The second Coumba left home heading toward the ocean. After a while she knew that she was lost and began to cry. A jinni appeared before her.
"Girl, why are you crying?" The Jinni asked.
"None of your business," Coumba remarked.
"Stop your crying. I will show you the way," the Jinni proclaimed. Suddenly a road appeared. The Jinni pointed to it and said, "Walk along this path."
"Get out of my way!" Coumba yelled as she took the path.
Coumba continued to walk until she became very hungry. After some time, she came to a small house on the road and stopped. She saw a jinni sitting in the courtyard with her children. The jinni children only had half a body- one leg, one arm, and one eye. The jinni mother waved to Coumba and invited her to lunch.
"Girl, come and eat." The jinni beckoned.
"I don't want your food!" Coumba retorted rudely. "I have my own." She sat down across from the jinni family and ate and drank until there was nothing left. Coumba wiped her hands down the front of her dress and burped loudly.
YOU ARE READING
Nyari Coumba: The Tale of Two Daughters
FantasyWhen one daughter returns with treasures beyond belief, can the other earn an honored place amongst the jinn as well? A traditional Senegalese fable translated and embellished by Sakeena Abdul-Hakeem. First published on sakeenainsenegal.wordpress.co...
