held.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar was an eye-catching man. "So
now I am a bait, definitely," he muttered to himself with a smile.
"This time the angler is Balîd. And the fish is Shama. Should I help him?
Or should I show him up? Could I? Of course I can! I can easily unmask him.
Should I? I don't know, really. Balîd stirred me to pity when I saw him
struggling to disguise himself. It would be churlish for me to let him down
now. At least he gave me back my horse and paid me. But still I don't know what
I should do." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><br /><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-seven.html" style="background-color: initial; color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-eight_19.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-38394455901275715312022-01-19T03:21:00.004-08:002022-01-22T01:10:26.340-08:00Chapter Three<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">A</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> strange man came to him one day, and said: “I am from
a tribe called Lamnasra, near Safi. The son of the Qaïd of our tribe was riding
back home when he came across Âmmy Dawud somewhere between Shiadma and ‘Abda.
He found in Âmmy Dawud’s basket three dresses which really dazzled him. Âmmy
Dawud was afraid, because he knew that it was the Qaïd’s son. So the Qaïd’s son
said: ‘Don’t be afraid, Âmmy Dawud! I’ll pay you for these three dresses. But
you must tell me who made them!’ Âmmy Dawud refused. The Qaïd’s son paid for
the dresses, though. And he took them to his wife. And so all the women in his
family begged him to send somebody up and down the country and bring over the
tailor who made those dresses. And so the Qaïd’s son said to me, ‘You have to
track down this unknown tailor. I want him by my side and I’ll give him
anything he wants.’ It took me a whole month to reach you. Now, if you really
want to be happy, to earn more money, and have a beautiful wife, then this is
your chance!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar did not argue. He did not haggle.
He only went to his apprentice’s home and apologized to his family. He gave
them three hens and a coq and pressed coins in the boy’s hand, and rejoined the
stranger.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Qaïd’s son
received them with open arms.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m happy you
came!” he said to Tahar, gathering his selham around him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Me too!”
replied Tahar shyly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You’re
welcome! Now, Sêed will give you something to eat and show you your room,
right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you,
nâamass!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And so Sêed
took Tahar to a small room off the courtyard of a large one-level building.
“Wait a moment!” said Sêed, signing to Tahar to stand at the room door. “Let me
tidy the room for you!” Tahar did not speak a word. He only turned round and
glanced at the woman who was swinging a churn in one corner of the courtyard,
and at the other woman sitting beside her, who was grinding something in a
quern, and at the two men, who, in another corner of the courtyard, were making
reed baskets, and then he was looking down at the chickens which filled the
place when Sêed came out, and said, “The
room is now ready. Have a rest! I’ll bring you something to eat.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
An hour later, Sêed came back and
called Tahar out. Tahar gaped as he stepped out of the room. He saw two camels
overladen with unhusked maize. “Come and help us unload this!” said Sêed. And
then all the women and men who were in the courtyard rushed forward. Tahar
joined them as they took down the loads. Sêed then led the camels out of the
courtyard and came back to join the husking bee. Tahar was full of questions as
to where this maize had come from and why it had not been husked before…, but
he strove to keep his mouth shut.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The Qaïd’s son returned some time later
and stood behind Tahar, tapped him on the shoulder, and said, “Come along!”
Tahar started to his feet and followed the Qaïd’s son out of the building. Then
the Qaïd’s son mounted his horse and rode at a slow pace without glancing back.
Not knowing what to do, Tahar ran after him. The Qaïd’s son stopped at the door
of a beautiful, large house surrounded by a garden. “Come along!” he said,
alighting from the horse. Tahar ran to his side, panting. And then standing in
the middle of the courtyard were four women: two white and two brown. The
Qaïd’s son grabbed Tahar by the nape of the neck and propelled him along
towards the women, who were smiling and looking at Tahar, lost in silent
wonder. “This is the tailor,” said the Qaïd’s son, looking at one of the brown
women. “Tell him what you want and then send him back to the douar. I am going
into town. ” The women did not speak a word. They waited until the Qaïd’s son
had left, and then the brown woman whom the Qaïd’s son had spoken to glanced
round and said, “Let’s move into the shade!” As they went there the women
squabbled amongst themselves over who should sit where. They finally lined up
like four chits in front of Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">“I am the wife of the Qaïd’s son,” said one of the two
brown women. ” Tahar bowed slightly, and mumbled a greeting while that woman
went on, “And this is my mother-in-law.” (She pointed at a tall white woman in
her forties.) “And this is my sister.” (She pointed at the other brown woman.)
“And this is my husband’s cousin.” (She pointed at the other white woman.) “Now
tell us, what kind of dresses do you make?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I make
gandouras,” said Tahar in a slightly trembling voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t you
make takchitas?” said the wife of the Qaïd’s son.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I can make
them. But I need the help of someone else. And I also need a lot of
ready-for-use materials. ”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You need an
apprentice, you mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Maybe I need
an apprentice and an adult man as well.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I’ll
tell my husband about that. Now go back to the douar. We will send you Mweina
with our demands, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right,
madam!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Wait a
moment!” said the Qaïd’s wife.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I said go!”
retorted her daughter-in-law expeditiously, staring at Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar bowed
himself out and trotted back to the douar. He rejoined the husking bee and did
not move from there until he was ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
When he was alone in bed at night he
thought of Mweina. The wife of the
Qaïd’s son had said she wound send Mweina to him. Unlike the brown fatty the
Qaïd’s son had made his wife, Mweina had a rather pleasant face. But Tahar was
not interested in her face now. Maybe she was married, given her age. She was
at least twenty-four. And she was the cousin of the Qaïd’s son. What Tahar
wanted now was a person –any person– he could pour out his heart to. He felt
deeply humiliated. “I left Mogador because Smaïl had scowled at me,” he thought
ruefully. “And H’sein called me names. I got angry. But now the Qaïd’s son has
turned me into slave. He made me run after him while he was up on horseback! I
wonder what’s awaiting me if that’s what happened to me on my first day here.
Was this a ‘bad thing’, as Âmmy Abderrahman put it?” He sighed. “I wish I could
go to him to pray for me again. But –alas!– I am now a slave. I can’t do
anything. Oh, yes, you can! Why don’t you pray to God to deliver you from this?
O God! I have no other God but You, deliver me from this! I implore You!...”
Tahar prayed on and on till his eyes filled with tears.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Then, suddenly, he remembered his
family.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I didn’t tell
them anything,” he thought. “I fondly imagined I could be happy here. What
would become of my father and mother if I didn’t return anytime soon?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The first cockcrow found Tahar awake.
But he could not leave his room until he heard voices. Day was breaking. The
two men who had been making reed baskets on Tahar’s arrival were now sitting on
the fringe of the stack of maize. Tahar walked diffidently towards them and
greeted them with a smile. As soon as he sat down one of the two men said to
him:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Won’t you
wash your face? ”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I don’t know
where?” said Tahar, feeling a great relief.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, there’s
a well just outside the douar.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I didn’t see
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ll show it
to you. You can then draw water and drink and wash as you please. The Qaïd’s
son won’t say anything. If you want to relieve yourself you can go to the
dunghill. It’s behind the douar.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Can I go
now?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes. Come along!
I’ll show it to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar relieved himself and quenched his
thirst and washed and said his morning prayers. Then he rejoined the husking
bee and waited for Mweina.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Mweina came in the late morning. With
her was a teenage boy carrying a small basket in either hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where’s your
room?” said Mweina, looking down at Tahar, who was busy husking the maize.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “It’s there!”
he said, pointing at the room door.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Let’s go in
there!” said Mweina, a bit shyly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> It was the boy
who went in first and put the basket down and left. Mweina sat on the bed,
Tahar on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “The wife of
the Qaïd’s son has sent you boiled eggs and bread in this basket,” said Mweina,
devouring Tahar with her black eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And in this
other basket here there are two pieces of cloth. Make a gandoura for the wife of the Qaïd’s
son!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Insha Allah.
But, you know, I need an apprentice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “The boy at
the door is going to be your apprentice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright! But
I’d still need some other materials, such as a sewing basket, sewing cotton,
sewing silk, a thimble, and so on.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I know.
You’ll get all that, but now, let me ask you a question, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Tell me
something about you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Something
such as what?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s your
name? Where are you from? Are you married? Do you have children? If you aren’t
married, are in you in love? Who is your beloved? Why haven’t you married yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Surprised at this sudden avalanche of questions, Tahar
glanced round, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I fear the
Qaïd’s son may come in and hear us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “The Qaïd’s son
is in town right now. Besides, there’s nothing disgraceful about what I asked
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, my name
is Tahar…” And he answered all questions, then he asked his own.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And what
about you?” he said shyly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I only
asked you; I didn’t force you to reply. See you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Mweina left
Tahar boiling with rage. She had made a mockery of him, and he had just to put
up with it. He could not show his rage. He had no time to think of himself. The
boy was waiting at the door. So Tahar composed his features and called him in.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s your
name, kid?” said Tahar with a forced smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “My name is
Lârbi.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where are you
from?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I live in a
nearby douar.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now you’re
going to be my apprentice, aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Good. But,
you see, I only have these pieces of cloth. As I said to Mweina, I need other
materials. So you can go now. Mweina will send you back to me later on, right?
Good bye!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The boy left. Tahar stretched out on
the bed and started thinking of what he should say to Mweina when she came
back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And so he found himself waiting for her
impatiently. He could not forget her first look at him. He could not forget
that she had come into his room and sat on his bed and talked to him like a
lover and listened to him like a lover and looked at him with the eyes of a
woman filled with envy. Maybe that was why she had made a mockery of him. Mybe
she became jealous of Zahiya.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
“I wonder what Zahiya would do if she
knew you’re here,” said Mweina when she returned three days later.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Are you
jealous of her?” said Tahar, without raising his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes,” said
Mweina, fixing her eyes on Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Startled,
Tahar looked up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why?” he
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I don’t like
men talking of other women in my presence.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But you are
married, why should you care?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Who told you
I’m married?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar was at a
loss for words. He just contemplated
Mweina’s jolly face while she looked fondly at him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s the
matter?” Mweina said suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I don’t
know,” Tahar muttered, looking down.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I came
to you today because I want you to make me a robe. Here’s the cloth.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright,”
said Tahar abstractedly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> At that moment
Mweina’s hand touched his and he felt that she was pressing her hand against
his.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “The boy’s been
out for some time now,” he said in some confusion. “Please leave now! See you
soon!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright! See
you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
This time Mweina left Tahar burning
with desire. And from the moment she left he waited for her return, seething
with impatience. But the boy could see nothing of that.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
When Tahar was alone that night
Zahiya’s words stirred his heart. ‘I wanted you to cleanse your heart and mind
of Zina,’ Zahiya said. What would Zahiya say now if she knew that he had fallen
in love with Mweina?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And so Tahar worked on Mweina’s robe,
putting his heart and soul into his work. And if Zahiya ever appeared to him
and did hazard a remark or a threat he would simply whisk her away as he did
the flies that buzzed in his room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And Mweina came back to inquire after
her robe.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How far have
you got with the dresses?” she said, sitting on the bed and signing to the boy
to leave the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, the
gandoura of your cousin’s wife is almost finished,” said Tahar, “But I’m still
working on your own robe.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Show me the
gandoura to see?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, here you
are!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar picked
up the gandoura and hung it with both hands in such a way that it looked like a
curtain hiding him ana Mweina from any potential interloper. Mweina seemed to
like that. “Look how good it is!” said Tahar, glancing at Mweina’s red lips.
She too glanced at his shivering lips, then at his brown eyes, and said, “You’re
a coward.” Tahar dropped the gandoura. He glanced round at the door, then
looked back at Mweina, and mumbled, “Why so?” “Hold the gandoura as you did a
moment ago!” was her reply. With trembling hands, Tahar did just that. Then he
moved a bit closer to Mweina, who looked at him temptingly. His mouth was not
an inch from her cheeks. He tried to snatch a kiss, but he simply could not.
“Move away from me!” said Mweina abruptly. Only then did he throw his arm round
her and rested his other hand on her thigh. She smiled. He fondled her back
while she still looked fondly at him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “When is my
robe going to be ready?” Mweina said in a rather grave tone now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar moved
his arm off her back and sat upright, then said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I think in
two or three days’ time it’ll be finished.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right,” she
said, rising to her feet. “Now give me the gandoura. I’ll come back in three
days’ time.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Here you are!
But, please, may I ask you a question?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Who will pay
me for the dresses I make you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I don’t know.
Ask Balîd!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Who is
Balîd?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “The Qaïd’s
son!” said Mweina with a fetching smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
It rejoiced Tahar’s heart to see Mweina
treat him with such undreamt of kindness. Her smiles did not leave him a moment
all day. But at night he was perturbed. Zahiya had simply refused to let go of
him. “I wanted you to cleanse your heart and mind of Zina,” she kept on
reminding him even now that Mweina had become his new beloved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
There was thunder in the air when
Mweina returned. It was spitting with rain as she stood at the room door. She
looked distraught. “What’s the matter?” said Tahar, rushing forward to welcome
her. “Balîd is around,” she whispered despondently. Tahar himself was downcast
now. “Well, I’ve finished your robe,” he faltered out. “Give it to me,” she
said. As Tahar turned round to pick up her robe, Balîd’s voice gave him the
horrors.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s going
on in here?” Balîd said gruffly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Nothing,
nâamass,” said Mweina before Tahar could swing round and echo her words.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Have you made
any dresses yet?” said Balîd with a forbidding look.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I have,
nâamass.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Good.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> As Balîd
turned to go, Tahar took it into his head to say:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Excuse me,
nâamass!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s the
matter?” said Balîd with the same glowering look.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What about my
pay, nâamass?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Your pay?
What pay do we owe you? We gave you a place to sleep. We give you food to eat.
What more do you want?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Mweina slunk out of the room as Tahar replied in a
hardly audible voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Nâamass, I
thought you would pay me. But even now there’s no problem.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Since there’s
no problem; then shut up!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">The blaze in Balîd’s eyes shocked Tahar into silence.
He diverted his eyes and hung his head and waited for Balîd to leave. Balîd
left and Tahar shuffled up to his bed. He sat down and held his head in his
hands. “You don’t know me,” he muttered. “I’m not the one to sleep under an
insult. I can’t stand being humbled by a thief like you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar thought of how he could avenge
himself. He thought day and night, because he had nothing else to do. Mweina
had not picked up her robe; it was only the boy who had taken it to her. And
she did not come back, because of the rain.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And it so happened that Tahar was lying
on his bed, thinking of his family and of Zahiya, when Mweina stood at the
door. “Good morning,” she said, stifling
a sneeze. “Good morning,” Tahar
replied, gathering himself up. He sat on the bed and looked up at her. She
moved forward and sat by his side.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Are you
angry?” she said, blowing her nose.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am not in a
good mood, anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How could I
put you in a good mood?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “By bringing
me some wine.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Some what?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Wine.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Send me some
with the boy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But first I
have to see where I get you wine. Then, you’ll have to choose between milk and
wine. I can’t send you both in the same basket.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do your best!
I need wine urgently.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And you’ll
make me a takchita?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ll make you
a takchita.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Sure?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Now Tahar
turned to her. He met her eye. And he caressed her burning lips with his
shivering thumb. Then he kissed his thumb.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I have a
streaming cold,” said Mweina.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t pass
your cold on to me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do you like
me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I love you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now; look
here,” Mweina said, turning away from him suddenly. “I’ve brought you pieces of
cloth to make us three takchitas: one for Balîd’s wife, one for his mother and
one for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar, who had
been stroking her thigh while she was speaking, now held the pieces of cloth,
examined them, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But these
pieces will barely make one ample takchita for
Balîd’s wife. She’s fat, you know!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “If that isn’t
enough, I’ll bring you more next time. No problem.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “There’s yet
another problem, Mweina. To make a takchita, you know, I’d need silk thread,
buttons, sfifa and even dfira, if you like. You’ve only brought me the cloth.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ll bring
you all that next time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “There’s yet
another problem, Mweina. A takchita takes time, you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Now Tahar put the pieces of cloth aside
and turned to Mweina again. She too faced him, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I didn’t know
you’re a drinker.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar smiled
nervously while he lifted his hand to Mweina’s right breast, but hesitated to
touch it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What are you
doing?” Mweina said with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> At that moment
the boy looked in and gaped, then vanished behind the door.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “It’s all over
now, see?” said Mweina, her face aflame with embarrassment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I didn’t do
anything,” said Tahar apologetically.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But to the
boy you looked as if you’d been fondling my breast!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I didn’t
touch your breast!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “See you.
Start on the takchitas now!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Sure!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And don’t say
anything to the boy! I’ll tackle him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
An hour later, Tahar was working on
Mweina’s takchita. The boy assisted him in silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
At night Tahar struggled with his own
incomprehension. Mweina seemed to have bought the boy off. “She did not argue
when I said I wanted wine,” Tahar thought confusedly. “I could have grasped her
breast and even kissed her full on her lips hadn’t the boy looked in. What kind
of woman is this? Is this the woman you would like to marry?...”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar could not sleep that night, and
at cockcrow he felt hemmed in. He could not stay in bed. He left the room and
began strolling around the courtyard. One of the few men who usually worked in
the courtyard opened the front-door, which was always locked from the outside.
That man was appalled to see Tahar strolling around there in the twilight.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What are you
doing here?” he puffed out. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t worry,
Âmmy Saleh!” said Tahar with an uncertain smile. “I was just strolling around.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now see here!
Last time I warned you off running away”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I wasn’t
trying to run away. It didn’t enter my head to run away.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I’m
glad you followed my advice. But before anybody else comes, let me give you
another warning.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “About what
this time?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “About
Mweina.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What! What
about Mweina, then?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Listen, that
woman had a husband. They were married for six years. But, unfortunately for
them, they didn’t have a child. So her husband decided to go to Haj to pray to
God to give him a child. And before he went, he had to divorce her, as is the
custom. If all goes well, he may be back in the next months and then he’ll remarry
her. And let me tell you this, the father of that man was no less a person than
the Qaïd of this tribe before Sy Balîd’s father. I warn you once again: don’t
trifle with that woman’s affections!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you for
the warning!” Tahar muttered, shuffling his feet towards his room. His head was
reeling. He tumbled into bed. “It’s unbelievable!” he whispered to himself.
“This is going to drive me mad, really. I can’t believe this. I don’t want to
believe it. Mweina is in my heart. I can’t get her out of my head. But you got
Zina out of your head. And you got Zahiya out of your head. No, Mweina is
different. Mweina is–” (He sat upright.) “But what if it’s true? What is true?
I don’t care! Whatever the truth, Mweina is here. She’s in my heart…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar was still struggling with his
thoughts when the boy arrived. “Good morning, master!” the boy said, putting
the basket down at Tahar’s feet. Tahar returned the greeting, and then, with
trembling hands, picked up the basket and placed it on the bed. He took up the
jug and looked into it. It was wine, as Mweina had promised. “What shall I do
now?” Tahar thought perplexedly. “I have no chance of escape. I must drink
this, otherwise everybody will find out.” He hesitated, though, as if he had
never drunk wine before. But then he lifted the jug to his mouth, and in a fit
of anger, he suddenly burst out, “What does she take me for?” The boy stared in
fear as Tahar fixed him with an angry glare, and barked, “The this back to her
and tell her that I want milk not wine! Get up! Hold! Go!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Tahar was trembling all over when the boy replaced the
jug in the basket and got out of the room. Saleh came in soon afterwards.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s the
matter?” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar looked
up at him with bleary eyes, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I don’t know.
I was suddenly overcome with anger when I found wine instead of milk in the
jug.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where did you
send the boy?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I sent him
back to Mweina.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What for?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “To bring me
some milk.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You’re wrong
if you think anybody here can be bluffed by you. You’re cutting your own
throat, boy!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Hardly had Saleh left when Balîd himself erupted into
the room, holding the boy’s hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What have you
been doing in this room, you scoundrel?” Balîd snarled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Nothing,
nâamass!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Speak!” said
Balîd, turning to the boy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I saw him
fondling Mweina’s breast, nâamass,” said the boy in fear and trembling.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “See? Is this
what you call nothing?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I swear by
God I didn’t do that!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar saw
stars when Balîd flew at him and dragged him out of the room and then flung him
to the ground and started kicking him with both feet. Without waiting for a
signal, the men and women who were then there in the courtyard joined in. Some
slapped poor Tahar on the back, others in the face or on the bottom. When Tahar
had got such a battering, Balîd glanced round and shouted, foaming with rage:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Leave him
here! Go back to your work and give him no water, no food. He doesn’t deserve
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right,
nâamass!” everybody replied in unison.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The workers
made a bow and returned to their work. Balîd gave Tahar one last kick and left.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
For two days Tahar did not get a thing
to eat or drink. He was not allowed to go near the well. And he started eating
tree leaves.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
He did not see the boy during those two
days. Nobody spoke to him and he could not bring himself to speak to anybody.
He felt such a shame that he could not even speak to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But Mweina came back and found him
eating tree leaves. The boy too was
with her, and he saw him eating tree leaves.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why did you
lay yourself open to ridicule?” said Mweina, holding back her tears.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar was too
moved to speak. He was out of breath. He looked at the basket which the boy was
still holding in his hand. Mweina turned to the boy, and said, “Give your
master his breakfast!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Both looked
unbelievingly at Tahar’s face, which had been slightly gnawed by hunger.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar then
took a gulp of milk, and said, “Tank you!” “Eat the bread!” said Mweina,
handing it to him. He took the bread from her and began eating it in silence.
Then, suddenly, he looked Mweina square in the face, and said rather wanly:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Can I marry
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Both Mweina
and the boy were astounded.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t you
want me?” said Tahar again, looking as if he had long pondered and resolved to
burn his boats.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am sorry I
can’t marry anybody now,” Mweina said uncomfortably.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well,
everybody knows that a relative of mine is in Haj right now, or maybe he’s on
his way back. I can’t marry in his absence. I must wait until he comes back. My
family are waiting, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> That answer
made Tahar shrivel up. He avoided Mweina’s eye. And then he mumbled in an awed
voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You’re
awfully nice, Tahar!” said Mweina soothingly. “God will certainly bless you
with the woman you dream of.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am
thirsty,” said Tahar, turning his gaze back to Mweina.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Get up! Be
quick!” said Mweina to the boy. “Bring your master some water!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The boy
flashed out of the room. Amazingly, Tahar made to embrace Mweina, but she
shrank back from him, and said, “No,
please! No more of this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar was
staggered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But you know
I love you?” he whispered breathlessly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Mweina gave no
reply. She looked away from him and gazed vacantly into space. When the boy
came in with the water, Mweina faced
Tahar, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Have you
finished any takchita yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No,” he said
laconically.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right,” she
said, rising to her feet. “We’ll give you some more time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
For a good hour, Tahar remained
stretched out on the bed while the boy lay sprawled on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
When Tahar resumed work on Mweina’s
takchita he felt like a free man again. A smile suddenly stole across his lips.
And he gave a gurgle of delight. The boy watched him apprehensively. “You think
I’ve gone mad?” said Tahar, sensing the boy’s bewilderment. “Don’t be afraid!
I’m alright.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Mweina too doubted her own eyes when
she came back three days later and found him singing religious songs, songs
that he had sung for Zahiya.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Have you
finished my takchita yet?” she said with a sultry smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “It’ll be
finished in three weeks’ time,” Tahar replied in a tentative voice, without
raising his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why don’t you
look at me?” Mweina said provocatively. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar was
seized with the desire to open his heart wide to her again, but he struggled
not to lead himself into temptation– now that the truth had burst in upon him.
So he said simply:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I said your
takchita will be ready in three weeks’ time, insha Allah.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright!” she
said with a note of frustration in her voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">She left. Tahar then flung up his head. His heart
pounded. The boy watched him curiously.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
That afternoon both Tahar and the boy
stared, their eyes wide with fear, as Balîd stood at the room door. But Balîd
was smiling. He looked like an unhappy lover feigning happiness. Tahar’s fear
suddenly turned to self-conceit. Balîd was looking at him with the eyes of a
vanquished warrior. “Good morning,” said Balîd at length, taking two steps towards
Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Good morning,
nâamass,” replied Tahar in a shaky voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Come along!”
said Balîd in a friendly tone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right,
nâamass!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar followed
Balîd out of the courtyard. They went towards the well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do you have
another jellaba?” said Balîd on the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes,
nâamass,” replied Tahar, trying to puzzle out what Balîd was about.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Good. I want
you to wash and wear that other jellaba of yours, right? This evening you’ll go
with me to a party. There will be men and women. Try to be respectful. If all
goes well, I’ll restore your horse to
you and I’ll pay you for the dresses you’ve made, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right,
nâamass!” said Tahar, stung by Balîd’s odd promise of restoring his horse to
him. “Now, go back to your work.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar’s desire for revenge revived, but
he fought that desire down. He was afraid. He had noticed that Balîd was not
quite himself any more, and that might lead him to commit the worst of crimes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
In the evening, Balîd was a buoyant
young man of twenty-seven. To look at his immaculate jellaba and selham and at
his golden horse you could say he was going to a King’s reception. And to Tahar
he only said honeyed words. He gave him a black donkey, and said jocularly,
“Let’s go!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><br /><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-seven.html" style="background-color: initial; color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-eight_19.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-20962648014104170022022-01-19T03:17:00.008-08:002022-01-22T01:11:49.332-08:00Chapter Six<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">T</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">he servants then took Tahar into a large room with a
bed and said they would come back at lunchtime. Tahar sat on the bed and looked
up at the chandelier that hung from the plastered ceiling. His thoughts soon
wandered back to the Koutoubia mosque. “I haven’t said a prayer for days,” he
thought with a sigh. He then looked at the blue tiles that made the walls look
like four beautiful tapestries and his mind flew to Mogador. “Would I get in a
few months what Smaïl got in more than ten years?” he thought. He looked at the
red carpet under his feet and at the vase at the side of the bed, and then his
mind flew to the wadi, and on to Zahiya. “What would Zahiya say if she knew I
am here?” he thought proudly. “Would Zina know? And Mweina? And Shama? I will
not forget Shama. I thought she had failed me, but no, she kept her word. But
you, did you keep your word? Didn’t Qadi Allal say that you had to remain true
to Zahiya? What would you call what you did with Mweina? Is that faithfulness?
How would you feel if any of those two men you saw with Zahiya laid his hand on
her thigh or on her lips? O God forgive me! O God help me turn from sin!...” Tahar’s
eyes fell on a rosary hung on a nail. He rushed forward and unhooked it. And he
kept saying his beads quietly until he heard a knock at the door. He then hid
the rosary under the pillow and jumped out of bed. He pushed the door open. Two
servants brought in a table stacked with dishes, and left.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar sat down cross-legged close to
the table, which the servants had placed right in the middle of the room.
Tahar, who had been used to one-course meals, was in a muddle now that he faced
a table with no less than seven different dishes on it, some steaming hot, some
cold. “What should I begin with?” he thought with a smile. But as he started
eating, noticing that all the plates and cutlery were made either of silver or
high-quality glass, he felt a searing pain in the heart. It was not poison, or
anything like that, but just a feeling. He felt he did not deserve all that.
“What did I do to deserve all this care and all these attentions?” he thought,
his eyes beginning to water. “Is this a good thing that would be followed by a
bad thing? O God forbid it might be true! I should resume my prayers today.
I’ll ask them to let me go and pray in the mosque. I should be good if I want
God to be good towards me. O God help me!...” Tahar wiped his eyes and his heart
calmed down. So he ate with relish. When he had eaten he sat on the bed and
burst into song. In a low voice he sang songs he had sung for Zahiya, there
under the palm-tree by the riverbank, while Zahiya would sit on the other side
and listen quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
An hour later, the servants returned to
clear the table. And as they stepped out of the room in came a man in his
forties holding a number of books under his arm, and said, “I am the Writer of
the Prince.” The Writer made Tahar sit opposite him and explained how they
would work together. “You’ll be like a teacher giving a lecture and I’ll ghost
everything you say,” said the Writer, “then I’ll rewrite your version and read
it out to you so that you can add in anything you might have forgotten to
mention in your first version, right? But now let me give you an example of the
kind of story the Prince wants. The Prince wants a story like one of these
stories in this book, which is called, “The Arabian Nights”. These are similar
books: this one is called “Al Hilaliya” and this one is “Al Ântariya”. Tahar
listened in wonder as the Writer started a tale from The Arabian Nights. At
that moment he felt something he had never felt before, not even when he had
first seen Zina or Zahiya or even Shama! He simply fell in love with the story,
but that was a different love––a love which made no tear in the heart, a love
which brought no cares to the mind. It was a beautiful love. It was a peaceful
love. As the Writer was reading out the story, Tahar’s mind wandered around Marrakesh,
Mogador and all the places in between.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “This is the
kind of story the Prince would be happy with,” said the Writer suddenly,
looking gently at Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “It’s a really
good story,” Tahar replied with an engaging smile. “I envy you! It’s a pity I
can hardly read and write. But I’ll
certainly do everything I possibly can to learn how to read a book like this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now that you
have met the Prince you’ll certainly have enough money to do whatever you
please. It’ll remain only a question of will.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I have the
will! I pledge myself to do everything I possibly can to learn all that a man
my age could learn.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Good! But now
let’s start! Tell me your story!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What if you
asked the people here to grant me a visit round the town this afternoon? Such a
visit would certainly help me relate the story in the best possible way!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I can’t
promise you that. But I’ll see what to do about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Writer
absented himself for a while, then came back to tell Tahar that they could go
out to see the town.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What do you
want to see?” asked the Writer, steering Tahar out of the Prince’s house.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well,” said
Tahar shyly, “I was born in a village by Oued Tensift. I had never been to a
town until months ago. I saw only Marrakesh and then Mogador.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, Safi
isn’t that different. It’s quite like Mogador. It’s a walled town, and it faces
the sea. Look, here we are in the main thoroughfare. It runs from here to Bab
Chaâba. We call it Zenkat Socco. Those are the main souks. Here’s the northern
wall of the town. That’s Bab Chaâba, it’s the main gate, as you see. And here’s
the Potters’ Quarter.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where’s the
mosque?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “It’s just
over yonder, just off the street.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I want to
pray in there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright.
We’ll go there when we hear the muezzin. Now let’s move on.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Writer showed Tahar round other parts of
the town. He showed him the ruins of the church, which, the Writer said, had
been built by the Portuguese, who, the Writer said, could not stay in town more
than thirty-three years. Tahar, who had never heard of any such thing as the
Portuguese, wondered what they were like and what they had been doing here. The
Writer also told him about the Kechla, which he said, had been built by the
Saâdians. “Who were these Saâdians?” Tahar asked shyly. “They were kings who
ruled Morocco in the past,” said the Writer, sensing Tahar’s embarrassment.
“Look at those towers and green-tiled roofs! There’s a riyad in there, it’s
called Riyad El Bahia. Now we’ll move out of town. I’ll show you another place,
just outside these ramparts.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
That other place was Qasr El Bahr,
which the Writer said, was built by the Moors, and not by the Portuguese. And
from there Tahar could have a wonderful view of the sea, which reminded him of
the Skala in Mogador, and then the funduq, and then the palm-tree by the
riverbank, where he used to sit and play on his utar and wait for Zahiya to
turn up. “I wish she were with me,” he thought with a sigh, while the Writer
went on drawing his attention to everything that could be seen from there. “Do
you know why these fortified walls were built?” asked the Writer suddenly.
“No,” said Tahar shamefacedly. “I’ll tell you why,” said the Writer kindly.
“These walls were built to keep the Christians out of the country.” “I see,”
said Tahar, feeling small. “I have seen enough. Let’s go back!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And they went back to town, whence came
the same noises of people and donkeys wandering around the Potters’ Quarter or
vanishing into the surrounding labyrinth of narrow alleyways. It was the same
smells again, the same colours. What was new this time was a piece of music the
kind of which Tahar had never heard before. The music was coming out of a white
house with blue windows.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s this?”
Tahar asked in the same timid voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Writer
laughed, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “This is our
music! We call it Al-Âyta. I tell you what– the Prince is fond of this kind of music!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Oh, I see! I
have heard tell of Al-Âyta, but this is the first time I hear the music. What
do they say in their songs?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, they
sing of love, that sort of thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Here’s the
muezzin, I think!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes. Let’s go
to mosque!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar
performed his ablutions and ran to take a Koran from a small shelf near the
minbar. But he had read only a little when the imam rose to lead the faithful
in prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Once out of the mosque, Tahar said to
his guide:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Can you lend
me a Koran while I am in the Prince’s house?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Of course!
But now forget all about that! Now is the time for you to tell me your story.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> On their
return to the Prince’s house, a woman-servant came up to Tahar, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Can you tell
me your woman’s age and size?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You mean the
woman in my village?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, she is
between eighteen and twenty. She’s neither short nor tall. She’s neither thin
nor fat. Is that enough?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, I can
now visualize her!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> At the same
moment the Writer waved to a manservant to bring him tea.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And so Tahar and the Writer sat
opposite one another in that luxurious room and talked over tea. Tahar related
his story while the Writer scribbled it down. But Tahar could not help
digressing every now and then. The Writer seemed to tolerate that. He even
responded affably to Tahar’s comments and questions, helping himself to tea
after each answer. Tahar commented on the tea itself, which, he said, was a bit
different from that he used to drink at home. He commented on the inkwell, on
the quill, on the yellow paper (which the Writer was writing on), on the
chandelier above his head, on the Potters’ Quarter… “I like curious people,”
said the Writer at one time, “but curiosity in not always good.” Only then did
Tahar stop commenting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The Writer and Tahar said their dusk-
and then evening-prayers together, they dined together, they read the Koran
together and resumed their story-telling by candlelight until Tahar said, “I’m
sorry I am tired now.” The Writer then picked up his writing materials and left
without raising an eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But even when Tahar put out the light
and fell into bed exhausted he just could not sleep. He thought for a while of
the world of books. He thought of how he could one day become as learned as the
Writer, as wise as Qadi Allal, as intelligent as Smaïl. His mind travelled
round Marrakesh, Mogador, Kremat, but then landed at Zahiya’s village. “Why
not?” he thought. “Why couldn’t I have a beautiful house like Smaïl’s? The
Prince could give me or at least lend me some money to open up a shop in
Mogador, and then I could make enough money to buy or build a beautiful house
or two and then maybe purchase twenty khaddams or so of fertile land, and then
many of the village youths could work on my lands and pasture my cattle and
sheep. I could even marry one or two women besides Zahiya. Why not Shama?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The Writer finished Tahar’s story and
read parts of it to the Prince in the presence of a select party of men, among
whom was Tahar himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Your story is
a great delight,” said the Prince, looking kindly at Tahar. “I hope my reward
will be as delightful.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “God Save the
Prince!” Tahar replied in a quavering voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The Prince’s reward was a small sum of
money and no less than seven dresses, two necklaces and a burnus. Tahar
returned to that sumptuous room and tears flowed down his cheeks as he saw the
dresses one by one. “Zahiya must be a blessed woman, really,” he thought
ruefully. “I should be equally blessed if I married her. Only Satan would make
me think of marrying another woman besides her. But does Zahiya think of me
still?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next morning Tahar was riding back
home under the wing of the Prince. On his arrival, he fell into his mother’s
arms and then the whole village came out to welcome him back. His father put up
two large tents for the guests. He slaughtered a large cow for them and served
them the best food he could afford.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Among those present were the village
youths. Tahar joined them and joked with them, then one of them said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Âouissa now
delights in Zina. It’s a pity, isn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Looks aren’t
everything,” Tahar replied with a gulp, looking away from that one. Then, Tahar
felt as if something was going to burst his bosom, he felt it pushing him out.
He held out for a moment against that overwhelming desire to just go out and
then see what to do, but then he did get up, and after looking right and left
like a villager lost in a strange town, he just got out of the tent. He went
into his father’s home and changed his clothes and fetched his utar and took it
stealthily into the backyard and put it on the back wall. Then he left the
house by the front door and worked his way round towards where he had placed
the utar. He then looked in every direction and picked up the utar and stole
away towards the riverbank. He sat down under the palm-tree by the riverbank
and tuned up his utar and then began playing on it. And while he played he
thought, “I love her, so I have every right to see her, do I not? I don’t care
if they leave the tents and come up to me.” But then Zahiya came out running.
She stood out there, watching in surprise. Tahar dropped the utar and shucked
his jellaba and tightened his belt, then tore down the slope, and plunged into
the water and swam across to the other side. Zahiya stayed still until Tahar
stood up in front of her. She looked
longingly at him as he dried his face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where have
you been all this time?” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I was far,
far away!” Tahar replied with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What were you
doing there?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I was
cleansing my heart and mind of Zina.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Zahiya blushed scarlet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Let’s sit
down!” she said, pointing at the trunk of a fallen tree.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> As they sat
down there, Tahar said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I tell you
what– I met a prince!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “A prince?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes! And this
prince has sent you a present!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ll give it
to you when the Qadi and I come to your home.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You still
haven’t told me where you were, have you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I was
in Âbda. I worked for the son of a qaïd there.
Then I met a prince!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And what are
you going to do now?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I think I’ll
go back to Mogador. I’ll try to set up shop as a tailor there. And when I marry
you, I’ll teach you embroidery so that you and I can work together and dream
together.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do you really
want to marry me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Of course!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Then give me
a pledge as I gave you a pledge!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I give you my
word for it. Don’t worry!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now,” said
Zahiya, rising to her feet, “I must leave. See you soon!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar did not
speak a word. He only looked on as Zahiya walked away. He then realized that
some people were watching him from afar. His heart pounded. “Why should I
care?” he thought with a shrug. “The Qadi and I will be in their home tomorrow
or the day after Insha Allah. The problem now is with those people I left at
home. What would they think if they saw me in such a state? Oh! What a mess
your clothes are in, Tahar! What do you care? Just get up and go straight home
and let them say what they will!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Some of those people were awaiting him
just on the other side of the river. “Where have you been?” they asked, raising
their eyebrows. “What were you doing out there?” but Tahar just gave smile
after smile as he moved on to pick up his jellaba, which he slung across his
shoulder. Then he took up his utar and pressed it to him and began to play on
it. He played a tune that some of those round him knew by heart. They all burst
out singing; they sang a song Tahar used to sing for Zina. And they went on
singing and clapping their hands as they walked on towards the tents. All the
people who had been sitting inside the tents rushed out and gathered round Tahar as he went on playing on his utar while
his fellow village youths sang and clapped their hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next evening Tahar was in Kremat,
the Qadi’s village.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m glad you
came back safe and sound,” said the Qadi with a broad smile. “But come in and
tell me what happened!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> It gave Tahar
a big thrill to enter the Qadi’s home; it was a thrill he had not felt even on
entering the Prince’s house in Safi. He also felt a peace he had only felt at
mosque.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And there Tahar told the Qadi what had
happened to him. When he had finished speaking, the Qadi said in his usual
kindly voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Didn’t I say
that Zahiya would be a good deal better for you? Now you have got a new
profession. You know a prince who might help you make good use of your skills
and thus improve your situation. And on top of that you have got a girl who
thinks of you only. But still I fear for you. I fear you may become full of
yourself. I fear you may forget all about God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why do you
say that, Qadi?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Listen, my
son. I’ll tell you something. I have always been uneasy about what the youths
of your two villages have been doing. I know you do that under the watchful
eyes of your mothers. I know you just talk. I know you meet up there because
you love each other. I’m not against love. Far from it! And Islam is not
against love. But I fear that what you do might anger God, though. You know
what? God would very likely punish you each time you do something wrong. The
punishment might not be immediate. But that doesn’t mean it won’t come. And
what’s good about this, is that punishment can be a good sign sometimes. And a
good Muslim is often punished soon after the sin so that he’d be absolved from
that sin on Judgement Day and then go straight to Heaven. So when you got
shocked because of my ruling the other day, I got the right feeling that you
had a faithful’s heart in your chest. To tell you the truth, I saw in your
shock sort of God’s immediate retribution for any wrongdoing you might have
committed by then, knowing that, as I said, God could give you something good
afterwards. But then you had to fear God and be patient and never despair of
God’s mercy. You know, the fear of God is the surest way to success in both
lives, if you do want to be happy in both lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Qadi
seemed to have much more to say although Tahar was anything but ready for
preaching, but the Qadi’s son came in holding a tajeen in both hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You’re
welcome, Tahar!” said the Qadi’s son, sitting down to table.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you!”
replied Tahar shyly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You look
distinctly better than when I last saw you,” said the Qadi’s son, dipping a
crumb of bread into the tajeen sauce.
