The next morning when they got up, Grandmother was not outside sitting by the fire. Bala and Abeedou went into her small hut. "Grandmother, what is wrong?" said Abeedou.

"I am very ill, my grandson," replied Grandmother. "I think it is time for me to go to be with Isa."

Finally, she could no longer eat. She was so weak she could barely talk. Abeedou and Bala went to sit with her every day. One day, Grandmother motioned to Bala.

"The spirits will be mad if you do that," said Bala.

"But Isa will be glad," Grandmother said, "and remember, Bala, He is stronger than all the spirits." Abeedou and Bala ran and told Abeedou's father all that Grandmother had said. Madi agreed to do as Grandmother asked.

The next morning, Abeedou's mother went to the hut and realized Grandmother was dead. She ran out wailing, "Woyo, Woyo, Ala xa ke" ("God has done His work"). All the ladies of the village came and began to wail. That is how Malinké people show their sadness.

As the ladies began to prepare the body for burial, Madi came and said, "Remember, no sacrifices for Grandmother. I will pray at her burial and that is all we will do."

Many of the villagers worried about what the spirits would do to them because there were no sacrifices for Grandmother. They thought her spirit would stay near and hurt them.

But Bala knew that she was in Heaven with her friend and Savior, Isa. Bala said to Abeedou, "I will come to the meetings. I want to know all about Baabaa Ala and His Son, Isa." And this time, he knew that he would.

Go to the activities

Go back to