Iman was the first to see the Hoopoe. He hovered over them and he was not the cute bird who had perched on her windowsill telling stories. Not any more. His wings were powerful, his crown iridescent, his plumage lustrous. He was now the mightiest of the birds, and if they accepted, he would be their guide. If they said yes, he would show them the way.

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

‘In every journey,’ said the Hoopoe, ‘there comes a point, around three quarters of the way through, when the traveller, without a guide, can go no further. But not everyone finds a guide. Not everyone accepts a guide. Not everyone is convinced. Many would rather keep fumbling on their own, trying and trying again. They would rather risk not completing the journey, they would rather risk getting lost or content themselves with the advance already made, than follow in trust.’

So, it was up to Iman, Moni and Salma to decide. Would they follow the Hoopoe, or would they continue on their own? Would they make this spot their new home and go no further or would they try to return?

The Hoopoe circled them, and they watched the black and white stripes of his wings, the way the sun touched his crown. Then he flew a little bit further away and perched on the branch of an aspen. The three friends were left to confer. Iman did not hesitate. She had known him the longest and now it made sense that he was the one who could lead the way to salvation. Moni weighed the pros and cons and decided she had less to lose and more to gain. Salma was the one who struggled. She had left her country and followed David, she had run after Amir’s red T-shirt, she was tired and bitter. But she would not remain alone without her sisters. If they were going with the Hoopoe, she would go with them too. After all, she could not go far on her own.

Iman moved closer to the Hoopoe.

‘I accept you as my guide,’ Moni said.

‘I will go with you,’ Salma said. ‘Show us the way.’

He flew, and they followed. They moved as before, with Moni and Iman on either side of Salma, dragging her on the ground. A few feet. They had barely made progress when there was a change. Unexpected, because it came early, because it happened unannounced, without ritual or preparation. But it was the transformation they had all longed for, their burdens slipping away. Iman became human again. Moni unfurled and straightened. Strength coursed through Salma’s body.