GOTCHI AND SATCHI: ( part eight, short story continued) Binta and Gotchi went looking for food. They found several open stands lit with dangling, colorful light bulbs. They bought a small bowl of rice topped with a gooey green sauce.
“Mommy, that’s not enough for us both to eat!”
Binta replied, “I cannot waste our precious money. We must have enough to bring back to the family. If not, then there will be no purpose to this hardship.” But when she noticed Gotchi’s long face, she relented, “It’s ok, you can eat, my dear.”
Gotchi’s heart sank. She picked at the rice, and left the rest for her mother, trying to ignore her hunger pangs. Gotchi pined for Satchi. “Maybe there is a real chance that we’ll save enough money to buy you back. For that, I’m happy to go hungry.”
Photo: Wodaabe girl from the Azawak of Niger, representing an ever hopeful Gotchi.