“What’s the secret?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar gave no
more than a timid smile in response, but the Qadi said in a rather sarcastic
tone:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “The secret is
that he nearly fell in love with a woman whose beauty has not yet been known to
poets!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar’s mind
immediately went to Shama, but he could not see the link. He looked up at the
Qadi’s son, who was looking at him incredulously.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Speak!” said the
Qadi suddenly, nudging Tahar. “Tell him where you were and what you saw and
whom you saw!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar was at a
loss. The Qadi’s son looked at him expectantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where?” said
the Qadi’s son impatiently.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “In Âbda,”
replied Tahar in a mumble, wondering why the Qadi’s son looked so eager to hear
from him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Let the man
eat in peace!” said the Qadi, scowling at his son. “He’ll tell you more when
you meet up outside. You’ll never change! You’ll always remain obsessed by
beauty– as if looks are everything in this world! What a pity!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Embarrassed,
Tahar tried to change the topic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Qadi,” he
said hesitantly, “I would like to visit Zahiya in her home to give her the
dresses.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right,” said
the Qadi laconically.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You know,
Qadi,” said Tahar cautiously, “we’ll have to go over the bridge, so I think
I’ll have to come here first.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes,” said
the Qadi listlessly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next afternoon the Qadi was another
man. His face was bright. Tahar too was all smiles. He could hardly believe his
eyes as Zahiya sat opposite him. Beside her was her father, wearing a brown
jellaba. The Qadi, who was sitting on Tahar’s right, spared no good words to
sell him as the best groom in the world. Then came Tahar’s turn to speak. He
spoke to Zahiya direct. He showed her the things he had brought her from the
land where he had met the Prince.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “These are
seven fine lebsat,” he said. “This is a silk mansouria to be worn over a beige
muslin kmiss. This is a taffeta mansouria to be worn over a white muslin kmiss.
This is a golden satin kmiss to be worn beneath a gold lace tahtiya embroidered
with flowers. And here’s another kmiss. It’s a blue muslin kmiss to be worn
beneath a taffeta dfina. And this is a purple velvet gandoura wholly
embroidered with gold thread. This is a mlifa selham sfifa and berchmane style.
And this one is for townswomen. It’s a silk jabador and seroual with belt to be
worn beneath a muslin dfina. And these are three m’demmat. And this thing you
see here is a burnous. I saw the Prince’s wife wearing one like it. She wore it
on her head like this. And these are two necklaces. I hope you’ll like them!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar wished
he could remain in that position speaking dreamily and looking at Zahiya’s blue
eyes and glowing face, but he had nothing left to say. He had described all the
things he had brought with him. And Zahiya’s father seemed to have been waiting
for him to finish speaking. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Is that my
daughter’s dowry?” he said, looking once at
Tahar then at the Qadi. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “This is the
Prince’s gift, isn’t it?” said the Qadi, glancing at Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, it is,”
said Tahar, wondering what else he could add.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “We came
today,” said the Qadi, “to show you our interest in your daughter.” Zahiya
looked down as the Qadi went on, “Tahar
wishes to marry Zahiya. I know it’s his parents who should be here today to say
this to you. But I’m sure his parents will do so one day. I am not speaking for
them. I am speaking for Tahar only. And as I said before today and repeat now,
Tahar really wishes to marry your daughter. So will you give him your daughter
in marriage?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar’s heart
throbbed as he heard those words.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I shall marry
my daughter off to a man who I think will make her happy,” said Zahiya’s
father. “I have turned away many a man who have proposed to her. But I do trust
you, Qadi. And I know that you are a very special person to my daughter. So
I’ll take that into account.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar wished
he could speak. He wished he could say to Zahiya’s father, “Say yes or no,
don’t hedge!” But strangely enough, that elusive answer suddenly turned Zahiya
into something much more precious, something priceless, something to give one’s
life for. Her blue eyes became larger than the sea, her fair face brighter than
sunshine, her smile more glittering than gold. In the twinkle of an eye she had
turned into a princess.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And it was a
wrench when he saw her suddenly rise and get out of the room. The room then
became an oven. Tahar could no more stay in there. “I think we have stayed
enough,” he mumbled, looking at the Qadi.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><br /><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-seven.html" style="background-color: initial; color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-eight_19.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-2940514284337964122022-01-19T03:17:00.007-08:002022-01-22T01:11:27.893-08:00Chapter Five<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">T</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">ahar arrived at the place. The horses were already there.
Every now and then rifles fired into the air. Tahar looked for Shama, but you
could hardly see her with so many people crowding around the field. People cast
inquisitive looks at Tahar, who went on shuffling around the field. He came
across Balîd but made as if he did not recognize him. And then suddenly a
woman’s voice cried, “The Tailor! It’s the Tailor!” Strangely enough, a host of
women broke away from the crowd just where Balîd, the Old Man, was standing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Shama was soon standing in front of Tahar,
smiling bewitchingly. “What are you doing here?” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where’s your
master?” said another.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I have no
master,” said Tahar with a smile. “I am the master of myself. I am not a
slave.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But still you
work for him!” said Shama, screwing up her face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s
right,” said Tahar, feeling something strange about Shama’s breath. He could smell wine on her
breath, but nothing on her face suggested that she was drunk. At that moment
the Old Man edged up to Shama, who glanced round at him. Tahar turned his eyes
away from them and took steps towards the crowd. The women pressed round him as
he walked on.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Have you
finished my dress?” one of the women said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, I’m
sorry. In fact, I have only started on it. I had been working on takchitas for
Sy Balîd’s wife and mother. So your dress had to suffer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now that you
have started on my dress when could I have it?” said the woman, raising her
voice above the crowd’s noise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s the
matter, Shama?” said another woman before
Tahar could speak.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I don’t know!” said Shama angrily. “That old
man over yonder dogs my steps. I don’t know what he wants with me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Maybe he’s
fallen in love with you!” grinned a woman. “Go back and speak to him! Or I tell
you what– let’s go all of us and pull his leg!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar had hard
work to hold his tongue.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Leave the old
man alone!” he said in one breath.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do you know
him?” said Shama suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, I don’t!”
said Tahar with a blush, trudging away from her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where are you
going?” said the other women.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m going to
move to the front of the crowd so I can see well,” he said in a wavering voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why don’t you
just stay with us? You can see very well from here as well!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar gave
them no answer but an uncertain smile. He walked slowly to where the Old Man
was standing. “Stay there!” the Old Man whispered to him unobtrusively. And
Tahar stayed there at the rear of the crowd and made as if watching the parade.
He waited and waited for new orders from the Old Man, who was standing just a
yard behind him. And then came a new order. “Now move off! Keep going round the
field,” the Old Man whispered in a muffled voice. And so Tahar went on
shuffling around the field until he saw a band of women in full cry after the
Old Man, who just ran off across the adjoining field. So Tahar felt he had
nothing more to do there. He simply stole out of the place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
On his way back to the douar, Tahar
bumped into Sêed, the man who had brought him from Shiadma.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where have
you been?” said Sêed, feigning surprise. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I went to see
the fantasia parade.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You went
alone? Where’s Sy Balîd?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I don’t
know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s a lie!
You know where he is!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar refused
to be drawn in. He remained silent while Sêed began a story. “I’ll tell you
where you were and why you were out there!” Sêed said. “You were there because
Balîd was there and Shama was there. Balîd is using you as a pimp and Shama is
using you as a means to quench her thirst for revenge. You know why? Well, it
started long ago. Balîd and Shama met at a party. They spoke about marriage the
same day they met. Balîd could not believe his ears when she said yes. She
asked him for a good dowry and he promised her all the best. But she refused to
go out with him. Balîd did everything he possibly could to make her sleep with
him even before marriage, because he simply did not believe he could marry her,
given the sort of dowry he had promised her. Shama waited and waited, but Balîd
could not deliver. He did not keep his promise; he could not, anyway. So poor
Shama married a cousin of hers on the rebound. But that marriage soon ended in
divorce. Her former husband remarried on the rebound too. But Shama remained
single. That’s what set Balîd after her again. His wife knows the story, but
cannot or does not want to stop him. She knows that he can never get Shama to
marry him. And his wife too is somewhat happy seeing Shama treat him so
harshly. Because she too was a victim. Balîd married her only after his family
found out that he had knocked her up. She had been his girl-friend for years
and she never denied him anything. But he has always looked on her as a moll.
No female has ever been safe with that monster. People call him the Rooster.
You know why? Because he’s like a coq in a henhouse. He even dared to chat up
my own sister! I shall never forgive him for that. I see you aren’t speaking. I
see you aren’t asking me questions. But I’ll tell you why I went in search for
you the other day. I knew that Balîd had some scheme or other in mind, and I
knew he would pay me for anything I did for him, but he would never get his own
way. Shama, who has got such a shock that she’s turned to drink, will not let go
of him until he is done for. I am saying this to you because I don’t want you
to blame me. I know he’s not treating you will. But be patient. God will
deliver you from this. Now you can go. And don’t lie to your master! Say you
met me on the way. Don’t worry about that! Goodbye!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar got into
a muddle. “Run!” he thought. “Go back to the douar and then think about this!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> So Tahar ran
back to the douar. Balîd was waiting for him in the courtyard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where have
you been you perfidious slave?” Balîd barked.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am
dreadfully sorry, nâamass! I was coming back to the douar but I met Sêed on the
way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And so you
stayed out there chatting with Sêed? What the hell were you saying to each
other?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Nothing
special, nâamass!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And on top of
that you lie to me, you donkey?” Balîd rumbled, thwacking Tahar in the face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar ran his
hand over his burning cheek. Balîd spat at him and turned to go away. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You spit at
me, you nasty beetle?” Tahar whimpered once
Balîd had moved out of the courtyard. “Is this my requital?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
An hour later, Tahar was stretched out
on his bed, thinking. “I helped him twice,” he thought sadly, “first with the
dress, then with the disguise. And yet there’s nothing to show for it but a
spit in my face! That’s how he repaid my kindness. He called me perfidious. So
perfidious I shall be! I can’t restrain myself this time again. I could have
hit back at him under provocation. Thank God I didn’t do it! But he can’t
provoke me anymore. Since he wants war, then he’ll get war. But in fighting him
I shan’t resort to the power of gun. I shall use the power of love and the
power of thought!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next morning Tahar was working
again on the dress of one of Shama’s mates. He was all smiles. The boy just
looked on, uncomprehending.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But each night thereafter Tahar thought
again and again of how he should best avenge himself. “I shall soon be there,
Zahiya!” he muttered to himself one night. “I only want to come back safe and
sound. I don’t want to kill anybody, and I don’t want to be killed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
One morning a few days later, Tahar was
going out to relieve himself when Sêed hailed him from the other side of the
courtyard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Hey you
there! Where are you for?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m going to
the dung hill. Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright! Go
ahead!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> But Tahar had
barely got to the dunghill when Sêed joined him. Tahar stared in astonishment
as Sêed said in a low voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Tahar, this
is your day! It’s now or never! A prince and his wife are spending the night in
this land. Shama will take you to the Prince’s wife.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But where
shall I find Shama?” Tahar puffed out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t be
disputacious with me! Do as I say! At noon you’ll find Âmmy Saleh’s donkey
shuffling around here. You’ll find it fettered and muzzled. Unfetter it without
glancing back and ride to the place where you and I met the other day, between
the vineyard and the fig grove. Shama will be waiting for you there. And she’ll
take you to the Prince’s wife, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What about
Balîd?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I said don’t
be disputacious! Don’t bother about Balîd. I’ll tackle him! Bye!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar relieved
himself and had a wash. Then he went back to his work. At noon the boy made for
the Qaïd’s home to eat and bring Tahar his lunch, as usual. Nor did the usual
courtyard workers get out of their habit of gathering in a shady corner of the
courtyard to chat over lunch. “It’s now or never!” Tahar thought with beating
heart. “Âmmy Saleh is in the courtyard. I can hear him laugh. Get out now! What
are you waiting for? They’ll think you’re only going out to the dunghill.” And
so Tahar took his life in both hands and walked out of the room, out of the
courtyard, on to the dunghill. He unfettered Âmmy Saleh’s donkey, got on it and
rode away, without glancing back. He urged the donkey on and on, and prayed to
God on and on, till he got to the place where Shama, clad in a white heïk, was
waiting for him patiently. “Now be quick!” she said. “There’s not a moment to
lose. Leave that donkey alone: it’ll return home unaided. Now mount this mule!
I’ll sit behind you. Hold this bundle! Great! Wait a moment!” Shama too leapt
into the saddle and leaned against Tahar’s back and threw her arms round his
belly, and said, “Now lower your hood and urge the mule on! Don’t be afraid!
Everything’s going to be alright, Insha Allah!” Tahar was as in a dream with
Shama (!) sitting just behind him, wrapping her arms round him, and whispering
in his ear, “Only a little way! Take
heart! We’re almost there!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
They stopped at a well a little way
from a graveyard. “Let’s alight, Tahar!” said Shama sedately. “Nobody’s going
to come our way.” And so they alighted. “Draw some water for me,” said Shama.
And as Tahar dropped the pail into the well, Shama said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I betted
you’d come because I knew you’d made sure you’d gain nothing by working for
that ungracious lunatic. I know he wasn’t nice to you, so this is your chance
to avenge yourself. I know you came with that aim in mind, but let me say that
if you don’t leap at the chance you’ll live to rue it. This is your chance to
prove your manhood. Don’t be a man with an unsound heart! Don’t be afraid of
Balîd! Sêed will deal with him. When you meet with the Princess today show her
that you are a gallant man. Just speak softly and you’ll worm your way into the
Prince’s heart, I can assure you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Here’s the water!”
said Tahar, listening attentively.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you!”
Shama laid the bundle on the wall of the well and took a mouthful of water,
then said, “Were you listening to me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Of course!”
Tahar said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, it cut
me to the heart to see you a bondsman –let me say a slave! – in that man’s
douar. I was enraged. A man like you should be in a palace, not in a douar. Now
is your chance! If the Princess says she
wants you to go with her, then say yes. Don’t hedge!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But who told
you she would ask me to go with her or work for her? Where would I go then?
Balîd would certainly kill me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Leave that to
us! We women know how to deal with each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright! I’ll
have a whack at it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I wish you
all the best, Tahar. But now take this bundle and go and change your clothes
behind that wall. I’ve brought you a tchamir, a jellaba and slippers. Take your
time! You’ve got nothing to fear here!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How do I look
now, Shama?” said Tahar on his return.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You look
great, Tahar! But now mount!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And so both
got on the mule again and rode on to a wooded rise overlooking a large house
with a walled garden at the front door of which stood guards in uniform.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I have to
leave you here,” said Shama, alighting first. “Get down!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And when Tahar
had got down, Shama said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Stay here!
Don’t move from here until you see a woman waving to you from the front door of
that house. Good luck to you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Those words
now sounded like soothing words said to a man in the throes of death. “But this
is my day, as they said,” Tahar hastened to remind himself. “I have nowhere to
go if I don’t go with the Princess.” Tahar went on bracing himself up while his
heart sank at every bray or neigh that fell on his ears, or every further step
one of the guards took away from the house, and then suddenly a woman clad in a
white heïk waved to him from where the guards were standing. Tahar then stalked
down the rise and walked on towards the house like an intrepid soldier. And as
he walked on he could see the woman in white speaking to one of the guards.
Tahar wondered what he should say to them if they stopped him. But the guards
said nothing. They just made way for him as he walked on with no sign of fear
on his face. The woman in white received him at the doorstep and ushered him
into the house. “Wait a moment!” she said as they reached a big blue door. Then
she pushed the door open. Another woman rushed to her. The two spoke in a
whisper. Then both vanished behind the door. After a bit, the woman in white
reappeared and beckoned Tahar in. She led him into a large room upstairs, where
the Princess was seated on a handsome green divan, surrounded by a dozen women.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Who let this
ladykiller in?” said the Princess, running her eye over Tahar’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “He is no
ladykiller, Lalla,” said Shama, who looked a marvel in the dress Tahar had made
her. “It’s the Tailor!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, Lalla!”
said another woman with a smile. “This is the
Tailor who made Shama’s dress!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">“What’s your name?” the Princess asked, peering into
Tahar’s face. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am your
servant Tahar ben Ahmed Erregragi, Lalla.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Are you a
regragi yourself?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, Lalla.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where are you
from?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am from
Shiadma, Lalla. From a village by Oued Tensift.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What are you
doing here, then?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ve been
hired by the son of the Qaïd of a Âbdi tribe, Lalla.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What do you
do for him?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I make
women’s dresses for his family, Lalla.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But Shama
isn’t a relative of his, is she? So why did you make this dress for her?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I had no idea
whom the dress was meant for, Lalla. I just made it when the Qaïd’s son asked
me to do so, Lalla.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How much does
he pay you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Honestly,
Lalla, I am not satisfied with my pay. I cannot tell you, Lalla. It’s
laughable!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “So why didn’t
you go to work elsewhere?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I wish I
could, Lalla. But, for reasons I do not know, the Qaïd’s son has prevented me from leaving
these lands.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Would you go
with me then?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Gladly,
Lalla!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But I have
tailors of my own! Do you know that? Besides, you’re a dangerously handsome
man. You could easily sow trouble in my palace!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am at your
service, anyway, Lalla!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s nice
of you! Now you can leave. Thank you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar bowed
himself out and trudged out of the house. Nobody ran to show him out. The
guards saw him come out with a different face, but none of them uttered a word.
Tahar cast his eyes up and shuffled off towards the nearest olive grove. “It’s
still day,” he thought gloomily, sitting under an olive tree. “What shall I do
now? Where should I go? Could I? Shama has let me down. She and Sêed have laid
a trap for me. But it’s my fault. It’s I who listened to them. No! This is just
what I ought to have done. Was I happy there? Of course not. This is the first
time I can run away. But you could have run away the other day when you were in
the valley, couldn’t you? It’s all the same to me! I should now look for a
place to hide till nightfall, then I’ll run away under the cloack of darkness…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And so he hid
in a deserted well until no bray or crow could be heard around, then he got up
and wended his way back home, guided by the moon. Day found him still plodding
on his way back to Shiadma. But Shiadma was still too far away when a band of
five men on horseback barred his way. Tahar was flabbergasted to see among them
Sêed and Âmmy Saleh in the flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where were
you going, you dandy?” said one of the men, slapping Tahar in the face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar had no
power left to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Even when he
was brought back to the douar at nightfall, he just could not open his mouth to
speak. Balîd looked at him with the eyes of a cold-blooded murderer. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You don’t
want to speak?” he said calmly. “Alright!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Shall we
thrash life out of him?” asked one of Balîd’s men, brandishing his whip.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No,” said
Balîd in the same calm voice. “That would be too merciful to him! He doesn’t
even deserve to be buried alive. I’ll
give him the right punishment, and I’ll make him speak! Take him to the cowshed! And leave him
there!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar was on
the verge of tears. But he just let himself be carried to the cowshed. Balîd’s
men flung him inside and locked the door behind him. The cattle mooed and moved
around. Tahar, who could hardly breathe with the stinking smell of dung,
quickly got up and worked his way towards the wall before he could be trampled
or butted by the uncomprehending cattle. Tahar had no doubt that Balîd had put
him in there because he wanted him to starve to death. “I know that!” Tahar
cried out suddenly, but he could say no more. He was out of breath.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Early in the morning the shepherds came
and herded the cattle out and locked the door from the outside. Tahar then
shambled up to the tiny window at the back of the shed. He remained standing up
there for a few moments, fighting the flies which refused to be whisked away,
then he swung round and thrusted himself forward in the midst of the haze
caused by the throat-burning dust. He banged at the door, then yelled out:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You want to
starve me to death? I don’t wonder at it! That’s what you rulers do. You
selfish rulers are callous people! You only care of yourselves! Curse on you!
Cursed be the Qaïds! Cursed be the Princes! Cursed be the Sultans! A curse on
Shama! A curse on Sêed! A curse on Saleh!” But Tahar soon went hoarse from
shouting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
He had yet to spend another night with
the cattle before two black men came to his rescue. They found him lying
downstairs, at the back of the cowshed. They gave him water and said soft words
to him, and helped him out of the shed. He then blinked in the sun and glanced
at his jellaba: it was green with the dung. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Don’t
worry!” replied the black men cheerfully. “All this will soon become distant
memories. Now come along!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
An hour later, Tahar was incomparably
cleaner and smarter than when he had been taken to the Princess. “The Prince
wants to see you,” the black men explained. “It’s him who sent us for you.” But
Tahar’s only response was a little smile. He showed no sign of merriment even
when the black men made him mount a golden horse and led him across the country
to a large sumptuous house in the heart of the town. They took him into a room
there and gave him some scent to wear, and left. Tahar wondered what to say to
the Prince if he mentioned the curses that had come tripping off to his tongue
while in jail. He thought and thought but found no way he could talk himself
out of such a predicament if the Prince ever hinted at that matter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
It was with great awe that Tahar stood
in front of the Prince, who said straight away:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Tell me your
story. But if you tell me anything untruthful
I’ll return you the the Qaïd’s son!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The threat
sent shivers down Tahar’s spine, so he stood up straight, and said in an
unsteady voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well,
nâamass, I was one of five young men who happened to love a young woman living
in the village opposite us. We used to meet up with that young woman every
Wednesday when the wadi separating our two villages was passable. But as the
wedding season approached the woman’s father threatened to marry her off to a
man of his own choice if we five did not settle our problem amongst ourselves.
So to avoid fighting, all five of us agreed on leaving it to the Qadi of our
neighbourhood to decide. The Qadi ruled that he should give the woman to the
one amongst us who resembled her most in her goodness or wickedness. Sadly, I
turned out to be “a good man”, which made the Qadi weed me out in the first
round of his testing us. In consolation, the Qadi offered to introduce me to a
young woman from the same village who, he said, deserved to be my wife. But the
Qadi declined to tell me anything about the woman, not even her name. He said
to me, ‘Come to this palm-tree and sing religious songs and your beloved will
spring into view.’ I was good at singing then; I was a good utar-player, but I
had no religious song in my head. So the Qadi sent me off to a man who kept a
bookstore at Djemâa-el-Fna in Marrakesh. That man taught me a pocketful of
ditties, so I went back home and sang religious songs and the young woman did
spring into view, but I could only see her from afar. I then went to the Qadi
and asked him to tell me more about the woman. The Qadi said, ‘I can’t tell you
anything now, but I’ll meet you soon to tell you more.’ And the next time I met the Qadi he said to me,
‘Well, your beloved says to you, ‘Make me seven dresses so that I can wear a
dress everyday of the week; if you do that, then that is my dowry. But don’t
try to see me before then, because if you do, you will never see me again!’ And
that’s how I went to Mogador with intent to learn dress-making. On my first day
there I went to a mosque near the Skala. And as I was leaving the mosque a
young man came up to me saying I had mistaken his shoes for mine. Luckily, I
quickly made friends with that young man, who took me to one of Mogador
tailors. The tailor showed me so many dresses and gave me so much detail on how
those dresses were made that I got the feeling I would never make a good
tailor. But on leaving that tailor’s shop, my Mogador friend said to me, ‘Don’t
worry, brother!’ And so he took me to an old man who prayed for me. And as soon
as the next day I found myself working on my first dress. My master tailor was
amazed. But when I returned to my village six weeks later, and showed my
beloved the dresses I had made for her, she said, ‘I was not interested in the
dresses. I only wanted you to go and stay away from these lands for some time.
I wanted you to cleanse your heart and mind of Zina.’ So I was soon back to the
master tailor’s shop in Mogador. But the master tailor humiliated me, and I
could not stand that. So I left Mogador and went back home. A Jewish hawker and
I decided to work together. The Jew agreed to buy dresses of my own making and
sell them to his clients. And so I put up a shed near our home and made it my
shop. I found an apprentice and set to work. But then came a strange man who
told me that I would be far better off working for the son of a qaïd in Âbda.
Given my frustrations at that time, I did not hesitate to come along with the stranger.
But had I known what I know now I would not have agreed to leave the village
even if it meant living in poverty for all my life. Such is my story, nâamass!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Great! Yours
is a fairy-tale, really!” said the Prince, glancing at men sitting on chairs on
his right and left. “I’ll get it written down and I’ll send it to the Sultan.
He’ll certainly enjoy it! You will stay here in Safi until you have dictated
your story to my writer. Then I’ll let you go back home. Now you can leave!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar kissed the Prince’s hand and
bowed himself out, leaving the Prince commenting on the story to the men with
him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><br /><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-seven.html" style="background-color: initial; color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-eight_19.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-48591574508958036292022-01-19T03:14:00.003-08:002022-01-22T01:12:16.065-08:00 Chapter Seven<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">S</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">o they left Zahiya’s home and rode towards the bridge,
where the Qadi took his leave. But Tahar had hardly begun to relish being alone
again to dream of Zahiya when a voice hailed him. It was the Qadi’s son.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Tahar,” he
said eagerly, “please tell me everything about that woman my father alluded
to!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “The more the
merrier!” Tahar thought, bursting into laughter. But he sat down under a tree
by the riverbank and told the Qadi’s son about Shama.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I want to
marry that woman!” the Qadi’s son said suddenly. “Tell me, how do you get there?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “She’s so far
away!” said Tahar amidst laughter. “But let me tell you something. Why don’t
you go along with me to Mogador? I’ll show you an old man there. He’s a regragi
like us. You know we regraga are blessed with answerable prayers.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s true
indeed!” said the Qadi’s son. “But where do I come in?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I said I’d
take you to an old man in Mogador. Well, that man prayed for me and the prayer
seems to have been answered. Why don’t you go and ask him to pray for you too?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I shall go!
But please don’t tell my father!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar laughed
again and again as he spoke. At one point he even split his sides with
laughter. But behind his seeming joviality hid a feeling of envy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
That feeling stayed with him even when
he got back home. “There’s nothing special about him that would make me see him
as Shama’s husband,” he thought, feeling envy pricking his heart again. “Then
why don’t you marry her yourself if he doesn’t deserve her?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Three days later Tahar and the Qadi’s
son were in Mogador. Each booked a separate room at the same funduq. Then Tahar
took the Qadi’s son to the place where he had last seen Âmmy Abderrahman. But
they did not find him there. So they roamed the labyrinth alleys till they got
to the alley where lived the old man. “This is his home,” Tahar whispered to
the Qadi’s son as they went past a wooden door, blue as all other doors. “I am
sorry,” Tahar went on, “but I should not appear with you until you have met
with him. I think it’s much more difficult to get a meeting with this man than
gain an audience with a prince!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But I’ll go
only if you come with me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m sorry I
can’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “So I’ll leave
you now. See you later!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar then
left the Qadi’s son and went to mosque. He performed his ablutions and took a
Koran from a shelf and began to read in a low voice. “Here I am out of work,”
he thought as he read. “I can’t go back to H’sein’s shop. H’sein must have told
Smaïl. Where should I go then? Should I go to the Tailors of the Mellah? No, I
should wait. I should meet Smaïl first. Smaïl used to be here on Thursdays, and
tomorrow will be Thursday.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> But Smaïl
turned away from him when their eyes met for a moment in that same mosque.
Tahar had been sitting at the back of the mosque when Smaïl entered. But
instead of going to Smaïl, Tahar picked up his shoes and slunk out of the
mosque and ran to the funduq, where he thought he could find the Qadi’s son.
And he did find him there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Please, Ali!”
Tahar panted out. “Come along quick!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s the
matter?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, the
young chap who introduced me to the old man and the master tailor is at mosque
right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Really?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Ali leapt to
his feet, his face aglow with happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But wait a
moment! Ali! Listen to me! You can speak to him about the old man later on. But
now my problem is pressing. You know, I’m at fault with this man because I was
unkind to the master tailor. Please come along and speak to him about this
first. Tell him that I am sorry. Please speak to him on my behalf. Tell him
anything! I just want to be on speaking terms with him again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What about
me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Ali! Make
haste! Let’s go before he leaves the mosque!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar stayed
aloof while Ali put out his powers of persuasion to placate Smaïl, but even
after reconciliation Smaïl seemed to have much more left to say. They were
gazing out to sea from the top walkway of the Skala when Smaïl said, without
glancing at Tahar:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Ingratitude
is a crime against the whole society, because if you aren’t grateful you’ll
neither pay the favour back nor forward, and so you may petrify some good
people’s hearts and then other people –who could otherwise be thankful– might
suffer from that change.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m sorry,”
said Tahar, thinking of Shama. “You know what, I nearly lost my life hadn’t a
woman saved me. She spoke to a prince’s wife about me.” Smaïl pricked up his
ears as Tahar went on, “I just don’t know how I could pay that woman back. I
wish I could find her a suitable husband that would make her happy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I for one am
ready to marry her and make her happy!” said Ali.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I think she
would refuse you,” said Tahar distantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Because she’s
a woman of great beauty.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Where did you
see her?” said Smaïl.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I have
to tell you a story, then!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right! Tell
me your story! I am all ears!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar began
his story, sitting on one of the cannons pointed towards the sea, but then
Smaïl asked him and Ali to tea in his home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar finished
his story on the way to Smaïl’s home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Believe it or
not, I know that prince!” said Smaïl suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How so?” said
Tahar in surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, last
time I told you –didn’t I? – that I worked as a teacher for a family outside
the town. The head of that family is the brother of the Princess you met in
Âbda, see? I know her personally!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I just can’t
believe that!” said Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What is unbelievable
to me,” said Smaïl, “is that the Prince did not employ you as a tailor in his
palace.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “To tell you
the truth, Smaïl, I wish you could do me a favour even now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Please see if
the Prince can lend me some money to open up a tailor’s shop in Mogador.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I can’t
speak to the Prince in person about something like this. But I’ll try with the
Princess, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thanks
awfully!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What about
me?” said Ali.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You?” said
Smaïl, raising his eyebrows. “What do you want?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I want somebody
to pray for me. Could you find me one?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “He means
someone like Âmmy Abderrahman,” said Tahar with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Âmmy
Abderrahman is ill,” said Smaïl with a sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “He is ill?”
said Tahar, showing sympathy. “Can we see him?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “We’ll go and
see him when we’ve had tea.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Âmmy
Abderrahman was not that ill when they saw him. He was surprisingly fit. But he
just refused to pray for anybody. To
Tahar he said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Knowledge is
not like a job. You see, you’ve been able to work as a tailor in a matter of months.
You can’t acquire knowledge in a matter of months. Ask Smaïl, who has now
become a writer. It took him years and years before he became a teacher. And
you are still young. You have plenty of time. You have enough money. So all you
need is go to a school or hire a teacher or read books at home. You’ve got to
rely on yourself, then you can pray to God yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And to Ali he
said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Your father
is a qadi, isn’t he? He knows you better than I. If your father cannot pray for
you, how could I?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Having heard that, Ali made no bones about it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “It seems that
Âmmy Aberrahmane is tired,” he said, winking at Tahar. “We must leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You’re
right,” said Tahar and Smaïl in unison, feeling Ali’s sudden anguish.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What are you
so upset about?” said Tahar once they got out of the old man’s home. “If this
man refused to pray for you, then we can go straight away to the Zaouia
Regraga, where you could probably find a good man willing to pray for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ll go back
home,” said Ali. “I’ll pray for myself!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright!”
said Tahar. “Tomorrow morning I’ll go back with you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t leave
Mogador before you apologize to H’sein!” said
Smaïl, resting his hand on Tahar’s shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Of course!”
said Tahar. “Let’s go to him now!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m sorry I
can’t go with you,” said Ali.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar
apologized to H’sein that night and dined in Smaïl’s, and in the morning he was
riding back home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
As soon as he arrived he went to the
mosque. He asked the Imam whether he could teach him. “I can teach you whatever
you please wherever you like whenever you wish,” said the Imam, peeping at
Tahar’s pocket. “Great! I want you to teach me here and now how to write a
letter,” replied Tahar, dipping his hand into his pocket. “Gladly!” said the
Imam, his face beaming with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next afternoon Tahar and the Imam
were together again, sitting in the shade of a tree by the mosque, when Tahar
heard the lovely voice of Âmmy Dawud. “Wait a moment!” said Tahar, rising to his feet. “Where are you
going?” said the Imam.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m just
going to have a few words with Âmmy Dawud and
I’ll be back to finish the lesson.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Let Âmmy
Dawud come to you! Why are you running to him?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> But Tahar ran
to Âmmy Dawud, who took him in his arms and spoke to him like an affectionate
father.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I was so sad
to learn that you had fallen into the grip of that qaïd’s son,” he said. “When
your father asked me about you I didn’t hesitate to tell him the truth. I was
convinced you would be somewhere around Safi. And I always inquired after you. How are you now? What do you do?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I am fine.
Thanks, Âmmy Dawud. You know what– I was longing to see you again!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You too!
Look, when you start working again, I’ll buy items from you. To tell you the
truth, I miss dresses of your making!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ll make
other dresses, Âmmy Dawud. But not now and not here.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “When and
where then?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Soon, Insha
Allah. In Mogador!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “In Mogador?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, why not?
Someone’s going to lend me some money to open up a shop in Mogador. Will you
help me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Certainly! Don’t
you know that most Mogador tailors are cousins of mine and are in the Mellah?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you!
Now I’m sorry I have to leave. You know, the Imam has started teaching me
things!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Oh, great!
Good luck to you!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar spent
the rest of that day with the Imam, and the next morning he held his breath as
his mother headed for the riverbank. “I want to see this girl with my own
eyes,” she said. Tahar hid in a small olive grove and watched as his mother
rode slowly along the riverbank towards the bridge. Nearly an hour later her
white donkey reappeared on the other side of the river, coming east towards
Zahiya’s home. Then Tahar went to the mosque, where the Imam was waiting
patiently. The Imam began another lesson while Tahar started waiting for his
mother’s return.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
His mother returned in the early
afternoon, and said, “Isn’t she a dream? Only a blessed man could marry her!
May God preserve me until the day I see her in your home!” “Amen!” said Tahar,
his face aglow with pleasure.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
That night he spent a full hour playing
on the utar in the berraka, to his fellow youths’ delight. He also played for
them in the next days under that famed terebinth-tree by the riverbank. And he
sang only songs he used to sing for Zina, although Zina was now married (and perhaps
pregnant) and her husband Âouissa was among the listeners. And while he sang
those songs, Tahar had none in mind but Zahiya.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Ali, the Qadi’s son, came one fine
evening and found Tahar singing to the boys under the terebinth-tree. So he sat
down and waited, his head bowed in thought, until the boys dispersed. Then he
took Tahar aside, and said, “I’m just back from Âbda. I saw Shama!” Tahar went
green with envy, but he quickly burst out laughing and cracked jokes so that
the envy could not show on his face. Ali did not laugh. He only gave a faint
smile and waited until Tahar had run dry of jokes, then said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I want to go
to that old man in Mogador.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You mean Âmmy
Abderrahman?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “When are you
going?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar was
startled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Are you sure
you’re going now?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But it is
getting dark. Why don’t you wait until tomorrow morning?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I want to go
now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Because I
can’t wait.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right. Do you
want me to go with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The next hour
found Tahar and Ali on the way to Mogador. On their first halt, Tahar was
seized with fear. Ali was now saying some very odd things. He spoke of Shama as
“my wife Shama”. And as he spoke his face clouded and then cleared and then
clouded again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
As soon as they arrived at Mogador,
Tahar said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Here we are
at last! What do you want now, Ali?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I want to see
Âmmy Abderrahman.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, just
have a rest at the funduq. I’ll bring Âmmy Abderrahman to you, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And so Tahar
left Ali at the funduq and went from place to place till he found Âmmy
Abderrahman sitting in a vegetable stall in the souk. And he explained to Âmmy
Abderrahman that Ali’s mind was going. “For God’s sake come along and pray for
him!” said Tahar desperately, careless of passers-by. “Please, Âmmy
Abderrahman, do something, I entreat you. Just a few words! Let him hear them
from your mouth! Please help me bring him to his senses!” And Tahar went on
with his beseeching until Âmmy Abderrahman sighed, and said, “Right! Tell him
to go to mosque and attend all prayers and read the Koran day and night. And
when Smaïl is back this Thursday we’ll meet all of us and we’ll pray together
for your friend, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar leapt for joy and ran to the
funduq to announce the good news to Ali, whose eyes sparkled suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
At night Tahar thought more of Shama
than Zahiya. “Stop saying he doesn’t deserve her!” he rebuked himself. “Yes,
she’s beautiful. But she was ready to marry Balîd, wasn’t she? That’s what Sêed said, anyway. Who’s better:
Ali or Balîd? That’s just envy, Tahar!
Say: ‘I seek refuge with God from accursed Satan!’ and let me sleep, please!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And so, for three long days, Tahar and
Ali went to mosque together and prayed together and read the Koran together and
returned to the funduq together and ate together, but at night each kept
himself to himself. Like Ali, Tahar was on pins and needles. Both waited for
Smaïl’s return on Thursday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Smaïl came back and asked everybody to
dinner. “I’ve got news for you,” he said to Tahar on greeting him. But he said
no more, nor did Tahar ask him anything. At dinner time they dined on baddaz
and prayed for Ali. Then Smaïl asked Tahar to spend the rest of the evening at
his house. And so Tahar waited impatiently for the others to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
They left, and Tahar and Ali were alone
together.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What news did
you bring?” said Tahar hesitantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Calm down!
The news is that the Prince will be here within the next eight days.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Can you help
me then?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I said
I’d speak to the Princess. Isn’t that enough?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s more
than enough. Thank you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Tahar, let me
tell you something. Royal people are very dangerous and untrustworthy, however
kind-hearted they might be. Because it only takes one denunciation or even the
smallest thing to turn them against you. I know that this particular prince is
an extraordinarily good man. He’s a religious man. And he’s strikingly humble.
But you never know. If you are dreaming of working in his palace forever, then
it’s high time you gave up that dream. But if he did ask you to work in his
palace don’t say no. He won’t take no for an answer. Just say yes and go and
work in his palace and then watch your tongue and keep your eyes down and keep
praying to God to let you out of the palace once you feel you’re well-off.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And Smaïl
started telling Tahar tales about royalty; he told him tales in gruesome
detail, tales so horrible that Tahar started shivering. And those tales sounded
so plausible that Tahar wondered whether he should not forget all about the
Prince and his money.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And so when he went to bed that night
Tahar just saw nightmare after nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And yet he stayed there in Mogador
until Smaïl brought him the good news.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “The Prince
wants to see you tomorrow afternoon,” he said with a smile. “He’ll be in one of
his farms, about half a day’s ride from here. You’ll go alone. You’ll find me
there because the man I work for will be there too. So be brave and go and be
respectful! And don’t be talkative even if you have too much to say!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Smaïl then
gave Tahar all the details of the way and the place, then said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Before I
leave, let me just add this. Don’t give your mount anything to eat or drink
this afternoon! Mind what I say! Starve it until you get back lest it should
put its foot in it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar took the
hint and smiled blissfully.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next afternoon Tahar was at the
edge of the wood along which lay the Prince’s farm, in the center of which
stood a large house surrounded by almond trees. The house was larger than any
Tahar had ever seen and it was at the farm’s main entrance, where ended a long
shadowy pathway that ran between fields full of sheep and goats and others
covered with olive-trees and vines. Tahar could also see flights of pigeons
hovering around. The more Tahar made sure this was the Prince’s farm the more
he hesitated to head for the house. But as in Balîd’s douar, it only took him
one more effort of courage to move forward. He went down the path and walked
on, and his horse walked behind him. And where Tahar stopped the horse stopped,
too. Tahar glanced round to see whether the horse had put its foot in it. “He
didn’t,” Tahar reassured himself. But the horse neighed, and in no time a
servant appeared and asked Tahar who he was and what he was doing there. “I am
Tahar ben Ahmed Erregragi,” said Tahar,
dripping with sweat. “His Highness the Prince has sent for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right,” said
the servant. “Wait here! I’ll take your horse into the stable.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And that was what he did, leaving Tahar
standing in the doorway. “I’ve seen no guards, no one’s stopped me,” Tahar
thought, peeping at the pigeons. “Is there a prince’s home without guards?
