I presume this money you are talking about is your own currency, said the nomad. I don’t plan to go to a war zone.

I can exchange our country’s money for your currency, the businessman said.

Anyway, forgive us, but we are nomads. I am not sure we can stay, Hajj Ali said as he fixed his turban, taking in the muscles of Saba’s calves in a sidelong glance.

But this is a refugee camp, Saba blurted out. It is also a temporary place, our oasis until we leave.

The nomad nodded, smiling. Indeed, you are right.

The businessman asked Saba if she now would leave them alone.

Hajj Ali stood up and as he placed the cup in Saba’s hand, he said: No harm in trying this place for some time. A heart needs its oasis too.

Outside, Saba leaned against the wall. Soon after, the men came out of the hut. Hajj Ali kneeled down to wash his face by the plastic water jug which stood against the wall of Saba’s hut. Eyob grabbed the jug and poured water into the hands of the nomad man.

May God bless you, may God bless, Hajj Ali’s voice boomed as he stood up. He fixed the sword dangling from his back. His daughter whistled twice. Almost immediately the herd moved, making the ground shake. Meat had arrived in the camp.

The nomad family set up their tents to the north of the camp, close to the river and the wilderness for their herd to roam about. A day after Hajj Ali’s arrival, Saba went with Zahra to see him.

Saba waved at his wife and daughter who were building a makeshift barn at the bottom of a hill.

I just came to greet you, said Saba to the nomad.

Hajj Ali shook Saba’s hand and praised God for the wisdom he had given to this young girl. Thank you for persuading us to stay, he said.

I thought it was the businessman who convinced him, Zahra said, as they walked back to the square.

I helped, Saba said. Her dimples deepened.

Everyone must know it then, said Zahra.

She held Saba by the hand and paused, bringing them to a halt on a steep pathway filled with bumps and cavities. They were surrounded by plants. A rabbit jumped over a shrub. Zahra closed her eyes and from memory she recited a passage from her mother’s pamphlet: A woman is already forced to be invisible by men in our society, so she must amplify her contributions herself, no matter how small.

Saba didn’t say anything.

So will you do it? asked Zahra. She did not wait for an answer, but ran down the path to the camp screaming: Because of Saba, Hajj Ali is staying. It wasn’t just the businessman.

Saba laughed as she chased after her friend.

To bless his new, temporary base, Hajj Ali told Saba he was slaughtering three sheep.

With the help of young men, he brought the meat in three large flat straw baskets to the square. Women living nearby cooked the meat together and the square was turned into a communal eating area.