Star of Mali by Norman Hughes

Shirika lives with her father in the city of Timbuktu. Her love is Muka. who raises cattle. but does not have a large enough herd to have a wife.Muka always told Shirika that when his herd was large enough. he would ask her father for her hand in marriage. He also told her that when that day came. he would send her a single red rose as a sign.That night. as she walked in the garden beneath the stars. she found a single rose sitting on her favorite bench. Shirika picked up the rose and held it close to her. She was lost in her thoughts. and the fragrance of the rose made her feel as if she were the brightest star of Mali.