There’s calm and peace here. This is strange, really.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But only a moment later there was a lot
of noise. The servant returned and bowed Tahar in. Tahar looked down as he
followed the servant across the courtyard but he could feel the presence of
dozens of men in uniform.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar was then taken into a large room
at the back of which sat the Prince with no one else but Smaïl. Smaïl was
sitting on the right of the Prince, and he smiled as he saw Tahar come in and
kiss the Prince's hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "You're
welcome, Tahar!" said the Prince, waving to him to take the chair opposite
Smaïl. "We were at prayer when you arrived. How are you?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I am
fine, nâamass. God bless the Prince!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "How did
your ladylove find the dresses?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "She was
happy with Your generous gift. Thank you, nâamass!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Have you
got married yet?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Not yet,
nâamass."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Why?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I need
money, nâamass."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "How
much?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I need a
loan, nâamass."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What
for?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I would
like to open up a tailor's shop, nâamass."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I'll see
what to do about that," said the Prince, turning to Smaïl. Smaïl smiled again. Oh, how beautiful
he was! No, that was not beauty! Had Tahar not seen him before to know what he
was like? Now it seemed as if Tahar had indeed seen him for the first time
ever. Now he was not just a handsome man. He not only had handsome eyes, but
everything in him was beautiful. The Prince seemed to have been in a hurry to
throw those few words to Tahar so that he could have all the time to speak to
Smaïl. And as Smaïl spoke his eyes filled the room with an uncanny power as if
he were casting a spell on the Prince. And the Prince spoke to him with such
respect that had they been sitting in a field outside and not in this room you
could hardly tell the Prince from Smaïl. For Smaïl was no less tidy than the
Prince. Tahar was bewitched. "This is the man who should marry
Shama!" he thought. "I know he's got his own wife. But this is the
man I would love to see with Shama living together as husband and wife,
completely wrapped up in each other!" And yet Tahar, for all his beauty,
just could not help feeling such a devouring envy that his teeth began to
chatter suddenly. He got the feeling that his was the face of a woman, not a
man. If only you had been there to see him! Smaïl was a full moon with a halo.
And he was a man still. His staidness could only be a man's. His words sounded
like those the Writer read from the book. And he had such a pleasant speaking
voice that would shame singers into silence. "It's certainly books that
made him such a taking man!" Tahar thought sadly. "But how many books
do I have to read before I could speak and look like him?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">But then the Prince cast a wandering glance at Tahar,
and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What
kind of man is your friend Tahar?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "He is a
nice kind of person, nâamass," Smaïl replied with a gulp.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Did he
tell you his story?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Yes,
nâamass."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What did
he tell you, for example?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Well,
nâamass, he looks a bit of an adventurous man. He is a hardworking man. He is
successful."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Hardworking maybe, but successful? I don't know. You know what,
behind every human achievement I perceive the might of Almighty God."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "That's
true, nâamass!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "What
else do you know about him?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "He is a
shy person, nâamass."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "You
think so? Well, he's not as green as he looks. He's not shy with women at all,
I can tell you. Chaps like him are dangerous people. Beware of them if they
enter your home. But I'm going to take the venom out of him! What else can you
tell me about him?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Well,
nâamass, he would like to open up a shop in Mogador and he needs a loan."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I'll
give him a loan, no problem. But before I give him the loan, I want him to
bring me a jeweller from where he lives."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar's mind
went to his cousin Tweher, but his heart was beating so fast he could hardly
speak.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Do you
know of a good jeweller?" said the Prince, looking fixedly at Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Y–e–s,
nâamass," Tahar stuttered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "So let
me see him and I'll lend you the money to open up a shop in Mogador,
right?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Right,
nâamass!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I'll
stay here until you bring him to me. You can leave now."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "God
bless the Prince!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Smaïl showed
Tahar out and wished him good luck.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Back to the village, Tahar went
straight to his uncle's. He did not find Tweher there. He waited for him.
"Could he be luckier than me?" Tahar thought as he waited. "Will
he go straight to the palace? Why not? Isn't he a good jeweller? Isn't he a
likeable person? But– like this? Overnight? Without experiencing what I went
through? He must be lucky, then! No, I shall tell him! I shall take him to the
Prince. I have no choice."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tweher came and found Tahar waiting for
him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">
"Tweher," said Tahar in an unsteady voice, "a prince is
waiting for you. Keep it under your hat! Prepare yourself and come along with
me! Be quick about it!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "Are you
serious?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I'm
quite serious. Go and titivate yourself and don't tell anybody where we're
going."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "But just
tell me why the Prince wants me!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "The
Prince wants a jeweller, and you are a jeweller, aren't you?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> "I see!
Alright! Wait a moment!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And Tahar
waited patiently while Tweher spruced himself up and groomed and harnessed his
horse, and then both set out for the Prince's farm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Prince
received them as soon as they arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Have you
brought any samples of the jewels you’ve made recently?” said the Prince.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes,
nâamass!” said Tweher demurely. “Here you are, nâamass!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar felt a
twinge of pain in his heart as the Prince examined the jewels, then looked up
at Tweher and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How much do
these jewels cost?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I would sell
them for two hundred and fifty dinars, nâamass.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Prince
then called in a servant, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Give this man
five hundred dinars and show him out. Tahar, you too can go. Thank you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar was
stunned. A servant led him and Tweher out of the Prince’s presence. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tweher faced
him as soon as they got out of the Prince’s farm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What are you
going to do now?” Tahar mumbled, sensing something strange about Tweher’s look.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You ask me?
Is this why you brought me over here? Is this what you promised?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I didn’t promise anything. I just said the
Prince wanted a jeweler. I had no idea what would happen next.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You say this,
you little Satan? Why don’t you rather say that you knew but you wished I
hadn’t come with you? Why don’t you say that you were envious of me? Why don’t
you say that you are selfish? Do you think you can hide your envy? I can see it
on your face! Listen, I’m finished with you! Never, never, never call me again!
Farewell!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar spent that night in the open. The
next morning found him eating a big cake in the funduq eating-room. He was sad,
but two men sitting beside him were happy-go-lucky.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I said you’re
lucky,” one of the two said, sinking his teeth into a steak.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You too!”
replied the other, taking a sip of tea.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But your wife
has got a beautiful face!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s beyond
argument, but yours has got good legs, hasn’t she?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, but I
would much rather have a wife with a beautiful face than one with good legs!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright!
Let’s meet all four of us at the butcher’s tonight, then!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What for?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, the
butcher will take off my wife’s face and give it to you and he’ll take off your
wife’s legs and give them to me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Tahar could not help laughing, but that was not enough
to make him happy. He went into his room and played on his utar, but he only
grew sadder and sadder. He went to mosque at noon and read the Koran, but that
did not do him any good either. “What the heck I’m doing here?” he thought on
his return to his room in the funduq.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And yet he stayed in Mogador until
Smaïl came three days later and asked him to dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I really
don’t know,” said Smaïl uncomfortably. “I don’t think anybody knows. All I know
is that the Prince has now moved on south of Mogador. I have no idea when he’ll
be back. But help yourself! You’re welcome!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Honestly,”
said Tahar, “I’m fond of treed. I just can’t resist the tantalizing smell of
onion and fenugreek and lentil. I would have waded into this meal even in the
presence of the Prince. But now I’m off my oats. I’m sorry to say so. My heart
jumped at the sight of this flower vase. I like flowers like these. But now I
have no appetite. I’m going to eat just to please you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m not going
to blame you, Tahar,” said Smaïl, chewing.
And after a bit he stopped eating, and said, “Adversity is hard. To me, patience is a mystery. I have read
books and thought years and years and I am still very vague about this thing we
call patience. Why does one endure pain where another would burst a blood
vessel? Why should one be patient in the first place? Is it because he wants to
get something good either in this life or in the Beyond or in both? Or just
because he wants to get on with his life in the most ordinary fashion?
Personally, I was patient in times harder that you could imagine. But then
there were times when I just fell in the abyss of despair, like you now.” Tahar
suddenly began to eat heartily as Smaïl went on speaking like a teacher at
school, “Man is weak, you know. To tell you the truth, the more I realize that
the more I find myself prone to violence. I am not a violent person, but I just
can’t stand being provoked. I can hold my own with anybody, but I don’t want to
show that off. I hate sham. I don’t want to preen myself on anything. But it’s
not easy to be humble, you know. I’ll tell you something. As we speak there’s
someone or other somewhere or other praying God in a mosque or in a synagogue
or in a church or at his own home. Different people worshipping the same God in
different languages. Whenever I realize that, I feel how small I am. I feel
that however beautiful I may be, however strong, however endowed with brains, I
would still remain one and only one person; that means I would still need
others. I can’t live without you just as you can’t live without me. We need to
love each other, I mean brotherly love. We need to help each other. We need to
respect each other. And should we lose our temper and come to blows we
shouldn’t yet go so far as to kill each other. I am telling you this because I
went through what you are going through now. I feel that you have your head
crammed with big dreams, and if –God forbid! – anyone stood in your way you
could go so far as to kill him!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar left Smaïl’s home livened up. He
smiled as the night breeze fondled his face. He visualized Zahiya’s blue eyes.
He wished she were with him there, strolling along, going from alley to alley,
smelling the Thuya lingering around the closed wood workshops, inhaling the
salty spray from the dark sea, and sniffing the curious odour of the unseen
fish from the nearby sleeping port.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But when he returned to his room in the
funduq he found himself alone again, except for the utar. He picked it up and
played on it until an old man from the room next door pleaded with him to let
him sleep in peace. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><br /><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2022/01/chapter-eight_19.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-8613976559620947422022-01-19T03:13:00.004-08:002022-01-22T01:13:34.786-08:00Chapter Eight<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: ""serif"","serif"; font-size: 20pt;">I</span></b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: ""serif"","serif"; font-size: 20pt;">n the
morning Tahar left the funduq and galloped back home, his heart racing against
him. Each olive-tree, each fig-tree, each vine, each donkey– anything he saw or
heard on his way made him pine for his family and Zahiya as if he had not seen
them for years.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But once he got there, nobody rushed to
meet him. Anyone who saw him avoided him like the plague. Even his father and
mother, even his brother. Let alone the youths in the berraka and just anybody
about! “What’s this?” Tahar thought like a madman. “Why’s everybody avoiding
me? The boys just left the berraka altogether on seeing me! Mwessa’s left his
steed and rushed into his home as if he had seen a ghost! My father looked at
me out of the corner of his eye. My mother just refused to speak to me! Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
In a fit of temper, Tahar ran to the
riverbank and shucked his jellaba and tore down the slope and swam across the
river. And then he went off to Zahiya’s home hell for leather. The dogs barked
as he stood at her door. Zahiya herself hung out of the window and gaped, then
came out running, but her father appeared the next moment and pushed her back
into the courtyard, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What are you
doing here, you sorcerer? Do you think I’d give my daughter to an evil person,
a Satan like you,” He then swung round, and shouted at his cowering daughter,
“Bring me those rags he gave you! Quickly!” And in a flash, Zahiya fetched a
red bundle and handed it with a trembling hand to her father, who just hurled
the bundle like a stone at Tahar, who suddenly yelled out: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “It must be
him! I shall kill him!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And then he
turned towards the river. But he was too weak to plunge into the river and swim
back to the other side. He was trembling all over. He was boiling with rage.
And suddenly he heard a voice calling out to him, “Tahar! Tahar! Wait!” It was
Eazzahia, running like hell. She stood in front of him, barefooted. Her fair
hair shaded her forehead. Her bosom throbbed like a pair of bellows.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I know,” she
panted out, her blue eyes blinking in the sun,
“I know it’s Tweher who has blackened your name. I know it’s him who’s
spread rumours about you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s what I
deserved, I who led him into the Prince’s presence!” Tahar shouted madly. “I
wouldn’t be a true man if I let him live
until tomorrow!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t say
that, Tahar!” Zahiya beseeched, glancing at the children running towards them.
“Don’t kill anybody! Think of me! I don’t want to lose you. Don’t forget that
human life is dear to God! Let’s go to the Qadi and speak to him!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar could say
no more now that Zahiya had grabbed hold of his arm and urged patience on him,
speaking with great feeling. “Let’s go before anybody comes!” she cried
suddenly, lifting up her voice. “Come now!” And both trotted away, heading
westward, indifferent to the children who shouted out to them to be back. “Look
over there!” Zahiya cried again. “That horse is loose! Be brave and go and take
it! Don’t think of anybody now! Just think of you and me!” And before Zahiya
finished speaking, Tahar flew to the horse and mounted it and helped Zahiya on
it, and said, “Hold yourself straight!”, to which Zahiya replied, “Don’t worry!
Go on!” And like Shama before, Zahiya
clung to him; she wrapped her arms round his belly and whispered in his ear,
“Only a little way! Take heart! We are nearly there!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> In a few
moments the fire had turned hail. The hate was washed away by love. Zahiya was
all the world to him now that he had seen her mirrored in the river beneath.
This image would stick to his mind as long as he lived. That was her image in
her moment of unrestrained love, in her moment of unspoiled beauty, such beauty
that needed no makeup. What could be more beautiful than her sitting behind him
on horseback, whispering to him, “Don’t care of anybody! Just think of you and
me!” How free he was! How beautiful life was! The river with its verdant banks,
the clear blue sky above, the birds, the rustling of tree-leaves, the gaping
faces of children all along the way… If only these moments could last forever
and ever!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> But –alas!–
they soon got to the Qadi’s home. Ali came out, and said, raising his eyebrows:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s this?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “We came to
see Âmmy Allal,” said Zahiya. “Is he home from work yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, not yet.
Why are you barefooted?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t puzzle
too much over our intentions! I’ll explain what happened. Tahar was going to
kill someone but –thank God– I restrained him. I feared he might go and do
something horrible, so I pleaded with him to come here and speak to the Qadi
first. Is that clear now?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Right! Sit
down! I’ll bring you tea.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “We can’t stay
here, you know; my father may be on our tracks, and, you know, we just swiped
this horse, it isn’t ours; and–”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t worry!
Your father won’t come because he knows you’ll return home safe and sound. And
the horse owner too won’t bother to follow you because he knows he will get it
back sooner or later. So just calm down! I’ll bring you tea. I shan’t be long!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You nearly
became a murderer!” Zahiya grinned, looking affectionately at Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Hold your
tongue or else I’ll go and do it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Dare you do
it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar put out
his hand, but Zahiya eluded his grasp, and walked away from him. She went
towards a cow grazing around an argan-tree and squatted close to its udder and
made as if to milk it. Tahar looked dreamily at her smiling face as she turned
round and looked at him. He just stood there and watched as Zahiya rose up and
took a few steps towards him and then stopped. She was a picture in her
charmingly simple yellow dress. Her bare feet enhanced her natural beauty. Tahar
suddenly averted his eyes. The blood mounted to his cheeks as he realized why
he and she were there in the first place. “I nearly became a murderer,” he
sighed. “She was right! Oh, how beautiful she is!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Ali came out
and found them apart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Hey! Come to
tea!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And so they
all sat down in the shade of an argan-tree and talked over tea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s the
latest?” Tahar said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I have seen
something in a dream,” Ali replied with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Was it a good
dream?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Definitely!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How so?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I’ve
told three different people about my dream and they all said I’d marry a
divorced woman with a child from Âbda.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">Congratulations!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Have you seen
her lately?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Who?” Zahiya
said curiously.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “A blond
beauty who saved me from the Qaïd’s son in Âbda,” said Tahar tremulously.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why didn’t
you marry her then?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Didn’t you
tell me to cleanse my heart and mind of Zina?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Did you know
her personally?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, Ali’s
going to tell you all the story.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Ali had not yet
finished the story when the Qadi’s horse neighed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> All three
sprang to their feet and kissed the Qadi’s hand. Ali tried to explain why the
other two were there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">“Is that true?” said the Qadi to Zahiya. “Did he
really want to kill someone?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, Âmmy
Allal!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Slap him in
the face!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Without
hesitation, Zahiya slapped Tahar in the face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Once more!”
said the Qadi.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar forced
back his tears and turned the other cheek, but Zahiya hesitated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I said slap
him!” said the Qadi sternly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And she
slapped him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “How do you
feel now?” said the Qadi to Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “It’s painful,
Qadi!” said Tahar prudishly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Painful?” the
Qadi sneered. “Zahiya, pick up that stone!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Having no
doubt the Qadi would ask Zahiya to knock him on the head with that stone, Tahar
simply turned tail.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
A little more than an hour later, all
four were in Zahiya’s home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Today I came
as a qadi and family friend,” said the Qadi.
“You all know what I do every day. I listen to people from opposite
sides, and I make decisions. That’s why I am called a qadi. A qadi is supposed
to be fair, and that’s what I try to do.
So today I came, as I said, as a qadi and family friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You’re
welcome,” said Zahiya’s father half-heartedly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> It took the
Qadi hours to dissipate Zahiya’s father’s suspicions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I hope he is
not a sorcerer,” Zahiya’s father said at length, with a faint smile on his
lips. “But still, Qadi, you’ll have to do something about the people who
believe he is.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Leave it to
me!” said the Qadi. “Now give us something to eat if there’s any.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ll bring it
at once!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> While Zahiya’s
father was out of the room, the Qadi turned to Tahar, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You’ll have
to go back to Mogador as soon as you can. I’ll tackle the people here. And
never think of killing anybody. If anybody wrongs you, go to a qadi! That’s
what a good Muslim should do.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s what
I’m going to do, Qadi!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Say Insha
Allah!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Insha Allah!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And before
Tahar left, in the middle of the night, he demanded to see Zahiya. To his
surprise, Zahiya came out to him dressed in the takchita he had made her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Is something
wrong?” she said, looking fondly at him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, not at
all! I just wanted to say: thank you for saving me from myself! I’ll be seeing
you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Insha Allah!
Goodbye!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And Tahar went back to Mogador. As soon
as he arrived, the funduq-keeper told him that Smaïl had just inquired for him.
Tahar then had a quick meal and headed for the mosque. His heart jumped when
Smaïl appeared coming from the other end of the alley.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I thought the
funduq-keeper was just fooling, because today isn’t Thursday, is it?” Tahar
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “That’s right.
Today isn’t Thursday, but I am here for you only.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Any news?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, good
news, Insha Allah!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Tell me
quick!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, the
Prince has charged me to give you the money, and he has sent you a letter. So
when we meet later today I’ll hand over both the letter and the money to you.
Are you happy now?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> By way of
reply, Tahar wore a beatific smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> But when he
read the Prince’s letter later that day the happiness went out of his face. “Do
not curse Sultans!” the letter said. No more than that one line.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What should I
do now?” Tahar said, alarmed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t do
anything at all!” Smaïl replied calmly. “Did he ask you to do anything? No. He
just asked you not to do something. He said, ‘Do not curse Sultans!’, so do not
curse Sultans. That’s the best reply!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Smaïl stayed in Mogador until Tahar
opened up his shop.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What else
could I do for you now?” said Smaïl unassumingly the day Tahar started work in
his shop.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You helped me
a lot, Smaïl! I just can’t find words to thank you. The main hurdle was the
Lamine. You stayed with me until he gave me the authorization, and then you
helped me find this place. I would ask you just one more favour: to go with me
home for a day or two. Although the shop is up, you know, I can’t really start
work until I have established relations here. You know, it takes a lot of work
by a lot of people to make just one lebsa. You can’t do the whole thing under
one roof, or all by yourself, unless, of course, you work for a qaïd’s son!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do not curse
Sultans!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Is a qaïd a
sultan?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Everyone
should be judged by his deeds, whatever his title.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “When are you
going home?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ll leave it
to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “We’ll go
tomorrow morning, Insha Allah, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Insha Allah.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
On leaving Mogador, Smaïl asked Tahar
to give him a song. Startled, Tahar burst into song immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
On their arrival, Smaïl asked Tahar to
take him to the Qadi. “Let’s just have a
cup of tea and then we’ll go to the Qadi’s village!” said Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And on their way to the Qadi’s village
they came across Âmmy Dawud. “That’s why I came here!” Tahar exclaimed happily.
“That’s the man I was looking for!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Âmmy Dawud too
looked happy to hear Tahar’s latest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I will
certainly help you!” he said. “I’ll find you apprentices. I’ll find you even
clients. I’ll find you everything you need. Don’t worry!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Thank you,
Âmmy Dawud! I’ll be waiting for you in Mogador. See you then!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Goodbye!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
As soon as Smaïl and Tahar mounted
their horses and took to the road, Smaïl said in a kindly voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Tahar, last
time you tried to explain a tailor’s work to me. I knew that before. I knew
what it took to make a lebsa. I wasn’t offended. But someone else could have
taken that badly!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You know why?
It’s because my head isn’t as full as yours. I wish I had your head, Smaïl!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I wasn’t born
like this, Tahar. I went to school, and after school I read so many books and
thought of things most people wouldn’t care about, and that has affected my
health. It wouldn’t be easy for you to have a head like mine. What you know is
good. Just don’t look as if you know everything! Nobody knows everything. We
are all learners.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Smaïl fell
silent suddenly. But Tahar, who was not prepared for preaching now, knew that
they were heading for the home of another preacher.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And as Tahar had predicted, there was
no sleep that night. Smaïl seemed to have quickly forgotten his precious advice
against looking as if you know everything. For he actually looked as if he knew
everything. And so did the Qadi. Once their battle of big ideas had broken out,
Tahar could not help nodding off every now and then, until he heard the Qadi
say, “Smaïl, you’re a genius! If you weren’t married, I would give you my
youngest and dearest daughter!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
So the Qadi reserved his youngest and
dearest daughter for someone else, and Tahar and Smaïl went back to Mogador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Weeks later, Tahar was a full-fledged
tailor. He became Mâallam Tahar. His apprentices called him Mâallam. His
clients called him Mâallam. Even Mâallam H’sein called him Mâallam Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But that soon became routine. The job
became tedious. There was nothing left Tahar could be keyed up about.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar knew why. He was still a single
man. He felt lonely. Dreams were not enough anymore. Memories, green as they
may be, were not enough anymore. That was not like a woman by your side, a
woman after your own heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And so one day Tahar left everything
behind and rode back home. He went to that palm-tree by the riverbank and
played on his utar. Zahiya turned up again. He waved to her and she waved back.
And that was all. Tahar took his horse and returned to his work in Mogador. But
he returned with a heart full of love and hope. His work became exciting again.
His face became radiant again. And he went to mosque again. This time he would
go to mosque five times a day. And the more he went to mosque the more he felt
how lucky he had been.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And the days went on like this until
one day when Tahar was moved to tears as he saw the Qadi step into the shop.
“Stay where you are!” the Qadi said. “I’ll come and sit by your side.” Then the
Qadi turned to the apprentices, and said, “Good morning everyone!” “Quick, go
and get us tea!” said Tahar to one of the boys.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And then the Qadi and Tahar talked over
a cup of tea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I didn’t
dream you would come!” Tahar said. “Words fail me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “So don’t
speak!” the Qadi said. “Keep your mind on your work! I’ll tell you why I came
today. Well, I came to see the good man who prayed for you. You know what, this
man must be a really good man. Fancy that! His prayer for my son Ali has also
been answered! It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “It is!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The Qadi
sighed. Tahar hesitated to ask him why.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Ali’s going
to marry Shama,” the Qadi resumed suddenly, looking vacantly into space. “To
tell you the truth, I’m not happy with this marriage.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why,” said
Tahar in surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why?” the
Qadi sighed again. “I’ll tell you why! Ali is my only son, as you know. I would
have wanted a young virgin bride for my only son. But he is nevertheless my
son. I can only be happy with what makes him happy. I must share in his joy.
Well, I have to leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Just you
wait! I’m coming with you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, please!
Stay where you are! I have something to do now. We’ll meet again this evening
and we’ll go together to the good man. Peace be with you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar himself
gave a heavy sigh now that the Qadi had stepped out of the shop. “Was he
telling the truth?” he thought perplexedly. “Or was he only trying to root out
envy from my heart? How could he know I would envy his son? But why was he so
upset? He should be on top of the world seeing his only son marry such a unique
beauty! Would my father be so sad if I married Shama? This is strange, really!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> The evening
came, and so Tahar took the Qadi to the old man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I just can’t
help asking you a question, Qadi!” said Tahar on the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, I saw
Shama with my own eyes! I imagined you would be glad if Ali married her.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “This Shama is
a curse to her family. How could she be a blessing to mine?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m
dumbfounded!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “So be quiet,
please!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And Tahar kept quiet for the rest of
the night. Even when he heard the Qadi and the old man talk about him, he just
made as if he had heard nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The next morning, Tahar longed for the
Qadi to bid him goodbye. But the Qadi, who was now smiling blissfully, took a
long look at Tahar, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do you know
that Zahiya has heard of Shama?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, I do.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, Zahiya
is now an eager lover. She can’t wait anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Did she tell
you so?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “She didn’t
say so in so many words.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What do you
think?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I think you
should go along with me now and ask for her hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
A week later, Tahar’s family were in
Zahiya’s home. The Qadi was there, too. It was agreed that Zahiya and Tahar
should wed on the same day as the other boys and girls.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Now you can
go wherever you please!” said Zahiya at the end of the gathering, when she and
Tahar were alone together. “I shall be
waiting for you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I will go,
and wherever I go I’ll be carrying you in my heart!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And Zina?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You and only <i>you</i>!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “And Shama?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “You and only <i>you</i>!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Then so long!
Go in peace!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And peace it was indeed. Every day
thereafter was a peaceful day. Now Tahar could keep his mind on his prayers. He
could feel what he said while at prayer. He could feel that God was with him.
He could now feel that God was constantly on his right and Satan on his left.
“O God!” he would say. “If I had a thousand gods to worship I would worship
none but You! O God I pray to You to forgive me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
But Tahar still played on his utar. He
would not care who those songs he sang now had been written for. A song is a
song. It just tells what’s in the heart. And what could there be in Tahar’s
heart now but love?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Gone were the days when Tahar used to
sleep on the mat in that funduq room. He now slept in a comfortable bed in a
small house near Smaïl’s. He did not own the house, only rented it. But Smaïl
said to him, “You’ll have to take what I say on trust. This house will be yours
sooner than you think!” These words sounded like a warning, but what could
Tahar do but dream and work hard and leave the rest to God?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And then came the day when Smaïl
knocked at Tahar’s door in the middle of the night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What’s the
matter?” said Tahar sleepily.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “May I come
in?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Do!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Both sat on
stools in the house’s small courtyard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I know you’ll
say today isn’t Thursday,” said Smaïl. “The thing is, something cropped up and
I couldn’t come yesterday.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Is something
wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Oh, no! There
isn’t any problem at all! There are only solutions!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Good news
then?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, glad
news! I have a letter for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “From the
Prince?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “From the
Prince, yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What does it
say?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “It says this,
‘Now I’ve taken the venom out of you, so you can now work for me in my
palace.’!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Great! But–”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But what?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I think I’ll
have to speak to my bride about this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Alright!
Speak to her, but don’t listen to her if she says no!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’ll see.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Tahar, if you
say no to the Prince you’ll be just wronging yourself and your wife. I came at
this late hour because I thought you would be dreaming. And I imagined you would
be pleased to hear the news.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Smaïl, last
time you warned me against working in the Prince’s palace, didn’t you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, I did.
But I also warned you against saying no to the Prince, didn’t I?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Well, let me
discuss the matter with my bride first.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I can’t stop
you. Good night!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Won’t you
stay for tea?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “If it is
ready?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No, it’s not
ready yet.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “So let me go
back to sleep!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Smaïl might have slept for the rest of
that night, but not Tahar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
The morning came at long last, and
Tahar left everything behind and rode to his village. He met Zahiya and told
her about the Prince’s offer, and then said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What do you
think?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Let’s go to
the Qadi and ask him,” Zahiya said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Why the Qadi?
I came to ask you, not the Qadi!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Wasn’t it the
Qadi who told you about me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes, it was
him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> And so they
went to the Qadi and told him about the Prince’s offer, and he said, “No, don’t
go!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar was
shattered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Zahiya,” he
said on their way back to her home, “a man who knows the Prince well said to
me, ‘Do accept the offer without hesitation!’ And I trust that man. I am
afraid, Zahiya!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Don’t be
afraid if you’re going to marry me! Because if anything bad happens to you so
will it to me. We’re all in the same boat, aren’t we?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “But that man
said–”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Was it that
man who brought us together or was it the Qadi? You trust that man, I trust the Qadi. If you
think your life is your own, then do as you like. If you think your life is
mine and my life is yours, then listen to me. Hopefully, I’ll be your wife and
the mother of your children!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I shall
listen to you, darling! But then you’ll have to go back to the Qadi and ask him
to write a letter in our name explaining why I shouldn’t go to the Prince’s
palace!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Leave it to
me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Five days later, Tahar met Smaïl in his
home and handed him the Qadi’s letter with a trembling hand. “Right,” was all
Smaïl said, although his face gave away his anxiety.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Tahar’s anxiety was much greater. And
it did not abate all the more so since Smaïl would not say more than a cold
peace be with you whenever they passed each other in the mosque or in a nearby
alley.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
All that lasted not only days, or
weeks, but until nine days before the Wedding Day. Then Smaïl ran to Tahar and
grabbed his arm, and said, “Come!” And so Tahar threw a few words to his
apprentices and went along with Smaïl to his home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Look!” Smaïl
said, pointing at a chest in the middle of his guestroom. “This is your bride’s
dowry! It’s from the Prince!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> Tahar beamed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “All this for
me?” he exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “No! It’s not
for you; it’s for your bride! Look! This is for you.” (He gave him a purse.)
“This is the money to pay for the house. Didn’t I say it would be yours soon?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
It was like a dream come true. Tahar
paid for the house and took the dowry home. His family could hardly believe
their eyes. “That girl is a real blessing!” his mother exclaimed, and uttered
shrill trilling cries of joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
And, at long last, came the Wedding
Day. There was a drizzle on that day. And there was fantasia.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
Two weeks later, Zahiya was learning
embroidery in Tahar’s home in Mogador. Lying down beside her, Tahar was reading
a book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “What are you
reading?” Zahiya said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “I’m reading
my story,” Tahar said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Your story?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"> “Yes. It’s
written by the Prince’s Writer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;">THE END <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a class="home-link" href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #ff1900; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; padding: 5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Home</span></a></p>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-91976369429178744742019-12-05T03:07:00.005-08:002024-01-11T03:36:06.582-08:00Chapter One<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He saw the children coming. But he drew water from the well and watered
his mule. Then he drank straight from the bucket and washed his face. The
children were soon standing in a half circle in front of him. He met their
gaze, and his face creased into a broad smile. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are you from Azlu?” he said
suddenly, glancing back at his mule. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> All the children raised their
eyebrows. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am hungry. Are you from
Azlu?” he said again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The children looked at each
other and exchanged smiles. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Who does that vineyard belong
to?” he said, plunging his hand deep in his pockets, from which he took out a
handful of coins. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The children beamed at the
sight of the coins. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Who can bring me grapes from
that vineyard?” he said, jingling the coins in his hand. “I am hungry!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tell us who you are and we’ll
bring you grapes,” said one of the children. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am a hungry man,” said the
man. The children burst out laughing as he went on, “My father is my mouth and
my mother is my stomach.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And your children?” said
another child, whose eyes were still riveted on the coins. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “All Azlu children are my
children!” said the man. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s why I am giving you
this. Here!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The children held out their
hands as the man pressed a coin in each hand. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now, let’s sit down!” he
said. And all the children sat down at once as if they had been told by their
own fathers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I said I’m hungry,” the man
said. “You haven’t brought me grapes, so I’ll start eating your hands!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The children laughed again,
but one of them sprang up and charged towards the vineyard. A moment later, he
was back, holding a goodly bunch of grapes in both hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Here!” he said to the man,
who snatched the grapes and started eating them with great zest. “You know,” he
said, chewing. “I’ve gone so many places, but when I saw Azlu, I said to myself
there’s no prettier place under the sun.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are you from Azlu?” said one
child in a hesitant voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you think?” replied
the man, betrayed by the hot blush that spread up into his face. "I have never seen you,” said
the child. “But you speak like us.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I do speak like you,” replied
the man, “but I’m not dressed liked you, am I? You are wearing white jellabas;
I am wearing a yellow turban and a sky-blue gown and white slippers.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes,” said another child.
“And you have a thick beard and a shaven moustache.” “And you are a hungry man,” said a third
child. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So I look strange, don’t I?”
said the man, handing the remainder of the grapes to one of the children. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The children nodded, and some
of them chuckled. The man, whose eyes had been roving from face to face, as if
looking for something, suddenly fixed his eyes on one of the children and asked
him: “What’s your name, boy?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My name is Hussein,” said the
child bashfully. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Who is your father?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My father is H’mad
Amgoon.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The man was startled. He
looked as if he had come upon something he had been looking for. Amazed, the
children just looked on as he suddenly sighed and said in a rather tremulous
voice: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tell me, Hussein, do you know me?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Do you have any brothers or
sisters?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tell me their names!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Ahmed, Brahim, Hassan, Yezza
and Fatma.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s all?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The children let out a timid
chuckle, but Hussein then said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I also have another brother
who is absent.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where has he gone?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I don’t know. I have never
seen him.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s his name?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Muhammad.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> A sudden smile illuminated the
man’s face. And all the children listened in wide-eyed amazement as the man
said, almost tearfully: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am your brother
Muhammad!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hussein looked incredulous,
though. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Really?” he said with a blush.
“My brother Muhammad has got a nickname. Do you have a nickname?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes. My nickname is 'The
Philosopher'. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hardly had Muhammad uttered
those words when Hussein sprang to his feet and broke into a run in the
direction of his home, shouting: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “The Philosopher’s back! The
Philosopher’s back!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And in no time the whole
village –men and women and children– emerged from behind the nearest houses and
surged forward, with the little children chanting: “The Philosopher’s back! The
Philosopher’s back!” Muhammad let himself go as he embraced his tearful
relatives one by one. He even sobbed when his weeping father took him in his
arms. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And they led him back home as
they would lead a bride to her new home. His father’s house was larger than the
local mosque, but there just was not enough room for all the people who came to
give their best wishes for Muhammad’s return. Muhammad was then seated among
the most important village men in the most beautiful room in his father’s
home. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And he answered question after
question even before tea was served. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where have you been all this
time?” was one question. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I was everywhere and nowhere,”
was Muhammad’s answer. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Didn’t I tell you?” said the
first speaker, looking around the crowded room. “This man can’t give clear answers.
That’s why Sheik Himi called him ‘The Philosopher’. He really is a philosopher,
isn’t he? But–” He turned back to Muhammad and said, “tell us, Philosopher,
what did you bring with you after all these years of absence?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Everything and nothing,” said
Muhammad, without any note of malice in his voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We understand ‘nothing’,” said
the same speaker amid the audience’s laughter, “but what do you mean by
‘everything’?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I can show you ‘nothing’ by
letting you look into my pockets and my bag, because you’ll find nothing in my
pockets or in my bag; but I can’t show you ‘everything’, because everything is
in my mind, and my mind is in my head, and I have only one head, so I can’t cut
or break my head just for the sake of showing you that ‘everything’ is in my
head indeed!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Please! Please!” said another
speaker. “Let him be! He is free. If he has everything, that’s what we wish for
him; if he has nothing, that’s his own problem. Now let’s drop the subject!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad glanced at his father
and sighed. He knew from his father’s glum face that he was not happy. So he
just hung his head and prayed within himself. Soon after, the first dishes
began to be set on the low tables at the men’s feet. Muhammad looked at the
dish in front of him and wondered when he had last eaten such thing: chicken
with rice and raisins. He sat close to the table and began eating in silence,
trying his best not to comment on what the men around him were saying. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As evening fell, the last
visitors left, and so Muhammad found himself sitting alone in this large room.
He could not leave the room. He felt ashamed. He knew that only his mother and
two sisters and some little children –who most probably were his nephews and
nieces– were in the adjoining rooms. He could hear their voices. But he could
not go and sit with them. He dreaded embarrassing questions. So he just stayed
with eyes riveted on the door and waited to see whether anyone would come to
him and sit with him and talk to him. He waited and waited, while the noise of
the few women and their children went on unabated in the rooms around. And
suddenly a young woman of twenty appeared fleetingly at the door and flashed
him a look of wonder. As if struck by lightening, Muhammad shuddered at the
young woman’s look. A moment later, his sister Yezza came in smiling and
said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Muhammad, why are you sitting
there alone? Come! Come and sit with us!”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But Muhammad was too weak to
stand on his feet. He opened his lips as if to speak, but remained silent. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh, what’s the matter?” his
sister grinned. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I–I–I am sorry,” he said at
length, “a young woman didn’t know I was here and she looked in and saw me. I’m
sorry.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Don’t worry!” said his sister
with a yapping laugh. “That’s only Yetto, my aunt Khadija’s daughter. She told
me. Don’t worry about that. Come! Come and sit with us.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad struggled to his feet
and followed his sister out of the room. She led him into a much smaller room,
and she had almost to guide him like a blind man when he stumbled over the
doorsill. His mother and sisters and three other women laughed quietly as they
saw his eyes glued to the young woman in orange and green. He could hardly take
his eyes off her when his mother called to him to sit by her side. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">And as he sat down,
his mother said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I thought you
would never be back. You were only twenty-four when you left us. Now you are
getting on for thirty-nine. Your younger brothers have all got married. Even
Hassan, whom you left as a child, got married three months ago. Only Hussein is
not married yet, because he’s still too young. Look! Those are the wives of
your brothers. And your sisters too are married now, and they have children…
Now, tell us something about you. Where have you been? What have you been doing
with yourself? Tell us, we are eager to hear from you!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What shall I tell you,
Mother?” said Muhammad in a quavering voice. “You know, I was always keen on
learning. I felt as if I were ill. Or mad, if you will. And I felt that the
only way I could cure myself was through learning. So I learned everything I
could learn here, and when I had nothing more to learn here, I went away, like
a madman. I went from place to place looking for knowledge. I went after
knowledge wherever I thought I could find it. I was always hungry for more and
more knowledge. And day by day, month by month, year after year, I found myself
going farther and farther away.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And where did your journey
end?” said Yezza with a mocking smile. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad looked at her tenderly
and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My journey ended when I could
go no further. I missed you. I missed the village. I missed its people. I
missed my mother’s rice. I missed you all. And recently a friend of mine, who
liked me so much, wanted to give me his daughter in marriage. And when I was
about to say yes, because I liked that friend, and I knew that his daughter was
young and beautiful and virgin– when I was about to accept his offer, I
realized that Mother would be very cross with me if I married a girl from
outside of the village. So, one day, I rose very early in the morning and I
left that place without my friend knowing. And here I am now again.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “But you have come back
empty-handed, I see,” said Yezza. “How can you marry while you have no
money?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad just hung his head in
shame and fell silent. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Have you said your prayers?”
asked his mother. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No,” he replied with a blush,
rising to go out. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And he shuffled out of the
room. As he got outside, he cast his eyes up and saw the three-day-old crescent
standing alone on one corner of the sky, south of the village. He sighed, and
cursed Satan. But Yetto’s face would not leave his mind. Her dark eyes and
eyebrows and little red mouth were there: inside his mind, before his eyes, and
they were becoming clearer and clearer the longer he went into the darkness.
