Kuluwa Ƴar Bala'i Book 1 Complete Hausa Novel

There were fifteen children in one place, all dressed in green and white primary school uniforms, each carrying large stones in their hands as they followed him. He was also wearing a uniform like theirs. They let him go into a corner, and one of the children, named Kuluwa, stepped forward—she would not go beyond fourteen stones. The rest, including the girls, were many, probably more than fifteen.

Kuluwa raised the stone in her hand and said,

"Labbaikallahumma labbaik." (Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am.) She threw it at him, and the others started throwing theirs as well, saying,

“Labbaikallahumma labbaik.”

The stones flew in every direction, and an old man barely managed to block them, scolding them,

"By God, you’ve eaten your father’s blessing!" Kuluwa said, pointing at the old man who tried to stop them.

She grinned and continued, while the others followed her like little ants.

As she headed home, she went past Asabe Dilalliya’s house. She greeted her politely, then said,

“Baba Lami sent me to give you five measures of beans. He will send the money tomorrow if God wills.”

Asabe seemed reluctant at first, but after thinking carefully, she gave her the beans with a warning not to exceed the measure.

"She said if she doesn’t send you the money, don’t come by yourself—she might forget," Kuluwa said, taking the beans and leaving, laughing.

As she walked, thinking of where to hide the beans, she passed by a grain seller’s shop and decided to sell them for cash rather than keep them. She entered the shop, greeted the man politely while looking down, and started crying, saying,

“Please, help me. I’ll sell these beans and take the money to my mother in the hospital.”

The shopkeeper felt pity for her and sold her the goods as he would normally. She thanked him and headed home. Upon entering the courtyard, she removed her school bag and placed it aside.

She then went to Fatu’s house, greeted her respectfully, and Fatu said,

“Mama said to give you three measures of rice. She will send the money when Baba returns later today.”

Fatu looked worried because she wasn’t used to giving loans. Kuluwa reassured her, saying,

“If she doesn’t bring the money, come collect it later tonight.”

Fatu handed over the three measures of rice, which Kuluwa took and left.

“I swear by God, Mama and Baba Lami, you’ve been involved in mischief ever since you came, you scheming troublemakers!”

Kuluwa went home, greeted nobody in the courtyard, sneaked into the kitchen, hid her mischief, then went into a room without saying a word.

"You troublesome elders," Kuluwa muttered, glaring at the old woman cooking.

The old woman ignored her. Kuluwa began opening bowls but found nothing, so she stood up, left with a smirk, and the old woman replied,

“Everyone should repent because wrongdoing brings no reward.”

Kuluwa puckered her lips and stared at her. The old woman pulled a bowl close; Kuluwa didn’t notice. Soon, she had eaten beans and corn, filling herself, then prayed. She changed her clothes, looked at the old woman, and said,

“We’re going out to deliver this. Staying home isn’t for those with enough strength to walk.”

The old woman ignored her. Kuluwa headed outside, walking briskly.

Even after leaving her grandmother’s house, she kept being watched. She cut across Ummi’s courtyard and met a young, well-dressed girl walking by. Seeing her made Kuluwa angry.

"A proud girl with a snout like a pig’s," Kuluwa muttered, lifting her chin. As the girl approached, Kuluwa dodged and insulted her with a sharp remark.

Kuluwa laughed, even with tears, teasing people along the way until she reached Ummi’s house. She knocked on the door, and soon Ummi came out to meet them.

"Where are we heading?" Ummi asked.

"Maimuna’s house," Kuluwa replied, laughing.

They entered the house, greeted Maimuna’s mother, and sat down, thinking about how to lure Maimuna outside so they could beat her.