Doua, the king's griot, insists that the king had wished for Djata to rule the kingdom. Sassouma's son Dankaran is made king and Sassouma made the powerful queen mother. Doua soon dies.
The people have seen all sorts of disabilities in kings, but never a king who could not walk. The people of Mali think nothing of Djata after Dankaran takes the throne. Sassouma, jealous that the king favored Sogolon, forces Sogolon and Djata to live in a tiny area behind the palace. She also allows people to look and gawk at Djata and his lame legs.
Sogolon is upset at how hateful Sassouma is toward her. Sassouma takes every opportunity to remind Sogolon of her lame son. When Sogolon asks to borrow a baobab leaf, Sassouma sneers that her own son was picking.....
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