They forced him to think of her. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Six men were lounging by the
door of the mosque. They were chatting, but now that Muhammad said peace be
with you they all fell silent. Muhammad went into the mosque and found one man
sitting in a corner and reading the Koran. Muhammad greeted him and started his
prayers. And as he was praying, he found himself thinking of Yetto still. Yetto’s
face would just not leave his mind. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He finished his prayers and
went back to his father’s home. He asked his sister Yezza for a place to sleep.
She told him to sleep on the carpet in the guest-room, the very room where he
had first seen Yetto’s dark eyes and eyebrows. He went in there and lay on his
side and tried to sleep. But sleep would just not come. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> In the morning, Muhammad was
sitting with legs crossed when Yezza kicked the door open and came in holding a
tray in both hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Here’s your breakfast,” she
said with a little smile. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As she put down the tray on the
carpet and began to go out, Muhammad hailed her in a shaky voice: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yezza!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Yezza stopped and turned
round. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes?” she said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Come closer, please. I want to
talk to you.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Yezza sat down in front of him
and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Here I am! What was it you
wanted to talk to me about?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Is Yetto married?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yetto? Why?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Is she married?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “She isn’t. But why are you
asking me about her?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I want to marry her– that’s
why.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What! Are you crazy? Maybe you
don’t know that Yetto is the most beautiful girl anyone has ever seen anywhere.
Men have come from miles and miles away and offered her father gold and silver
and pearls and camels and all sorts of wealth and yet he has refused to give
her to any of them. Maybe you don’t know that any man from this village who
dared to voice his wish for her hand would immediately be turned into the
village idiot. Yetto is a woman only a fool would dream of. And tell me,
suppose her father were willing to give her to you, what would you give her as
a dowry?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My mule, that’s all I
have!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Yezza broke into derisive
laughter. Then she said, rising to go: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I thought you were serious.
Have a good breakfast!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As soon as he had had
breakfast, his mother came in and said:
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Good morning! All the village
men have gone to market, why haven’t you?”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I shall go to market next
week, Insha Allah.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright. But please don’t
leave this room until the men have come back from market! Don’t get us into
trouble with the village girls!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I can’t stay here in this
room!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Go to the backyard,
then!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And he went to the backyard and
sat on a bale of straw and leant against the trunk of an olive-tree and faced
the plain rolling down to the wadi. Soon he pictured himself leaving the house
with Yetto walking at his side, with her orange robe fluttering in the slight
wind– walking slowly and talking in whispers as they went down to the wadi, and
then making their way through that thick line of reed that almost hid the
wadibed… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He remained there musing about
his Yetto, until his younger brother Hussein came to him and said that there
was a man outside asking for him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Go and ask Mother if I could
go outside and meet the man,” said Muhammad, rising to his feet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hussein disappeared for a
moment and then came back with his mother’s answer. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “She says you can meet with him
in the guest-room,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad did not know the
visitor, but he instantly knew that he was from somewhere nearby, because he
spoke the same Berber and he was wearing a white jellaba. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I just came to ask you whether
you have any knowledge of Arithmetic,” said the visitor, sitting down close to
Muhammad in the guest-room. “I was at the market this morning and I heard about
you, and I was desperately looking for someone to teach me basic
Arithmetic.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why do you want to learn
Arithmetic?” said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, to be honest with you, I
have heard of an interesting job, and I can’t get that job if I don’t know
Arithmetic.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Is it a job offered by a
ruler?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, if you wish,” said the
visitor hesitantly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where do you live?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I live in Tushki.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s not very far from here.
But how much will you pay me?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, as I said, I only need
to learn basic Arithmetic. And I am under pressure of time. All my efforts will
have been in vain if I don’t get the job within two weeks. So I will only need
you for two weeks.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright! But still how much
will you pay me?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’ll give you five dirhams a
day and a chicken per week, as a bonus.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Done!” said Muhammad with a
smile. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The visitor smiled blissfully
and rose to go. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I shall come to you as soon as
the village men have come back from market,” said Muhammad in a satisfied
voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “See you then!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Wait! Before you go remind me
of your name…” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad showed his visitor
out, and as he turned round and stepped back into the house his mother hailed
him from a little way to his right, and when he stood in front of her, she
said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Who was that man and what did
he want?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That was a man from Tushki. He
wanted me to teach him how to do calculations so that he could get a job.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How much will he pay
you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Five dirhams a day, plus a
chicken per week, he said.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And you’ll take the job?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why not?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright! You can go to him,
but, take it from me, don’t tell your brothers about your pay, otherwise
they’ll hold you up to ridicule!”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad smiled shyly, and
moved on to the backyard. And there he stayed, thinking and dreaming, until his
father and brothers came back from market. Then he joined them in the
dining-room and greeted them with peace be with you and sat by his father’s
side. His father smiled at him a forced smile, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are you still tired?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am fine, Father.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tell me, Father,” said Hassan,
one of Muhammad’s siblings. “Are you really going to sell the camel to
H’ssein?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’m still thinking about it,”
his father began. “I’ve heard that–” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At that moment, Yezza brought
in a dish of fish and set it on the table, saying: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now eat and talk
afterwards!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad moved close to the
table and began eating in silence, while his father and brother resumed their
talk about the camel. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Immediately after lunch,
Muhammad rose and left the dining-room. He performed his ablutions in the
backyard and then said his prayers in the guest-room and went out. He knew that
Yetto’s home was to the east and Tushki was to the southwest, but he did not
know what way to take. He led his mule out of the stable and walked a short way
as slowly as he could, just to make up his mind. In the end, he mounted the
mule and headed southwest, to Tushki. The sun was in his eyes. The children who
had first seen him the previous day waved to him now as he rode past the
vineyard. The grapes in the vineyard were dark purple, almost the colour of Yetto’s
eyes. Those eyes were leading him now. They were teaching him new things; they
were opening up a whole new world before him. But Yetto herself was there:
back, behind him, hidden from him– waiting for a ‘fool’ to take her away from
her father… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> These thoughts accompanied
Muhammad all the way to Tushki. The man who wanted him was waiting for him in
the doorway of his home. He greeted him with the warmest words and took his
mule into the stable and came back to conduct him into a large room carpeted
with a black-and-orange carpet. Tea was already there, and also cakes and
almonds. And so Muhammad sat down and began his first lesson. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The birds were flying back to
their nests and night was beginning to fall hen Muhammad’s mule headed back to
Azlu, the village where Yetto would soon go to sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Would she think of him when she
went to sleep? And why him? Didn’t she know anyone before him? They had seen
each other only twice, twice on the same day. And then she was gone. Why had
she stayed late that day? Why she of all other women?… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> These thoughts accompanied
Muhammad all the way back to Azlu. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Not a single human figure was
around when he entered Azlu. Only a few late-roosting birds squealed overhead
and a few roaming dogs barked here and there. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad’s family were asleep.
And none of them rose when the chained dog by the front door shook the night
with its wild barks. The door was closed. Muhammad did not dare open it, not
from fear; but simply, he did not want to disturb anybody. He tied up his mule
to a tree and took down the saddle and propped it up against the trunk of
another tree and sat down on it. He looked up at the luminous crescent, then
east– towards Yetto’s home. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And there he stayed until dawn,
when he rose and headed for the mosque. “Oh, if only the mosque was near her
home!” he thought sadly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> On his return from mosque,
Muhammad found his father sitting under one of the trees in front of the house.
He greeted him politely and squatted by his side, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Father, I am free all morning.
If you need me for any work in the fields, I can help you.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No, my son,” said his father,
“I don’t need your help. Don’t help me! Help yourself! That’s what I want of
you. You lost so many years on nothing, my son. You wasted your youth on
nothing. You’ve been leading a wasted life. Now you are almost forty, with no
home, no wife, no children, no lands, no money, with nothing. How long will you
live on, my son? When will you start your life? Were you happy the other day
when the village men made fun of you? They were right in asking what you had
brought with you after all these years of absence. Is it reasonable what you
did?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Father, I want to say
something.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> His father said nothing, but
listened expectantly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I want to marry Yetto. That’s
what I wanted to say.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What! Do you want me to become
the laughing stock of the village? Listen and listen well! I warn you! Don’t
mention that name again! Or else go back where you came from!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 20pt;"><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-two_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-three_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-four_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-five_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul></span></div>
<br />Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-84147756345646848492019-12-05T03:06:00.006-08:002024-01-11T03:36:53.876-08:00Chapter Two<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Muhammad bowed his head and sighed, then he rose to his feet and moved
on to where his mule was still tied up to the tree. He untied and mounted it
diffidently and rode in the direction of the wadi. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where are you going?” his
father said aloud. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But Muhammad just rode on,
trying his best to hold back his tears. He went past the mosque and nodded to
the Imam, who was sitting alone by its door. And on he rode till he reached the
reed, then he alighted and let his mule raze on the little yellowish grass
along the reed edge. He himself walked a short way along the edge, thinking. He
stopped and turned towards the mule. For a moment, his gaze came to rest on the
mosque, then he looked down and walked slowly back towards the mule. And there
he sat down with his back to the reed and ran his eye over the rolling
landscape before him. “I can’t find a better place to live for the moment,” he
thought. “I should build a small home here. But where exactly?” He stood up and
began to walk back and forth, passing the mule in each trip. Then he stopped
and faced Yetto’s home, which he could hardly see from there. He stayed
standing up there until he felt tired. Then he shuffled up to the mule and
pulled it gently towards a palm-tree, to which he tied it up. Then he moved a
little way from the tree and lay on his back on a sandy spot. But it was not
long before he rose, because the sun was becoming too painful for his face to
bear. He untied his mule and dragged it along towards the mosque. As he
approached the northern side of the mosque, the Imam rose and faced him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You look a little bit
nervous,” the Imam said. “What’s the
matter with you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I just wanted to sit with you
awhile,” Muhammad panted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh, you’re welcome! Tie the
beast up to that tree and come to sit by me.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And they sat side by side with
their backs against the wall. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “It’s hot, isn’t it?” Muhammad
began. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, it is.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tell me, Sheikh, when I came
back I found out that many children had been born during my absence. I wonder
whether anybody from the village has passed away since I left fourteen or
fifteen years ago?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, a handful of them,” the
Imam sighed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Who?” Muhammad gasped. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Imam named the dead in
chronological order, and Muhammad held his breath up to the last name. And he
could not help heaving a sigh of relief when the name he feared to hear was not
among those enumerated by the Imam. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “To be honest with you,” he
said at length, “I wanted to ask you about Dami.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Dami? Why?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, I know that she was
about your age now when I left. So she must be old today. And I know that she
was a childless widow, and she was a good woman, and she had a few plots of
land and animals also. I was going to ask you about her because, honestly, I
would like to have a small home of my own; but, as you see, I’m short of money,
and I need a small spot to build a small shack on. I was there by the reed
edge, and I thought of building a shack with pieces of that reed. But the
problem is that I need a place. That’s why I thought of Dami.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I can now understand why you
thought of Dami. You’re right in saying that she’s a good woman and she can
help you. But why don’t you stay with your family? Your father’s home is one of
the largest in the village!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I know. I know. But I don’t
feel comfortable living under their roof. I would prefer a shack of my own
close to the wadi. So, please, if you can, come along with me to Dami’s home to
see whether she can give me a place to build my shack on, at least for one
month or to, and, in return, I’ll be at her service. I’ll help her as much as I
can with the field work and so on. Will you please come with me? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Gladly!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And they left the mule by the
mosque and walked slowly to Dami’s. Dami lived next door to Yetto. Only a field
stood between the two homes. But Yetto was nowhere to be seen when Muhammad and
the Imam stood at Dami’s door. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> It was the Imam who knocked.
Dami, a tall woman in her late sixties, came out to open the door. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Welcome!” she said. “Come
in!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Thanks!” replied the Imam,
without stirring from his place. “We won’t bother you much. We only came to you
because this man, Muhammad Bin H’mad Amgoon, has got a problem and he needs
your help.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Right! But come in!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad and the Imam followed
her across the small courtyard into a large room with a thatched roof. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now, what’s the problem?” said
Dami, sitting down on the blue carpet.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “The problem,” said the Imam,
“is that Muhammad wants to build a small reed shack close to the wadi, but he
can’t afford a plot of ground to build the shack on.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why do you want to have a
shack by the wadi?” said Dami, looking at Muhammad. “Do you want to live with
the djinns?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh, no, Mum!” said Muhammad
with a smile. “I’m no less afraid of the djinns than you are. I only wish to be
alone for some time. I came back only a few days ago, and I’ve found it quite
difficult to get along with the village people. I need to be alone for some
time.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright. Don’t worry! I’ll
give you a plot of ground very close to the reed and not far from the mosque.
But who will build the shack for you?”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’ll try to do it all by
myself, or perhaps with the help of the Imam.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Right. That’s a good idea. If
the Imam helps you I’ll pay him. Is there any other problem?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No,” said the Imam, who looked
delighted with Dami’s offer. “That’s the only problem.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, Mum!” said Muhammad
happily. “That’s the only problem. And I’ll never forget your help!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Dami smiled at him, and
said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now go and come back at
lunchtime. You and the Imam will lunch with us. My adopted son, who is now out
in the pastures, will lunch with you.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Thanks!” said Muhammad and the
Imam in unison. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At midday, the Imam –who was
also the muezzin– called to prayer. But nobody answered his call. “They only
come for dusk prayers, when they have finished all their work,” he commented,
waving to Muhammad to join him in prayer.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Immediately after midday
prayers, Muhammad untied his mule and dragged it along, while the Imam walked
at his side towards Dami’s home. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where’s the saddle?” the Imam
asked as they started off. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I left it at home.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And why are you bringing the
mule with you– we’re only going to Dami’s?”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’ll go from there to Tushki.
A man is waiting for me there…” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Dami, too, saw the mule and
asked: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why did you bring the
mule?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I need it, because after lunch
I’m going to Tushki.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you have to do in
Tushki?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, a Tushki man has hired
me to teach him how to make calculations.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Really?” said Dami with a
smile. “Can you then teach my son?”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Of course, I can!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’m pleased to hear that! Now
let your mule graze over there and come in. You too, Sheikh! Come in! You’re
welcome!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As Muhammad, the Imam and
Dami’s son began eating, Dami suddenly emerged from a side room and came
towards them, smiling. She sat down close to Muhammad and said, holding out her
hand to pick an olive from the dish:
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Muhammad, I just came to see
what you would be teaching my son. Will you please teach him something now,
just for me to see?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright, Mum!” replied
Muhammad affably. Then he looked at the boy and said, “How old are you, Issa?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Twelve,” said Issa
timidly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Who told you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My mother told me.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “When were you born?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I don’t know.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Say: I was born twelve years
ago,” Dami put in, looking gently at the boy.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I was born twelve years ago,”
Issa repeated after his mother. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now, Issa, suppose you had a
cow that gives birth to a new calf every other year, how many calves would she
give you in twelve years?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Issa stopped eating and started
counting within himself, using his fingers.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Five. No– six,” he said at
length. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Good! Very good!” Muhammad
exclaimed happily. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Dami smiled a merry smile, and
said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I think he can learn. I’ll
give him one dirham a day as long as he learns well. But tell me, Muhammad, you
said you had that man in Tushki to teach, when will you be teaching my son
then?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’m free all morning, Mum;
I’ll meet Issa every morning when he’s out with the herd in the pasture. Or
maybe we could meet up at the mosque?”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I think it’s better to meet up
with him in the pasture. Please see to it that he learns well!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Don’t worry, Mum! I’ll do my
best!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> After lunch, Muhammad took his
mule and set out for Tushki. He took the path that ran only a few yards from Yetto’s
home. He glanced through the first, then the second window, but nothing was
there to be seen. Neither Yetto nor anyone from her family. All he could see
was her white abode, with its tall trees and cackling chickens and silent
dog. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And on he rode, under a blazing
sun. As he neared Tushki, a light wind began blowing from the west, and from
there, too, light clouds began sailing across the sky. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad was happy to dine with
his client in Tushki, but he politely declined the invitation to spend the
night there. So he took his mule and rode back to Azlu. He knew he had no home
to spend the night in Azlu. But he could not spend the night anywhere but in
Azlu. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And again he rode along a path
from which he could see Yetto’s home, looking dark– although the crescent above
was luminous. So he rode on and on till he got to the reed edge. And there he
tied up the mule to a palm-tree and looked for a spot to sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At dawn, he was at mosque. The
Imam, too, was there. And no one else joined them for dawn prayers. Nobody was
stirring yet when Muhammad and the Imam walked down to the reed edge with the
Imam carrying in a reed basket the knives, the saws and a can of milk. As they
went past the plot of ground which Dami had given Muhammad, and which stood
between the reed and the village graveyard, the Imam said, “I don’t think it’s
a good place for you.” “I think it is indeed,” was Muhammad’s reply. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The sun was out when Issa
appeared through the swaying reed, holding a small reed basket in one hand.
Muhammad dropped the reeds he was cutting down and walked slowly up to Issa,
who greeted him and handed him the basket, saying: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My mother has sent you these
grapes for breakfast, and she invites you and the Imam to lunch today.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Thanks! But where did you
leave the animals?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My mother is looking after
them; I’m going back now.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
“Alright! Thanks a lot. Tell your mother we’re coming for lunch.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At lunchtime Muhammad and the
Imam performed midday prayers at the mosque and then went to lunch at Dami’s.
After lunch, the Imam returned to the wadi to continue work on the reed, while
Muhammad set out for Tushki, taking the path from which he could glance into Yetto’s
home. Again, as he neared Tushki, a light wind began blowing from the west and
light clouds began to appear across the sky. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The next day the light wind and
clouds did not wait until the afternoon. They lasted all morning while Muhammad
and the Imam were busy constructing the shack. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But when Muhammad and the Imam
were heading for Dami’s for lunch, the sky was clear and the light wind was
gone and it was getting increasingly hot.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> While they were eating, Dami
came to them and said, looking gently at Muhammad: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Here are two blankets for you,
Muhammad. They are a bit old, but they can do you well, I hope.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh, thanks, Mum!” Muhammad
replied almost tearfully. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> On the way back from Tushki,
the wind was strong– so strong that the mule could hardly move on. And the sky
was dark, with no crescent, no star. And yet, when he was entering Azlu,
Muhammad could not but take the nearest path to Yetto’s home. He saw her abode,
and rode on to his shack. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The strong wind moaned round
the shack all night, and so Muhammad could not sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> In the morning there was yet
another problem, this time with the sun. On his way to the pasture where he was
due to meet up with Issa, Muhammad saw three adults and five youngsters, and
they were all blinking and sweating. He himself was sweating like a bull when
he sat by Issa’s side on a sandy spot under an argan-tree. Muhammad was there
to give his first lesson to Issa, and also to have a chance to look more
closely at Yetto’s home. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Despite the stifling heat, he
stayed out there until lunchtime, but Yetto was nowhere to be seen. He saw her
father, he saw her mother, he saw her brother, but not her. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Even when he took his mule and
set out for Tushki and went past her home, he did not see her. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Enough’s enough!” he yelled at
himself when he was back to his shack late at night. “It’s enough to drive you
crazy! I left this land to learn more about the world, about life and about
God. But now I look as though I don’t know anything at all!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Sleep carried him away for a
few hours, then he stirred and sat up. And he started thinking. He thought and
sighed and thought and sighed until he suddenly burst out, “Do I love God or do
I love Yetto? I just want to know!”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The morning found him sitting
again with Issa in a pasture not far from Yetto’s home. He talked and Issa
listened to him closely. But then Issa suddenly said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why do you always sit like
this, facing that home, and each time you look up over there you sigh?
Why?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I like sitting this way,” said
Muhammad with a blush. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Issa looked at him
incredulously, but remained silent. Muhammad took a rather long look at the
boy, then said in a hesitant tone:
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s special about that
home, Issa?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “A young woman lives in there,”
Issa grinned. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And what’s special about this
young woman?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “They say she’s very
beautiful!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Who told you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I heard some boys talk about
her.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Have you ever seen her
yourself?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “She’s a neighbour of yours,
though?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “She appears to women
only.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright! Now that you’ve told
me all this, Issa, I think I should be sitting like this!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And he turned his back on Yetto’s
home, which made the boy let out a loud laugh. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> A few hours later, both the
Imam and Muhammad looked curiously at the man who had joined them in
prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am from Souss,” the young
man explained in standard Berber. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You’re welcome,” said the
Imam. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Thank you,” said the Soussi
man. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What took you to this land?”
said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, that’s a funny story!”
the Soussi man replied with a smile.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Let’s go out and then tell us
your story,” said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> All three sat down in something
of a triangle on the northern side of the mosque. Then the Soussi began his
story: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yesterday morning, I was
waiting my turn in the barbershop at the market when you (he pointed at
Muhammad) came and sat in front of me. I don’t think you remember me because
you didn’t look at me in the first place. And that’s the first thing that struck
me about you. Then I noticed that all those who were in the shop had something
or other to say. Only you and I did not speak. If I didn’t speak, that was
because I don’t quite master this land’s dialect. But I was amazed at the way
you were sitting up there, silent and motionless as a dead body, sitting with
downcast eyes, and waiting your turn patiently. I also noticed that you were
dressed in a sky-blue gown, while all the others, including myself, were in
jellabas. And as I was waiting, it occurred to me to give up my turn to you.
And that’s what I did, but even then you didn’t look up at me. You only said
thank you as you rose from your chair. At first I didn’t know why I did that,
but then my surprise was great when I heard you say to the barber, “My
moustache only.” At that moment, I made up my mind to leave the shop and lurk
somewhere nearby to see where you would go and what you’d do next. My heart
leapt when I saw you leave the barbershop. And then I followed you. You went to
buy this jellaba you’re wearing now.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And then?” said Muhammad with
a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And then I followed you as you
left the market and walked rather quickly back to your shack. I stopped a good
way from your shack and hid in the reed and waited to see what you would do
next.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “This is a really funny story!”
said the Imam, looking once at Muhammad then back at the Soussi. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Go on!” said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, and then I kept hiding
and watching until you left your shack for the mosque. I didn’t want to join
you then, because I wanted to know more about you. But then you came back to
the shack only to take the mule and ride away. And I decided to stay in my
hiding place until you returned. And during your absence I took my own mule to
a place down the valley, and then I went up and picked my way through the reed,
trying not to leave any tracks. Then I stood as close to your shack as I could;
the door was partly open and I could see through it; and once again I was just
as amazed at your shack as at you personally. I wondered why you had chosen to
have that small shack out there. And I wondered why you had gone to the market
on foot while you had a mule! And I said to myself that you must be either a
fool or a good scholar. So I decided to wait and see, saying to myself, “If
he’s a fool, I’ll leave him right away; if he’s a scholar, I’ll stay with him a
day or two to learn something from him and then continue on my way.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where were you going?” said
the Imam curiously. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Let him finish!” said Muhammad
gently. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, and I waited and waited
until you returned in the middle of the night. At that time I was shivering
with cold, and I was horrified at the thought of being stung by a scorpion or
bitten by a snake, and so I was about to come to you, but then I checked myself
and decided to stay out there and wait until the morning.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh!” Muhammad exclaimed
thoughtfully, bending forward and taking the Soussi in his arms. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Then both stood up and shook
hands. Then Muhammad said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You wanted to know whether I’m
a fool or a scholar, is that right? Well, believe it or not, I myself don’t
know whether I’m a fool or a scholar. It’s you who’ll tell me what I am! But
tell me, where were you going?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, I am a student. I was
studying in schools in Fez. And I was going back home. I’m from Souss, as I
said.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Great! What’s your name,
brother?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My name is Hassan Tikiwin, and
you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And I am Muhammad Amgoon.
You’re welcome, Hassan! But I’m sorry to say that I may not be able to stay
with you all day. You know, I have a small boy to teach in the morning and an
adult man to teach in the afternoon.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you teach the boy?”
said Hassan impatiently. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I teach him how to make simple
calculations.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright! Leave that to me! You
and I stay together in the morning, right? And when you leave, I’ll stay with
the boy all afternoon. Would that suit you?”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Let’s go and ask the boy
first!” replied Muhammad with a broad smile. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And as they started off,
Muhammad said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How old are you, Hassan?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am twenty-four years
old.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are you married?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why not?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “If fact, I was going back home
to get married and start my life as a teacher in one of the few Quranic schools near home.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Who’s going to be your
wife?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I don’t know, really. My
mother will choose one for me.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “When did you leave Fez?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “About four months ago.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How long did you stay
there?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I stayed there for about four
years.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What did you study
there?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Everything.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Such as?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, I studied the Quran, the
Haddith, the Tafsir, the Arabic language, History, Arithmetic–
everything!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Great!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And what about you?” said
Hassan hesitantly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad sighed, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I too was in Fez. I too
studied the things you mentioned.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are you married?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How old are you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am almost thirty-nine years
old.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Were you married in the
past?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No, never.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Have you been here for a long
time?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No. I came back only ten days
ago.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “From Fez, you mean?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No, from a place called
Tamassna, do you know?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, I have heard about
it.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “In fact, I didn’t come
straight over here. I went further south to Ighmizen, where I spent more than
six months. I left Ighmizen a little more than two months ago. Now, tell me,
Hassan. You said you were going back home to marry and teach. What would you
like to teach?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “The same things I was
taught!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So why did you stop here and
wished to meet me?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I wanted to learn something
from you.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Such as?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Anything!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And what if I said I’m sorry I
don’t have anything more to teach you than what you know already?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you mean?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, I have no books with
me.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Maybe you don’t have them on
paper, but you certainly have books in your mind, don’t you? You have certainly
memorized things from the time you were in Fez or anywhere else, haven’t you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, I have. But the thing is
that I hate to recite books.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you mean?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What I mean is this: I can
discuss with you, but I can’t teach you.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright! Let’s have a
discussion!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Not before we ask the boy!
Hey, Issa!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> They talked to Issa, and walked
back towards the shack. And they talked as they went along. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Let me ask you one question,
Muhammad. Why did you choose to live in that small shack? Don’t you belong to
this village?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
“I am from the village. My family lives over there.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So why do you live in a
shack?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad laughed, then
said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tell me, Hassan, when you go
to sleep, and you fall asleep, and start dreaming, do you know where you are
sleeping? Suppose you were sleeping in a nice bed in a nice room in that nice
house over there, and then someone came and moved your bed, without awakening
you, and placed it gently in my shack, would you then feel any difference,
before you woke?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, I don’t think I would,”
said Hassan with a little smile. “But the problem is that you don’t have a nice
bed in your shack, do you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad laughed again, and
gripped Hassan’s arm, and said:
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Let’s stop awhile! Look here:
imagine yourself in love with a young woman living in that house over there;
imagine that the only time you could see your beloved is just after dawn, but
still you can’t meet her or talk to her or even wave to her from a place as far
as this; what would you do?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I would most probably come
before dawn and sit somewhere around here and wait for her to show up.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Would you then bring with you
a nice bed or armchair and ensconce yourself comfortably while you’re
waiting?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh, no!” Hassan laughed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Suppose you had to do that––I
mean, to come and sit down here, and wait––everyday, every week, every month–
would you complain about that?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I might complain, but I would
just have to grin and bear it.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “For whose sake would you bear
all that suffering?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “For my beloved’s sake, of
course!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So what if I chose to live in
a mean shack and sleep on a rugged floor and bear my suffering patiently for
the sake of He Who made me?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hassan kept quiet for a moment,
then burst out: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “But why should you suffer
while you can be better off?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I was longing to see my family
again,” Muhammad sighed. “And, like you, I came back here in the hope of
getting married with a woman from the village. I didn’t want to marry a woman
unknown to my family, because I didn’t want to displease my mother. But on my
return, my family were unhappy, because I had no money on me. I asked them to
help me marry a young woman from the village, but they refused on the grounds
that I had no money.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hassan looked curiously at
Muhammad, then said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Then, why did you stay here?
Why didn’t you go to another place where you could marry? I know that many men
have got married even though they had no money?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad sighed, then looked
back at Hassan, and said with a sad smile: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I wish I could!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s stopping you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad sighed once again, and
said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Love!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are you in love?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hassan gaped, and then fell
silent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-three_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-four_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-five_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul></span></div>
<br />Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-54009234842318289252019-12-05T03:05:00.004-08:002024-01-11T03:37:36.173-08:00Chapter Three<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was getting increasingly hot as the morning wore on, but Muhammad and
Hassan went on walking and talking until they reached the place where Hassan
had left his mule on Saturday. The mule was tied up to a shrub. As Hassan squatted
down to untie it, he said, pointing to the dry pebbles to his right: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You know what? Three years
ago, I remember, I was coming by here and I found the wadi swollen by rain, and
I had to wait a solid month on the other bank before I could cross over to this
side and continue on my way back home.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, that happens sometimes,”
said Muhammad, looking about. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So you may have to move soon!”
said Hassan, rising to his feet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “It depends. Anyway, this is
just the beginning of Autumn. The sun is still painful on the body, you see. In
the afternoon it will be even hotter, and, by the way, you’ll have to be
patient with the boy.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’ll try! Now, let’s
move!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> They went back to the shack,
and there they stayed, talking about everything and nothing, until they heard
the muezzin’s call. Then Muhammad took his mule and waved to Hassan to walk at
his side up to the mosque. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Imam met them on the
northern side of the mosque. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Will you do me a favour,
Sheïkh?” said Muhammad to the Imam.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’ll do it provided you give
me another chicken! By the way, the chicken you gave me last time was
good!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You’ll have what you want,
Sheïkh, but not now,” replied Muhammad with a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I was just joking,” said the
Imam. “What’s the problem?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, you know my shack. I
can’t entertain guests in it. Would you please give Hassan a home for
tonight?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Gladly!” said the Imam. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Thank you, Sheïkh!” said
Hassan. “But I will either spend the night in your shack, Muhammad, or
go.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright!” said Muhammad. “But
you know when I come back from Tushki!”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Don’t worry!” said the Imam.
“Hassan will dine with me and then go and wait for you in the shack. Now, let’s
pray!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> After the prayers, Muhammad
went along with Hassan to the pasture where Issa was waiting in the shade of a
tree. Hassan stayed there with the boy, and Muhammad mounted his mule and rode
on. He stopped at Dami’s door. Dami came out and said she had no problem with
Hassan staying with her son for that afternoon. Then she handed Muhammad a
bunch of grapes and wished him good day.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad thanked her and moved
off. He cast his eyes up to thank God as he put the first grape in his mouth.
And then his heart jumped when he saw Yetto’s father standing in the doorway of
his home. And as Muhammad rode past that home, Yetto’s father hailed him.
Muhammad turned pink when Yetto’s father stood in front of him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why do you always come this
way, Muhammad?” Yetto’s father asked in a grave tone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s because I have
something to do in Tushki,” Muhammad replied in a shaky voice. “And I sometimes
come to Dami’s; and, as you know, this is the shortest way to Tushki.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright!” said Yetto’s father
with a sly smile. “I feared you took this path for another reason. I’ll see
what happens next! Have a nice day!”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad tapped the mule and
slipped the remainder of the grapes into his jellaba’s hood, and laid his hand
on his heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s the matter with you?”
said the Tushki man as Muhammad alighted from the mule. “Why is your face so
dark? Are you ill?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “A little bit, yes,” Muhammad
panted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And in the course of the
lesson, Muhammad hesitated and floundered and sighed and gasped for breath. And
he left as soon as the lesson was over.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You have always dined with
us,” said the Tushki man. “What happened to you today?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Thanks! I’ll dine at home,”
Muhammad replied, mounting the mule.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The sky was dark––no moon, no
stars. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But there was light in the
shack. Muhammad looked in and saw Hassan lying face downwards, sound asleep. A
small lantern lay a little way from his feet. Muhammad turned round and looked
down, thinking. Then he sat down just beside the door. Soon he dozed off. But
only for a short while. His eyes opened and fell on a very dark space between
the reeds. He kept gazing vacantly into space. Then he heard a light noise.
Hassan rose and came up to the door. He looked down at Muhammad and said in a
somnolent voice: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You look sad tonight!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad sighed, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
“Did you dine with the Imam?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, I did,” said Hassan,
taking a step forward to sit beside Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad sighed and held his
head in his hands and sighed again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s the matter?” said
Hassan with a worried frown. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad sighed once more, and
said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “The Tushki man invited me to
dinner and I said I would dine at home.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are you sad because you didn’t
dine or because you lied to the Tushki man?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I dined on grapes on my way
back.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So you are sad because of the
lie.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s absolutely it! I have
become a liar!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You lied because you couldn’t
stay in Tushki.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s right.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You couldn’t stay there
because you wanted to come back as early as possible.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No. I came early because I
couldn’t eat. Even the grapes I couldn’t finish them off.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hassan laughed, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’m sorry I can’t help
laughing, but what happened?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> This is what happened: the
young woman’s father warned me against taking any path close to their home.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now, I see! You are sad
because of love, then!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, I am sad, but I am
happy.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What! Sad and happy? Explain!”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am sad because I can’t get
what I want. I am happy because I can cope with my sadness.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Excuse me, but you’re talking
like a philosopher. Would you please clarify that in my mind?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad himself laughed now,
then said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, it’s quite simple. I am
sad because I can’t marry the woman I love. But despite my sadness I can laugh,
I can walk, I can talk, and I can think. And when I think, I feel ashamed of
myself, because I would then realize that I am thinking of someone who hasn’t
given me anything. I think of the girl night and day, but she doesn’t give me
anything. What about God, Who gave me life, Who gave me eyesight, Who gave me
speech, Who gave me all the means to learn and think, etc, etc? The truth is
that I am now thinking more of the girl than of God! Isn’t this reason enough
for me to be ashamed of myself? And when I realize this and try as best I can
to think of God –again– I just can’t do it. I would only find myself torn
between the girl and God. I can’t help it. I wish I could forget all about the
girl and think of God only, but I can’t. Every single day now I am becoming
more and more aware of my contradictions. Every single day now I am learning
more and more about myself. I’m becoming more and more aware of the world
around me. Now, I not only see the world or hear it– I feel it. Now, I am more
sensitive to beauty. Now, more than ever before, I would love to see the bright
moon in the heart of a starry sky; I would love to see and hear birds
twittering over my head; I would love to see water flowing in a river, with the
green trees swaying gently in the wind on the banks; I would love to see trees
in full blossom; I would love to see kids playing merrily on the ground around
their homes; I would love to see late-roosting birds fluttering away to their
nests. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And again, I realize that
those things are just what God wants me to pay attention to. You’ve read the
Quran, haven’t you, and you know that God speaks about the earth and the skies,
about the rivers and the seas, about palm-trees and grapes and olives and figs
and birds and beasts, and all sorts of things. God wants us to think of those
things. He wants us to think about them as a means to remind ourselves of Him.
And so I find myself thinking once again of Him, although for a short while.
Now, I think of God in a different way– say, in a better way. Still, I’m
ashamed of myself. I know that my thoughts should go to God first. But what can
I do? I am torn between God and my love.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You didn’t answer my question,
though,” said Hassan in a tremulous voice.” How can you be sad and happy at the
same time?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “It seems you haven’t got my
meaning,” Muhammad replied with a smile. “Let me put it this way. What’s my
problem? My problem is that I can’t marry the one I love. Is that correct? I
then ask myself: why? Well, when I think about it over and over again, I say to
myself, ‘You can’t marry her because you don’t deserve her!’ But then I ask:
‘But she, does she deserve me?’” Muhammad laughed as he went on, “I know why I
don’t deserve her; it’s because I think of her more than of God. And that’s
what I shouldn’t be doing as a good Muslim. It’s God Who gave me everything.
The girl hasn’t given me anything at all. And immediately, I start saying
within myself: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> ‘Khalaqany, razaqany,
âllammany, hadany.’ ((God) made me; (God) provided me with the means of
subsistence; (God) taught me; (God) showed me the right path.) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
And as I say this again and again, my sighs cease, my heartbeat abates,
and my whole body relaxes. And then I feel happy. I move from sadness to
happiness. Is that now clear?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hassan, who was listening
closely, lost in silent wonder, now let out a laugh and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yours is a really funny
story!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And let me add one thing,”
said Muhammad zealously. “I am not in a hurry to get married. I would suffer a
great deal more if someone else came overnight and took my love away from me.
As long as she is unmarried, I will do everything I possibly can to reach her.
But I would never win her and lose myself. I heard people say that lovers
sometimes do crazy things and some go crazy altogether. And that is scaring me.
I fear I may make a crazy mistake. But then there’s something I always hold in
mind. I want to live for myself, but also for others. Meanness is the worst
feature of human character, and selfishness is the worst form of meanness. Mean
people don’t want to suffer for others. I am just as willing to suffer for
others as for my own sake. That’s why I’ll try not to make a crazy mistake!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh!” Hassan burst out. “I
thought I had become something of a scholar; I thought I was learned enough to
start teaching others. But now that I have met you, I think I should go back
north to learn more.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And what about marriage?”
Muhammad joked. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’ll wait like you waited!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> In the morning, Hassan was
about to mount his mule and go when he said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Before I go, tell me,
Muhammad, I've heard that someone called you 'The Philosopher'. Can you tell me
why?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad laughed heartily and
said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "It was such a long time
ago! I was fourteen years old then. A man in his sixties used to go from
village to village telling people what they should and what they shouldn't do
according to the Quran and the Haddith, he said. He sort of issued fatwas, you
know. And one day, I stood among the crowd who were asking him questions. And
suddenly I waved to him and said I had a question.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What's your
question?" he said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What do you do with the
money you collect from our village?" I asked. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Well," he said,
"I add it to the money I collect from other villages!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "And what do you do with
the money you collect from all the villages?" I asked. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Well," he said,
"I buy the things I need to live." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "And why do you
live?" I asked. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "That's enough!" he
said. "You are a philosopher. May God curse all philosophers!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Everybody answered,
"Amen!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "And that's all the
story!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hassan burst out laughing as he
mounted his mule, and moved off. Muhammad kept watching him ride across the
riverbed, then up the other bank. Soon Hassan went out of sight. Muhammad
sighed. He stayed standing up there, wondering what to do. Should he go to Issa
and risk a "scandal", now that Yetto's father had warned him? Or
should he go back to his shack and sleep?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He went to his shack. He lay on
his side. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep. But then he opened his eyes. Yetto
was too big for his eyes to contain. Yetto had filled his eyes to bursting
point. That's why he opened his eyes. But Yetto was not only inside his eyes.
