The Magic Twigs

"

"How did you find us, the Community of the Animals?"

"I saw lights at the mahogany tree," he explained.

"The mahogany tree had no business showing you our Community of the Animals," said the antelope. "Go back at once to the village of the humans." Then she brushed passed him without another word.

Realizing he'd probably not be welcome at the Community of Animals, Amadi stepped off the main path, yet continued toward town. As he approached the town, he thought it strange that no smoke puffed from any roof, yet clearly there was a sense of hustle and bustle, and many different sets of footprints were criss-crossing the paths. He crept up to the largest house, which was the one most lit, and listened through open windows to the voices within.

"Calling to order! Calling to order!' said a very dignified warthog. "The meeting of the Grazers in the Community of Animals is now in session. What new magic have we to share?"

"Come outside," said an elephant, picking up a bundle of twigs in his trunk. The gazelles, chimpanzees, and gorillas lumbered outside and the shrews and mice scampered behind. Under the moonlight Amadi could make out their shadows, large and small. The elephant set down the bundle, broke one twig and threw a piece, and a fine house sprung up. "Ah!" the Animals exclaimed. "Oh, my!" He broke the other end of the same twig and threw it, and the house disappeared. "My, my, did you see that?"�"Well, I never!" Then the elephant threw the twig away.

"Try one," said the elephant. One by one, Grazers stepped forward. Each stick held a different surprise. Some created bright woven cloth, or fresh fruit, or necklaces of cowrie shells. Breaking the other end of the twig made the items disappear. Amadi paid special attention to where the broken twig landed that had created food, as he was terribly hungry. The night seemed to stretch on without end but finally daybreak dawned, and one by one the animals departed.