اجتمع الفقيه بالموامين، ووشّى فتيل غيرتهم على حماهم، وأقسم أنه شوف عينه، ووقف قدمه؛ نسوان القرايا؛ خارجين من غابتهم، اللي على ظهرها قِرتها حطب، واللي قفتها فايضة بالخُليان، واللي بيدها فيد وصيد، وأضاف؛ كلّن يدعر فيها بغنمه؛ مع الحواشي والأطراف؛ اللي بحافر واللي بالأظلاف؛ ولا من درى ولا من شاف؛ لا مراعاة جيرة ولا احترام عادات وأعراف؛ وتعمّد ينقد العريفة، باستعادة تاريخ الفانين من الأسلاف، ليقينه أن الكلام بيسري، وينصبّ في إذن عريفتهم وفوقه كماه؛ فرفع حسّه؛ ما ظني نسيتم؛ يوم كانت غابتنا مغصّنه محصّنه؛ يغيب فيها الجمل بحمله؛ وما حد يجرا يلتقط منها خلالة سنون، لنّها كانت هيبتها من هيبة أهلها؛ وفي أيامنا التوالي ما عاد لها والي؛ غدت زهب نهب؛ ومرعى ومقعى للي يسوى واللي ما يسوى، ولكيّ يقدح زناد الحميّة؛ زاد؛ وترى اللي ما يجكر ما يُذكر، والغِرَقة ما تبالي بالرُشاش.
ما انفضّ مجلسهم، إلا وهروجهم مصرورة عند كبيرهم، وتعمّد المذّن يواحن القلوب، ويزيد فوق المدّ جِلده، فلمّح للعريفة، بتطاول الفقيه بغمز ولمز وقدح في نخوة وشهامة شيخهم ولكي يبدي تعاطفه؛ قال؛ الله لا يجعله يزيد عن حدّه ولد أبو غُدّه، وكعادة العريفة في الدهاء وسِعة الصدر، وإدراكه أن النمامين حريصون على شبوب الفتنة؛ خِذْ من كُلّ واحد، قوله ومنقوله، قال ها والسّلام؛ ردّوا الموامين؛ والسّلام، فقال كلام رفيقنا الفقيه في مصبّه، وامتدحه بقوله؛ فقيهنا شوفه شوف بعير، ما هو كما اللي شوفه شوف دجاجة ما يتعدى كراعينها؛ وطلب منهم ما تغرب شمس الخميس، إلا وقد انتقوا؛ حارس، ينهاب ولا ينعاب؛ يسبرها بالنهار ويكلاها بالليل، وقام الرفاقه يتلفتون في بعضهم؛ فقطع عليهم حبل التلفات، وقالوا؛ اسروا وبكرة خير.
وقفوا في مسراب مظلم، يعلوه؛ سرب المطر البارز من ركن بيت الفقيه؛ وسمعهم يتوشوشون؛ وسوّى نفسه ما يدري، صبّ من الركوة في السرب، وطرطش عليهم، وتعمّد يوهمهم أنه يفرّغ مثانته؛ إذ قال؛ هبّ يا ذا البرد ما خلاني آوي؛ من شخّه في شخه؛ فتفرقوا وكل واحد يتشمشم ثيابه وينذّرون به؛ بينما تواسى على خواشعه يضحك وعمامته في ثمّه؛ ويردّد بينه وبين نفسه؛ خلهم يستاهلون بني نمّه، سمعته مرته فقالت؛ قالوا درب يا مدربي، فقال؛ ليت لي في غُلْبي؛ وانفرطت عليه، وأدرك أن في نفسها حاجة، وعلى الله وعليه قَضاها، فنشدها؛ وين الجاوي اللي شريته لك من سوق السبت، ما تبخرتِ به؛ ولا شميته بخشمي، وإلا ما تتبخرين إلا إذا جا عندك ديكان؟ ففهمت المقصود، وقامت على الشقيق وإبريقها في يد والمصنف الرازحي في دغدغها، وهجدت الغَلَبه.
تلاحقوا جماعة، في ظُلّة المسيد، واتفقوا على ترشيح (شدّاد أبو عزورة) علّق الفقيه؛ عزّ الله أنكم جبتموها؛ شدّاد؛ لا مرة ولا ولد، ولا حلال ولا تلد؛ ما غير ربّه وقامته وعلى الله سلامته؛ ثم قال؛ من يقنعه، ووش بتعطونه؛ ردّ المذّن؛ يقنعه العريفة ونعطيه مِتعة كل يوم؛ ردّ الفقيه بمحراف ما يفكه من ثُمّه؛ (نيّتي ماهيب شينه والعريفه ماش نيّته).