She was before his eyes, everywhere he looked. The shack was full of her. So
full of her that he could not stay there any longer. He picked himself up and
put on his scandals and shuffled up to the pasture where he would meet up with
Issa. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Issa was there, waiting
patiently. Muhammad sat by his side and joked with him before he began a new
lesson. He talked and Issa listened, while the animals shuffled around, until
someone stood just behind them. Muhammad flung up his head and saw two eyes
full of hate. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What are you doing
here?" Yetto's father said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I am teaching the
boy," Muhammad replied in a broken voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Teaching him?" Yetto's
father snorted. "Is this a school?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad turned back to Issa
and said in a low voice: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Issa, please tell your
mother I can't meet up with you here any longer." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Issa just watched in silence as
Muhammad struggled to his feet and trudged away back to his shack. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At siesta-time, Muhammad
mounted his mule and set out for Tushki, taking the farthest path possible from
Yetto's home. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He dined with the Tushki man,
and joined him in prayer, then took his mule and rode back to Azlu. And he
smiled as he rode on. He smiled because there was a full moon that night, and
the moon was hanging motionless in the sky, just over Yetto's home, in the
northeast. It looked as if the moon was standing there on the watch lest anyone
should come and take Yetto away from him, Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But Muhammad sighed. He knew he
was only dreaming. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And on he rode. He went past
the vineyard, and took a path from which he could see Yetto's home. He peered
at the home; he looked up at the moon, and smiled again, and rode on. And as he
was halfway between the mosque and the graveyard, the smile faded at the sight
of a fire just on the spot where stood his shack. The shack that once stood
there was now in flames. Muhammad cursed Satan and jumped off and hastened to
put out the flames. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The flames were put out, and
the shack was now reduced to a heap of rubble. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad took his mule and rode
away from the place, looking for a sandy spot to spend the night. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At dawn he went to mosque. He
greeted the Imam, who returned the greeting coldly. As soon as the prayers were
over, the Imam sprang to his feet and left, saying his wife was ill.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad went from place to
place along the reed edge, thinking. "Why don't I go back to Ighmizen and
marry my friend's daughter?" he thought ruefully. "Go!" Yetto's
eyes challenged him. "What's stopping you?" But go he could not. He
was now glued to this land. It looked as if someone had cast a spell on him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At midday he went back to where
his shack once stood. He sighed twice: firstly because he thought that Yetto's
father might have been behind this; secondly, because he saw his saddle lying
beside the rubble. That meant that his family too were not willing to see him
again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> After midday prayers, he fitted
the saddle on the mule and set out for Tushki, taking a path from which he
could not see Yetto's home. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Three days later, he said
farewell to the Turkish man and took his money and the chicken and rode back to
Azlu. He glanced at Yetto's home and rode on towards the heap of rubble, then
rode away to where he could find a safe place to sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At dawn he went to mosque
again. He greeted the Imam and handed him the chicken. "No, I don't want
it!" muttered the Imam, rising to go into the mosque. Muhammad put the
cackling chicken down by the door and hastened to join the Imam in prayer. The
Imam left as soon as he had said his prayers. "Alright!" Muhammad
thought. "You are all against me. I will turn God against you! I'm not
going to leave because you want me to!" And he burst into prayer till his
beard was wet with tears.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-four_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-five_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul></span></div>
<br />Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-43320036244614016622019-12-05T03:04:00.007-08:002024-01-11T03:38:39.890-08:00Chapter Four<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And then he picked up the chicken and mounted his mule and rode to
market. As he set off, he wondered what to do with the sixty-five dirhams that
warmed up his pocket. But as he neared the market, he found himself thinking of
Hassan. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When he entered the market, a
beggar in ragged clothes accosted him. "Here!" Muhammad said to him.
The beggar gaped at the chicken which Muhammad was handing to him. "This
for me?" the beggar exclaimed. "Yes!" said Muhammad with a
smile. The beggar snatched the chicken and kept his fingers crossed for
Muhammad, then moved away. Another beggar tripped up to Muhammad, holding out
his hand. Muhammad smiled and handed him five dirhams. Then he lowered his eyes
and moved on to the place where he had been heading. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He stood there, holding the
mule and waiting patiently for someone to come and buy it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He sold the mule and walked
back to Azlu. "I am now free," he thought on the way. "I can
sleep wherever I want. I won't be going to their no-go areas. But I won't go
away from Azlu, either. Here I am and here I stay. I won't be begging anyone
for food. The money in my pocket can carry me all through winter." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And he sighed. Yetto's eyes had
just broken in on his thoughts. So he thought of her until he suddenly burst
out: ‘Khalaqany, razaqany, âllammany, hadany….’ <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> One Monday morning Muhammad was
walking slowly along the reed edge. Suddenly, he stopped and pricked up his
ears. “What’s this?” he thought while he listened in amazement. “Who could it
be?” He walked on a little and stopped again. Strange sounds were coming from
the place where his shack once stood. He immediately thought of Hassan. “But
one man’s voice can’t make all this noise,” he thought. “These are the voices
of many men, if I’m any judge.” And he walked on, quickening his pace as he
proceeded. And the voices became clearer and clearer: they were men chanting:
"Khalaqany, razaqany, âllamany; hadany…” And they were all sitting in a
circle, with legs crossed and heads down, just beside the heap of rubble, and
Hassan was among them. Muhammad’s eyes glistened with tears as he sat down with
them and joined in the chanting. And all of a sudden, Hassan fell silent and
raised his hand. All the others looked at him and kept quiet. Muhammad too looked
at him, and when their eyes met, both smiled. “Here I am again!” Hassan began.
“You’re welcome!” Muhammad replied in a broken voice, not knowing what to say
next. Hassan took a long look at him, then said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What happened to your shack,
Muhammad?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
“I came one night from Tushki and found the shack in flames.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where did you go then?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I went from place to place
along the reed edge, sleeping at a different place each night.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How often do you come this
way?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Almost daily.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We came yesterday and the day
before, but we didn’t find you.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You know, it has rained
recently. My jellaba was then covered with dirt, so I took it off and washed it
in the river, and I had to wait until it dried. The last couple of days were
sunny, you know.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why haven’t you built a new
shack?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I can’t.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why didn’t you leave the
village altogether?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I can’t.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why not?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You know why!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, I know. And that’s what I
told these men. Some of them said you would never be back. But I was quite sure
you were only somewhere around. Now I am happy to see you again. And I have
brought you these nine students. I told them about you, and they all wanted to
see you. And others are coming. I hope you are ready for us.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am pleased to meet you. But
the problem is that I have no shelter.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “These two men over here have
money.” Hassan pointed at two men on his right. “They can pay for us all. We’ll
see how we can settle that. Now, tell us, Muhammad, why do you say: “Khalaqany,
razaqany, âllamany; hadany…”? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad smiled and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, when I say Khalaqany I
remind myself that I actually exist, and that I do matter in some way, otherwise
God wouldn’t have bothered to make me in the first place, and since God made me
as a person, as a human being, then I have to behave in the way God had meant
me to behave, that is as a human being, not as an animal. When I say razaqany I
remind myself that I needn’t worry too much about the future, because God who
made me also provided me with the means of subsistence even before I was aware
that people should work to be able to keep themselves or their loved ones. And
since God did this for me in the past, then He can also do it for me at present
and in the future. So I shouldn’t worry too much about the future. When I say
âllamany I remind myself that this in itself is a great gift, because not all
people are literate, and not all literate people put their knowledge to good
use. So I keep reminding myself that God wants me to learn more and more about
Him, about myself, about life and about the world. And as I think of this, I
find myself reminiscing about the past: I recall what I was like and how I got
to be what I am today. I remember the hardships I went through; I remember the
happy moments I lived in the past; I remember the hundreds of people I got to
know throughout my life; I think of those people: how they were happy or
unhappy; I think about all these things over and over again, and try to soothe
myself. And when I say hadany I remind myself that I have a path to follow; I
have things to do and things not to do, and I wonder whether I am on the right
path. And as I think this way, I blend past and present and future and try to
see how I can best live the present, hoping that the future will be brighter.
And that’s it!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And what about love,
Muhammad?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad sighed and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You know the story of Yusuf
(Joseph), don’t you? Yusuf was the most handsome man in his time. He lived a
good part of his life in a palace. For you and me, that’s happiness. But then
Yusuf had the misfortune to do many years in prison. He lost maybe the best
years of his youth in prison. For you and me, that’s unhappiness. But then
Yusuf was released and became almost king. For you and me, that’s happiness,
isn’t it? Yusuf did suffer a great deal, but in the end he died a happy man.
What more could you or I ask for in his place? All you and I want is to live a
happy life. God says, Nay! There’s yet a much happier life, an everlasting
happy life. Suleiman (King Solomon) had everything he wanted, everything a
human being would ever dream of. So that’s happiness. What more could Suleiman
have sought for since he had everything he wanted? Nay! There’s yet a much
happier life, an everlasting happy life. And this life was not made for Yusuf
or Suleiman only. It’s made for us all. Why should God give us another good
life if we had a good life already? You know why? It’s because He is a loving
God. It’s because He is a great God. It’s because He is a forgiving God. God
doesn’t owe us anything. It’s we who owe God everything. We don’t give God
anything. It’s God Who gives us everything. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Unfortunately, we are quick to
forget God. Maybe because we don’t see God. But we do see God’s creation, don’t
we? When you see a beautiful woman, all you see is that beautiful woman. If you
fall in love with her, all you think of is her. She’ll become everything to
you. You’ll think of her; you’ll worry about her; you’ll wish her all the best
in the world– and in the end she mightn’t even think of you. She might be
thinking of someone else. You love her, you give her everything, and yet she
thinks of someone else. Just like God: He loves you, He gives you everything,
and yet you think of someone else. But when you say, as I do, “Khalaqany,
razaqany, âllamany; hadany…”, you realize that you have been burning your heart
for the wrong one. And as your realization gets greater so will be your love of
God. You may forget your beloved, and maybe love someone else, –who knows?– but
then your love of God gets stronger with the years. One day you’ll get married,
and your wife will be by your side, and then there will be ample room in your
heart for God. You’ll love God more than anyone else.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you think?” said
Hassan, looking at the other students, who were listening intently. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I think we were right to
come!” said one of the students. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I think we should go and bring
our mules and horses from the funduq”, said another. “We have to build a school
or at least a classroom here.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s right!” said Hassan,
looking at Muhammad. “We will fight, if need be, but we must build shacks or
even a big house to live in while we are here.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad frowned. Hassan looked
at him, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Don’t you agree, Muhammad?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I think it’s not easy to fight
people here. I don’t know what happens next.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Leave it to us!” said Hassan,
rising to his feet. “You can stay here, Muhammad. The students and I will go
and meet the village people and see how we can fix the problem.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad just watched agape as
the students went in two rows behind Hassan, towards the mosque. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> About an hour later, the
students came down, chanting : “khalaqany, razaqany…” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad sprang to his feet and
met them. They were all smiles. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Your shack will be built
again,” said Hassan with a smile. “And we’ll build our own shacks beside yours.
And we’ll build a large classroom and a small mosque.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “But where will you build all
this?” Muhammad asked, raising his eyebrows. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Here!” said Hassan happily.
“Didn’t I say we had two rich men among us? Then, let me say that the village
people took us for fools. They don’t think we’ll be able to stay here for a
long time, because it has already started raining, and if we don’t go soon, the
rain or the flood will drive us away! That’s what they think.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So let’s start!” said Muhammad
with a broad smile, turning towards the reed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We’ll fetch our animals
first!” said Hassan. “Come along with us.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And they all set off, with
Hassan and Muhammad leading, chanting: “khalaqany, razaqany…” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> A few days later, the number of
students more than doubled and the shacks filled all the place between the reed
and the graveyard. And so Muhammad began to worry. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> One day, the Tushki man came
and stood at the door of the large classroom (which the students called school)
and said he wanted to sit with them awhile. Muhammad waved him in. As the
Tushki man sat down, Hassan raised his hand and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you think of rulers
nowadays, teacher?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad took the hint and
smiled, then said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Look, brother! Rulers are
just weak people like you and me. Rulers, too, suffer like you and me. They
suffer because they do not always get what they want. We all –with a few
exceptions– dream of wealth and fame and power and glory. And that's what most
rulers are after. But then that's their own problem. I don't want to be a
wealthy man; I don't want to be a famous man. I don't want to rule anybody. But
I respect them because they have the courage to do things I can't do. It's not
easy to rule a population. And I pity them, because most rulers stand to lose
more than they gain. Rulers often change like the weather, and many lose their
lives in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "And this is what
fascinates me about it all. You see powers emerging, and others falling down. A
kingdom rising here and a kingdom falling there. And each kingdom –be it small
or big– has something to give, and once it has given that something it ceases
to be. And I have noticed that the thing that all kingdoms share is –believe it
or not!– knowledge. One nation or kingdom produces knowledge, and when it has
no more knowledge to give, it falls down. And then comes another nation or
kingdom and picks up that knowledge and takes it to other parts of the world,
so that other nations would add to that knowledge. And you see nation after
nation contribute to enriching our knowledge: of the world, of ourselves, and,
most importantly, of God. And this is what will keep happening in the future:
nation after nation will either produce more knowledge or spread it over the
world through conquest, occupation or trade. And so there'll come a day when
people all over the world will know God. Now, I feel that I know God already.
So I needn't be a ruler, or go through all the process just to reach the same
conclusion! All I hope is that our present kingdom will yield as much knowledge
as possible or take it to the largest lands as possible. May God let it be
so!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Everybody said,
"Amen!" Then Muhammad looked at Hassan and said with a smile: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Do you have another
question?" "No, teacher– not for now. It's lunchtime!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At this there were gales of
laughter. Then, Muhammad started saying, “Khalaqany, razaqany, âllamany;
hadany…” A moment later, the Tushki man picked himself up and left, saying in a
low voice: “Khalaqany, razaqany, âllamany; hadany…” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Late that night, Muhammad was
lying on his side and thinking of Yetto when he heard footsteps approaching the
shack door. He looked up and saw Hassan smiling merrily. He glanced at the
lantern, then back at Hassan, who stayed standing up at the door, his face
aglow with pleasure. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What's the matter?"
said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Abdelaziz and Ismaïl want
to speak to you." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Let them come in!"
said Muhammad, sitting up. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Peace be with you!"
said the two students in unison as they sat down between Muhammad and Hassan. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Peace be with you too!
What's the matter?" said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "We want to help
you," said Ismaïl. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "With what?" said
Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "With marriage," said
Abdelaziz. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Thank you!" said
Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Then there was silence. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "They will give you some
money so that you can marry," said Hassan suddenly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "That would make me
glad!" said Muhammad with a smile. He was about to add something when a
sudden thunder roared across the sky. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Will you marry,
then?" said Hassan eagerly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I would like to marry the
one I told you about," said Muhammad, looking Hassan straight in the eye. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "And what if her father
refused?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I don't know. It depends
on my heart." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Do you reason with your
heart?" said Ismaïl causiously. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I reason with my head,
but my head gets at fault sometimes. My heart is not always right, but
sometimes it is." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "So you have only one
choice, I suppose," said Abdelaziz. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "So far, yes." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "You are our
teacher," said Ismaïl. "And, normally, a teacher of your age should
be married. Honestly, many students here have talked about this." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I am not surprised,
brother Ismaïl," said Muhammad gently. "But I have a problem. At
present, I love a woman, and this woman is not married. And as long as she is
not married yet, I just can't get her out of my head. Otherwise, I wouldn't
have stayed here long after my shack had been burned down. I can understand you
feelings. Please, try to understand my own!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "So all we can do for
you," said Abdelaziz, "is go to your beloved's father and see what he
says." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Go to my father
first," said Muhammad with a smile. "And don't go all of you! Just
one man or two would be enough. If my father grants you permission, then go on
to the woman's father. And thanks in advance!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "That's the least we can
do for you, teacher!" said Abdelaziz, rising to go. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> A light rain had begun to fall
when Hassan put out the light and wished Muhammad good night. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> In the morning, Muhammad was
sitting alone in the reed mosque and reading the Quran in a low voice. He kept
reading until tears welled up in his eyes. Then he closed the Quran and slipped
it back on the shelf and went out. There were puddles here and there between
the shacks. Muhammad stood looking down at those puddles, and wondered what
would happen if the next days brought more rain or if the wadi brought over
more water from far lands. What would happen to him and his students if there
were a flood? He went on thinking as he shuffled around between the shacks.
Then his thoughts shifted to Yetto. His father had told Hassan and Ismaïl that
he would be awaiting them at siesta-time. All the twenty-three students and himself
would be there, in his father's home, and they would talk about Yetto. Now the
students were away at the market; he had stayed behind to keep an eye on the
shacks during their absence. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> On their return from market,
the students were not only twenty-three, but forty! And they were chanting:
“Khalaqany, razaqany, âllamany; hadany…” Muhammad was astounded. His hands
trembled as he embraced the new comers. And suddenly, Hassan faced all the
students and said: “We have an important appointment today.” (He suddenly
raised his voice over the neighing of the horses and the roars of the thunder.)
“It’s nearly siesta-time. Let two of you stay in here to look after the shacks
and the animals. The rest of us will go and meet the man, I mean our teacher’s
father. So be prepared, May God bless you!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad looked at Hassan with
glistening eyes, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am proud of you, Hassan!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hassan rewarded him with a
smile and ran to help with clearing up the mess caused by the mules, the
donkeys and the horses that the new comers had brought with them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And then the procession of
students started off towards Muhammad’s family home, while heavy drops of rain
were falling steadily and the thunder was threatening big rains. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The procession was quiet: no
talking, no chanting. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And then the guest-room in
Muhammad’s family home was packed with students, many of whom had no idea why
they were there. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Tea was served, and Muhammad’s
father faced Hassan, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “It’s you who came to me
earlier in the day, aren’t you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, I am!” said Hassan
politely. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And now all the students
listened intently as Muhammad’s father said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You came to me and said that
my son Muhammad wished to marry a young woman from the village. You didn’t know
whom you were talking about. This village is cram-full of young women and
girls. And I would be happy to gladden my son by enabling him to marry any one
of these village women and girls. But there’s one –and only one– that neither
my son nor any man like him should dream of. And that’s the one you said my son
Muhammad wished to marry.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hassan had just opened his
mouth to say something when Muhammad’s father rose to his feet and left the
room for a while. All the students turned their eyes to Muhammad, who was
looking down. Then, all of a sudden, all eyes turned towards the door, through
which came in a young woman with dark eyes and eyebrows. Some of the students
gaped, then muttered, “Subhana Allah! Maasha Allah!” (Praise God!) The others
were simply struck dumb. “This is the woman my son wants to marry!” said
Muhammad’s father, standing beside Yetto in the middle of the room, and signed
to her to turn and face all the rows of students. Muhammad looked up at her,
and their eyes met, and he kept his eyes glued to her as she turned this way
and that, while Muhammad’s father went on, “This is the woman my son can never
marry. Not that I don’t want him to marry her. But it’s her father who would
never accept to give her to my son. Her father is free. This is his daughter;
he is free to marry her off to a man of his own choosing. Nobody should blame
him for that. It’s not because my son loves her that he deserves her. Love is
something, marriage is something else. You can leave now, daughter!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Yetto shuffled out of the room
while Muhammad’s father returned to his seat, facing towards Hassan. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you say now, man?”
said Muhammad’s father, looking at Hassan, who seemed to have lost his tongue.
It was some time before he could speak. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We don’t blame you, sir,” he
mumbled. “All we want is that you grant us permission to go to the woman’s
father.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I warned him first,” said
Muhammad’s father sadly. “Today I have warned you all. You will only suffer if
you go to her father. I won’t go along with you. I won’t grant you any
permission. I will be very unhappy if you go to her father. I will become the
village idiot if people know that my son is struck on Yetto. But what can I do?
My son wants me to become the village idiot for the rest of my life! Go if you
want! I’m not stopping you!” And he burst into tears. Muhammad himself burst
into tears as he rose to his feet and signed to the students to leave. <o:p></o:p></span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-five_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul><br />Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-24793335578829344872019-12-05T03:03:00.004-08:002024-01-11T03:39:16.049-08:00Chapter Five<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">They left Muhammad’s family home and made for Yetto’s. Yetto’s father
was standing in the doorway of his home. As Hassan, Ismaïl and Abdelaziz were
approaching him, he unleashed his dog and set it on them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I know what you came for!” Yetto’s
father thundered, ablaze with rage, while his dog growled at the students, who
were backing away. “But I warn you for the last time: keep away from me or else
I’ll drive you away from these lands! Go! Get the hell out of here!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The students had already moved
away, led by Muhammad. They stood in the middle of the village. All the men and
the children crowded round them. Then Muhammad stood on a rock and began a
speech: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am Muhammad Bin H’mad
Amgoon, as you all know. I was absent for many years, and when I came back I
saw Yetto, my aunt’s daughter. And I loved her without her knowing. And I
wanted to marry her. I knew I had no money, but now I have some money. These
men around me are my students. They have come over to me because they know I am
not a fool. And today they came over with me to Yetto’s home because they know
I am not a fool. Yetto’s father has refused to receive us. We don’t blame him
for that. We respect him. And I love him just as much as my father. I respect
him just as much as my father. Now let the story end here! Let us respect one
another! I don’t want anybody speaking ill of Yetto or of her father or of my
father or of me. There is no disgrace for a man in loving a woman. There is no
disgrace for a man in being denied a woman he loves. There is no disgrace for a
man in refusing to give his daughter to a man he doesn’t like. Love is not a
disgrace. And I am not ashamed of what I have done. And my students are not
ashamed of coming with me today. That's all I had to say. God bless Azlu!"
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Everyone said,
"Amen!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad descended from the
rock and led his students out to the shacks. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As they arrived there, Muhammad
faced all the students and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I am sorry for the
trouble I made for you today. As I once told my brother Hassan, when he first
came to me, lovers sometimes make crazy mistakes, and some go crazy altogether.
I am sure I haven't gone crazy, but I'm not quite sure whether what I did today
was a crazy mistake or not. I was not going to ask for anything from you. But some
of you said I should have got married. And I told them that I couldn't get
married as long as the woman I loved was not married. This is not only a
question of choice. This is not only a question of love. It's a question of
faith. This is something that has to do with hope and despair. If you believe
that a good Muslim should not despair, then why should I despair as long as I
can hope? I love Yetto, and I hope to marry her. I know she is beautiful. I
know her father dreams of a better husband for her. But why should I despair
while there is still room for hope? As the Quran has it, only the infidel give
up hope. So if I lose hope, then this means that I don't trust God; it means
that I don't believe that God can grant my wish. Now, please, let's forget all
about this. And let me hope and dream in peace! This will not affect me as a
teacher. And let me once again welcome the new comers. I am happy you came to
join us. Now, you can have a rest. We'll meet again immediately after
mid-afternoon prayers. God bless you!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Two weeks later, Muhammad was
lecturing to his students on hope versus despair when water suddenly began to
pour through the roof. Some of the students started to their feet. Muhammad too
stood up and took slow steps towards the door. His heart throbbed as he saw the
rain bucketing down. He was at a loss for words. Suddenly, Hassan walked up to
him and whispered: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Don't worry, teacher!
I'll see how to handle this!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What are you going to do?”
said Muhammad in a mumble. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We’ll move from here, if need
be.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad turned to the
bewildered students, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I don’t think we could stay
here any longer. We have to move to a safe place. Our brother Hassan will
handle this.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> All the students looked at
Hassan, who raised a smile, then said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Just say, ‘Khalaqany,
razaqany, âllamany; hadany' and everything’s going to be alright, insha Allah!”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad stepped outside,
saying: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Khalaqany, razaqany, âllamany;
hadany…” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And all the others followed
close on his heels, while the rain went on drumming on their heads. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> A month went peacefully by, and
then, one day, there was a thud. Muhammad’s heart went pitapat. A woman’s
shriek made him prick up his ears. He then started to his feet and hurried to
the road. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s going on?” he asked the
first passer-by. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You don’t know?” gasped the
other, struggling to rein in his horse. “Ait Mimoon are on the way to invading
us. Rumour has it that they’ll be here within nine to twelve days! May God help
us!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The passer-by urged his horse
on and Muhammad collapsed to his knees and held his head in his hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> A moment later, he struggled to
his feet and trudged on. The road reeled before his eyes. “What shall I tell
the students when they come back from market?” he thought gloomily. “What shall
I tell Hassan, who is from Ait Mimoon? Now Yetto is gone! Hassan, too, is gone.
All Azlu is gone. What can I do? Oh, my God!” He sighed. Then, all of a sudden,
he broke into a run. He flew into the reed-mosque and burst into prayer. A
little later, he heard a hubbub around the mosque. He wiped his eyes and
dressed his jellaba and went out. The students rushed to him, their faces sunk
in gloom. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s the matter?” he said,
forcing a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “A misfortune is about to
befall us, teacher!” said one voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Ait Mimoon tribes are said to
be on the way to Tensift, teacher!” said another. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where’s Hassan?” said
Muhammad, striving to look calm and composed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We left him back at the market
together with three other students,” said Ismaïl rather soberly. “They’re all
from Ait Mimoon, you know, and they are fearing for their lives.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “They are right,” said
Muhammad, looking down. “This is what I feared,” he thought. Then, he looked up
and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now you are looking to me for
help, aren’t you? I am sorry to say I can’t help you. Let’s pray to God to help
us!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “But, teacher,” interrupted one
of the students, “time is running out! We have to do something to save
ourselves!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “If you are worried about your
own life, then you’ll not be saved!” said Muhammad, fixing the speaker with an
angry glare. Then, he turned round and said in a subdued voice, “Those who want
the Hereafter follow me!” And he set off, chanting: “Khalaqany, razaqany,
âllamany; hadany…” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And as he went along he felt
that there was only one man following him. And that was Ismaïl, who suddenly
interrupted him, “Shall I go and call Hassan back?” Muhammad turned and
favoured him with a smile, and said, “No, please! Leave him alone!” Then he
looked up. The other students were coming at a trot towards him. And so he had
a lovely smile on his face when all the students crowded round him, and said,
“Take us wherever you want, teacher! We shall go with you!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Then, let’s go in God’s name!”
said Muhammad. And he set off again, with the students following right behind
him, and chanting: “Khalaqany, razaqany, âllamany; hadany…” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And there, in the middle of the
village, Muhammad stood on the rock, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “O Students! “Now is the hour
of truth. Ait Mimoon tribes are on the way to you. They are not coming to teach
or preach you, but to take your lives if they can. At best, they’ll take your
money and you’ll be reduced to begging. You’ll say you have no money? Alright!
But you have knowledge, a lot of knowledge. That knowledge may end here, if you
are killed. But if one –at least one of you– managed to escape, then he’ll be
able to carry that knowledge to other people; he’ll be able to light the way
for others. So now you have to choose for yourselves. As to me, I have made my
choice. I shall cross the wadi. The wadi we call Igri and you call Tensift. I
shall cross it together with those who are willing and ready to go; otherwise,
I’ll go it alone! God Save Azlu!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As he stepped down, Ismaïl
shouted: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We shall go with you, teacher!
We shall cross the wadi with you!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Then another student shouted,
“Allahu Akbar!” (God is Great!), and all the others echoed his words, then
started chanting: “Khalaqany, razaqany, âllamany; hadany…” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At that moment, an old man
tottered towards Muhammad and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Do you really mean to cross
Igri?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes!” said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh, how funny! Last time I
believed you when you said you were not a fool because you loved Yetto. Now I
believe you are crazy! You want to cross Igri at this time of year? Go!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The old man’s words raised a
roar of laughter from other village men. Muhammad cast a last glance at them
and turned his steps to the wadi, while the students filled the air with their
chants. Soon Muhammad began to hear children’s voices: they too joined in the
chanting. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Once they had reached the wadi,
Muhammad faced the students and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Last time you cut down the
reed to build your shacks. Now cut them down to make boats. Those who know will
show those who don’t. And let me remind you that God helps those who never tire
of invoking His help. God Help You!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Then he turned to the children
and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And you, dear children! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “If you want to cross with us,
please fetch us as many saws and knives and ropes as you can! I’m waiting for you!”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The children nodded
respectfully and skipped up towards their homes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Within less than an hour, the
students were busy cutting down the reed, the doum and palm-branches. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At midday, the children lined
up for prayer behind the students. And while in prayer, Muhammad heard hurried
footsteps. When the prayers were over, he looked up to his right, wondering
whether he was in a dream. A dozen teenage boys were standing up patiently and
looking at him with almost pleading eyes. Among them was seventeen-year-old
Sêed, Yetto’s brother. Muhammad struggled to his feet and shuffled up to them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are you going to join us?” he
said, his voice shaking with emotion. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, if we can be of
assistance,” said Sêed in a rather confident voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We’d be very grateful to you
then,” replied Muhammad, looking tenderly at Sêed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What shall we do?” said Sêed
eagerly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, we need reeds, doum,
palm-branches and ropes to make boats. We’ll use these boats to cross the wadi.
I know this operation entails a risk. But we have no other choice.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright!” said Sêed, glancing
at the other boys. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We also need some food and
water,” said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No problem!” said Sêed,
beckoning the boys to follow him. Muhammad watched them with glistening eyes as
they trotted away towards the other end of the village.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-69836938264799188582019-12-05T03:02:00.004-08:002024-01-11T03:39:56.950-08:00Chapter Six<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The next morning five boats were ready. The students, the children, the
boys and many men from the village fixed their eyes on Muhammad as he stood up
and faced them all. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now,” said Muhammad, looking
right and left, “we shall put our lives in God’s hands and try to cross the
wadi. For this I need volunteers. I need brave men or boys who are ready to
sacrifice their own lives for the sake of the others. I shall be the first to
volunteer. I'll be in the vanguard. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Here are five boats. I'll go
aboard one boat. This boat will go first. It will pull along another boat with
a rope. The second boat, the one just behind, will be tied up with a rope to a
boat from every side. The boats on the four sides will help the boat in the
middle to stay steady as it moves on. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “On our first trip, only one
man will go in each boat. But if all goes well, Insha Allah, there will be five
men on each boat on the four sides and one woman and two to three children on
the boat in the middle. The women and children will not have to row. But on
each of the other boats, two men will sit on either side of the boat and the
fifth will sit in front, and they all have to row and see to it that all boats
are steady and moving straight ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So –as I said– I will go
first. Then three will follow me simultaneously. And the fifth will move along
at my signal. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now, who’s going with me?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Me!” said Ismaïl, raising his
hand. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And me!” said Sêed zealously. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And three more students rushed
forward and lowered the boats, while the other students filled the air with
their chanting, “Khalaqany, razaqany, âllamany; hadany…” At that moment, Ismaïl
took Muhammad aside and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I don’t think the women and
children would be safe on the boat in the middle without at least two boys
rowing the boat for them.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We’ll try that out right now
and see what happens. And thanks for your advice!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> With a beating heart, Muhammad
stepped into the boat and started rowing. The boat swayed a little, but it soon
righted itself and moved on. Now it jerked. For a moment, it even stopped.
Muhammad felt the weight of the boat that had just started off behind him. But
then, little by little, his boat started moving again. And without glancing
back, he raised his hand as a signal for the fifth boat to follow. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And soon after, the tip of
Muhammad’s boat brushed the reed on the other bank. But he kept on rowing until
he got to a solid rock, on which he set foot. Then he started towing the boat
in the middle until he clutched Sêed’s hand. At that moment, shouts of “Allahu
Akbar!” nearly deafened him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now, tell me, Sêed,” said
Muhammad suddenly, “did you have to row your boat?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, I did!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Can you row back now?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, if you want!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Good! Now, please, go back and
tell the village men to join us. Tell them to help us with making the boats,
the ropes and the oars. And tell them that we’ll carry the women and children
first, then the elderly, then people’s belongings, then the men and the boys,
right?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Right, sir!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Then go in God’s name! Wait a
minute! Go back in this boat, the one which I came in.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad did not wait there to
watch Sêed step back into the boat and go over. He was on the verge of tears,
and he did not want Sêed to see his tears, although they were tears of joy. So
he slipped through the reed and hid himself and wept to his heart’s content. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Then, suddenly, there was
Ismaïl’s voice resounding through the reed. Astounded, Muhammad rushed to him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s the matter?” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I just wanted to know where
you were.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Here I am! So?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What are we going to do now?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, listen! Go back to the
other side! Send me four students to help me clear narrow paths through the
reed so that people could move out of here. Then split up the men into small
groups and show them how to make the boats, and so on. Let Sêed organize the
villagers, especially the women and children. If they ask about their
belongings, tell them that we’ll carry as much as we can later on. Now go!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Before I go, teacher! I have
an idea!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I think we can make bigger
boats that could hold more than five. And I think we don’t necessarily need
five boats on each trip to carry three or four people. And what if we made
boats of palm-trunks instead of reed?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright! Do what you can! Now
go!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad was busy cutting down
the reed when one of the four students with him suddenly stood up and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Look over there! The women are
coming!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad dropped the reed and
the saw and looked on as the women straggled down towards the men who were busy
working on the boats. Then he tripped up to the water's edge and signed to the
students to send him a boat immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The boat came and he jumped
into it and rowed to the other bank. All eyes were on him, but his eyes were
fixed on the women. Sêed rushed to him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What are we going to do now,
sir?” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We’ll start evacuating the
women and children,” said Muhammad. “But tell me, where’s Yetto?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I don’t know,” said Sêed in
surprise. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Will you please look for her
and keep an eye on her for me? I am worried about her.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Don’t worry about her, sir!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Then Muhammad turned to the
men, and sighed. He saw his own father among them. He rushed to his side and
squatted down, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Father, please try to persuade
all reluctant men to cross with us. Everything’s going to be alright, Insha
Allah!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> His father went on with his
work and said nothing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At that moment, someone cried: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Hassan is back! Hassan is
back!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad started to his feet
and looked round. His eyes met Hassan’s. Muhammad smiled and opened his arms.
Hassan rushed to him like a child. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am sorry,” said Hassan in a
low voice as Muhammad let go of him. “I–I–” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Skip it!” replied Muhammad.
“Now get down to work! Ismaïl will show you what to do. But tell me, where are
the others who were with you?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “They’re hiding out there!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh! Sêed, go and tell them to
come at once!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> A little later, a woman and two
small children went down to the wadi. Ismaïl and Hassan helped them into one of
the five boats that were rigged up for them. And then two teenage boys jumped
into the boat, and each sat on one side and grasped the oar. Shouts of “Allahu
Akbar!” blended with trilling cries of joy as the five boats sailed smoothly
across the wadi. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The boat in the middle arrived safely, and so Muhammad
turned to the students and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Thank God everything's
gone well. Now, please, I want most of the women and children carried across
before dusk." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Right, teacher!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad moved on along the
edge, thinking. Then, suddenly, Ismaïl caught up on him, and said in a
tremulous voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Teacher!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Yes?" said Muhammad,
startled. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Do you trust
Hassan?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Why, he's a great
leader!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "But he's from Aït
Mimoon!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "So?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I am worried." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I have a plan. Don't
worry!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Ismaïl turned to go. Muhammad
looked on in silence. Then his gaze shifted to Hassan, who was helping the
women and children crowding round for a lift to safety. Muhammad moved on.
Hassan saw him approaching. Their eyes met. Muhammad waved to him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "You want me?" cried
Hassan in surprise. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad nodded. Hassan
shuffled up to him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What's the matter,
teacher?" he said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I want you to cross to
the other side," said Muhammad in a rather shaky voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Don't you trust me,
Muhammad?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Are you going to cross or
not?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad was trembling all
over. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "No!" said Hassan,
moving away towards the women. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad cursed himself for
what looked like a gaffe on his part, and moved on towards Ismaïl. Heartbroken,
Muhammad put his arm round Ismaïl and led him towards a grassy spot. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Now, let's sit down!"
said Muhammad, his face ablaze with embarrassment. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Right, teacher!"
said Ismaïl reassuringly as both sat down. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Now, what I'm going to
tell you is for your eyes only. Listen well!..." And so Muhammad told
Ismaïl all he had to do once he got to the other bank, then said, "Now go
in God's name! And don't care about Hassan or anybody else! If I'm gone, it's
you who'll lead the people!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Ismaïl crossed the wadi. Hassan
rushed to Muhammad and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I'm sorry, teacher!"
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Never mind!" said
Muhammad, moving away. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Sêed hailed him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What's the matter?"
said Muhammad, his heart beating fit to burst. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Yetto doesn't want to
cross with us!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Where is she?"
Muhammad gasped. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "She's up there!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad trotted over to her.
She was standing aloof from the other women, who were busy cooking. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "S–S–S–Sêed told me
y–y–y–you're not going to cross with us. Is that true?" Muhammad
stammered. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Yes." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Why?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I am scared." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Oh, Yetto! Don't be
afraid! I'll cross with you in the same boat. Come along!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Yetto picked up her bundle and
walked behind Muhammad, who turned to Sêed and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Go and get Hassan's boat
ready for us!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Right!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As Sêed moved off, Muhammad
turned to Yetto and said in a shaky voice: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "We'll take a large boat, Yetto.
Don't fear anything! But what's that you're holding in your arms?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “It’s my personal belongings.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh, no, Yetto! Leave that
bundle over here! We’ll carry all the belongings later on.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I can’t. I must take it with
me!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “But–” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad was too weak to finish
his sentence. For at that moment Yetto lowered her veil and looked him straight
in the eye. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad held the boat while
Sêed helped Yetto into it. Then Muhammad stepped into the boat and sat close to
Yetto and started rowing. Now, Yetto had removed most of the veil, and so
Muhammad could see more of her face again. And he searched that face for some
sign of affection. That sign did not come out until he stood on the solid rock
to help her out of the boat. She then smiled a smile that sent his heart
fluttering, and said, “Thank you! My bundle, please!” Sêed handed him the
bundle and he passed it on to her with trembling hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad felt on top of the
world as he walked slowly between Yetto and her brother along the empty path.
But hardly had they reached the place where the evacuated women and children
were lounging when an angry crowd flew to them, cutting across the ploughed
fields. Ismaïl too and the other four students joined the lot of them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What are you doing here on our
lands?” said one voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We fled an imminent invasion
by Aït Mimoon,” said Ismaïl, panting. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where are Aït Mimoon?” said
the voice in an angry tone. “We only see Azlu people!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad raised his hand and
waited until the uproar subsided. Then he said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “O Men! Please give us a
chance! Try to wait two weeks, no more! If Aït Mimoon come, then help us until
they go. If they don’t come, then we shall go back to our village and make it
up to you, all the damage we’re doing to your lands now. So please be patient
with us!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright!” said one voice.
“Let’s wait and see!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul></span></div>
<br />Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-16590172437381498212019-12-05T03:01:00.004-08:002024-01-11T03:42:05.569-08:00Chapter Seven<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As the crowd were moving away, a woman rushed to Muhammad and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Muhammad, we are hungry! The
children are hungry. We women can wait, but the children can’t!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad turned to Ismaïl and
said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Ismaïl, please go to those men
and see what they can do about this!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Right, teacher!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Not only Ismaïl, but all the
other four students and Sêed hurried after the crowd. Muhammad glanced at Yetto.
She had sat with the women. He shuffled up to her. She met his eye as he said
in a quivering voice: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yetto, I expect you to look
after the women and their children!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Alright!” Yetto smiled. “Bring
my mother over and I’ll wait on them hand and foot!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Her words drew a laugh from the
women around her. Muhammad looked at her tenderly, then glanced at the other
women and moved away. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As he stood on the reed edge
and ran his eye over the south bank, his heart throbbed again. He saw more
people coming from other places than Azlu, and wondered what to do with them.
His gaze shifted to the boats coming in his direction: they were carrying more
women and children. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> By sunset the next day all Azlu
women and children were on the north side of the wadi, while women and children
from the neighbouring villages were still being evacuated. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Three days later, all that
could be moved from Azlu was on the north bank. The women, the children and the
elderly were taken to a safe place far from the bank. The Azlu men and boys and
the students helped the people from other villages. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Then, Muhammad ordered all
boats but one pulled out. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And then he signed to Hassan to
set fire to the reed on the south bank. The fire was raging through the reed
when Muhammad yelled out: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Hey! Hassan! They’re coming!
Aït Mimoon are coming! Get out of there! Make haste!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hassan picked his way through
the flaming reed and limped over to the only remaining boat and jumped into it
and rowed towards Muhammad, who was cheering him on and on till he set foot on
the solid rock, and then both slipped along the empty path. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What are we going to do with
the other people who’re still there?” said Hassan, panting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Nothing. God help them!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Ismaïl saw Muhammad and Hassan
and rushed to them. He looked at Hassan’s face, blackened with smoke, and at
his jellaba, which was in holes. Muhammad smiled, then said rather gravely: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Look here, brothers! I wish we
could help everybody. But given where we are now we must act sensibly. We had to
burn up all the reed on the other bank. We must pull out all floating boats and
take them to pieces immediately. I expect you to persuade the people out there.
Tell them that we won’t let their loved ones down. We’ll fight for them!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As Ismaïl and Hassan moved off
each in a different direction, Muhammad ran towards the people who had come to
protest about what was happening to their lands. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “See now?” he said as they
crowded round him. “Those are Aït Mimoon settling in our village! If we don’t
drive them away, they’ll wait until the wadi has subsided or dried up and then
they’ll thrust forward and invade you as well! Now we’re all in the same boat!
