What is more, I'm not really hungry,
and can go days without eating or drinking.
These rags cover my private parts well enough.
Such are my ways, which are all I need.” 83
Hamadi spoke up:
“My father, I'd like to ask you one thing.”
“Go ahead, ask!”
answered the old man,
“time is passing, you mustn't take too long;
the star will shine at any moment, now;
following it is my duty once it has come out;
it will direct my way to the distant Kaydara;
the distant, the nearby whom I'm going to.”
Hammadi asked: “So you also are going to the land of Kaydara!
If it is so, I beg you, advise me;
I'll guard any advice from you like treasure.”
“Gladly, I'll give you any advice you want
as long as you can pay me for it.” 84
“Name the price, father!”
“What have you got for me?”
“I'll give you a loaded ox.”
“Loaded with what?”
“Loaded with pure, high-grade gold.”
“And how did you get this gold?” 85
“The miraculous Kaydara gave it to me.”
“Well, then: never travel in the evening during the rainy season.”
“I hear you, and accept what you say, father!
And I'd like one more piece of advice.”
“And you're ready to pay for it?”
“Yes, father, I'll give you another carrier-ox
laden with gold, like the first one.

Notes (Lilyan Kesteloot)
83. The old man knew very well what awaited him.
84. It will take the gross thinking of Demburu and Hamtudo to see this requirement of the old man as rapacity; as for Hammadi, he knows very well that this is another in the series of trials; this is the only way for the initiator to know if the initiate appreciates the importance of the lesson he has begged for, as well as the amount he will be willing to pay. We shall see how Hammadi will not haggle over the price.
85. A ritual question by which Hammadi legitimizes his property; a gift is legitimate property. If one wishes to meet Khadru, the Moslem initiator, one must earn the wealth which one pays him.