انبسط العريفة من الشور وقال؛ منين تسمعون، ما يخدم بلاش إلا اللاش؛ فإن كان كل واحد منكم بيعشّيه ليلة، فانا دونه؛ وله منّي بندقتي أُم حبّه؛ ميّس (أبو عزورة) بالمنصب؛ وقرر يطلق شواربه؛ ويطلى بطون قدميه بقطران، لتنفر منه العقارب والديبان، وأوّل ليلة ولّموا عشاه بيت المدّلِس، وسرى عليه ليل ما سرى على يهودي، يتلوّى ويتزوّى، وما حميت شمس الضحى إلا وهو عند العريفة؛ وقال؛ هذي بندقتك، وهذا حدّها، تخبّره؛ وشبك؛ فقال؛ بيت الجوع لا ذكروا بخير؛ عشّوني دجر بايت أسمط جوفي؛ ودقني بطني؛ طول الليل في معياني كما الرّعد، ومن بين سيقاني دفق كما الوُشّق، فردّ العريفة شماغه على وجهه؛ وكتم ضحكته؛ مردداً؛ الله يسقيها من ساعة دمّنت الغابة كم لها ما حد سمّدها، فقال؛ تتمهزى بي، وبغى يفلح، فقال؛ أقعدي يا بحرة، وطلب الفتّة؛ وانتدر العَكّة؛ وجلّها بالسمن اللي ريحته تفنّك، وقال؛ اختفس وما جاك عندي.
انحكم الحِمى؛ وصار مضرب مثل بين القُرى، وقال الشاعر قصيدة مدحه بها، قَفَلها بمحراف ذاع صيته؛ (صكّ بيبان كم له منفتح بوبها) وأصبح حامي الحِمى مستودع أسرار بنات فاطمة؛ يستمع لشكواهن من الأزواج والعمّات؛ ويفرش كوته الأسود المرقّع للي يحكم عليها إنها من بيت جود، وما غير يتردد نفسه عن (حاطبه الّلِوِطه) وكلما مرّت من جنبه تهزّ خوشها؛ وتطرقع باللُّكة بين ضروسها؛ تصبّح عليه بعبارتها الشهيرة اللي تأكل نصّها؛ باح الخير؛ فيردّ عليها؛ باح عقلك؛ ثم يهمل الفتيل، ويخليها؛ تحتشّ من تحت الخيطان؛ وإذا نشدته وشبك تشرد منّي ما نيب هيله؟!، يجيب؛ أخاف تعديني بالمجاغة؛ انتي كما اللبانه إذا صفقتها الشمس وماعت؛ وانا استحي من حليلك وامزى من عمري، ثم يشغب الصوت؛ (كلن معه هيل تنضح به رقاب المعاميل، والهيل من زانت أخلاقه ومن حِلْي رسمه).
شكّ الفقيه، من تزايد خطور النسوان على الغابة؛ وقال؛ لا يكون مقطوع العِفى اغتواهن؛ وسبر مسراحهن ومراحهن؛ ونشد مرته؛ عندك علم عن الخُليان والحُطبان؛ اللي يرحن بها جاراتها؛ فقالت؛ والله يا بو عزورة ما يخلي وحده تثني ظهرها، يختلي ويحتطب؛ ويشدّ فوق ظهورهن؛ علّق؛ بيّض الله وجهه، وانا اقول وشبهن؛ اللي تشقق شرشفها، وإللي تناسلت شيلتها، واللي ضاعت فتختها؛ وأضاف (سمحان يهدر من شدوقه ونايبه).
حرّش مرته؛ وقال؛ اسرحي وإذا أنكرتِ من أبو عزورة شيء؛ فاكسري شرفه؛ ارمعيه بالمحش بين عيونه، سرحت، وراحت بحطبها وخلاها، وهي تمدح وتشرح، وحلفت؛ ما حد يجي في ربع شيمة أبو عزورة، فدخل الشكك قلب فقيه السكون، وقال؛ أخاف إن المنعون تيّنها مع المتيّنَه، فطلب العريفة، قائلاً؛ والله ما يحرس غابتنا إلا آنا، فنشده؛ والفقاهه؟ ردّ عليه؛ أعطها أبو عزورة، ومن يومها شدّ العرعر، ونفد الخلا، وما عاد راحت (حاطبه) بعود.
The scholar gathered with the gossipers and ignited the spark of their jealousy for their protector, swearing that he would see with his own eyes and stand firm; the women of the villages were coming out of their hiding places, some carrying firewood on their backs, others overflowing with provisions, and some with fish and game in their hands. He added; everyone was shouting about their sheep; with the herders and the edges; some with hooves and some with claws; and no one knew or saw; neither respecting neighbors nor honoring customs and traditions; and he deliberately criticized the leader, recalling the history of the fallen from their ancestors, knowing that the words would spread and reach their leader's ears and above him like a shadow; so he raised his voice; I don’t think you’ve forgotten; the day our wilderness was fortified and protected; where a camel could disappear with its load; and no one dared to pick a thorn from it, for its dignity came from the dignity of its people; and in our days, it no longer has a guardian; it has become gold for the plunder; and a pasture and a resting place for those who are worth it and those who are not; and to ignite the spark of zeal; he added; and you see that whoever does not shout will not be remembered, and the gossip does not care about the noise.
