“Joy, I am not happy showing you weapons,” Amahle tells Joy. We are in Suzy’s and mine apartment on the small island in Justin’s dream. Justin and Charlie had not yet appeared. It is still daytime for them. So it’s just Amahle, Joy, Master Mind, Suzy and I. 

Amahle has been visiting us on a regular basis. Although, unlike our other guests, Master Mind has to go and bring her here. Being blind, she cannot find our Shroom on her own. 

She had already participated in a few adventures, but she usually simply likes to talk to Joy, who helps her explore the music of her dreams.

Lately, Joy has been badgering Amahle to show her some Zulu weapons. Amahle has been insistent that she knows very little about her mother’s traditions and history, But Joy has been more insistent. 

Amahle raises her hand before Joy can protest. “I will show them to you. I told you I will. But you must promise to not touch them.” 

“What? Why!” 

“Because in touching them, you will make them stay and be part of your world. You may not use Zulu weapons. They are not yours to use. Enough has been appropriated from us by the White Man.” 

“I am not the White Man!” Joy protests. 

“Yes, you are,” Amahle says calmly. 

“I am not the White Man!” 

“Well,” Amahle says in her smooth tone, “Let us agree that you are not Zulu, either.” 

Joy folds her arms and makes an angry face. “For now,” she grumbles. 

Amahle smiles. “For now.” 

“I just want to see them. Amahle!” 

“All right,” Amahle gets up and with her cane feels her way to the middle of our living room while Elvis moves with her. “I will show you. I hope that what I imagine also looks like the real thing and doesn’t just feel like the real thing. After all, I have never seen them, I have only touched them.” 

“Do-it-do-it-do-it-do-it! Show me!” 

Amahle sighs. “I did not think this would be my life, showing weapons to a warrior child. Let us begin.” 

(To be continued…) 

—Told by Grampa Walt