Three times
Dembourou's friends tried again.
Soon, their weakness gave way to hilarious laughter.
They became convinced that the bustard
was miraculous;
they decided to continue their journey.
Then Harntoudo asked what this mystery was,
yet without addressing anyone in particular.
And the sylph answered:
“This is the polygamous bird
fastened to the plains of the dwarfs.
Geno the Eternal lengthened his neck
so he could see farther.
He knows that this earth
is our maternal home.
Nothing keeps him from raising himself a bit in the air.
Nor could anything take him by surprise.
He stands upright in the immense plains.”
Then the bustard pondered, and answered:
“I am the sixth symbol of the country
of the dwarf-spirits, and my secret belongs to Kaydara,
the distant, the nearby Kaydara.
As for you, son of Adam, go your way.”
The three friends were perplexed.
They resumed their journey.
They had neither water nor food supplies,
and heartbreak preceded them,
soul pangs followed them, surrounded them.
There is a difference
between lacking food
and going without on purpose: a large difference!
The three friends were very hungry and thirsty;
wherever they raised their feet, death left its own.
They came to discuss the fantastic bustard.