MAMI-WATER {The river goddess}

 

A Short Story by Babayo U. Kabir

The Mermaid of the Denge River

Aku, the wise grey parrot, perched on the old baobab’s branch as the elders and children of Pira gathered around him. The orange rays of dusk bathed the village square in gold, and the murmurs of evening faded into silence.

He ruffled his feathers, cleared his throat, and began softly:

 

“The gentle wind blowing from the west carried the waves of the mighty Denge River and poured them sparingly onto the sandy banks to wet my dry feet.

"The soothing touch of the cool water made me close my eyes, yawn, and exhale loudly. It was sunset, and I had chosen a quiet, secluded place between the small rocks by the riverbank."

"Every living creature was retreating into the forest, leaving the riverfront silent and still."

"The tranquility of the scenery kept me on the ground for a while longer. After flying for three days to reach this river of my dreams, the touch of its fresh waters was all I needed to soothe my tired wings and weary joints.”

He paused, fluffed his wings, and continued.

“I was so at ease that I began to daydream about the distant lands and villages along the banks of the Denge. How I wished the rippling brown waves would carry me beyond these ancient settlements of the rainforest — all the way to the fabled blue ocean the elders call 'Atlantica.'

"But my sweet dreams were shattered when I heard the splash of water somewhere in the middle of the river. I jumped in fright and hurried up a low branch of a nearby tree."

"Was it a fish? Or perhaps the wind stirring the water to rage again?"

"I peered into the darkening river, my heart pounding. After a moment, I saw movement — and then she emerged.”

The Maiden of the Waters

“She rose from the depths and hauled herself upon one of the protruding rocks near the bank of the fabled river. She basked in all her glory and majesty, as i frighteningly looked on.

There she was: a half-naked maiden, glistening in the fading sun. The crimson light of dusk bathed her skin in a glow that looked almost divine. She sat silently on the rock, gazing around to ensure no living being was watching.

The golden scaled tail.

But when her eyes met mine, she froze.

She had caught sight of me — a small, harmless parrot perched quietly on a low branch. Her face relaxed a bit after a short while, but her gaze lingered. Her eyes, deep and brown, locked onto mine for a little too long, and I trembled beneath my feathers. Never had I seen such raw beauty, such overwhelming presence!”

Aku lowered his voice, his tone almost reverent.

“She seemed both near and far — close enough to touch, yet distant as a dream. I sat upright, struggling to believe my eyes.

Her upper body shimmered with the smooth, golden skin of a deer. Around her neck hung a necklace of copper and gold. Her thick, curly black hair, heavy and wet, was tied behind her head, its ends brushing the river’s surface as she moved.

Her skin was dark, silky brown, glowing like honey in the dimming light.

And her face...

Ah, her face!”

Aku sighed and continued.

The Goddess Beneath the Waves

“Her eyes sparkled like twin diamonds beneath the fading sun. Her smile — sweet and mysterious — drew me toward her.

I found myself flying in a trance, helpless before her charm. 

How could I let this goddess vanish without knowing her?

River goddess

But just as I came within reach, she shyly recoiled. Gently, she slid back into the flowing water, leaving me alone in the wilderness once again.”

“The sun was sinking fast when I saw one last glimmer — a flash of golden scales moving swiftly just beneath the water’s surface. Then her long, glistening tail rose once more, flapping gracefully as it disappeared into the dark depths of the Denge River.

And just like that... she was gone.”

The Awakening

“The twilight descended. The forest grew silent again. My heart pounded as I realized what I had just seen.

My brief encounter with the half-human, half-spirit had lasted only a short moment — and yet, it felt eternal.

Then, all of a sudden, reality struck me like lightning!

I turned and fled with all my might - despite the engulfing darkness - my feathers trembling in terror and awe.

For I had just seen a Mami-water — the river goddess — with my very eyes!”

And as the story ended, the children gasped, clutching each other tightly, their eyes wide with wonder. The elders smiled knowingly, for they too had heard whispers of the river goddess in their youth.

The night deepened. The baobab swayed softly in the wind, and Aku, the grey parrot, tucked his head beneath his wing and whispered,

“May her spirit never be angered, my children. Sleep well beneath her watchful eyes” he coldly concluded

From the collection Ancient Fables, as told by Aku the Parrot to the children and elders of Pira under the Great Baobab Tree.


Aku the grey parrot






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