the other, stronger one, pointed at the sky.
A bloody protuberance
lay on the old man's forehead
and his hump went higher than his head.
Hammadi began picking fleas and wiping
the man's rags; he cleaned
the spiders' webs, the cockroaches
and lice, wiped him up to his head
and began giving him a rub-down 81.
He massaged him softly, saying, “Peace to you, father!”
Without stirring the least part of his body,
and without looking at Hammadi, the old man said:
“When smooth, expert hands masterfully
unwrinkle an old broken-down body,
the old, clotted blood takes life
and the tongue loosens from its past paralysis.
I greet you, son, crowned with good up-bringing!”
Joy came over Hammadi, infinite, immense joy!
Were he given all the lands of the world,
all the waters both salt and fresh,
he could not have been happier.
Hammadi's good sense was right in thinking
that the man's muteness was curable.
The old man started to joke
as though he were a long-standing friend.
Hamtudo and Demburu were taken aback.
Hammadi declared:
“At this time, my father, your stomach must be growling.
In fact, since yesterday I haven't seen you eat a thing.
Do me a favor, take this bit of money;
buy something to wear and food to eat.”
The little man answered:
“(No) thank you 82; I cannot accept your offer, having done nothing for you to deserve it.

Notes (Lilyan Kesteloot)
81. Massaging the body of a chief or superior is a mark of respect; if he refuses, he dishonors his inferior. There are three sorts of massages: one can massage to care for someone, massage to show respect, and massage to banter (as when one caresses a woman or child).
82. The old man refuses gold; this is a passage which griots dislike, for it is directed against them, or rather, against an abuse they often are guilty of. For Hammadi this refusal is a sign that the old man is not a beggar, but an ascetic, therefore a master whom he can ask information of.