They had not dispersed from their gathering, except that their gossip was recorded with their elder, and the gossip spread to warm the hearts, and he increased the tension over the tide of gossip. He hinted to the leader, about the scholar's arrogance with insinuations and slander against the pride and honor of their chief, and to show his sympathy; he said; may God not let him exceed his limits, the son of Abu Ghudda. And as was the leader's habit of cunning and patience, and his understanding that the gossipers were eager to ignite discord; take from each one, his words and what he conveys, he said, here is peace; the gossipers replied; and peace, he said, our companion the scholar’s words are in their place, and he praised him saying; our scholar’s sight is like that of a camel, not like that of a chicken whose view does not go beyond its legs; and he asked them not to let the sun set on Thursday, except after they have chosen; a guard, who is fierce and not easily frightened; who will patrol by day and guard at night, and the companions began to glance at each other; so he cut off their distraction, and they said; hurry up, tomorrow will be better.
They stood in a dark passage, above which was a stream of rainwater pouring from the corner of the scholar's house; and he heard them whispering; and he made himself unaware, pouring from the jug into the stream, splashing them, and he deliberately pretended to relieve himself; as he said; oh, this cold has kept me from resting; from my urge to relieve myself; so they scattered, each one adjusting their clothes and warning each other; while he consoled himself with his laughter and his turban on his head; and repeated to himself; let them deserve it, sons of Namma, I heard his wife say; they said, a path, oh my trainer, he said; I wish I had in my heart; and it unraveled for him, and he realized that she had a need, and upon God and him, it was fulfilled, so he asked her; where is the incense I bought for you from the Saturday market, have you not burned it; nor have I smelled it with my nose, or do you only burn it when roosters come to you? So she understood the intent, and she got up for her brother, with the kettle in one hand and the book of al-Razhi in the other, and she quieted the commotion.
A group chased after each other, in the shade of the mosque, and they agreed to nominate (Shaddad Abu Azoura) the scholar commented; by God, you have brought it; Shaddad; neither a man nor a child, nor a legitimate nor an illegitimate; only his Lord and his stature, and may God protect him; then he said; who can convince him, and what will you give him; the gossip replied; the leader will convince him and we will give him a daily allowance; the scholar replied with a phrase that would not be broken from his mouth; (my intention is not bad and the leader's intention is not bad).
The leader was pleased with the suggestion and said; where do you hear, nothing serves for free except for the worthless; if each one of you will host him for a night, then I am out of the question; and he has from me my gun, the mother of love; let (Abu Azoura) be appointed; and he decided to grow his mustache; and to coat the soles of his feet with tar, to repel scorpions and flies, and on the first night, they gathered his dinner at the house of the deceiver, and a night passed over him like it had not passed over a Jew, twisting and turning, and when the sun of the morning rose, he was already at the leader's; and he said; here is your gun, and this is its limit, inform him; and he said; the house of hunger does not mention good; feed me a meal that will fill my belly; and my stomach is rumbling; all night in my belly like thunder, and between my legs, it flows like a stream, so the leader pulled his scarf over his face; and stifled his laughter; repeating; may God water it from the time the forest has been here, how long has it been since anyone has watered it, he said; you are mocking me, and he wanted to succeed, he said; sit down, oh my dear, and asked for the food; and waited for the broth; and poured it with the butter that smelled good, and said; you are welcome, and nothing has come to you from me.
The protector was established; and it became a proverb among the villages, and the poet recited a poem praising him, concluding it with a phrase that spread his fame; (how many doors have been opened because of me) and the protector of the sanctuary became a keeper of the secrets of Fatima's daughters; listening to their complaints about their husbands and their aunts; and he spread his patched black cloak for those who judged it to be from a generous house, and he only repeated his name (the one who carries the wood) and whenever one passed by him, she would shake her hair; and click her teeth between her gums; greeting him with her famous phrase that eats half of it; the good has been revealed; and he would reply to her; your mind has been revealed; then he would ignore the spark, and leave her; to gather from beneath the threads; and if he was asked and she connected, would you run away from me, am I not a coward?!, he would answer; I fear you will accuse me of cowardice; you are like gum when the sun hits it and it melts; and I am shy of your husband and more than my age, then the voice would rise; (everyone has cardamom to sprinkle on the necks of the workers, and cardamom is from those who have good morals and from the beauty of their appearance).
The scholar doubted, from the increasing boldness of the women towards the forest; and he said; could the one who is cut off from the forest have influenced them; and he explored their paths and grazing areas; and he asked his wife; do you have any knowledge about the provisions and the firewood; that their neighbors take; she said; by God, oh Abu Azoura, no one leaves a single one to bend her back, she isolates herself and gathers firewood; and loads it on their backs; he commented; may God brighten his face, and I say what about them; the one who tore her sheet, and the one who gave birth to her shawl, and the one who lost her veil; and he added (Samhan is pouring from his mouth and his deputy).
He incited his wife; and said; go ahead and if you deny anything from Abu Azoura; then break his honor; throw it in his eyes, she went out, and took her firewood and left it, while she praised and explained, and swore; no one comes in the quarter of Abu Azoura, then doubt entered the heart of the quiet scholar, and he said; I fear that the prevented ones will reveal it with the revealed ones, so he called the leader, saying; by God, no one guards our forest except me, so he asked him; and the scholars? He replied; give it to Abu Azoura, and from that day on, he tightened the thorn, and the provisions ran out, and (the one who carries the wood) no longer went back.
