I decided to go back to Medieval West Africa for this mission because I had so much fun there.When Lola, Ella, and I arrived in West Africa again we decided to Mali because I told them a lot about my trip there. I went to Timbuktu and headed toward the market place. Ella had mentioned how grimy the streets were, but I just kept thinking about all the memories about seeing all the traders at work. By the time we were done looking around the market place a little boy cam up to me and said, "Hey, I remember you! your a griot that told me all of those stories when I was a little baby!"
Before I could say anything Lola nudged me and said, "Go ahead pretend that you are the griot! Come on have a little fun!" I giggled and told the boy to meet me at the big tree by the mosque. I turned around to Ella and Lola and said,
"What am I going to do? I don't know any stories." Lola said,
"Sure you do? Didn't you do research on the real Lion King story?"
"Oh yea I did...But don't remember much of it." I said in reply.
"I'll go into the future and look up the story"
"Thanks....." I yelled while she ran back toward the time travel machine. Ella and I walked about a mile and finally reached the big tree. There was the boy sitting int he shade, avoiding the radiant sunlight.
Lola arrived back in Medieval Mali quite fast. She had the tale all printed out for me. I read over the paper. I started to tell the little boy the tale, "A
long time ago, King Maghan ruled the kingdom of Mali. He was loved by his
people and had many wives." I went on and on telling the story. Kid after kid showed up and huddled under the tree. They seemed to love it, well I think they did. Ella and Lola started to act out the parts as I was telling the kids. I kept reading as if I knew what I was doing. "The young Sundiata grew into a man and became
famous for his strength and charm. He had many admirers. In the meantime,
Sassouma and Dankaran had lost control of the kingdom to a wicked wizard called
Soumaoro. An old friend called Balle Fasseke told Sundiata how Soumaoro had
magical powers over the people of Mali, and how he even displayed the skins and
skulls of his enemies as treasures in his chamber."
I looked down at the kids and they where all listening very intensely. I was almost done with the anecdote, "The wicked wizard
fled, never to be seen again. Sundiata was finally
crowned king, and his adoring people called him, “the lion king of Mali”
because of his strength and courage. Sundiata’s reign was a long and happy one,
and he became the greatest king ever to rule the kingdom of Mali." All of the kids clapped and yelled! One of them waived at me like she wanted me to come to her. I walked up to her and she whispered in my ear, "that was the coolest story. Will you come back and tell us another one tomorrow?" I was really flattered by this. I told her I would come back in a week.
Ella and Lola gave me a big hug and said I did great. This was the best mission Signor Volpe has ever let us go on. I can really tell that the kids in Mali have a fun time learning about the culture and the Mali kingdom. Hopefully I can come back next week just like I promised the little girl!
