Don't miss the stars. Always look at the sky.
R.B.R Barreto
Kadir did not stop at Litlle Oásis. He passed by it when it was still dark because he didn't want to risk it stay so close to your tribe. He continued his journey towards the east and for the first time realized how necessary it really was to have a compass. Distinguishing the East or any other point in the desert, especially at night, is almost impossible. Probably, without this instrument provided by his grandfather, he would have walked in circles and returned to the beginning on the first day. He smiled in gratitude remembering the old sheikh's face. She really was his guardian angel.
He beheld the dawn of day in all its splendor. The holy name of Allah echoed from his lips across the golden sands of the desert as he prostrated himself before the first rays of the sun. He did this in a very short interval as his intention was to walk straight through until noon. Around noon he made his first stop, feeling tired and noticing the same mood in his mount. Only the camels remained as lively as when they left the tribe. They were truly the best companions for the desert traveler. Just looking at them and feeling their presence gave a feeling of well-being and security.
He had never traveled the desert alone for so long. He could not imagine the lethargic weight that the intense heat causes on the bodies of passersby. In the desert the nights are extremely cold and the days extremely hot. There is no middle ground. Kadir looked around and didn't see even the shadow of an oasis. The tent his grandfather had given him was simple and suitable for travel. Made of camel skin and supported at its center by a thick, not very long bamboo. To support it, drove four iron stakes into each corner. There was no mystery and, in the end, the young man wiped the sweat from his forehead and rubbed his hands with satisfaction.He felt relieved even though he wasn't used to heavy work and the effort had left some marks on his hands. He looked at the work with pride and once again thanked Allah for his grandfather's wise and beneficial interference.
Later, when he was preparing to leave, he felt as if a huge shadow passed over his head. Was it a cloud or again the same bird he had heard singing the night before? When he finally scanned the sky it was clear. There was nothing. Neither cloud nor bird. Just the strong feeling of something he couldn't explain. A brief shiver tran through your body.It wasn't fear but enchantment. He was certain of the direction he should go and without blinking he moved forward.
When the sun crosses the desert horizon, the sand seems to undulate like an immense sea of brilliant colors. Each grain of sand works like a prism and colors the dunes with tones ranging from gold to a light pink. The fine breeze helps the grains of sand dance and it semms as if the sky is joined to the ground. It's an indescribable effect. Kadir was still amazed at what he had seen or thought he saw, but he had to move on. He set off on his way, singing a song he heard from the men of his tribe when they were on the march. He had great talent for music, although he never managed to memorize the lyrics. So he mixed verses with improvised sounds, invented words and laughed at his own mistakes. It didn't matter. The song was beautiful, his voice was pleasant and he took the opportunity to sing an ode to the beginning of his adventure.
At sunset he made a brief stop to fulfill his prayer routine, reciting the odes he had learned since he was a child and those he had learned from Balam. He wanted so much to find the dervish! Thinking about him motivated him to rehearse the dance steps he had taught him. After a few days of training he no longer felt dizzy. Then, he whirled on the desert sands, in front of the stars, the rising moon, and his animals that looked at him with curiosity. Dancing allowed his heart to express without words the gratitude and desires he didn't dare ask Allah for. The Lord of the Universe was wiser than him. He would provide what he needed as he had until now.
Night came and found Kadir still in prayer. His devotion was stronger than common sense. Every now and then he seemed to hear his old grandfather's voice, always in gentle warning.
"Don't miss the stars, Kadir. Always look at the sky."
He looked up at the starry sky. There were lots of stars! There were so many that they confused the eye, but made the heart happy. He spent a few seconds feeling the silence spread across the fullness of the desert. He chose one star to follow. The brightest star of them all, for sure. Then he laughed at his own naivety. Who wouldn't choose the brightest star?
He felt like singing again as he rode. He examined his mounts, making sure they were still fit to move forward. He had to take advantage while the weather was good, not too hot or cold and without winds. So he rode, always eastward, for a few more hours until he reached an extensive plain. He sighed deeply, imagining how boring it would be to ride across an endless plain. The pale moonlight allowed him to see the long expanse of sand that stretched out in front of him. He decided to spend the night there! He realized that it had been foolhardy not to have stopped at Liittle Oasis. Had no idea when he would find another Oasis. Maybe he would have to walk for three or four days until he reached the next one. He looked up at the sky and tried to recognize the stars he had marked hours before, but he only saw clouds. Taked for the compass in his pocket and felt safer. He sighed and went to set up camp. He had to act quickly, as a disturbing wind began to blow, almost preventing him from lighting the fire. But, fortunately, hours later, ele and his mounts slept peacefully as if the desert were a safe cradle. Over the next two days Kadir continued marching across the plain.