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A mysterious creature appears in the Mandinka Kingdom of Kaabu, claiming thelives of many people. In such a highly superstitious kingdom, its appearance andclaim to numerous lives leaves everyone thinking that it is not ordinary for such acreature, which their ancestors never knew to appear in the kingdom.Numo, the protagonist of the story, and his brother Arfang get lost in the forest,prompting the entire village of Passamarey to prepare an army to search for them.After being found unhurt, their mother, Manke, is severely admonished for allowingthe situation to unfold, putting the lives of the entire army at risk.Years pass, and Numo and Arfang grow older. The creature continues to kill morepeople. One day, during a hunting expedition, Numo and his brother, along withtheir father, come across a stinking human carcass – a man killed and desecratedby the mysterious creature. Numo makes a resolution to kill the creature when hegrows up.The following chapters depict various rituals and festivals that illustrate a typicalMandinka society before colonialism. After Numo and his brother are circumcisedand initiated into manhood, circumstances change, but Numo remains resolute onkilling the creature.Finally, the great marabout of the land calls upon Numo and his brother, Arfang,and reveals that they are destined to kill the creature – actually a human being whotransforms into a creature as a form of vengeance against the king of Kaabu fordisrespecting her. Numo and Arfang are prepared by the marabout and set off ontheir journey. After a long and tiresome journey, they encounter the creature andfinally kill her, but on her own terms.