Adiya’s Lantern

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“You can't do this to me. We are supposed to be good creatures. How can you send her away because she's a little different from the rest of us”. Anisa was already sobbing at the feet of the mother fairy. She hoped she'd reconsider and let her daughter, Makeba stay.

“Abidah, she is the child of a human. First you soil the blood of the fairies with a human’s. Look at her. She's nothing like us. No wings and possess no unique magical powers. She doesn't belong here. Let her go to her kind. I'm sorry but this is the fairies’ verdict”.

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The air was so cold and dry in December. This was as expected in Hamam village. Hamam was quite peaceful, comfortable and traditional with very warm and welcoming residents. During the holidays, it was more lively than usual. At this time, villagers often traveled to the city while the city dwellers would come home to relax and enjoy the rural serenity.

“Adiya are you daydreaming again? Hurry and let's go to the stream before the other the other maidens turn the water cloudy”. Siri stood beside Adiya’s window urging her. Siri and Adiya had been friends since childhood. They did everything together and even shared their dreams and secrets.

“Let's go already. You know, my brother came home yesterday from the city. He brought a lot of goodies with him. I even watched a movie about Santa on his computer. I wish Santa would visit this village too”. Adiya spoke with so much joy and enthusiasm when she came out to meet with Siri.

“Come off it Adiya. You are twelve and you should know that Santa doesn't exist. Even if he did, certainly not in this part of the world. This is the continent of Africa. Wake up from your slumber my friend”. Siri let out a loud chuckle to mock her friend.

“Laugh all you want. I believe in fairies too. I believe they exist and one day, I will meet one”.

“My friend ‘the believer’. You are even weirder than I imagined. How did we even end up as friends for so long? The only thing you'd be seeing is the masquerades tonight at the festival”. The the two girls giggled to the river holding their earthened pots.

That evening, Adiya sat on a wooden bench outside her home. It was dark and quiet. Everyone had gone to the village square to watch the masquerades perform. Everyone but Adiya. It was one of the most important feasts in the Hamam tradition. She didn't like the crowd and chaos the masquerade festival came with.

She had her kerosene lantern on but the light soon began to flicker. A sign that it had run out of oil. She quickly ran inside and found that her mother's bottle of oil was empty too. Adiya didn't like it so dark. She quickly ran back to her sitting position and prayed silently for someone to show up.

“This is my chance to prove myself. She believes in me and I equally believe I can do it”.

Adiya heard a tiny voice from the bush path beside the house. Unsure of what she heard, she adjusted her seat cautiously.

“Have faith in yourself Makeba! You can do this”

Within a second, a spark of light travelled straight from the bush path to Adiya’s lantern. Her lantern shone the brightest white light she had ever seen. Everything happened so fast.

She looked through the path again and noticed some movement. Then her eyes caught the tiniest creature peeking from behind a leaf and about to make a run for it.

“Hey! Stop there right now. I can see you. Makeba stop! I heard you and I know you did this”. Adiya ran towards the creature she saw. She had brown skin and long black hair. Her eyes were as clear as glass. Her wings looked tender hanging out from her peach dress.

Adiya slowly extended her hands towards Makeba. “You are a fairy, you are real. I know you are. Where are you from?” she was filled with so much excitement it felt surreal.

“Yes I'm a fairy, or perhaps I just became one and I come from a land very far away from here. You see, I was sent away because they felt I wasn't enough. I've only just started to grow my wings and and oh the lantern? I'm as astonished as you are. They said I would never have any powers of my own.” Makeba crept up Adiya’s palm.

“My father is human just like you. That makes me a late bloomer. Not that I couldn't do fairy stuff, it only took longer and I needed to believe in myself. You believe in me too. See how that worked out? Like magic”. Makeba was now comfortable pacing up and down Adiya’s palm as she spoke.

“Are there more of you around here anywhere?”

“Not really. Fairy power only thrives were many believe. I've been sort of a loner and wanderer searching for just one soul at least to believe fairies exist. I may have accidentally listened in to your conversation earlier on your way to the stream. I knew that was my chance. My opportunity to thrive on the power of your faith”.

“What are you doing creeping over there? Who are you talking to and why is your lantern shining so brightly?” Siri’s voice startled Adiya. She couldn't see Makeba coiled up in Adiya’s palm.

“If you really want to know, you've got to start believing”. Adiya looked at Makeba and they both smiled warmly.