You have to join us in fighting them. Tell all the people around to prepare for
war. If you don’t want to fight, then just help us and we’ll fight in your
place! Just provide us with weapons and horses and feed our women and
children!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At that moment, Azlu men too
rushed to him and one of them jostled through the crowd and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are we safe now?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "That's what I've been
explaining to these men!" said Muhammad, looking right and left. "We
are not safe yet. We have to fight. Otherwise, Aït Mimoon won't go. And even if
they did go this time around, they could all too well come again and wretch us
from our lands. So we have to fight them. We have to teach them a lesson! So
now move your women and children out of here. Then try to mobilize all the
hamlets and villages you can speak to. We are all in the same boat. Aït Mimoon
are a threat to us all! So we must all unite and drive them away!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "But how can we–"
began one man's voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad did not wait to answer
him. He elbowed through the crowd and ran towards the women. He stood close to Yetto
and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Aït Mimoon have come. We
won't let them cross over to us. So keep calm and don't be afraid!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He glanced at Yetto, who was
sitting between her mother and his own mother, and ran back towards the
reed-edge. Then he pulled himself up short. Through the smoky flames he could
see Azlu being infested with Aït Mimoon troops. It looked as if an army of
famished locusts had suddenly landed on Azlu. "Poor Azlu!" Muhammad
sighed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As evening fell, Muhammad stood
in the middle of a sea of worried faces, about two miles from the north bank of
Igri. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Now, look!" he said.
"You are all men. The women, the children and the elderly are safe from
danger. They are safe as long as we are safe ourselves. And we are safe only as
long as Aït Mimoon can't cross over to us. We burnt up the reed on their side
so that they can't make boats to cross over to us before we get ready for them.
We kept most of the reed on our side so that our sentries can hide and watch
the enemy. And also so that we can prepare a surprise for them. Here, on this
very spot, we'll dig a ditch. We'll dig it by night so that we can drill and
rest by day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Aït Mimoon must know
nothing about this ditch. So we'll put up a camouflage reed screen all along
this hedgerow, by which we'll be digging the ditch, which is not going to be
very long, anyway. The reed screen will hide the men while working on the
ditch. As I said, the ditch will be here in the middle, so that we could move
freely around it. Ismaïl knows all the details and he'll supervise everything.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I see you are a large
crowd. That's a good thing. But Aït Mimoon have come in their thousands! We
need more men; we need more horses; we need more swords and shields and spears;
we need more money. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "But above all, we need
God's help. So please pray to God night and day! Trust God and He will lead you
unto victory!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Shouts of "Allahu
Akbar!" were followed by chants of "Khalaqany, razaqany…" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> A week later, volunteers from
all over the north bank and beyond began
pouring in. Each day Muhammad saw
more faces and more horses and more swords. Each day he saw the ditch going
deeper and longer. Each day he heard more of "Khalaqany, razaqany…" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But his heart was there, behind
his fustat– there, where Yetto stayed with the women. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> His fustat, a large orange
tent, had been pitched halfway between the ditch and the women's camp. But now
that he had got a horse –just like the six students he had made his
lieutenants– he could go near the women's camp as often as he wished. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And so one day he rode over to
the women's camp and called Yetto out. Yetto came up to him with a smile, and
said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What's the matter,
Muhammad?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Yetto, I think the war is
about to break out. You know, the
wadi has subsided , and
so, anytime now, Aït Mimoon can
move their horses over. I am going to
lead our troops. I may die in battle. So I just came to bid you farewell in
case we don't meet again. Now you can go back to your place!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Yetto uncovered her face. She
opened her lips as if to say something, but then closed her eyes and buried her
face in her hands. At that moment tears started to Muhammad's eyes, and so he
turned round and rode back to his fustat. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> His six lieutenants joined him
shortly afterwards. They sat in a half circle in front of him and looked on as
he spread out a map. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Now, listen,
please!" he said. "Look here! These two companies will stand one
behind the other here, to the right. The one in front will be led by Hassan,
the other by Mussa. And these two companies will stand to the left. The one in
front will be led by H'mad, the other by M'hamed. And this company will stand
here between the fustat and the ditch, and it will be led by Ismaïl. And this
last one, the biggest, will stand behind
us: between the fustat and the women's camp, and it will be led by Âbbad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Now, this is what we're
going to do–” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At that point Sêed erupted into
the fustat, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Sir, Yetto is out! She
demands to see you." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad sprang up and dashed
out. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What's the matter?"
he said, hurrying forward. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "The women –all the women–
have pleaded with me to come to you. They say please don't fight! We can't
afford to lose you." She glanced at the lieutenants, who had rushed out
and lined up behind Muhammad, then went on, "Please let somebody else lead
the troops and stay as close to us as possible! I beseech you!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad turned to his
lieutenants, who remained silent, then looked back at Yetto, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Now go back to your camp!
We'll settle this amongst ourselves, and I'll let you know our decision. And
please don't come over here again! Now mount!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And he rushed forward to help
her onto the horse. As she rode away, he turned to his lieutenants and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Now I'm in a real
predicament!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> That night Muhammad
reconnoitred all the land that would soon turn into a battlefield. He went as
far as, and along, the reed-edge; he inspected the ditch; he went round to the
women's camp; then he went back towards his fustat and called for the
lieutenants. When they came, he made them stand in the cold wind at the
entrance to the fustat and asked them the latest news. Then, he said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Now go to your respective
companies! You, Âbbad, just stay calm and don't do anything until further
notice. As to you all five, it's time for you to move. Now start simulating
attacks, but don't fire a shot in their direction! Do get on their nerves! Keep
them on tenterhooks! Provoke them into crossing to our side! And if they do
start crossing to our side, then fall back behind the ditch line and let the
enemy advance, then fly at them! Outflank them from right and left! Burn the
remaining reed behind them! And drive them into the ditch! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Let me remind you once
more that the sixth company must not move until further notice. Mind what I
say! Don't let anyone go beyond the reed edge without my permission! Now go in
God's name!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The lieutenants moved off.
Muhammad went into the fustat and lay on his side and tried to sleep. But Yetto’s
voice came to disturb him, no! to entertain him… He kept dreaming of her until
far into the night. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Dawn was just breaking when
Muhammad was torn from his deep sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Aït Mimoon are crossing
over to us!" said Sêed in a horrified voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Keep calm!" replied
Muhammad, springing to his feet. "Go to the women's camp and tell your
sister to stay where she is and keep calm!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Right, sir!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Sêed flew away. Muhammad left
the fustat and untied his horse and leapt into the saddle and rode to where he
could hail Ismaïl. He ordered him to fall back in order to lure the enemy into
the ditch. Then he flew over to Hassan and briefed him, and went to brief
H'mad, and rode away from the front-line.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight_5.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li></ul></span></div>
<br />Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-78927624518068582352019-12-05T03:00:00.007-08:002024-01-11T03:42:59.550-08:00Chapter Eight<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He stood on top of a rise and watched as the enemy streamed through the
narrow paths on the reed edge. Then their commander waved them on, and so they
urged their neighing horses on while Muhammad's troops seemed to be fleeing and
abandoning their positions. But then, all of a sudden, Ismaïl pulled himself up
and shouted, "Allahu Akbar!", his troops shouting behind him. He then
made as if to advance on the enemy, but as they were trying to meet him with
their force, they found themselves falling one by one in the ditch. Hassan's
and H'mad's troops were soon
encircling them and pushing them
further towards the ditch; and the reed was catching fire at a speed that sent
those of the enemy who had not crossed yet running for their lives. But then
Mussa and M'hamed set their troops on the fleeing horsemen. At that point
Muhammad rode down and mingled with his troops, shouting, "Make way! Make
way!" And he rode on till he got to the reed edge. Then he sent two of his
men off to Mussa and M'hamed ordering them to come back immediately and crack
down on the troops that were already trapped by the ditch. Then he rode back
towards the sixth company. "Âbbad!" he said to its leader. "Move
your troops down. If you see Mussa and M'hamed coming back, then just help them
tackle the besieged enemy troops. If you find them chasing the fleeing enemy
troops, then back them up and don't let the enemy attack us in the rear! And
try to go four or five abreast so that the horrified enemy would think more and
more of you are coming down to them! Now go in God's name!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Âbbad saluted and shouted,
"Allahu Akbar!", and waved his troops on. Muhammad stood watching
until the dust swallowed them up. Then he rode on to the women's camp. Sêed
dashed forward and grabbed the halter as Muhammad alighted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What's the news,
sir?" said Sêed eagerly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "So far so good. All our
troops have rushed to the attack. Now, where's Yetto?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "She's inside." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Call her out to me!"
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Yetto came out to him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "How are you?" he
said with a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I am fine. But I am
afraid!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Don't be afraid, Yetto!
We're crushing the enemy like clothes into a bag! We had dug a large hole for
them and they are now falling into it!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Now, what are you doing
here?" she said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Didn't you tell me not to
fight?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I did, but I wasn't
expecting you to leave your troops and come to chat with me!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad blushed up to the
ears. His smile faded. He sprang into the saddle and rode away, fuming that he
had made a fool of himself. "Why the devil did I go to her?" he
howled. "Now, Muhammad, you've done a stupid thing! Your troops are dying
out there, and here you're going to chat with a girl! This is a great blunder,
Muhammad!" But then, suddenly, he cast his eyes up and burst out:
"Khalaqany, razaqany…" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When he at long last rode back
towards the front-line, there was hardly any more fighting to do. One man met
him on the way and broke the news: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Good news, teacher!
Congratulations, teacher! The ditch is now cram-full of Aït Mimoon men! And
thousands of them are now in captivity!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What about Hassan and
Ismaïl and the others?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "They're all alive,
teacher, but Hassan has injured one arm." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Where is he?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I don't know,
teacher." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Are there any other
casualties?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Unfortunately, yes,
teacher." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What? Tell me!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "So far I know of seven
Azlu men who died and also three students. The wounded are more than a hundred.
Most of them are not from Azlu. Also most of the dead are from outside of
Azlu."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Thanks!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad's knees turned to
water as he alighted, but then he trudged on towards the jubilant crowd
surrounding the ditch. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Make way! Make way!"
one voice said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And Muhammad thrust through the
crowd. He stood at the edge of the ditch and looked down at the dead. Tears
rolled down his cheeks. Then he suddenly wiped his face and looked round. He
stepped up to his men and said bleakly: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "O Men! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Those are Muslims like
yourselves. Dig them out of the ditch and prepare them for burial. We'll pray
for them as we will pray for ours. Thank God the war is over!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Where shall we bury
them?" said one voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "We'll settle that later
in the day," said Muhammad, moving away towards his fustat. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And there, in the fustat,
Muhammad locked himself in and wept his eyes out. But then there was a tumult
outside. So he wiped his eyes and walked out to see what was happening. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "We must send them back on
foot!" one voice was saying. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "We must take their women
and children away from them!" said another voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What's the matter?"
said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "We're talking about the
prisoners, sir," said an Azlu man. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What about the
prisoners?" said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "We want to send them back
on foot," said the first speaker. "They came to invade us. They came
to take our houses and women and children and lands and all our belongings away
from us. Now it's our right to take their horses and women and children and all
their belongings away from them!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Where's Hassan?"
said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "He's gone over to the
women's camp, teacher!" said a student. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "So wait until he comes
back!" said Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And soon came Hassan, and with
him Yetto. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What are you doing
here?" said Muhammad, looking askance at Yetto. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I am a messenger,"
she said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Who sent you?" said
Muhammad in surprise. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "The women!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What do they want?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "They want you to take
pity on the prisoners." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "If I take pity on them
and let them go now, then they'll invade us again and they'll take you away
from me!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Who told you I am
yours?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "They'll take you away
from your family, then!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I wasn't sure I'd escape
in the first place." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Those are dangerous
people!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Maybe. But they're poor
people also. They fled starvation. Their lands were ravaged by locusts." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "So should we be starving
in their place?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "God helped you prevail
over them, so now have mercy on them!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "If you want me to have
mercy on them, so stay here close to me!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I am a woman; I stay with
the women." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "So why did you come? Go
then!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Not before you have mercy
on the prisoners!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Prisoners! Prisoners! Oh!
What have you got to do with the prisoners? Do you love them?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I love peace." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad smiled. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "You love peace," he
said. "And I love you. So I'll have mercy on them!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "And what about us?"
said an Azlu man. "What about our good men who died? What about our crops?
What about our animals? What about our lands? What about our houses?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Answer him, Yetto!"
said Muhammad, looking at her tenderly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "My answer is this: take
their money and their weapons and horses and leave the donkeys and the mules to
their women and children. And give that money and the weapons and the horses to
those who lost their loved ones, be they from Azlu or from anywhere else!
That's my answer!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Muhammad then turned to the
men, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What do you say to that,
men?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I for one accept her
ruling!" said one Azlu man. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Then suddenly all the students
started chanting: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "God bless Yetto! God
bless Yetto!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And they raised their voices
until nothing else could be heard. Even Hassan, who moved about with his arm in
a sling, shouted himself hoarse. Only Yetto was standing aloof and listening in
silence. Muhammad was all smiles. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> An hour later, Muhammad
summoned the lieutenants to his presence. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "The war is over," he
said gravely, "but a lot of problems remain. To be honest with you, I
can't face these problems. Yetto is driving me mad. I'm getting wild about her.
I just can't concentrate on anything. I don't want to look silly in front of
people. So please help me!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What should we do?"
said Ismaïl with a frown. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Well, there's the problem
of the prisoners. There's the problem of the dead. There's the problem of the
volunteers. There's the problem of the people of this land. There's the problem
of the refugees. You see, there are a lot of problems." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Don't worry,
teacher!" said Ismaïl reassuringly. "We can handle all this." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "That's good of you!"
said Muhammad. "And really I'm counting on both of you: you and Hassan. I
want Hassan to deal with the problems on the south bank, and I want you,
Ismaïl, to handle the situation on this side of the wadi. Mussa and H'mad will
assist Hassan, and M'hamed and Âbbad will assist you, Ismaïl. Now, please, the
first thing I expect you to do is to prepare the dead for burial." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Alright, teacher!"
said the lieutenants in unison. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Now let's go out to
pray!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The dead were buried. The
prisoners and their women and children were sent back home. The volunteers
dispersed. The people of Azlu returned to their village. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And the
whole village plunged into mourning. And
Muhammad started numbering the days and nights till the village came out of
mourning. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And as he was waiting, an awful
lot of people crowded round him one day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What's the matter?"
he said, rolling his eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "We want you to be our
Sultan!" the crowd said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Yes! We want you to reign
over us!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Astounded, Muhammad turned to
Hassan, and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Heard that? It fell to my
lot to be acclaimed King! Oh, what a funny day!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Then, he turned to the crowd,
and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "O Men! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I don't think I could fulfil
your hopes. I can't be king or sultan. Your Sultan is the one in the Capital.
All I can do for you is plead with His Majesty to appoint two students of mine
as governors of both banks of Igri. I would be glad to see my student Hassan
Tikiwin running the affairs of the people of this side of Igri. I would be
equally glad to see my student Ismaïl governing the affairs of the other bank.
This is all I could do for you, gentlemen!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "But we want to reward you
for saving us from Aït Mimoon!" said one voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "That's very kind of
you!" said Muhammad. "There's another way you could reward me. I want
to marry, but I don't have a house. Could you build a house for me, here in
Azlu?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Oh, yes!" said the
crowd. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "And I want a
school," said Muhammad with a merry smile. "Could you build me a
school?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Oh yes!" said the
crowd. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Then that would make me
glad!" said Muhammad happily. "You can go now! May God bless
you!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The next day dozens of men set
to work on Muhammad's house. Twenty-three days later, the house was the envy of
everyone. And the students were happy with their new school and mosque. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But for Muhammad, the happy day
had not come yet. The village was still in mourning. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> On the last day of mourning,
the Sultan's Envoy came with the news that Hassan and Ismaïl would become
governors. He also brought over two presents: one for Muhammad, the other for
his students. Muhammad's present consisted of two camels, three bridesmaid
dresses and a gold necklace. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As soon as the Sultan's Envoy
left, Muhammad sent for his father and sister Yezza. His father came over and
saw the camels and said, "Ma Sha Allah! Ma Sha Allah! I have never dreamt
of such camels!" He then saw the house and said, "Oh! It's a little
gem of a house! Ma Sha Allah! Ma Sha Allah!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Yezza saw the dresses and said,
"Ma Sha Allah! Ma Sha Allah! Only a princess could wear this!" She
then saw the gold necklace and said, "Only a queen could wear this! Ma Sha
Allah! Ma Sha Allah!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Then both his father and Yezza
looked up at him and said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Now you can ask for Yetto's
hand!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "That's what I'll be doing
tomorrow morning, Insha Allah!" said Muhammad with a broad smile. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I shall go along with
you!" said his father, his face sparkling with joy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But Yetto's father was not
impressed, though. The whole village had come out, chanting behind the
students: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "We want Yetto for
Muhammad! Give Yetto to Muhammad!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But Yetto's father was far from
impressed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "How could I give my
daughter to a madman?" he cried. "This lunatic can't make a good
husband!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Who told you he's
mad?" said Muhammad's father. "Look at these camels he's brought you!
Do you know of a lunatic who has got such fine camels?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "What would you call one
who refused to be acclaimed king?" Yetto's father retorted. "Would a
sensible person refuse to be king?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Give me your daughter and
I'll be king!" said Muhammad, raising a laugh from all those who heard
him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "No!" said Yetto's
father. "I won't give her to you!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Please!" said
Muhammad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "No!" said Yetto's
father. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Then I'll denounce you to
the Sultan!" said Muhammad, turning to the crowd. "Didn't he say I
should be king?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Oh yes he did!" said
the crowd. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "See?" said Muhammad
to Yetto's father. "You put yourself in danger!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "It's you who put me in
danger!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Give me your daughter and
I'll save you!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "No! I won't give her to
you!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Then I'll take her away
by force!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Dare you do it?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Yetto!" Muhammad
cried at the top of his voice. "I am Muhammad! Come out now!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Yetto came out running and met
Muhammad's eye. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Go on then, Yetto, run to
my father's home!" Muhammad cried. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And she did just that. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Yetto's father finally gave in.
And all Azlu people banded together to smarten their village up with Muhammad's
and Yetto's marriage in mind. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And so one night Muhammad and Yetto
were left alone together. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Are you happy now?" Yetto
said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Tonight, yes! I am more
than happy!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "But tomorrow morning you
won't be happy– is that what you mean?" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "I don't know, really.
Tell me something, you don't feel good –do you?– when you're hungry. But once
you've filled up this little stomach of yours you begin to feel alright again,
don't you? It's the same with happiness: you can't be happy or unhappy all the
time!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "This means I'm not so
important to you." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> "Oh, no, darling! Don't
say that!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And he pressed her to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> THE
END </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><a class="home-link" href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #ff1900; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: x-large; padding: 5px; text-align: center;">Home</a></p><p></p>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-78296943983779903042019-12-05T02:58:00.013-08:002022-02-01T04:01:45.226-08:00Chapter One <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Salman could now see on the horizon a vivid green point at which the
heated sky seemed to kiss the wide sea of grilling sand. The sun, having
mulishly gripped the zenith, would not budge an inch and stayed there spraying
the world with intolerable fire.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> After a long way now there was
no bird flying overhead, no beast wandering below. The green point on the
horizon was now becoming bigger and clearer. The camel was half-galloping,
half-gamboling.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At long last, Salman could see
a fine line of near-white water. As he reached its faint extreme, he began to
see vapours rising unhurriedly from the boiling water. He sighed and patted his
camel, who moved on along the rill meandering across the wavy stretches of
sand. Now Salman resumed his tunes and songs. The flute was wavering between
his fingers, which now looked singed by the baking sun. The camel was now just
plodding on his way along the rill –which was growing smoothly into a noisy
stream.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At one of its turns, the stream
would vanish amidst the palm-trees that made up this luxuriant ‘forest’. It was
from beyond the ‘forest’, from some few mountains there, that the stream came
flowing, burbling– indifferent to what was going on all around. Even when
flowing past the Amir’s palace the stream would not change. It did not make any
difference between the palace and any of those abodes, humble and lustrous
alike, which had chosen to stand on its banks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Amir’s palace, which
actually looked more like a fortress than a palace, stood lonely on one bank.
Only exceptionally huge, thick palm-trees had grown as a natural fence around
it. The earthen outside walls of the palace radiated a nice colour which
enhanced the beauty and the quiet of the whole area. Reddish brown intermingled
with vivid green to make a cheerful show. Far beyond the trees surrounding the
palace, anyone could build his house. On the opposite bank, facing the palace,
stood nice houses that told much about their owners. In the rest of the
‘forest’ –it was rather an oasis– about a thousand people lived in small
houses, clustered in groups of ten to twenty, to form madashir. All these
madashir had to be loyal to the Amir.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The camel was taking Salman to
Aït Abed, his <i>madshar,</i> about a mile away from the palace. All along the
way a few people were about their monotonous daily chores. But the noise that
could then be heard came more from birds and dogs than from people.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Salman was dressed in the
manner of the people of Lehreem –for this was the name of the oasis. Every man
had to wear a sky-blue robe and wrap a black shawl round his head. The women
were free to choose the colours of their gowns and shawls, and they could show
more than the face and hands, if they so desired.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Salman had just turned thirty. He
was rather thin in face and body. He had an unkempt beard. His eyes were brown
and his eyebrows, like his beard and moustache, looked as if hennaed. His
carious teeth were yellowish, except for one premolar, which had grown rather
black. He had a long, thin nose and hollow cheeks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As soon as Salman alighted from
the sweltering back of his camel, a teenage boy rushed to him and shouted:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Good evening, Our Poet!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “It’s not evening yet, boy!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where have you been?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Go and tie the camel up to the
palm-tree. I’ve been to the market. Isn’t Monday market-day?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The boy grabbed the halter that
hang from the camel’s neck and strolled towards the palm-tree to tie up the
camel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Has anyone asked for me?”
Salman inquired, handing a basket to the boy, who was now standing by.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tonight must be a feast! I see
a lot of meat in the basket. And fruits…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No one?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Ask my father! I’ve learned
some people had come from the palace.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “When?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Is your father in?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Salman strode up to one of
these several houses that made up the Aït Abed madshar. It was, as all its
sisters, a simple house made of poor stone and clay and roofed over with
palm-branches and slates. Salman found the boy’s father at the door of the
house.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Allah’s peace be with you,”
Salman said in a sweet voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Peace be with you too,”
replied the other cheerfully. “Come in.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Both walked into the house.
They sat side by side on a simple blanket in one of the house’s four rooms.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How was the market today?”
asked the boy’s father, looking at the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “As always: a fair of camels
and dates.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Fine men grow on camel-meat
and dates, don’t they, Salman?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Some. Others grow on mutton
and exotic fruits.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am not talking of those. I’m
talking of the people of Lehreem.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Still, those I meant do live
in Lehreem, don't they?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “They’re not of our blood and
flesh. They’re imposed upon us, don’t you remember?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Unfortunately, they will never
go.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Two men came from there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I see.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “They said the Amir was
expecting guests. And you must be present. Foreign poets will be there too.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Rubbish!” Salman sighed before
he added, “I wish I’d never come into being!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You are praised there!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “For what? For telling lies to
the Amir and the Amira! I must be ashamed of myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s your fate, Salman.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No. That’s a punishment.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are you going?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Against my will. I’ve begun to
fear the Amira.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How do you mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I feel she’ll soon find out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Keep faithful to your God.
Never be afraid of your destiny!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My fear is unfortunately
growing more and more mighty than my faith. I don’t know what to do. My life
had been quite happy until I got to know this Amir. It then veered and
obstinately refused to clear up. And now my ways can no longer be mended. That
vamp of his has brought me from a sane man down to a silly dandy-”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Salman, keep faithful to your
God. Never be afraid of your destiny. I’m your elder brother: I know more that
you do. I’m almost fifty, twenty years older that you, have you forgotten? A
man does not fear anything, you know. Have a cup of tea with us now and take a
rest. Then go and see to your status at the palace…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> After tea and a few hours’
uneasy sleep Salman left his brother’s house and headed straight towards his
own. As he neared the door, the boy, who had been sitting there, sprang to his
feet and interposed himself between his uncle and the door. From the boy’s wide
eyes emanated quite a palpable glow of infantile vanity. Salman smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I won’t let you in until you
tell me!” said the boy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I tell you what?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How long shall I be waiting
before I could become a great poet like you? I’m now thirteen, you know!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Salman’s hands fell as two
hunks of ice upon the boy’s burning cheeks. The boy luxuriated greatly in their
gentle caresses. Salman spoke as he removed his hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “It’s no good being a poet!” he
said, smiling awkwardly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Among all the poets I’ve known
so far there has been no one you may envy. They’re all miserable, all in all!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I won’t believe you! How could
one living all the time with the Amir at the palace not be happy? Keep honest,
Uncle Salman! Don’t tell me lies! I’m not a child!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I hope you’ll never be a poet.
Let me now go!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No! Not before you tell me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I tell you what?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Listen!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The boy began reciting proudly,
although somewhat sadly, waving his right arm in the air:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> ‘You’re a honey<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> No money can buy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> You’re the power of a
flower<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> That doesn’t die.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> You’re the way a swallow
would follow<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When it first can fly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When I need you by night,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> You are far, by a star;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> There, in the glowing
sky!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When I need you by day:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> You are there; you play;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And, in my shack, alone I
die!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And if ever you come<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> I wish you wouldn’t come<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> For when you come<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> I ruthlessly die!’<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Salman laughed. The boy blushed
slightly, but kept on staring at his uncle.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How do you find it, you Poet?”
he asked proudly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s too much for a boy like
yourself ! You’ve quite an old head on your shoulders. Yet I hope I’ll never
see you at the palace.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You envy me, Uncle?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “If you stay away from the palace,
all the poets of Lehreem will envy you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You must be a crazy drunk,
Great Poet! You’re just driveling! You can go now. Peace be with you… Great
Poet !”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The boy stepped aside and broke
into a run. Soon the silence came back to the spot. Salman sighed and paced
onward. He opened the door, which had already been unlocked by the boy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Now a soft light radiated from
the candle Salman had just lit. The yellowish red rays sparkled all around.
Salman was reclining on a small, silken blanket. In one corner of the room
there was a table on which lay a pile of manuscripts. In another there was a
small wooden cupboard. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> After some time, it was
twilight. Salman knew it by the pale colour of the sky that could be seen
through a small window behind the table and the cupboard. So he had to go out
for the ritual ablutions and then the Dusk Prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> A handful of people had come to
attend the prayers. When these were over, the men present gathered out at the
entrance to the mosque. Salman knew they were going to have a puerile chat. So
he simply apologized and left, saying he was not feeling well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He got back to his house. After
a short rest, he moved idly into the kitchen to prepare his dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Salman’s dinner was not ready
yet when hard knocks came to disturb the quiet of the little abode. He rose
reluctantly to open the door. He found two men he knew well. Each of the
comers, dressed in the manner of the Palace Guard, was clutching the reins
bending from the bit in one hand and holding a small basket in the other.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Good evening, Our Poet,” said
the guards together.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Good evening,” echoed the Poet
listlessly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “His Highness the Amir will
dine tonight on roasted doves,” said one of the guards, smiling. “In this
basket you will find some.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet took the basket
calmly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Her Highness the Amira will
dine tonight on a roasted gazelle,” said the other guard with a mocking look in
his eyes. “In this basket you will find some. Her Highness did not forget to
add some bread you must not have at home.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet took this basket too,
with the same calmness, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tell His Highness the Amir and
Her Highness the Amira I love them both.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So you will be present at the
palace by this time tomorrow,” one of the guards said sternly. “Neither His
Highness the Amir nor Her Highness the Amira will ever be able to stomach any
probable absence of yours. I don’t want to be rude, but I must remind you that
you will not come for nothing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Bring some marvelous song in
your throat,” explained the other guard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I shall come,” answered the
Poet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So have a good night, Our
Poet!” said the guards in unison, and mounted their horses. The Poet waited
till they disappeared into the dark, then he headed for his brother’s home. He
took out the bread and passed what remained in the two baskets on to his
nephew, who answered his call. When he was back, he went straight into the
kitchen. The meal was not ready yet. But he remained there, sitting on a stool,
and thinking of what was awaiting him at the palace. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-two.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six.html" style="background-color: initial; color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nine.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nine</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-ten.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Ten</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eleven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eleven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twelve.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twelve</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-thirteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Thirteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fourteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fourteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fifteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fifteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-sixteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Sixteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seventeen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seventeen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eighteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eighteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nineteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nineteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-one.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-One</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-two.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Six</span></a></li></ul><br />Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-91081720386041320282019-12-05T02:58:00.012-08:002022-02-01T04:00:33.349-08:00Chapter Two<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Poet was lying on his right side, leaning his head against the palm
of his hand. His eyes remained fixed on the candle placed on the back of an
iron plate in the middle of the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
At a time, the manuscripts caught his attention. The Amir was expecting
him to prepare something good to listen to in the presence of important guests.
So he kept on gazing at the manuscripts until the weary flame of the candle
faded away.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Sleep had simply failed to
close his lids. It became hard for him to remain where he was now reclining
awkwardly. So he gathered himself and stood up. He blundered towards the room
door and out to the narrow corridor leading to the front door. In a minute he
was out in the open. He felt the fine breeze’s gentle touch. He looked up at
the sky: the moon was there, surrounded by glowing stars. The moonlight
surprised him– as if he had just discovered it for the first time. It made him
feel as if he were just sitting in a room lit by an Oriental candle. He could
see quite everything clearly. He glanced at the moon, and then at his brother’s
house and at the camel sleeping against the trunk of a palm-tree. He took a few
steps onward, and soon was on his way to the stream. He was sure he would not
find a single soul on his way. He in fact wanted to see no one. He wanted to
think, and dream, freely. He was happy for one thing: even the palm-trees were
silent. They remained silent until he reached the bank of the stream. He sat
quietly in the shade of a palm-tree and faced the stream that came flowing,
burbling, gaily– indifferent to his
smoldering passions. His eyes began to travel between the bushy slopes on both
sides of the stream and the glowing moon and stars mirrored in the charming
water on the merry stream. “I wish I were just like you, beautiful Lehreeml!”
he mused to himself, thinking of how that could ever be possible. The Lehreem
stream had always charmed him, but had never told him any of the secrets of its
gripping charm. Yet, he kept on clinging to that uncertain wish of resembling
it in some of its good ways.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet usually came here,
very often on moonlit nights. He would come here to contemplate the stream, the
sky and all of the sleeping world around. He even sometimes succumbed to
slumber and lay asleep in the bush for the rest of the night. Whether awake or
asleep, he would often dream only nice dreams. He did not care whether his
dreams would ever come true: all that would matter to him was to dream and
dream and dream. That was his best –if not, the only– way to speak his mind in
a world where the rights of thinking and of speech were confined to those who
mastered the art of lying. The Princes of Hypocrisy, as he called them. He
never wished to be one of these– although he kept on wondering whether he was
not actually already one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet did not wait long to
feel the weight of sleep come upon him. He did not fight it back. He simply
lost control of his muscles: he slept in the bush.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Sunrise found the Poet still
asleep. It was only the bleat of a stray nanny-goat that came to awaken him.
When he opened his eyes, his heart roared with joy. He looked first at the blue
sky above, then at the stream a little way down, and at the dewy bush around. He
felt free and happy. The stray nanny-goat was still bleating. The Poet darted a
tender look at it; it stood aloof gazing at him in such a way he came to wonder
why. He smiled, and kept on smiling till there came a silken feminine voice to
shake him up. It was a child who had come in search of the nanny-goat. The
child –a pretty young girl– was startled to see the Poet gazing at her so
enticingly. So, she just let out a queer, little cry, and disappeared beyond
the trees. The nanny-goat cast a last glance at the Poet and turned to follow
the track of the little shepherd. The Poet released a light laugh he had
quelled in his heart, and rose slowly– sighing all along. His gown was
thoroughly wet. Brown stains filled it all. Even his beard did not look that good.
His tough leather shoes were so heavy that he seemed as though waddling across
the bush out to the path that would take him back home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At home, the Poet had a quick
bath, put on clean clothes and went into the prayer-room to perform his Morning
Prayer. Then, he moved about to prepare breakfast. Suddenly, a gentle tap
startled him. He left the kitchen and rushed out to see who was at the door. He
found a woman: the Amira. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “May I go in ?” she asked
gently.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, it's me!” the Amira replied
quite confidently. “Why do you look so abashed? Why are you looking at me with
protruding eyes? Am I not welcome?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh yes, you are welcome!” the
Poet replied nervously.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “May I go in, then?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet made a gesture in
response, inviting the Amira in. This graceful lady could not help laughing at
seeing the Poet tremble so awkwardly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When she entered,
sure-footedly, the Poet locked the door and leaned his back against it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Won’t you light the house for
me?” said the Amira. “I can hardly see your eyes and do wonder whether you can
at all see mine in this cave!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you want?” the Poet
burst out grumpily.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Amira took slow but firm
steps towards him. She lifted her fine, small hands up to his cheeks in an
attempt to allay his fear, but she only enhanced it instead. When the Poet felt
the Amira’s hands fumbling for his, which were clutching the door-handle behind
his burning loins, he forced himself to utter a painful, low cry. The Amira was
so seriously startled that she found herself, as if in a dream, lying against
the Poet’s chest. The Poet eventually liberated his hands and lifted them up to
the Amira’s face. He caressed her cheeks, and then grabbed her hands– which
were now almost burning. It was not dark, as the Amira had suggested. The Poet
could see her features quite clearly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you want, your Grace?”
the Poet asked, very calmly– to the Amira’s great surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I want nothing but you,” she
murmured, with a look of entreaty on her beautiful face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
The Amira withdrew a few paces backward, and waited till she regained
her breath, before she spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Salman,” she said with a
sultry smile, “you know everything!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you want?” the Poet
retorted, looking at the Amira quite threateningly now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I want to marry you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What! But you are married!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’ve never loved the one who
married me,” the Amira replied in hasty explanation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I don’t care whether you love
him or not, but that’s a fact. I cannot marry a woman who is already married. Thousands
of times I’ve told you I can’t. Besides, how could such a marriage be possible?
Just tell me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Let’s elope!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What! Elope? Are you crazy? O
listen, your Grace–”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Please: my name is Ida!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Oh listen, Ida. Think of
another thing. Marriage is just as impossible–”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No! If we eloped that would be
possible. Listen, Salman. There’s no other way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet forced himself to
ponder over the matter for a while. Then, he said with a puckish smile:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I have a condition.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What is it? Ask whatever you
want, I shall never disappoint you! Just say!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You liberate Sultana. She must
go with us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No!” the Amira burst out.
“That’s just impossible!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I know your tricks!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Anyway, you and I shall never
agree. There’s a gap neither your Grace nor I will ever be able to bridge.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You will bridge it one day,”
the Amira barked at him. “As to Sultana, you will see how I will make her pay
for it. Open the door!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet opened it at once, and
stepped out to see whether there was anybody around. There was none. The Amira
went out and flew east. The Poet stood by the door contemplating the wavering
pink of her gown and the lustrous purple of her stole. His body was shaking all
over, his heart beating harder than ever before.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six.html" style="background-color: initial; color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nine.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nine</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-ten.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Ten</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eleven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eleven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twelve.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twelve</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-thirteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Thirteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fourteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fourteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fifteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fifteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-sixteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Sixteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seventeen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seventeen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eighteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eighteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nineteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nineteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-one.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-One</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-two.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Six</span></a></li></ul><br /><p></p>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-11543890621103840082019-12-05T02:57:00.004-08:002022-02-01T03:59:37.502-08:00Chapter Three<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sunset found the Poet at the gate of the palace. His gown was wavering
in the slight wind, his heart burning in his chest. At either side of the open
gate stood a guard wearing a brown, long-sleeved shirt and yellow, short baggy
trousers. The guards’ long silvern poles intersected a little way above their
heads, allowing any comer to get into the palace– by permission of the Amir.
The guards’ eyes were bound to keep gazing at the point where the poles
intersected. Behind was a long alley that led into the Entrance hall. To either
side of the alley lay a long but narrow lawn whose verdure was sometimes
thought to be unnatural. Further to the left and right flourished fruit-trees
of all sorts. These trees were a heaven for the birds that came there from all
over the neighbouring lands.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet crossed into the
palace and stepped onward till he was in the middle of the alley, where he
stood to have a good, though short, time listening to the joyful twitter of birds.
He then moved on into the hall, where he found no one but the usual guard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Good evening,” said the Poet,
while his eyes rolled around the four corners of the hall.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Good evening, Our Poet,”
replied the guard, smiling cheerfully.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “His Highness is in, isn’t he?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The guard was about to reply
when a dreadful silhouette showed up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “The Amira?” the Poet whispered
unobtrusively to the guard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes,” answered the guard
confusedly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Amira, a beauty clad in
white and orange, stalked forward, in her ever most dazzling majestic manners,
until her eyes caught those of the Poet. She stood staring at him until he
lowered his head. When he raised his eyes, the Amira was gone. The Poet turned
to the guard and smiled dazedly. Not knowing what to say or do, he just moved
and trudged on. At the front side of the hall, he stood to contemplate some of
the Oriental candles that lit the place. Suddenly, a door opened behind him. He
turned and saw a maidservant smiling at him. He looked at her beautiful brown
face, which reminded him of Sultana’s, and then at her multiclour dress.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Good evening,” the maid said
cheerfully. “His Highness the Amir invites you in. He is in His Princely Hall.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The maid bowed to the Poet as
she finished speaking, and turned to open the door. She waited till the Poet
budged, and she disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Once in the Princely Hall, the
Poet felt his heart swelling with contempt. The Amir, in his glittering robes
and jewels, was seated in the middle of one side of the Hall– resting his arms
on the edges of the throne and his feet on a blue pillow. Along the wall on his
right a row of chairs were occupied by the guests. Opposite them sat the
invited poets in comfortable chairs. And opposite the Amir, in the other end of
the Hall, sat a dozen slave-girls on two wooden benches. One of these girls
held a lute in her arms. In the middle of the Hall stood a large table on which
guests usually laid their presents. Just a little way above this table hung a
chandelier that lit the whole Hall. And in front of everybody now present there
was a small table laden with different kinds of fruits and cups of different
drinks. The Amira was not there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet was running his eyes
over the carpet-covered floor when the Amir coughed. The Amir’s cough was a
polite signal for the audience to be quiet. The Amir was a man of forty-five.
He was of middle-size and middle height, with a slightly tanned skin. He had a
rather good-looking face with clearly drawn features.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “It’s cold, isn’t it?” the Amir
began, and paused to cough again. Then came his piercing voice again to break
the audience’s rustic laughter. “We’re going to have a little time to
ourselves, aren’t we?” he said with an artful smile. Everybody but the Poet
shouted, “Yes, your Grace!” Then, silence fell upon the Hall to haunt it for a
while. The Poet raised his eyes and darted a fleeting look along the row where
he was and opposite before he met the Amir in the eye. The look on the Amir’s
face, warm and cheerful though it was, revived all the smoldering wrath in the
Poet’s heart. “I love you, Salman!” said the Amir peacefully. All eyes turned
to him. No one yet spoke a word, either from fear or from envy. Alone the Poet
now tore the silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Without you, your Grace,” said
he meekly, “what would Lehreem have been but a barren stretch of desert? We all
love you– all, here and beyond!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I can see it in your eyes,”
roared the Amir, as his thundering laugh sent a queer quiver through the
audience. “That is why I have invited you all to this jolly party. That’s after
all become a virtue of mine– the best way I can serve my pets. So, we’ll start
from where you’re sitting, Our Poet!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What do you mean, your Grace?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I don’t like wallflowers in my
presence, you know. Let us listen to you now!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am sorry, your Grace,” the
Poet began in a tremulous voice, as he coughed and paused to check his words.
