The bright green and red bird hovered above the trap. The little finch would look at the water and grain inside and then quickly dart away. Soon it would flit back and peek inside again.

Finally, it darted into the trap and began to peck at the grain. Deftly, Bala (Bah-lah) reached inside, caught the beautiful little bird, and transferred it to a cage made out of cardboard and sticks.

"Yes," replied Bala. "Let's run back to the village and show Grandmother."

Bala took off running, leaving Abeedou with the cage and the bird trap. "Wait!" called Abeedou. "Help me carry this stuff!"

But Bala kept running. He ran through the deep grass and the dry stream bed, past the round mud huts in the Malinké village, and straight to the home of Bine Suxo, whom everyone in the village called Grandmother. Abeedou followed slowly, dragging the cage and the trap.

"Grandmother, Grandmother," gasped Bala, "we have enough birds to sell. The man will give us 300 francs each for them." (300 Senegalese francs is about 80 US cents.)

Just then Abeedou struggled into the hut with the cage and trap.

Grandmother gently scolded Bala. "Oh Bala, you have forgotten again. You left Abeedou to bring those things from the woods. You must remember to be a help to your friend."

"Yes, Grandmother," said Bala. "Next time I will remember." But he knew he would not.

Abeedou said to Bala, "You know, Grandmother and I listened to every word the missionaries said about Isa (Jesus), the One who died for our sins. He tells us to help others."

Bala replied, "I did not hear. I do not believe in Isa. My family believes in the power of the spirits of our ancestors. That is what the Malinké people have always trusted in. This Isa that you talk about, has He ever given us good crops? Does He take sickness away? Can He suck out the worms of sickness like Nansa can?"

"Little one, all that we have ever had was made by Baabaa Ala (the Malinké term for Father God) and His Son, Isa," Grandmother replied. "Baabaa Ala may soon take me to be with Him in Heaven. I am old and this body is failing me. I am longing to go Home to be with Him. But, Bala, every day I am asking Baabaa Ala to show you the truth of His Word. Won't you come to the meetings to hear about Baabaa Ala and His son, Isa, who died for your sins?"

"I just want to play with my friends for now," said Bala. "Someday I will come to the meetings, Grandmother." But he knew he would not.

"Yes, go now and play. I will be asking Baabaa Ala to make your heart cry out to Him."

Abeedou and Bala walked out ...

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