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The day I got lost was a hot day in May. My mother had taken us to the river to roll

in the mud and cool off. We were not afraid of water and sometimes swam in the 

shallower pools. 

Home was a wondrous place in the south west of Spain. There was plenty of food, 

lots of space and few fences. Because our habitat was so appealing, it attracted 

many other creatures. Some came from the city where it was crowded and 

confusing. 

Most of us had never been to such a place but our mother had told us about it. On 

a clear night, from the top of the hill, we could see the lights and hear the noises. 

Around midday, whilst we strolled back towards the shade of the old olive tree, I 

heard a strange humming noise. Nobody else noticed it, so I alone turned around 

and explored.

When I reached the river, I could not believe my eyes. A ship, much larger than 

anything I had ever seen was moving up river. Mesmerised; I did not spot the 

extra-high waves rolling towards me. Suddenly, my feet were swept out from under 

me! The strong current pulled me under water and carried me downstream. 

I swam hard, struggling to keep my head above water. Eventually, I bumped into a 

group of reeds and struggled onto the river bank. Disoriented and tired, I sat there 

for some time before realising I was lost and alone. At first, I was in despair, but 

soon determination to return home took over.  

I wandered along golden fields and narrow roads, expecting to spot something 

familiar but did not recognise anything. This land was flat and barren. The only 

house I encountered looked deserted, except for a barking dog on a chain.We did 

not like dogs. They were usually in groups, together with the hunters.

When the sun started to set, I decided to trot in the direction of the tree 

line where I could hide in the bushes before nightfall. As I was getting very 

hungry, I needed to find something to eat. I had seen my mother dig her 

nose in the ground in what she calls magic spots. When I got to the forest, 

I decided to do the same but could not find any nuts or roots.

Suddenly, I heard this shrieking noise above me. It was so loud I wanted to 

close my ears. When I looked up, I saw a group of birds in fiery discussion 

descending upon one of the trees-magpies. Undoubtedly, these were no 

ordinary magpies; these had lovely feathers in shades of blue ranging from 

navy to air force to azure at the top.Though bossy, greedy and noisy, we all 

respected the magpies as they were known for their intelligence and always 

warned the other animals of approaching danger.

When the sun started to set, I trotted in the direction of the tree line to 

find a place to hide before nightfall. In the bushes I looked for something 

to eat. My mother had a good nose for finding what she called "magic 

spots," but when I tried, no nuts or roots appeared.

Suddenly, I heard this shrieking noise above me. It was so loud I wanted 

to close my ears. When I looked up, I saw a group of birds in fiery 

discussion descending upon one of the trees. Magpies! Undoubtedly, 

these were no ordinary magpies; these had feathers in magnificent tints 

and shades of cyan. 

Though bossy, greedy and noisy, we all respected magpies. They were 

known for their intelligence and always warned other animals of 

approaching danger.

One of the birds had chosen a tree in front of me whilst the others settled 

in the tree behind me. "Are you lost?" he asked. My name is Koke." He 

looked like a clever bird. His studious glasses gave him a worldly 

appearance. 

"Yes I am lost" I confessed. "Perhaps you know where my home is? I fell 

into the river and was taken by the current. I have walked all day but do 

not recognise anything." 

Koke was silent for a moment. Then he asked, " Tell me more about your 

home."  

"I live with my six brothers, five sisters, mother and aunt in a place where 

there is endless space to roam. There are many pine, oak and olive trees. 

In places, the sand is white and the big river is never far away."

The spectacled counsellor scratched his head whilst thinking. Then he 

said, " You are going the wrong way my friend. You need to walk south. 

You can stay here tonight and I will show you the way in the morning. Are 

you hungry?" 

He came down from the tree and hopped towards what looked like a pile of 

old leaves and sticks on the ground. One by one, he removed the debris to 

reveal a treasure underneath. There were dried figs, acorns and almonds. 

We ate together until the last treat was gone. In the background the other 

birds were chatting away about the day´s events. I fell asleep under this 

tree knowing that if any danger lurked, the birds would alert me.

Just before sunrise, the squawking magpies woke me. Some had already 

flown away and the rest were soon to follow. "Rise and shine" Koke 

commanded. " Follow me and I will point you in the right direction."

At the crossroad the wise magpie explained, "You see where the sun is 

rising?"   That is east. If you go that way you will eventually reach Granada, 

which, lovely as it is, is not your home. You need to follow the river 

southward which is towards Sanlucar de Barrameda and the sea. 

Embracing his advice, I walked south along the river until the smell of 

food and the sound of music stopped me in my tracks. Eager to know 

where it was coming from, I walked toward it. I could see a woman 

singing whilst clapping her hands and stamping her feet. She was 

accompanied by a man playing the guitar.

When he saw me, he slowly put down his instrument and picked up his 

spear. I knew what that meant and in a panic I ran straight at him. 

Startled, he dropped the spear and fell over the cooking pot trying to 

catch my tail with his hands. The woman started shouting and waving 

her arms, causing their horse to rear and flee.

I had not noticed the skinny dog with the pointy ears watching us from 

the shadows. He had also been attracted to the smell of food and 

perhaps companionship. 

"Run!" the dog shouted. "Come with me!" I did not know whether to trust 

this dog or not, but since he was alone without a hunting party, I 

instinctively followed him. 

We ran away together as fast as we could until we reached a place that felt 

safe. "Hello, my name is Andalu" the dog announced. "What´s your name?" 

"My name is Djabali" I answered. "Thank you for helping me." 

"You seem lost," the dog remarked. "What happened to you?" 

So I told Andalu about my home and where I got lost. About the huge ship 

and being swept down the river and how a kind and generous magpie 

shared his food with me and pointed me in the right direction. After a short 

pause Andalu confirmed, " You are on the wrong side of the river my friend. 

To go home you need to cross over. I can go with you, as I came from the 

other side on the ferry this morning." 

"What is a ferry?"   I asked. 

"It´s a boat that takes cars and people across the river," he explained."If we 

are discreet, they should let us sail along for free."

Not long after that we walked onto the ferry to Coria del Rio. When we 

reached the other side, the path next to river was blocked, forcing us to  

find our way through the very busy streets. I had never been in a town 

before. There was so much to look at that I did not pay attention to the 

people or cars. Andalu was very nervous for me and continually told me 

to watch out. 

My favourite shops were the ones with fruits and nuts and vegetables 

displayed outside in baskets. Believing the snacks must be free for all, I 

helped myself to a few before being chased away by a lady with a 

broom.

After some time, we were able to walk beside the river again. In the 

distance we could see a large area of scrubland, and beyond that, the 

towering forest.

We walked south all afternoon, further and further away from the town and across the 

scrubland until we reached the wilderness. Here, trees were plentiful and the shade 

they provided was very welcome. The temperate had risen considerably since the 

morning. 

We sat a while under a big umbrella pine tree listening to the sounds of the forest until 

we were forced on our feet by an ear-splitting noise, "Karaaah kharaaah!" It was the 

magpie and his congress. "Hello Djabali!" he shouted. "You did not know I was 

following you, did you? " 

"Hello Koke," I replied. " I am surprised, but happy to see you! Meet my friend Andalu. 

He helped me across the river and through the town. He ran away from his master 

who beat him." 

"Pleased to meet you Andalu," the magpie said. Then, looking at me, he asked: "So, 

Djabali, do you recognise anything yet?" 

"No, not yet," I confessed. However,   I noticed that the trees, scents and sounds were 

becoming more familiar. There were more oak and pine trees, wild flowers and busy 

bees. The colour of the sand was changing from red ochre to white, the same pale 

colour I remembered from home.  

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