and said, “No need to ruin yourself, nor
to give over half of your power, nor
become a slave and untie the laces of these sandals.
I have traveled long and seen much,
and have held counsel with many a hoary head.
I am your elder and will hear you gladly.
If there is anything I can do, it will be a pleasure.
I greatly enjoyed your hospitality and graciousness.
Hammadi was very happy, and said:
“I always hoped I would find the path one day,
that Geno would lead a man to show me the way
that I hope for, and have greatly grieved for,
without ever despairing or tiring.”
Hammadi told the old beggar about
the extraordinary journey that took him
as far as Kaydara, the marvelous Kaydara.
The old beggar said to Hammadi:
"“My brother, learn how each symbol conceals
one meaning, or two, or several.
These meanings may be diurnal or nocturnal, light or dark.
The diurnal ones are beneficial.
The nocturnal ones, detrimental.
The chameleon you saw, first 122 sign
of the dwarf-spirits who serve the country

Notes (Lilyan Kesteloot)
122. This is perhaps the moment to say a word about the numbers whose abundance will have been noticed in this tale; in Fulbhe society, a marked penchant for numbers is felt, but they must not be used inappropriately. Thus, one will never say how many children one has, nor how many wives, oxen, nor one's age if it is known. On the other hand, one willingly counts things that do not touch one directly. These are lessons, themes, symbols to interpret. Why? This goes back to a matter of animism: when numbers like names are enunciated, they “displace the forces which establish a current like a stream, invisible but present.” An enunciated name or number concerning one from close up gives a form of control; the proof? “If you hear an unknown person pronouncing your name while calling someone else by the same name, why are you worried? What part of your body has been touched? That is the current.” Words have always had an influence over men. But if the effectiveness of the word is great, the effectiveness of the number is even greater, for if there is a sign and words are explanation of them, the number as a product of the sound and sign gives the secret root and is therefore both stronger and more mysterious.