“I am sorry, but I wish I could please you tonight as well. I’m not well, your
Grace.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> No one could now look up at the
Amir. Even the Poet had no power to. But everyone could feel the Amir was
frowning and boiling with wrath.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Off with you, naughty boy! Get
out!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Even the walls seemed to
tremble at hearing the Amir snarl so fiercely. The Poet had no time left to
look for excuses. He at once stood up and blundered towards the door. Once
there, he turned: the Amir had buried his face in his hands. That gave the
Poet’s heart a deathly jump that hardly left him power to pace onward and
disappear. Yet, he strove to get out to the Entrance hall. But hardly had he
stopped there to recover his breath when the Amira appeared. He looked at her
with weary eyes and, as she came nearer, stretched a hand to her. To his
consternation, she did not hold out hers. She only stood there and stared him into
the face, and turned away, with a mocking look in her eyes and a murderous
giggle on her lips. “You will see!” she scoffed back at him, as she vanished
through the door of a side-room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Not knowing what to do or say,
the Poet remained dumb, with his face downcast. The Entrance Hall Guard was
gazing at him. Their eyes met. The Poet took a few faltering steps towards the
guard and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Do you really know the Amir?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes,” replied the guard,
surprised. “But why?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “He has expelled me from the party.
What might he do next?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “He might kill you, I bet. But
I would advise you to see the Amira.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’m on bad terms with her,
too.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Then you are to disappear at
once, forever, and never be back!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Right!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet was already out of the
hall. He no more cared of anybody. At the gate, he cast a fiery look at either
guard and sneered at both. Out of the palace, the breeze and the moonlight
brought him the wavering smile of beautiful Sultana. Were it not for her alone,
he would have already become half an amir. Yet his love to her was only worth
that much more. He was ready to suffer the worst for her sake. In truth, the
mere thought of Sultana melted his heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “The night is still young,” the
Poet murmured with a sigh as he neared his abode. He sat down beside his camel
and faced the door of his house. The breeze which had accompanied him all the
way long from the palace was now slightly turning into a chill.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet stood up and sank to
the ground instantly. “I’m damned,” he burst out as he felt the pain in his
bottom. He turned to the camel, now again indifferent, and began to muse to
himself: “Because I’m a poet, I’ve had a chance to step into the palace.
Because I’m a poet I’ve had a chance to see Sultana. Because– I am damned. I’m
worth nothing!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why should the Amir be an
amir? Why should the Amira be an amira? Why should Sultana be a maid? Why
should I be a poet?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why am I so unhappy? What do I
want?...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I must not stay here. I ought
to go to Bani Abeed…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He waited till he felt his
knees would support his body, and he tottered to his feet, and smiled because
he did not fall again. He went into the house to prepare for the journey.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> By mid-night the Poet and his
camel were heading east. It was a windless night. And there was no sound or
smell that suggested the presence of a wild animal nearby. So the Poet took to
the tunes of his flute.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> At a point in the heart of the
desert, the Poet stopped singing and began to mull over his entire life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Dawn was now wiping out the
lingering traces of the night. “Forget all about this!” he suddenly burst out,
“and think of Bani Beed…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> There were still many miles to
Bani Abeed. The Poet’s heart prodded him into singing again, and he reluctantly
drew the flute out of the bag and began to sing:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Time and time again<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Here I am waiting for
the rain<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> To fall in July.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Mustn’t I then be
insane<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> To pray for the sky
to let in the rain<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When even kids’
hearts have gone dry!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Then why is my maid
so far away<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When I’m alone
fighting for the Bay<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> To close round the
foe?...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Nearby Bani Abeed now seemed
moved farther than it actually was by an urgent appeal that came up to egg the
Poet on to go back…to Lehreem. Sultana’s face was hovering around, almost
perching on his nose. Her voice kept dinning in his ears. Sweat had already
begun to rain over his body. However though reluctant, the Poet could only bow
to this yearning. He soon petted the camel, on and on till both were bearing
west, back to Lehreem.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “For you Sultana I’m going
back,” he blubbered. “For you alone I’ll risk my life. If only you did
something for me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And so went the song:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> ‘Cause you’d no heart I gave you mine:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> So you could feel what a
heart could be;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But –alas! – once you
grabbed mine,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> You so squeezed it that
it’s ceased to be!...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Soon the singing died away,
giving way to a little nap.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But here came a shrill cry,
thundering through the otherwise quiet desert. Both the camel and his master
were startled by the hyena’s cry. And yet there was no hyena in sight… The
camel did not wait for a signal. He was already up, trotting on to the west. As
to the Poet, he yielded his heart to deeper yearnings. He began to pray… And
tears soon began to flow down his cheeks…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> It was nearly noon when the
Poet caught sight of Bir L’agrab, one of the few wells scattered over the
desert. And there at Bir L’agrab he stopped and freed his camel. As he bent
forward to draw water from the well, he heard the sound of a bird flying
overhead. He raised his eyes, as if in response to somebody’s order, and saw
the silhouettes of a few camels heading for the well. They were not coming from
Lehreem, but the Poet’s heart was already torn by their dreadful sight. It was
as though he had seen a herd of lions coming toward him. He dropped the
water-pot and stayed gazing at the approaching caravan. As the company got
closer, the Poet saw men in dark-blue. “Perhaps this time I’ve fallen naked to
my enemies,” he thought mournfully.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Allah’s peace be upon you,
man!” said the men, alighting from their camels. They were a dozen black
merchants.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Peace be upon you, too!” replied
the Poet, forcing an uncertain smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Your dress tells you’re from
Lehreem, aren’t you?” asked one of the men, sitting on the coping of the well
and bidding his companions to follow suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How do you know, sir?” said
the Poet, when he sat next to the man who remarked about his dress. This man
just laughed and his laughter provoked his companions into laughing even more
wildly. The Poet shivered as that man said mockingly:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Lehreem, to our knowledge, is
the capital of all Amirs around here, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet remained dumb and his
bleary eyes fixed on his camel, who stood aloof from the other camels.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Your Amira,” the black man
continued, “is dearer to the Amirs than their own wives. Oh let me say she’s
got more than a dozen husbands at a time!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Your emirate need not have an
army,” said another black man. “Those Amirs gave their oath to defend you– unto
death!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Your Amira’s body is worth an
emperor’s army!” chuckled a third.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Taken aback by this unexpected
avalanche of bitter comments, the Poet said at last:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You see, honourable men, a
newborn cannot choose its cradle. It is either born in Tangiers or in
Algesiras. What’s my sin in being from the Lehreem you’re describing? Besides–”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He could not finish his words.
A few horses were raising dust on the west, from Lehreem. Blood almost froze in
the Poet’s heart. The blacks turned to the coming horses and one of them said:
“Lehreem has thrown up good riders, hasn’t it?” His words died away in the
wind. The Poet was not listening to him, but to the gripping neigh of the
approaching horses and to the rhythmic clatter on the gritty soil. All the
blacks stood up as the riders (they were six) alighted from their horses. The
Poet remained seated still on the shaft.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Allah’s peace be upon you,
men,” said one of the riders in a military tone. He looked something of a
platoon leader. Indeed, he was the captain of the Palace Guard. He was a tall,
stocky figure of a man. The Poet, who now let his eyes rest on the shimmering
ground, had recognized the riders at first sight. He knew they were after him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Peace be upon you, too,” the
blacks had replied in unison. These had formed something like a wall between
the guards and the Poet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We are from Lehreem. And you?”
asked the captain of the guard, running his eyes over the blacks’ faces and
taking two steps onward.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We’re human beings. We’re not
confined to any emirate,” replied the black man who stood a few yards opposite
him. “Where were you going, you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We were coming here,” said the
captain, grasping the hilt of his sword, which was still in its scabbard. The
other guards were lining up behind him and standing on the alert.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Fine,” said the black man in a
rather provocative tone. “What for?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “This is none of your
business!” snorted the captain of the guard and gestured toward the Poet. His
men, all impressively well-set, made for the lonely man cowering on the shaft.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But the black man who had first
made fun of the Poet shouted at the guards with drawn sword: “If you touch this
man all your heads will remain here!” The captain of the guard drew his sword
and shouted back: “Either you shut up or I’ll throw your head into the air, you
nasty negro!” This was the declaration of war the ‘negroes’ were waiting for.
All the swords were drawn. And as the men began to lunge about, the Poet moved
slowly and slunk away. He flew onto the back of his camel and bore west. The
swords still clashed behind him until he was a good distance away.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Into Lehreem he went with a
bleeding heart. A few people glanced at him as he zipped past their houses,
through the palm-trees, toward the palace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six.html" style="background-color: initial; color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nine.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nine</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-ten.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Ten</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eleven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eleven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twelve.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twelve</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-thirteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Thirteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fourteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fourteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fifteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fifteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-sixteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Sixteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seventeen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seventeen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eighteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eighteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nineteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nineteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-one.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-One</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-two.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Six</span></a></li></ul><br />Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-68030745132253653132019-12-05T02:55:00.011-08:002022-02-01T03:58:31.987-08:00Chapter Four<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The sun had sailed some distance southwards when the Poet handed the
camel over to the Palace stable-boy. The stable, quite a big one, was on the
left part of the palace. On his way to the palace gate, and even when he
stepped into the Entrance hall, the Poet saw no foreigner.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Peace be upon you,” said the
Poet to the guard who had advised him to disappear.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Peace be upon you, too,”
replied the guard with an air of waiting for a question.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet gazed at him for a few
seconds, glanced at the four corners of the hall, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I see everything’s fine. And
strange. And calm.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What were you expecting?”
asked the guard in a friendly tone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Who’s with His Highness?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Only the guards and Her
Highness the Amira and His Highness Amir Ibnu Saadoon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Ibnu Saadoon?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (This was the name of the Amir
of Amzod, a neighbouring emirate.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I saw him enter with the
Amira. Please go away!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet understood. He moved
away. The guard, who was from the same <i>madshar</i> as the Poet, should not
be embroiled in such a precarious situation. The Poet moved away, many steps
away, and stopped. He faced the door leading into the Amir’s Princely Hall. He
again ran his hand over his heart and felt the blood dribbling. The door
opposite looked like the line between life and death. As the seconds and
minutes wore on, the Poet’s heartthrobs began to sound almost like footsteps.
But these which made him turn round were actual footsteps. And what he saw was
incredible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where are the others?” he
managed to ask one of the guards he had left at Bir L’agrab as he flew past
him, with a worn-out face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Get away, you Jonah!” the
guard muttered, vanishing through the opposite door.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet understood barely
anything.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You get in!” said a maidenly
face to him and went out of sight.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Without much hesitation, the
Poet mustered up the courage to go forth. He ambled sure-footedly up to the
people in the Princely Hall. He bowed as he faced the Amir, the Amira and their
guest, Amir Ibnu Saadoon. The Amira was sitting on the Amir’s left, the guest
on his right. There was no one else.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Wonderful!” grumbled the Amir,
bidding the Poet to take a chair. When the Poet sat pensively on a chair on the
guest’s right, the Amir continued: “Really wonderful! If we have lost five good
men in an unfair battle in the desert, at least we’ve got back the bad one!”
Unprepared for such news, the Poet looked up at the Amir and then lowered his
head. The news had sent shivers down his spine.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Amir clapped his hands and
two guards came in, bowed to their masters and continued their way toward the
Poet. One of them shackled the Poet’s hands, the other removed his sword. Then
both guards bowed again and went out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now,” said the Amir in a
subdued voice, “tell us what happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You see, sir,” the Poet began
somewhat brokenly, “when you dismissed me last night I went in fear of my own
life. I could not spend the night here. So I went.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where did you go?” asked Amir
Ibnu Saadoon in a diplomatic tone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I was going to Bani Abeed, but
at some point in the desert I came over so homesick that I couldn’t go any
further. I made an about-turn and on my way back I stopped at Bir L’agrab to
collect some water for the ablutions and for my camel. And there I was
surprised by the arrival of a dozen black merchants. Each had a camel. As they
alighted and sat on the coping of the well, three of them began to say bad
things on Lehreem.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Things such as what?” asked
the Amir of Lehreem, after he had glanced at the Amira.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Bad things. I can’t find it in
my heart to tell you, your Grace!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Just tell,” insisted Amir Ibnu
Saadoon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, one of them said, ‘Your
Amira’s body is worth an emperor’s army!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet had lowered his head
before he rehearsed that in a halting voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You stay!” the Amir whispered
to his wife; and to the Poet he said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And what did you say, you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet raised his eyes
unhurriedly and said tersely:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Your Grace’s guards arrived.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And then?” asked Ibnu Saadoon,
who had rested his right elbow on the chair-arm and supported his chin with his
fist.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And then the guards wanted to
take me, but one of the blacks drew his sword and tried to prevent them. The
Captain of the guard said: ‘Either you shut up or I’ll throw your head into the
air, you nasty negro!’ and thus everybody clashed with everybody. I felt I
couldn’t help and I flew back here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Bravoes!” the Amir thundered.
“Instead of defending your fellow countrymen, you let them have it? I must be
proud of you!” The Amir’s voice rose even louder. “When my men fell among your
conspirators and began to fall like leaves at Bir L’agrab you say you scurried
over here like a nasty swine!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> These words pierced the Poet’s
heart. He raised his eyes and looked the Amir in the eye.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Speak!” said Ibnu Saadoon
coolly. The Poet turned his fiery eyes to the speaker and gazed. The Amira
coughed. The Poet darted a sullen look at her. And she did not avoid his eye.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You speak!” the Amir growled
fiercely. The other two kept staring at the Poet. After a brief moment’s
hesitation, the Poet spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’m waiting for questions,” he
said in a rather dismal voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Who are those conspirators?”
asked Ibnu Saadoon, always coolly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And almost in the same tone,
the Poet managed to say: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I don’t know them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Now, the Amir stood up, glanced
at the guest and stepped up to the Poet. As he stood in front of him, he drew
his sword and then put its point almost close to the Poet’s throat and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Mind your head! Either you
tell us everything or you’ll lose everything. This is your last chance to atone
for the massacre of my guards. What you’ve done is not venial in this land.
Say: who are those mongrels?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Kill me!” the Poet said in a
desperate voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Surely I shall if you don’t
tell!” The Amir lowered his voice to a whisper. “Mind!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Ibnu Saadoon coughed, and
joined them. He asked the Amir to put up his sword, and then he squatted on his
heels and put his hands on the Poet’s knees. Then he looked up at the Amir with
an air of asking him to go back to his seat. It did the Poet’s heart some good
to see his amir obey and go away. The Amir went toward his wife and stood with
his back to the two men.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tell me, our Poet,” said Ibnu
Saadoon in a reassuring, audible voice. “What do you want?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Believe me,” the Poet replied
almost tearfully, “I’ve never had conspirators. I had never met those men
before. I don’t even know where they’re from. All I know is that at that time
they were coming from the southeast. They had a Sudanese accent and they know
Lehreem quite well.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “But on Monday you were in the
market, weren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s true.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And what did you do there?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I went shopping.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s all?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I swear by Allah that was
all.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yesterday, Her Highness the
Amira was in your home?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “True.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What for?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “She came just out of kindness.
At least that’s what I understood.” The Poet was about to add, “That was not
the first time.” But he checked himself just in time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And then,” said Ibnu Saadoon,
“you proposed to marry her?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet was about to scream,
“It’s she who proposed to marry me!” But he just yelled: “Oh my God!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Ibnu Saadoon stood up and began
to pace back and forth. The Amir had gone back to his seat and now the Amira
moved out of the Hall under the Poet’s tearful eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Ibnu Saadoon suddenly stood in
the middle of the Hall, faced the Amir and said, pointing towards the Poet:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “This man must be incinerated!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Stunned by these words, the
Poet looked at both men dumbfounded and, all of a sudden, he rose and said in a
defiant tone:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “If you want to incinerate me,
do it now!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Sit down!” replied Ibnu
Saadoon with a threatening look. He then turned to the Amir, took a few steps
onward, put his hands on his hips and said in a hoarse voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You see, Amir Abu Sufyan, I
think the man should be pent until all the Amirs are gathered here. They might
want to try him. Those blacks might launch a hit-and-run attack on your
emirate. The army must come as quickly as possible. In light of the aftermath
of such an attack, if attack there be, we shall see how to deal with your poet.
So, I’ll go now and my men will be here by the first star-light.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Amir clapped his hands and
two guards rushed in. They bowed and waited for orders. “Put that one in a
separate cell!” said the Amir. The guards made for the Poet. Each of them took
him by an arm and led him, with eyes downcast, to where the Amir had ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The guards opened the wooden
door of a two-square-metre cell, unshackled the Poet and pushed him onto the
greenish straw. The Poet just crouched down as the guards locked the cell-door
behind him. The straw was not harsh, but it did not smell good. The earthen
walls looked rough. The paint, if any, had gone. Beyond the walls there was
nothing audible. Once again, the Poet was lonely.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> After a brief pause, the Poet
gathered himself and sat upright with legs crossed. A few tears stood in his
eyes. This was the first time he was clapped into prison. He recalled how he
had received the Amira the previous day. He ran his hand over his forehead: it
was burning. Why? Why had he been so hard? At least for her beauty, she should
not have been treated so badly. For her brown eyes, rosy cheeks, dewy lips, and
milky face, he should have forgotten Sultana at least for those few
moments. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But why? Why was Ida interested
in him? This he couldn’t understand. He was probably far from handsome. He was
but a frail, meager creature. Among the four Amirs Ida knew at least two were
very good-looking. Even her husband was good-looking. So what was she looking
for?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet moved slowly until his
back leaned up against the wall and then he stretched his legs in front of him.
He again remembered that he had not yet said his prayers. And he recalled what
had happened at Bir L’agrab. Ibnu Saadoon might be right. Those people might
come and launch a hit-and-run attack on Lehreem. Already five of Abu Sufyan’s
guards had been killed. This made the Poet’s heart ache more than ever before.
He did not want to die. He saw Sultana’s face, and Ida’s. He saw the stream
Lehreem and the bush and the sunrise. Life is beautiful. “Oh my God!” Now, the
Poet had to say all his prayers. And he did.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Thoughts, fears and dreams
followed one upon another through a couple of hours. As the faintest lights
went out of the cell, the Poet began to hear horses neigh and clatter some way
around. Also human voices were slightly audible. The Poet deduced that some of
the four Amirs had begun to send in troops. These were Ibnu Saadoon; Abu Hind,
the Amir of Idao Za’tot; Saad al-Asmar, the Amir of Foox; and Assaeed, the Amir
of Aït Iddoot. The Poet knew all the story. Those Amirs would never let Abu Sufyan
down. And, in return, Abu Sufyan would never say no to any of them. The Poet
was sitting down and listening for the guards to tap on or open the door
opposite. He could do nothing. He had just crossed his arms and stayed waiting.
What would they do to him? He didn’t want to die. He felt hungry.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Minutes flew by. Still nothing
new happened. The Poet did not know what was going on exactly outside. If there
was going to be an attack he didn’t know when. Nor did he know when the Amirs
would come to try him. Yes, he would be tried. It must be good of Man to try a
man before killing him, even if the sentence is known beforehand. But Abu Sufyan
might not this time be as harsh as he made himself out. Perhaps he only wanted
to wring some confession or other from him. Then, how could he have heard of
Ida’s last visit? But what did Abu Sufyan want to know? And why had he set his
guards on him? And why did Ibnu Saadoon call for the gathering of Amirs? And
why did he himself fear to be killed? What had he done wrong? If his fears were
that big, why hadn’t he ventured to go away, anywhere away from these emirates?
Here, he remembered al-Mutanabbi, that famous Arab poet who had been murdered
far away from his home. If it’s death, the Poet mused hopelessly, then there’s
no way out. But why should he die, now– he’s only thirty? <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six.html" style="background-color: initial; color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nine.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nine</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-ten.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Ten</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eleven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eleven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twelve.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twelve</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-thirteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Thirteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fourteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fourteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fifteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fifteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-sixteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Sixteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seventeen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seventeen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eighteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eighteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nineteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nineteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-one.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-One</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-two.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Six</span></a></li></ul></span></div>
<br />Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-64905886601436966502019-12-05T02:55:00.010-08:002022-02-01T03:57:31.721-08:00Chapter Five<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was dark now. As the Poet rose and rubbed his eyes he found himself
in utter darkness. Had he slept or just drowsed? He was rocking. He could no
longer repress his urine. It was very cold. But would he do it here? This made
him dizzy. He had already felt the pangs of thirst and hunger, and here he was
now feeling the pangs of this as well. He kept rocking and swaying bitterly.
His patience was exhausted. He groaned inwardly at the thought of doing what
only helpless children would do. And here indeed? It occurred to him to pray.
But he could bear no more. He crept toward the door and hastened to get rid of
the liquid that had pained him. And as he felt the viscous liquid that was
still there he wondered who was that woman he had seen in the last minutes of
his sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As he backed and leant against
the chilly wall, the Poet felt ashamed. He had now done this, what would he do
next? He shuddered to think! How long would he remain here? He ran his hand
over his stomach. Was he going to be starved to death? And Sultana? Poor
Sultana! She must have undergone more than this. The Amir was really soulless,
damn him! Even Ida forgot the days when she had been a maid. Once she had
enjoyed the revels of being an amira she grew more mannish than a man. Why
wasn’t she like Sultana?...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Thought upon thought led the
Poet through the rest of the night. As the first morning rays began to flood
in, someone knocked at and opened the cell-door. “Get up!” a guard said
unmannerly. The Poet rose up and got out of the cell. The guard led him past
several wooden doors to a small stable-like shed. “You unload your bowels here
and be quick!” the guard said and stepped back. The place was terribly nasty,
yet the Poet had no other choice. He went in as ordered. And while he was there
he thought of asking the guard for something. He wanted to ask him for a cup of
water and a hunk of bread, but his pride prevented him. He wanted to inquire
after Sultana, but his fear wouldn’t let him. When the Poet was out of the
shed, the guard, who had been yawning, drew his sword and said: “Be quick to
your cell!” The Poet just glanced once more and went on to his cell. The guard
locked the door behind him and went away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As the Poet sat down he felt
again the bitter pangs of thirst, hunger and cold. Before now he had thought
there was nothing more horrible than sexual deprivation. Was he going to change
his mind? He had no idea how long this would last. It occurred to him to bang
the door or just scream, but what’s the use? The specters of starvation and
death began to scare him. He didn’t want to die. He wanted to get out and be
free. He wanted food and water now. Or else– . What? He sneezed. He abhorred this fusty cell. His thoughts
brought tears to his eyes. He felt small. The Amir and the Amira he had praised
for so long had now gotten him with his back to the wall and others were going
to try him. Had he known this would happen to him, he mused remorsefully, he
wouldn’t have praised any– Too late now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> A good deal of time had passed
since sunrise and yet nothing new happened. The Poet looked at the remaining
traces of his urine at the bottom of the door and wondered what would have
happened if the guard had not come that early. But this wasn’t yet enough. The
Poet wished that the guard had brought with him some food or at least a cup of
water. But his wish went unfulfilled. Another thing was paining him now. If he
had been at home he would have already had a bath and said his Dawn Prayers.
But he couldn’t do it here now that he had polluted the place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When would he be tried? He was
getting worked up. But what on earth would he be tried for? What had he done to
deserve such a trial? If they wanted to kill him, why not do it now? No. He
shuddered at the thought. He didn’t want to die. Maybe in the trial he would
find a chance to escape death. Let’s not despair! Yes, why not? It suddenly
came to him to try himself by himself. But he had no idea how a trial normally
began. He had never attended one. No matter: let’s try! He pondered for a few
seconds before he began in a low, but audible voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Suppose they ask, ‘What do you
want?’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well,” he said, “I want to be
free.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Question: ‘What do you mean?’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Answer: 'I have done nothing
wrong to be tried.'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Question: ‘Who are those
mongrels?’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> No. This is nonsense. I can’t
predict their questions or my answers. I don’t even know who will be there to
try me. Maybe the Amirs? And the viziers, too, perhaps? They might ask me about
my thoughts, my past, my wife, my faith…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> These thoughts piled up one
upon one until they put the Poet to sleep. He had not slept enough for two
nights. It was not cold now. And thus he slept like a log. But he was not
sleeping at home. The cell-door was already thrown open when a thundering voice
came to tear the Poet from his deep sleep. “Get up! Stand up for your trial!”
the voice said. As if this was not enough, the guard used his foot to get the
Poet up. As the Poet rose and looked up at the guard, he said in a somnolent
voice: “What’s the matter?” “Get up! Stand up for your trial!” the guard
repeated. The Poet heard that. “The trial?” he muttered to himself. His heart
now again went pitapat. He rose up reluctantly and followed the guard in
silence. The further he went into the palace the louder the voices he heard
grew. Both the guard and the Poet stopped at a door. The Poet sensed that the
trial would take place in the Princely Hall, whence came the noise. The guard
tapped at the door and waited. The noise behind the door rose higher for a few
seconds and then abated sharply. The door opened and a voice shouted: “The
accused comes in!” The guard took the Poet by the arm and led him, under the
curious eyes of the people present, to a designated spot quite in the middle of
the Hall. The first guard left the Poet standing up there and another came with
the shackles, fitted them on the Poet’s hands and stepped back out. The Poet
remained standing there and looking at the people in front. Abu Sufyan was
seated in his usual place. On his right sat Ibnu Saadoon and Assaeed, and on
the left sat Abu Hind and Saad al-Asmar. Behind the five Amirs stood guards
with pointed, long poles in their hands. On the right and left rows of chairs,
on both sides of the Poet, sat viziers, poets and other local and foreign
dignitaries. Between Assaeed’s seat and the row next to him sat, in a smart,
bentwood chair, a sexagenarian man with a snowy beard. The Poet had never seen
this man before. There was some silence for a while. At long last, Amir Abu Sufyan
coughed. All eyes turned to him. Abu Sufyan turned to the snowy-bearded man and
said respectfully:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Sheïkh Abderrahman, we have
summoned you to sit in judgment on that man. We could have judged him
ourselves. But all the Amirs over here and myself want to pass an equitable judgment
on the man over there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I thank you all, you
Magnanimous Amirs, for the faith you put in my humble person,” said the judge
approvingly. “With your permission, I will do my best to be true to God, to you
Amirs, and to my conscience.” Then he turned to the Poet and said in the same
mild tone: “Let’s begin in God’s name!” The Poet looked him in the eye and
waited for questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s your name?” the judge
began.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My name is Salman.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s your father’s name?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My father’s name is
L’hussein.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s your mother’s name?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My mother’s name is Rqiya.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are your parents still alive?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where do you live?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I live in Aït Abed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The judge turned to Amir Abu Sufyan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Aït Abed is a <i>madshar</i>
about a mile away,” said the Amir.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I meant to ask you, your
Grace, if you wouldn’t mind, to unshackle the man,” the sheikh commented
tactfully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Right,” the Amir replied with
a nod and clapped his hands. A guard came in and bowed. The Amir commanded him
peacefully: “Unshackle him!” The guard executed the order and went out with the
shackles in his hands. Meanwhile, the Poet fell to wondering what was the
relevance of the questions he had just answered. It occurred to him that the
sheikh was only preparing him for the worst.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tell me, man!” the judge
resumed. “How old are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I am thirty years old.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are you married?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Do you have any children?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No. In truth, I don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The people in the audience
roared with laughter. Amir Abu Sufyan coughed twice and the silence came back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How do you mean?” the judge
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My wife was pregnant when I
last saw her.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where and when did you last
see her?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “She was imprisoned somewhere
around here about three years ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why was she imprisoned?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “In your own opinion, why was
your wife imprisoned?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, she used to advise some
of Lehreem women against letting the Amir take their daughters away from them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The silence was now broken by
low murmuring.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And he did indeed?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir. He has always taken
away the most beautiful girls.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What for?” asked the judge
amidst a slightly louder murmuring.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet kept silent. The Amir
coughed, as a signal for the people present to stay calm and be quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How old was your wife when you
last saw her?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “About twenty-five years old.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You’ve said she was pregnant.
Could you guess for how many months?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet, being new to it,
hardly understood why he had to answer such questions. For a while he gazed at
the sheïkh’s purple-and-green robes and then looked up and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Maybe for three months.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “When and where did you marry
her?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The murmuring came back and the
Poet took that for some kind of reaction to the sheïkh’s irrelevant questions.
He said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I had married her in Bani
Abeed about six months before she was imprisoned.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Are you sure she’s
imprisoned.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Why did you marry in Bani
Abeed?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My wife was born there. It was
she who asked me to spend with her our first marital days in her birth-place.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You miss her then?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s private, sir!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “When, where and how did you
first meet her? But what’s her name, by the way?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “She’s named Sultana. She was
for some time one of Amir Abu Sufyan’s maidens. As the Amir was very satisfied
with me, he gave her to me. He said she was his best maiden.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How did you find her? Still
virgin, I mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s private, sir!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You didn’t finish your answer
to my previous question, did you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir! I said His Highness
the Amir gave her to me as a maiden. But I fell in love with her instantly and
we got married. She then ceased to be a songstress. She ceased to be that
scantily clad, easy-going girl. And I loved her for that. She made an abrupt
change both in herself and in me. She was converted to a good woman. Before
that I had been myself a worldly-minded lad. But our marriage changed
everything. We began new habits, a new life.” The Poet glanced at the Amirs
somewhat defiantly while he went on: “We began to pray almost night and day. We
cried over our past sins–”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Wait a bit!” the judge
interrupted. “Just one by one. You've talked of change, haven’t you? You seem
to be proud of it. And you seem to have wanted to impose that change on the
whole of Lehreem. Am I wrong to think so?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, perhaps my wife did?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I wasn’t imprisoned with her.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So she was guilty?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I haven’t said that. I feel
she was wronged.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What exactly do you want?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “First of all, I want a cup of
water and a hunk of bread. I’m hungry!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Some of the people in the
audience laughed, but the sheïkh turned to Amir Abu Sufyan with an air of
asking him to grant the accused’s wish. The Amir clapped his hands and ordered
water and bread for the accused. As the guard came back with the water and
bread, the people present began to murmur even more loudly. The guard left, and
the Poet gobbled down the bread and emptied the cup at one gulp.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tell us now, what do you want
next?” the judge resumed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I want to get out of here free
and safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The murmuring almost turned
into a tumult.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Not yet,” the judge hastened
to reply in an attempt to restore the lost silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What have I done to deserve
this trial?” the Poet asked, encouraged by the tumult he had almost caused.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Abu Sufyan barked at him:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “It’s not you who puts
questions, you wicked boy!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The other Amirs murmured
something like that. There was no more silence until Abu Sufyan said: “Listen
and reply!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Mind what I say!” said the
judge. “It is I who am to put questions. Tell us now, why do you want to
destabilize this and the neighbouring emirates?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “How?” the Poet asked, a shade
cautiously.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> All the Amirs stood up and the
viziers followed. The Poet only waited the end he had always dreaded. The judge
stood up at last and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Please, calm down! This will
be the last time he puts a question. Please sit down! Be wise, please!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Abu Sufyan gazed and frowned
for a few more seconds at the Poet and sat down and the others followed at
different paces. The judge was the last to follow suit. He turned to the Poet
and said bluntly:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now you have to answer certain
charges. You are accused of treason. You have attempted to destabilize Lehreem
and the surrounding emirates by emboldening some people to disobey their
respective Amirs. You have made conspirators abroad to help you carry out your
plot. You attempted to entice Amira Ida away from her husband and abode. You
have claimed that the Amirs over here are not good Muslims and that they should
be fought.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You’ve ordered me not to put
questions. Otherwise I would have asked, ‘What else?’ But–” the Poet began, and
stopped and burst into tears. He buried his face in his hands and began to sob
movingly. The Amirs kept silent, but the other people present murmured quite
audibly. Everybody was now looking at the once exalted Poet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet was weeping for
remorse. He had praised all the five Amirs facing him. He damned the day he had
known them all. He was weeping for himself. He had no way to defend himself by
refuting their allegations. He had no concrete proof to adduce. He could not reproach
them for not having presented witnesses. He himself had no witnesses to
extricate him from this nasty ambush. He was lost. What ached him most was that
he was going to die now. He had failed in his attempts to make any difference
at all, and he couldn’t see who could make a difference after him. He had lived
for nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> To everybody’s surprise, Ibnu
Saadoon stood up and walked over to the Poet, who was still sobbing. Ibnu
Saadoon grasped the Poet’s arm and said:
“Take this and wipe your face.” He gave him a perfumed handkerchief and walked
back up to his seat. The Poet wiped his face with his trembling hands and felt
the cheerful scent. When he bared his face, the judge said in a strikingly soft
voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “We want words, not tears!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet stalled him for a few
moments before he began in a rather tremulous voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “True, I had a good weep. But
that wasn’t good for me. You have charged me with treason. And that’s enough. I
don’t have witnesses. I don’t have convincing proofs. All I have is tears. And
if I was weeping it was not because I feared death, but because I would be
killed on no sound grounds. I am sure I’m innocent. But I can’t prove it. And
there’s no one to blame for that.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So you deny all the charges?”
the judge asked expectantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir!” the Poet replied
firmly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So now, you have to swear,
will you? Say after me: I swear by Allah I have never betrayed any of the five
Amirs present here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet replied calmly:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I swear by Allah I’ve never
betrayed any of the five Amirs facing me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Say: I swear by Allah I have
never done anything to destabilize this and the neighbouring four emirates.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet swore.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Say: I swear by Allah I have
never made any conspirators here or abroad.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet swore and glanced at
the Amirs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Say: I swear by Allah I have
never attempted to entice Amira Ida away from her husband and abode.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet swore, now pitifully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And last you swear that you
have never claimed that the Amirs present here are not good Muslims and that
they should be fought.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet swore, almost
tearfully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The judge turned to the Amirs
and said cautiously:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I can’t convict him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Amir Abu Sufyan rose up, walked
over to the judge, who in turn stood up, and both shook hands. “We thank you
very much, Sheïkh Abderrahman,” the Amir said, and called for the guards. A
guard came in and bowed. “Give the sheïkh a thousand <i>mithqals</i> and help
him get back his horse. And do escort him for a distance out of Lehreem,” the
Amir said. The Sheïkh mumbled a few words and bowed to Abu Sufyan and to the
other Amirs and followed close on the guard’s heels. Once the Sheikh was out,
Amir Abu Sufyan stalked haughtily toward the Poet. As he neared him, the Amir
darted a fleeting look all round the Hall and said, grinning: “How can it be
that we let this rabid dog loose?” The Poet raised his eyes and glanced at the
Amir’s pink face. “Look at me,” said the Amir. “In a moment you’ll be
finished!” The Poet spoke no word. He only gazed at the Amir, who was now walking
back to his seat. Once there, the Amir turned to Assaeed, on his right, and
said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Tell us, Amir Assaeed: where
do you stand on this question?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, the man’s guilt is
written all over his face. I guess we should put him in jail.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Good,” said Abu Sufyan. “And
you, Amir Ibnu Saadoon?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “As to me, I feel we must
rather banish him!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Abu Sufyan turned to Abu Hind,
on his left, and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Perhaps you, Amir Abu Hind,
you’ll have another stand, won’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes,” Abu Hind replied
enthusiastically. “I think we should rather sell him into slavery.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet just listened and
gazed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And you, Amir Saad, what do
you say?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “As to me, I believe we must
kill him!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet’s heart jumped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And now,” Abu Sufyan said to
the other people in the audience, “it’s your turn to speak your minds. Those
who agree with Amir Assaeed raise their hands!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet shook his head. This
was brand new to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When the hands were raised, Abu
Sufyan turned to Assaeed and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Count your partisans!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Assaeed counted them and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “They are five.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet noticed that those
were all local dignitaries.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Those who are with Amir Ibnu
Saadoon now?” Amir Abu Sufyan resumed. He then asked Ibnu Saadoon to count the
raised hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “They are nine,” he said,
somewhat proudly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Those were the foreign
dignitaries.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And now,” said Abu Sufyan,
“those who agree with Amir Abu Hind raise their hands.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Abu Hind counted his partisans
and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Twelve!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Those were the Poets. The Poet
wondered why.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Amir Saad al-Asmar, it’s your
turn now to count those who side with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Al-Asmar counted them and said
in a rather desolate tone:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “They’re only ten.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Those were the viziers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And now Abu Sufyan thundered:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, the Amirs have had their
say. And you, too, men. So I think the trial is over. Our Poet will be sold to
the slavers!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He then called for the guards. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-six.html" style="background-color: initial; color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Six</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nine.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nine</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-ten.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Ten</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eleven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eleven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twelve.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twelve</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-thirteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Thirteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fourteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fourteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fifteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fifteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-sixteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Sixteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seventeen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seventeen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eighteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eighteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nineteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nineteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-one.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-One</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-two.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Six</span></a></li></ul><br /></div>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-1819958542921527812019-12-05T02:54:00.006-08:002022-02-01T03:56:10.241-08:00Chapter Six<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Poet was now tamed once for all. From now on, he was but a slave. He
had had an idea about the slaves. They were the only people to be singled out
for all the nasty jobs. The Poet also knew that it was high time he had begun
to accustom himself to this frowsty cell. For he wouldn't live in a better
place. Already, it was a wonder that he was still alive. Yet, he felt there
were still many a thing to aspire to although he wasn't sure what. As long as
there was life in his veins, his heart told him, he should never despair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Poet didn't dwell long on
that, however. What he wanted now was a good hamper of food and a cup of sweet
water. He was terribly hungry. His pangs of hunger increased with each passing
minute. Now much of the day had gone and there was nothing to hope for from the
people who had thrown him into this cage. The Poet also feared that the guard
wouldn't come in time to take him to that foul shed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One hour followed another till
the cell was engulfed in utter darkness, and yet no one came. The Poet's fears
grew wilder. How long would he remain incarcerated in this gloomy place?
Weren't slaves entitled to just a handful of dates to appease one's deathly
pangs of hunger? Had the world run out of soft hearts? This made the Poet
indignant, furious. But what could he do? Nothing but wait.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Poet waited with a rising
temper many hours far into the night before he succumbed to sleep. But his
sleep didn't last long. Even during his sleep he hadn't ceased from wriggling.
When he awoke and sat up he was still shivering with cold. He indeed was
chilled to the marrow. And hungry, thirsty and angry. He couldn't lean his back
against the icy wall. The straw beneath him was wet, and the air bleak. There
was no light at all. No sound was audible. He believed there were still several
hours to dawn and wondered how he would be able to endure them. So he just sat
there, upright, facing the door, and waited.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Poet's heart quivered as a
distant cock-crow indicated that the night had melted into day. Soon the first
rays began to flood in. The world was awakening. Impatiently, the Poet waited
for the new day's news. He wanted to know many a thing. Would he breakfast?
Would he go out to the shed? Would he be handed over to the slavers today? Who
would they be these slavers and where would they take him? What would he be
doing as a slave? What would become of his personal belongings: his house, his
camel, his flute?... And Sultana? And his brother's small family? Too many
questions to answer. The Poet remained engrossed in these unending thoughts
while waiting for something new to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the chill was quite a
distant memory. The cell was warmed up by the heat outside. Several hours must
have passed since sunrise. The Poet sat speechless, but he was expecting
something. This time his dream came true. One guard came and took him to the
musty shed. He also brought him a pot of water and a receptacle full of dates.
When the guard left, after having closed the cell-door, the Poet washed his
fingers with some of the water and drank some and ate several dates. He hadn't
asked the guard about anything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Poet leaned on one side and
melted into thoughts. He would go away. Maybe forever. He would leave behind a
smart house, a wonderful camel, a marvelous wife, an elderly brother and his
family… He would leave Lehreem. Maybe forever. He would go somewhere else.
Where? He didn't know. What would he be doing? He had no specific idea. His
only job was composing verses. What else could he do? Who would be his master
or masters? Or mistresses? Ida came to his mind fleetingly. Sultana, too. But:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Why am I to stay<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I am to go?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To go far away<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where the stars stand aglow…?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why am I to say<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>'I love you', when you
know…?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The singing stopped there. Weary of waiting, the Poet found almost
anything boring and disgusting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon after dark, the cell-door
opened. "Shalom" said a fifty-year-old, white man clad in a white
jellaba. On his hairless head was a fez and on his shoulders and back a long,
black cloth. This man beamed at the Poet, who rose and gaped. The Poet knew
immediately that the newcomer was a Jew. Two guards were standing behind the
Jew. "Shalom," he repeated. "Salam," replied the Poet.
"Come along!" the Jew ordered, and turned toward the guards, who
paved the way for him. The Poet followed on the heels of the Jew and the
guards. They led him along a passage out into the open, a short way from the
palace, where two men and four horses were waiting beside a palm-tree. The
guards went back into the palace and the Poet was ordered to mount one of the
four horses and ride in front. He mounted diffidently and waited for the next
orders. "Fly! This way! Fly!" whispered the Jew as he and his
companions mounted their respective horses. The Jew had gestured toward the
northeast. And all the company flew that way, in silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Poet's thoughts were
blocked for a moment. All overnight he found himself, as if in a stinking
nightmare, in the hands of a Jew. And here he was racing northeastwards, as a
slave, to a Jew's world. Where? He didn't know. He was fearfully anxious to
know.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After brief halts at three
inn-like large houses, where the horses were fed and watered and where the Jew
and his two companions chatted with the people there, the journey ended a
little time after dawn at a smart, uninhabited house perched on a hill
overlooking a small town. The horses were led into an adjacent stable and the
men went into the house. The Poet was then conducted into a large room, where
he found on the floor a sufficiently long mat, one sheet and one low pillow.
The Jew brought him a good handful of dates and a pot of water, and locked the
door and left. He had spoken no word. He only smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Poet sat down. He was
terribly weary. He drank some water and ate dates. And then he mused for a good
while, before he began singing mournfully in a very low voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sultana! Oh Sultana! here I am a slave!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sultana! Oh Sultana!
here I am a slave!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…and can’t guess where
you are:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in what
cell, in what cave?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sultana! Oh Sultana!
Here I am a slave!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do send me a smile! Do
send me a word!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need you most in this
crazy world!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sultana! Oh Sultana!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What could I feel but
cheap<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I’m sold like a
sheep?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sultana! Oh Sultana!
Here I am a slave!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will lead me as
they please.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they will sell me
when they please!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh Sultana!...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from singing, what else
could he do? Oh yes! he prayed. And then he slept. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Poet woke up and waited a
few hours before nightfall, the time when the Jew came and ordered him to go
with two young men. The Jew didn’t say where. The two young men, like the other
two who had escorted him the last night, were wearing jellabas and white
skullcaps. One of them had a charming black beard. When the Poet left the room,
he was led into another –a small room– where he was commanded to put off all
his clothes and put on instead an old, but quite clean jellaba and patchy old,
short trousers. When he got out of that small room, the Jew escorted him out of
the house, where the two men were waiting with the horses. There, the Jew
handed a white skullcap to the Poet and ordered him peacefully to put it on his
head. The Poet took the skullcap, with a trembling hand, and put it on his
head– while the Jew and his men chuckled. “Mount!” said the Jew. The two young
men and the Poet mounted their respective horses and vanished into the dark. As
the horses flew northeastwards the two men began to talk in a low voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did Sham’oon give you all the
money?” asked one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes,” replied the other.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The Poet listened very
intently.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How much?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As much as he gave you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s this, David? You don’t
trust me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why do you insist?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shut up!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(…)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Poet now knew that these
two men, too, were Jews. They pronounced the s sound as sh . But what struck
him particularly was that both men spoke Arabic, the very Arabic spoken in the
middle of Al-Maghreb Al-Aqsa (Morocco). For the Poet, the two men must have
come from Fez, Shella or Marrakesh. But where were they taking him now? They
were heading northeastwards, toward Al-Maghreb Al-Awsat (Algeria). Would they
sell him to the Turks there? He didn’t speak Turkish. He only spoke Berber, his
mother-tongue, and Arabic, which he had been taught by his uncle at the Aït
Abed Quranic school. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seven</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nine.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nine</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-ten.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Ten</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eleven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eleven</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twelve.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twelve</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-thirteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Thirteen</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fourteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fourteen</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fifteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fifteen</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-sixteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Sixteen</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seventeen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seventeen</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eighteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eighteen</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nineteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nineteen</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-one.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-One</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-two.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Two</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Three</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Four</span></a></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Five</span></a></li><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Six</span></a></li><li></li>Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-59928761349200939022019-12-05T02:53:00.005-08:002022-02-01T03:53:17.178-08:00Chapter Seven<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After many halts and more than twenty night journeys the Poet was
finally led to a very large house with gardens in the middle of the fields.
Quite a big town was about half a mile distant from the house. The Poet was
received with a “Shalom” and led into a room upstairs. It was quite a
comfortable room with a bed and two mats and a few sheets. The Poet was given
milk and bread. And the door of his room remained open, but he was ordered not
to step out. He knew he was in the hands of Jews; so he prayed in silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet liked the look of this
house at first sight. It was maddeningly clean and cheerful. The Poet had seen
flower-pots on the floor and flowering plants on some of the window-sills. The
house looked square in shape. In the middle of the house courtyard there was a
small, tiled fountain with no water in it. In fact, all the square space around
the fountain was beautifully tiled. But there was no roof overhead. The Poet
had been led along a passage on the right of the fountain, between four or five
wooden doors and about the same number of pillars, and then up stone-stairs, before
he was ushered to the left toward the room where he was now, which faced the front
door. There was a short wall that ran along the edge of the balcony. The
pillars under the balcony were all tiled blue. Those above were painted in the
same colour. There was no storey above the Poet’s room. The Poet reckoned that
the rooms on his right and left must exceed fourteen, just like those below.
The outer walls of the ground-floor rooms were all breast-high tiled, mostly in
green. Those above were only painted. And what paint! Very beautiful: pink
trimmed in sky blue.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Outside the front door, on
either side of which stood a chained dog, there was quite a long, straight
alley edged on either side with beautiful flowers. Other plants and a lot of
trees covered largely either side of the alley. For the Poet, that must be only
one of a few gardens around the house. The nearest house to this one was
isolated amidst other fields. In these fields, by the way, the Poet had seen
little vegetation. But there were trees here and there…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet knew that this house
was not his own nor his parents’, but his master’s. He was here as a slave.
What would he be doing? He did not wait long to know.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Soon after lunchtime, the man
who had received him with a “Shalom” appeared at the door of the room with a
bowl in his hands. Some sort of smile hovered on his face. The Poet, who had
been reclining in bed, rose swiftly and sat upright on the bedside. The man at
the door –surely the Poet’s new master– did not budge. His smile disappeared
and gave way to a frown. Then, he eyed the Poet up from head to toe. The Poet
understood that he had to stand up, and he stood up. The frown on the man’s
face quickly grew more provocative. The Poet deduced that he had to step
onward, toward the man. And he stepped towards him almost falteringly. The Poet
came to face to face with the man.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s your name?” asked the
man, staring the Poet into the face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My name is Salman,” the Poet
replied a shade shyly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You’re welcome, Shalman! I’ve
brought you this. Here!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet took the bowl. He
looked into it and saw two pieces of drumstick, olives and bread. Then, he
raised his eyes and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Thank you, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “My name is Haroon. Lunch and
come downstairs. I’m waiting for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Excuse me, sir. What way is
the toilet?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Haroon just frowned and moved
away. The Poet stepped back and sat on one of the two mats. He put the bowl
before himself and began to eat from it. In the meantime, he thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Haroon was a Jew, like all the
men whom the Poet had seen since he had left the palace. Haroon was a tall,
stoop-shouldered man. He was slightly taller than the Poet. He was in his early
forties. He had a white cheerful face with a dark, full beard. His voice was
soft. He too spoke Arabic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> All those Jews had been rather
fair to the Poet. He had eaten and slept (by day) quite well. He had been
allowed to go to the toilet…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But the Poet didn’t feel at
ease, though. He had begun to think and worry about Sultana more than ever before.
He was not sure she was still alive. But down in his heart, at least, she was
still alive. He had begun to regret his recent attitude toward Abu Sufyan and
Ida. He felt he had been reckless. And each time he thought about this he
wished he could forget all about it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When he finished his meal, he
rose to his feet and placed the white skullcap on his head and mumbled a few
prayers and left the room. He turned his steps to the stairs. And on the way he
glanced onto the tiled courtyard. There was nobody. He went sure-footedly
downstairs. When he stepped onto the floor he walked straight toward the
fountain and turned to face the only door he saw open. The door was in the row
below the room where he had been all morning. Haroon appeared at that door and put
his hands on the door-posts. His head was bare. He was wearing a smart, green
robe and yellow Turkish slippers. He smiled. The Poet kept gazing at him. A
young woman appeared fleetingly behind Haroon. The Poet’s heart gave a jump.
Haroon removed his hands and moved slowly onward. The Poet’s heartthrobs grew
quicker.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Shalman?” said Haroon in his
soft voice, resting his hand on the Poet’s shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir,” replied the Poet
shyly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What’s the story of this
skullcap on your head? Are you a Jew?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’m not. But I like it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I’m told you’re new to
slavery, aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Well, I’ll do my best to make
a good slave out of you! Come along!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Haroon walked tediously halfway
toward the front door and turned to the right to go along a narrow corridor
between the outside wall and the main block of the house. The Poet followed him
silently. Both men ended up in a wide space whence came bleats and moos. They
stepped further toward a rough building. Haroon opened a small wooden door and
stepped in. The Poet followed him. He saw cows, oxen and calves– all beautiful
and healthy. One cow, unlike the others, didn’t moo. It only gazed at the Poet
while it switched its tail. This moved him. “You see?” said Haroon, pointing
towards the herd. “You’ll have to milk these cows. One cow every morning. And
once a week you’ll have to clear up this shed. Come along!” The master left the
cowshed and waited for the Poet to go outside, and then shut the small door and
moved to the next building, on the right. Both buildings were low but very
long. When the men reached the next wooden door, the master opened it and
stepped in and waited for the Poet to follow. When the Poet was in the shed he
saw nothing but sheep, goats and kids. “You see,” said the master in a
commanding tone, “you’ll have to see to it that all the sheep and goats here
and the cattle over there are well fed and watered when the herd-boys don’t
take them out. Look over there!” He pointed at a large wooden door on the other
side of the shed. “That’s the door the sheep go through. There’s a similar one
in the cowshed. Mind they are always well shut. Of course, this shed will be
cleaned up once a week, just like the other. Come along!” The master left, and
so did the Poet. The door was shut. The master led his slave to a spot behind
the room where he had spent the morning. There was one well, surrounded with
green vegetation: mint and thyme, and the like. “You see,” said the master,
“you’ll have to bring us water from this well. The animals in the sheds will
depend on you. Water them when they are not watered by the boys! There are
ponds near the meadows. Look: you have plenty of pots. Now, go there!” He
pointed towards the space beyond the well. The Poet went there, looked about
him and waited for the master’s orders. The master beckoned the Poet to him.
The Poet went back to the master, who asked:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What did you find there?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I found fruit-trees and
flowering shrubs and some vegetables and a building in the far end.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Good!” said the master. “At
every lunch and dinner I want fruits and flowers on my table. Clear?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And that building you saw is
the henhouse. And there–” He pointed at a bare spot near the wall. “You will do
the washing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You see there’s a door there.”
He pointed at a big door in the rear outside wall, a little distance from the
washing-place. “That will lead you out, where you can throw the rubbish and the
manure.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Here, the Poet bowed, for the
first time. He did it almost instinctively.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And there–” The master pointed
towards some sort of room between the sheep-and-goat shed and the rear outside
wall. “You’ll find the cooking-house. Mind there’s always ample wood for the
fire. I’ll show you where to fetch the wood.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir,” the Poet nodded,
wondering why the cooking-house should be isolated over there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And there–” The master pointed
at the only door in the rear of the block of rooms; it was to the left of the
Poet’s room. “Go there and open that door!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet bowed and headed for
the door. He opened it quite easily and saw stone-stairs. He shut the door
carefully and walked back toward his master, and said respectfully:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I saw stairs, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “If you mount those stairs,”
said the master in an angry tone, “you’ll find yourself in the lane leading to
your room. And mind next time you don’t speak until I ask you! I’ve now shown
you almost everything. There’s a stable behind those trees over there.” He
pointed towards the fruit-trees. “That’s for my horses. Clear?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And next to that stable,” the
master said in a subdued voice, “there’s the barn. And there are silos beside
the henhouse and water-holes behind the stable. Now, go to your work.” And as
the Poet turned and began to go away, the master called him back and said, “Ah
no! wait! What tongues do you speak?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “I speak Berber and Arabic,
sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Only?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, sir!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You’ll have to speak Turkish,
too. Tomorrow I’ll find you someone to teach you Turkish. Now, go and sweep the
floor. You’ll find whatever tools you need in the upper room next to the front
door. Go!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “With your leave, sir!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet bowed and walked away. <o:p></o:p></span></p><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eight.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eight</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nine.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nine</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-ten.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Ten</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eleven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eleven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twelve.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twelve</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-thirteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Thirteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fourteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fourteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fifteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fifteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-sixteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Sixteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seventeen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seventeen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eighteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eighteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nineteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nineteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-one.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-One</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-two.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Six</span></a></li></ul><br />Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046114834697057921.post-25335616616019261312019-12-05T02:52:00.003-08:002022-02-01T03:52:22.455-08:00Chapter Eight<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt;">“O Sultana, what a fine start this is!” the Poet moaned as he flew
through the corridor leading back into the courtyard. One of the dogs outside
the front door was barking. The Poet rushed to see who was there. He peered out
of the door but saw nobody. There was nothing but the dog’s bark and the
beautiful scent given off by the flowers. So the Poet turned to go and fetch
the tools for the sweep. As he went past the fountain he heard a slight cough
emanating from the room where Haroon had been before. The Poet turned quickly
and his heart leapt with fear as he saw at the door of that room a young woman
–surely the one who had appeared fleetingly behind Haroon. The woman was
wearing a white frock rich in purple ornament. Her snow-white arms were naked,
for her sleeves were rolled up. Her smallish hands were decorated with henna
drawings. Her dark forelock was naked. The Poet tried to look this woman in the
eye but she just quelled him with a glance. He rushed upstairs and cried in a
low voice: “O my God!” He strove to reach the tool-room as quickly as possible.
He fetched a long broom, a small shovel and a big sack, and set to work.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He started from the remotest
corners of the balcony, next to the tool room. With trembling hands he dragged
the broom awkwardly and with a shattered mind he thought of that awfully nice
creature on the ground floor who had dislodged his heart. He had seen several
beauties before, but this one was unique. His heart was beating with fear,
beating very, very hard. It looked as if it was going to burst at any moment now.
And yet the Poet couldn’t stop working.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When he reached the end of the
first balcony-corridor, he was already panting– as if he had just run two miles
nonstop. He wanted to lean up against the pillar on the right angle of the
balcony and rest his arms for a while on the small balcony wall, but he dreaded
punishment. So he just shuffled onward, dragging the broom wearily and moving
the sack and the shovel from spot to spot. What flustered him even more was
that there was virtually nothing to be swept from the floor– apart from
handfuls of dust.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As the Poet was nearing the
door of his room, a manly voice rising from below gave him a jump.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Hey you above there!” Haroon
called.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Here I am, sir!” the Poet
yelled shakily and dropped the broom and rushed downstairs. He flew to where
his master was standing, by the door of that notorious room on the ground
floor. Haroon was not alone. The young woman was standing beside him with a
reed basket in her hands full of metal dishes and cutlery. A yellow towel hung
on one side of the basket. The woman’s face was illuminated by a flickering
smile and a golden glint wavered in her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Shalom, Shalman!” said the
young woman in a bewitching voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Shalom, madam!” replied the
Poet, who was still panting. He glanced at Haroon and gaped at his demure
smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Take!” said the woman, handing
the basket to the Poet. “Go and wash this at the well. Use the lucerne I’ve put
in there. And be quick!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet took the basket while
he bowed deliberately. He relished every bit of word that came out of the young
woman’s beautiful mouth. He glanced again at Haroon’s face and turned to go. He
flew to the stairs and went up carefully. He put the basket down at the head of
the back-stairs and went down to open the rear door. Then he returned to take
the basket and descended carefully. He put the basket beside the well and
stepped back to shut the door. Only then did he throw the pot into the well and
draw water. He was aware that he had to make no mistake. And thus he was very
careful when he removed the dishes and cutlery from the basket to wash them
piece by piece. When he sat and began the washing, his mind went back
immediately to the young woman. He had so far failed to find words to describe
that creature. He couldn’t even describe his feelings toward her. It was she
who had made him pant. Before now he had thought that he had had eyes for no
one but Sultana, although he had always admitted that Sultana was less
beautiful than Ida. Ida was slim. And he liked slim people. But this young
woman here was peerless in beauty. His heart was still beating for her,
although he had just stopped panting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> What was this woman doing here
if she was not Haroon’s wife? The Poet’s heart told him that the woman was
Haroon’s wife. But such a wife should have more than one man- or woman-servant.
So far the Poet had seen no other woman in this palace of a house. But when he
had first arrived here he had seen by the door a sad-faced, young black man. He
didn’t know where he had gone after that. Surely the house was too big to be
kept by just one servant. And what about the times when Haroon had to be away
for some affair or other? Who would stay here during his absence?...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet also noticed that
there were no pigs in this house; that Haroon’s food had a special flavour and
a special smell, new to him; that Haroon himself looked rather indulgent… Two
more things puzzled the Poet. There was no water in the fountain, nor were
there children in the house… Also Haroon had referred to boys. The Poet could
make nothing of all that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet knew that his mistress
was waiting for the dishes. So once he had washed and wiped them all he put
them again in the basket and took it to the mistress. As he reached that open
door, he put down the basket and coughed politely. This time he was not
panting. At least, until the young woman appeared again, with a grin on her
face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Shalman, is it you?” said the
young woman in a maddeningly cheerful voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet just bowed and lowered
his head . His heart was loosed free again, but he was still aware that he had
to stifle all his passions, even if they happened to be kindled by this queen
of beauty. The woman stepped out of the room and turned right, saying: “Come
along!” The Poet took up the basket and followed on the heels of the woman as
she walked somewhat provocatively. She was not speaking. Her body spoke for
her, and the Poet understood easily. A fire had just broken out in his heart.
The woman stopped at the door of the room next to the one below the tool room.
She opened the door and drew the yellow curtains to one side and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “This is our kitchen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet bowed, and was about
to take the basket into the kitchen when the woman grasped his arm and said
gently:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Wait! The servants don’t get
into our rooms. I’ll take in the basket myself!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet ran his hand over his
burning arm, the one that had just been grasped by the young woman, and waited.
He was about to glance at Haroon’s room when the mistress came out of the
kitchen, holding a small earthen brazier in her smallish hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Take!” she said, handing him
the brazier. “Go to the cooking-house behind the sheds and make a fire for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet bowed as he took the
brazier. He was deeply relieved to see a few reddish embers protruding from the
ashes. He walked away and vanished through the corridor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> When he reached the
cooking-house, he put down the brazier carefully and opened the wooden door.
Then he took the brazier and stepped into the cooking-house. He looked about to
see where to sit. He was deeply struck not by the usual stale smell of such
places but rather by the tidiness of this attractive, little place. The thick
pieces of wood were piled on one side, the thinner pieces on another side. The
stove was kept clean a little way on the right of the entrance. It consisted of
a small, circular succession of melon-sized stones with a low bed of grey ashes
in the middle. A few fire-irons lay by the stove. And on the left of the
entrance there was a small oven of red earth. And a small earthen jug was
isolated in a rear corner. The Poet put down the brazier beside the stove and
moved to see what was in the jug. He dipped his forefinger into the jug and
withdrew it, wet with a viscous liquid. The Poet smelled the liquid and knew it
was olive-oil. So he simply took up the jug and stepped back to place it beside
the brazier. Then, he fetched a handful of thin sticks and sat beside the
stove. He broke the sticks into small pieces and put them aside. He blew the smoldering
embers with his breath until they grew redder. Then, he poured a spoonful of
oil on them and covered them slightly with the thinnest pieces of wood and blew
again and fanned till these pieces caught fire. And so the Poet went on with
his work patiently until a good, small fire built up in the brazier. He tidied
the place and left with the brazier, after having shut the door carefully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As the Poet went past the
sheep-and-goat shed he heard a flow of shrill goat-bleats and his mind went
immediately to his homeland. His heart leapt as Sultana’s undying smile flashed
in his eyes like an autumn lightening. Quite instinctively, the Poet knew that
there was nothing for it but to rush back to the mistress.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He stopped by the kitchen door
and coughed politely. He then put down the brazier and waited. Sultana had not
left his mind. His heart throbbed. The mistress came up to the door, holding a
small knife in one hand and rubbing her eyes with the other. “Thank you,” she
said, bending down to take up the brazier. And when she rose up and turned to
go into the kitchen she added, “Wait!” She then came back with a balloon-shaped
earthen pot with a lid and a small basket.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Get me water in this pot and
tomatoes, mint, thyme, fruits, flowers and eggs in this basket,” the mistress
said smilingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Excuse me, madam,” the Poet
asked politely but in a shaky voice. “How many eggs and what fruits and what
flowers?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Four eggs and four flowers and
two fruits from each tree you’ll find there, right?” the mistress said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Right, madam!” the Poet
replied listlessly as he bowed and moved away with the pot and the basket.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet felt that his heart
was about to split in two. He had now taken a closer look at his mistress’ face
and made sure he had never seen such a beauty before. But Sultana had yet a
peerless smile. And it was this deathless smile which could blur his eyes at
any time. And here was Sultana’s smile pursuing him again. “I’m not finer than
you are, O Sultana!” he thought sadly and sighed. “I fought for you. And here I
am paying for it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet placed the pot beside
the well and went toward the fruit-trees, absentminded. And as he stretched his
arm to pick the first apple he heaved a deep sigh of sorrow. He remembered Abu Sufyan’s
palace. At that moment he felt the fragrant smell emanating from the various
plants of this little orchard. He picked two apples and moved on to the next
tree. He picked two pears, and as he reached the fig-tree his eyes fell on a
young red-throated bird lying on the ground. He bent down and picked it up. The
young bird was dying, so the Poet simply placed it gently in a hollow space
between the thickest boughs of the fig-tree, and picked two figs and moved
toward the flowers. He culled four flowers, and sighed as he rose up and
muttered to himself: “Here I’ve lost everything. But for Sultana I had nothing
that required me to gall the Amir. But what to do now? May God keep us!” He
then went into the henhouse and made his way through the cackling chickens,
looked about him in search of the eggs and he picked up four eggs, as the
mistress had bidden him, and went outside. He shut the door of the henhouse and
made to go. But he realized he had not picked the tomatoes. So he turned to
take some. He picked six tomatoes, put them carefully beside the other things
in the basket and moved away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> He went back toward the well, with a head and a heart full of
Sultana. Her face, her smile, her body, her movements and her words and every
piece of her were now clearer in his mind. She was still the mistress of his
heart, to be sure. No beauty would ever be enough to erase the image of Sultana
from his mind. For he had not loved her only for her beauty but also for her
soul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet put the basket down
beside the well and stepped towards the mint- and thyme-beds. He cut a good
bunch of mint and another of thyme and moved back to put them in the basket. He
then drew water from the well and filled his pot and took it up and moved
toward the block of rooms. He went through the rear door, up the back-stairs
and put the pot down at the head of the front-stairs and went back to bring the
basket. When he brought it he went straight to the kitchen. He coughed politely
and put the basket down at the kitchen door and moved back to bring the pot of
water. He returned quickly, with a bowed head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “There’s yet another chore for
you,” the mistress said, bending down to pick up the pot. “Wait!” Again, the
Poet’s heart jumped in alarm. The mistress’ beauty was irresistible. Her
slightly joined dark eye-brows, her intensely white and deep-black eyes, her
innocent, childish smile and her silver voice –all these conspired to bring him
back to reality. His heart began to throb ruthlessly. “What’s this?” he
thought, bewildered. “It seems you’re gone, Sultana!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The mistress came back and
fastened her eyes on the Poet’s face. The Poet lowered his head to hide his
blush.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Where are you from?” the
mistress asked gently.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet raised his eyes
without any apparent haste and said with a sigh:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
“I’m a Saharan. I’m a Berber, madam.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You look unhappy,” said the
mistress dryly. “Now go back to the cooking-house. I forgot to ask you to build
a fire in the oven. Wait! I’ll bring you a wick.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> She went into the kitchen and
came back with a copper bowl in which there was a lit wick soaked in oil. She
gave the bowl to the Poet and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Be quick! The dough has
risen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet bowed slightly and
went toward the cooking-house.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Things were now only too clear
to the Poet. This scoundrel mistress here really meant to torment him. He was
sure his face had betrayed all that he had tried to hide when the mistress had
stood eyeing him. He believed he could only be wild about such a beauty. The
goat-bleats again filled the air. But the mistress’ beauty filled the world.
And there couldn’t be in the world a weapon more redoubtable than such a
beauty. It would compel even the Amirs to surrender. And he simply was not the
one to remain calm in the confusion of battle. The Poet was now in the cooking-house
busy making the fire in the oven. But his mind was away. Alone his heart stayed
with him. He could feel it was still in its place because it was burning his
chest. And his mind reeled again when he recalled Sultana. He sighed deeply.
The mistress had relieved him of the only heart he had, the heart he had
selfishly reserved for Sultana. One could well say the mistress had already
buried him alive and sat atop his grave.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But there was still something
of him that moved about on earth. When the fire was ready he went to tell the
mistress.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “And now,” the mistress said,
“you have to throw the rubbish away.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> She brought him from the
kitchen a big pot full of brown water and a bag full of rubbish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “You know where to throw the
rubbish?” the mistress asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes madam,” the Poet replied,
taking the pot and the bag.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “So go.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> And the Poet went by the way of
the stairs. “O Mother!” he thought as he moved on and sighed. “Why can’t I
harden my heart? Why? The fire in my heart is fit to roast a bird!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The place where the Poet went,
behind the washing-place, wore a neglected look. There were three big heaps of
manure close to one another. A few trees unknown to the Poet stood here and
there. Quite a big, but shallow mass of rubbish lay between the trees. A few
birds, like larks and robins, flew from one side to another– warbling all
along. Beyond the trees lay an unimpressive stretch of shrub-covered country
interspersed with a few poor meadows and three isolated houses. The Poet
glanced again at the space between the heaps of manure and thought that he
couldn’t find a better place for a toilet. But this time he had to be quick. So
he just poured out the waste-water and emptied the bag and flew back toward the
kitchen, with a mind full of the mistress and a heart full of fire.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The mistress seemed to have
been waiting for him. A doom-palm tray lay on the ground at her feet. The Poet
knew at first sight that the tray contained the bread to be baked in the oven.
Now the mistress looked even more beautiful than when the Poet had last seen
her. As soon as he had caught sight of her again, on his return from the
rubbish-place, his heart roared once more. Her gentle look had the effect of a
glare and her cheerful smile was incomprehensibly unbearable. “D’you you know
what you’ll be doing now?” the mistress said, still smilingly. “You’ll take
this tray to the cooking-house. I’ll bake the bread.” The Poet bowed and picked
up the tray with trembling hands and set out for the cooking-house with the
mistress following closely on his heels. And on the way there the Poet sighed
three times but the mistress said nothing until both of them stopped at the
door of the cooking-house. The mistress then faced the Poet and said as she
took the tray from him:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Now go to your room, fetch the
bowls which Haroon gave you, wash them at the well and take them back to the
kitchen. Then go upstairs and resume the sweep. And when you feel I have
finished baking the bread come to take it to the house.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Right, madam,” replied the
Poet, moving away with a trembling body.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet felt slighted. To be
ordered so bluntly by a woman was an unprecedented event in his life. His mind
flew back home. He again remembered Sultana’s beautiful smile and gentle voice.
Sultana used to say to him, “Do as you like!” This mistress here seemed to say,
“Do as you are bid!” But such was life. He was but a slave. He sighed. Ida came
to his mind. “You will see!” she had threatened him. And he had already seen
too much. “O Salman! Try to forget!” the Poet advised himself ruefully. “Don’t
worry yourself to death!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet washed the two bowls
and put them down at the door of the kitchen, before he went upstairs to resume
the sweep. The sun was about to set. When the Poet was nearing the other end of
the balcony, he started at the sound of a man’s sneeze. The wooden door of the
room whence the sneeze had come was closed. The Poet could not open it to see
who was in there. He remembered that the mistress was waiting for him at the
cooking-house. So he dropped the broom and went wearily toward her. And on the
way his mind travelled quickly over the recent events. After all, he thought,
his life had run quite smoothly up to now. The worst that he had dreaded after
the trial, namely castration, had not yet happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Excuse me, madam,” the Poet
asked his mistress as they were coming from the cooking-house, with himself
carrying the tray close to his chest, “I heard a man’s sneeze upstairs?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The mistress smiled and said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “That’s the old slave. He’ll be
gone by nightfall. I see you are a coward. But I don’t see why you should fear
us. We are not ghouls, I suppose?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet couldn’t find the
right words to reply. So he preferred silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Have you been married?” the
mistress asked, suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, madam,” replied the Poet,
surprised by his mistress’ question.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What was your wife’s name?”
the mistress asked again, looking curious.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Sultanana!” the Poet replied
with a sigh. He waited for other questions, although he couldn’t understand
what the mistress was aiming at. But there were no more questions. “Go to your
work,” the mistress ordered him as they reached the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet now recalled words he
had heard from his deceased father and had intentionally tried to stow away somewhere
in the remotest parts of his mind. “You need not only to make a good poet,” his
father had warned him. “You’ll have to be a true man. And not a man with a
womanly heart… ” The Poet felt deeply ashamed. He knew all through he was an
out-and-out coward. But he didn’t know how to acquire a manly heart. In a
sense, he blamed his father, who had not taught him how to acquit himself like
a true man in such a situation… As night was falling, the Poet was getting into
a muddle. He had done the balcony and begun the courtyard. But this was absurd
to him. Who in the world would sweep a floor in darkness? It was not dark yet,
but the light was beginning to fail and it would be dark soon, very soon! In
his heart of hearts, the Poet was willing to explode. But what for? No, he
thought, this was still really ridiculous. He should not be a man with a
womanly heart. Why not go and ask the master what to do? He hesitated. This was
not easy to do. Suddenly, he burst out: “I swear by Allah I shall go, cost
whatever it costs!” This was the first step. He could not go back on his word;
otherwise he would have to fast three days. He mustered enough courage and went
forth. He stopped by Haroon’s door and coughed once. His heart beat violently
as he waited. He coughed again, louder. “What do you want?” the master
thundered. The Poet was thrilled with horror, but his back remained glued to
the wall. The master came out to him and growled: “What do you want?” “I only
meant to ask you, sir, whether I’ll do this floor tonight?” the Poet stuttered,
shivering. The master’s immediate reply was a buffet with the palm of his hand
on the Poet’s forehead. “Go back to your room, you wretched creature!” the
master scoffed. “And don’t sleep before you shut the front door. And never come
again to disturb me in my room. Go! Go to Hell!” The Poet bowed and flew away,
with a shattered heart. He gathered up the sweeping tools, took them back to
the tool room and returned to his room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> It took a while before the
Poet’s anger subsided. What Haroon had done was galling. But the Poet had not
gone as far as to invoke vengeance on his master. He had blamed his own
incredulous, ingrained cowardice. That was the real responsible for all his
misfortunes. But for it he wouldn’t have lost his wife, his home, his family
and his freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet was fearfully tired
now. He was about to succumb to sleep when a loud, vibrating bell-ring and a
flow of wild barks startled him. He remembered what the mistress had told him.
The time had probably come for the old slave to go. Now, he was sure. He heard
neighs and a male voice other than Haroon’s, calling across the courtyard.
“Water, please!” it said. Then there was perfect silence for a moment. The Poet
was at a loss. Should he go out and have a look? Or stay in his room and wait?
His heart throbbed. So far he preferred staying. “What if I went out only to be
slapped?” he thought. His fears increased with each passing minute. The night
was dark and cold. Although the Poet had never been gregarious, he now began to
resent loneliness. He needed someone just now and here to tell him what to do.
Things would have probably been easier for him had he found before him a large
staff of servants. He again recalled his father’s advice, to which he had paid
scant attention. Once upon a time, he had been showered with praise. Now, he
was but a miserable slave… Would he go out now? He thought and decided. No, he
wouldn’t leave his bed. The barks came back. “No, I won’t go out,” he insisted.
“In either case I can’t predict where my safety is,” he thought. His mind
wandered back to what had happened to him in the last few weeks. He had always
known that he was a coward. But he had never imagined that his cowardice would
one day lead him to such a state. He had suddenly realized that he had been
leading a life of smug respectability. He had enjoyed fame and money. But that
had now proved not enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Now, the Poet rose suddenly. He
would go out. This time to close the front door, as the master had bidden him.
He mumbled a few prayers and left the room, bare-haired. There was perfect
silence. There was nobody by the door. The Poet went downstairs. His heart
throbbed. He glanced at Haroon’s room and saw a light stretching a little way
round the doorway. The room’s windows were shut. The Poet looked up at the
balcony on his left then right, and then he walked slowly toward the door. He
glanced at the kitchen-door. It was closed but a faint light could be seen from
under the door. The Poet reached the door and found it closed. So what had the
master meant by ‘closing the front door’? Should he go again to ask the master
what to do, how to close the door? No. The master had warned him. So he just
turned and faced the direction of Haroon’s room and stood thinking. The first
thing that came next to his mind was the mistress’ face and body. His loins
burned alongside with his heart. He felt a strange envy of Haroon. His back
bent to lean against the door but he remembered suddenly that he had to decide.
“I should go back to my room,” he thought. And he moved immediately back toward
his room. But as he was nearing the stairs he heard the mistress calling
loudly: “Wait!” He waited. The mistress appeared at the door and the Poet
tottered over toward her. For him, she was but a specious person– like her
husband. But her imposing beautiful face so dazzled his vision that he couldn’t
know what side of his mind he should believe or what voice of his heart he
should hearken to. In any event he couldn’t shut his eyes to such a beauty.
This beauty was enough to make him bear no rancour against either the mistress
or her husband. And he knew this was wrong with him. But this was not the right
time to put himself through a self-analysis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “What were you doing here now,”
the mistress asked, after she had stood eyeing the Poet for a while.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Mr Haroon had asked me to
close the door before I go to sleep,” the Poet replied shyly. “And I went to
close it, but I found it closed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The mistress grinned and said
gently:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> “Yes, it’s closed. Go to your
room and after an hour from now come down to get your dinner.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The mistress grinned again, and
the Poet shuffled away toward his room, with a calmer heart. He had appreciated
the mistress’ reply. She had not scoffed at him and she had promised him a
dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The Poet had been awed by the
mistress’ tone and words when he last saw her. He was now lying in bed thinking
of nothing but that strange woman. Strange because she looked too kind for a
mistress and too hard to be trusted. Her beauty alone would have been enough by
far for her to be a thought harder than that. And she was the mistress, too!
But she was kind at moments. The Poet noticed that this woman had pronounced
the s
sound more than once. Probably that was normal for some Jews. But what
he couldn’t understand was her questions about his own origins and his wife’s
name. Maybe he would know later on. But how long would he stay here? And why
had he been chosen to replace that old slave? Questions. His heart didn’t want
questions now. The darkness made him think of something else. He had never seen
such a beauty before. And now she was downstairs, in Haroon’s room. He tried to
imagine the scene. Somehow he wished the mistress’ charm had been one of his
own wife. Sultana! He sighed. His mind went back home. He remembered his nights
with Sultana. He sighed again. But soon his mind returned to Haroon’s house. To
Haroon’s room. To his wife. He tried to imagine the future. But what he
imagined was impossible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> As the time passed, the Poet
found himself fighting on two fronts. He had to fight down both sleep and his
own concupiscence. In the meantime, his mind went constantly from the mistress
to his wife and back to the mistress. In a way, the cold had helped him stay
awake so far but it, at the same time, stirred his fierce concupiscence. So
instead of surrendering to the powerful Sleep and the uncompromising
Concupiscence, the Poet preferred to pull out. He went out of the room and
waited in the balcony until the hour appointed for the receipt of his dinner.
When the hour came, he went downstairs and stood near Haroon’s room. He waited
for the mistress to appear at the door. But it seemed she had forgotten all
about him. She was still laughing and chatting amiably with her husband. The
Poet was growing green with envy. But he couldn’t dare get closer to that
notorious door. He couldn’t cough to indicate his presence. He couldn’t go back
to his room. He couldn’t run away. So he waited in the cold. At long last, the
mistress appeared at the door with a bowl in her hands. “Come,” said she. The
Poet flew to her. He took the bowl which his mistress handed to him without
speaking a word, and he went back to his room. He sat on the mat and put the
bowl in front of him and began to eat from it in complete darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> After dinner, the Poet nestled
in his bed and wrapped his shivering body in the three sheets available. He was
exhausted. A few thoughts about the mistress, the master, his homeland and his
wife followed on the heels of one another in his mind but he soon yielded to a
deep sleep. His sleep was indeed deep and well deserved. But it did not last
long. The mid-night cold was strong enough to rouse him. And as he woke up, he
found himself thinking of Sultana. There was only another thing, one more important
thing, that occupied his mind now. He wanted to go out to relieve himself. This
was utterly urgent. So urgent that he wouldn’t even need a permission from his
master. Even the thought of Sultana was evanescent now. He thought again and
again about the consequences of going out without permission. But compared to
what he had done in his cell in Lehreem, going out now would be by far more
reasonable. So he could not but choose to go. He rose from the bed and felt
about for his shoes and stood up and left the room. He tried to master his
fear. He stood in the balcony until his heart became a little hardier. Then he
thought it necessary to go downstairs first to make sure that the master was
sleeping. He went downstairs and tiptoed discretely to Haroon’s room. His heart
throbbed. He stopped by that room’s door and listened. There was perfect
silence. So he tiptoed back toward the stairs and went up and descended the
backstairs and opened the rear door carefully. “What if the master caught me
down there?” he thought. “Phew! Am I not a man like himself?” He stopped at the
well and sat on its coping. It was cold, but this didn’t matter now, since he
could still master his bowels for a few more moments. He wanted to feel
freedom, the freedom he had lost three weeks before. “I shall not stay like
this,” he muttered. “I am sure. One day I shall be free again. No. I won’t run
away now. This is a good chance for me to make a change. I am now a slave of
fear, of beauty, of my past. This must not continue like this. Oh why? Why
should I at the age of thirty behave like a boy of thirteen? Where’s what I
talked about in my poems? No, I must make a change.” When the Poet was
muttering these words to himself his heart was burning like a wick at the head
of a lit candle. “Now,” he thought soon afterwards, “I should perform my
ablutions.” And he sighed. It was quite a long time since he had not performed
his daily prayers. So he rose up and drew water from the well and filled a
small pot and moved cautiously toward the rubbish-place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The world outside Haroon’s
compound was full of freedom. The temptation to abscond was fierce but the Poet
resisted. He thought it was too early to run away now. True, the nearby town
must be inhabited mainly by Muslims. But the Poet now no longer trusted
anybody. After such quick thoughts, he went into the space between the heaps of
manure and relieved himself. He used some of the water and left the place. He
returned into the compound and performed his ablutions in the washing-place. He
remembered he was still in a state of major ritual impurity. But it didn’t
matter. He would perform the <i>tayammum</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> After the ablutions, the Poet
hastened to get back to his room. He was shivering with cold. Now, he did not
waste time. He performed the <i>tayammum</i> and began his prayers. He said
only the five prayers of that day and went back to his bed to warm up his body.
In bed, he thought for a while but he was soon asleep. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -15px;"><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nine.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nine</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-ten.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Ten</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eleven.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eleven</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twelve.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twelve</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-thirteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Thirteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fourteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fourteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-fifteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Fifteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-sixteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Sixteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-seventeen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Seventeen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-eighteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Eighteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-nineteen.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Nineteen</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-one.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-One</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-two.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Two</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-three.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Three</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-four.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Four</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-five.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Five</span></a></li><li style="background: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 0px 0.25em 1.3em; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://arabicwithlagouader.blogspot.com/2019/12/chapter-twenty-six.html" style="color: #993300; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chapter Twenty-Six</span></a></li></ul></span></div>
<br />Mohamed Ali LAGOUADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11251870704110284564noreply@blogger.com