She Used Her Customers’ hand WASHING WATER TO COOK Their FOOD P2 

hands shaking unable to focus on anything I need it Sarah he finally admitted the next day Sarah arrived early hoping to catch Mara before the rush of customers as she walked through the market she spotted a young woman setting up near Mara’s stand the woman named Kira was one of Mara’s assistants Sarah had seen her around before and decided to strike up a conversation Kira Sarah began with a smile I wanted to ask you something about your work here do you know what makes Mara’s cooking so unique Kira glanced around her

expression cautious I shouldn’t say much she replied in a whisper but some things here aren’t like they are with other Cooks Mara has certain ways certain ways Sarah pressed her heart pounding what do you mean Kira hesitated casting another quick look around to ensure they weren’t overheard well she’s very particular about the water she uses I mean most of us think she just takes cleanliness very seriously she’s always the first one here cleaning the pots with this strange water water she doesn’t let anyone else

touch Sarah felt a chill she remembered how JN had mentioned something about the water strange water where does it come from Kira shook her head looking nervous no one knows but she keeps it locked away in a big bottle in the back room I once tried to see what it was but she caught me and scolded me saying it was none of my business she’s secretive about it almost like it’s sacred the word sacred sent a shiver down Sarah’s spine could it be possible that Mara was using some kind of ritual or Charm she wasn’t superstitious but the way Jon had

changed the strange hold Mara’s food seemed to have over him it all felt wrong and now learning about this hidden water she felt more determined than ever to uncover the truth that night Sarah couldn’t sleep her mind was filled with thoughts of Mara’s stand the strange water and the magnetic pull her food seemed to have on JN as the first light of dawn broke she decided to take matters into her own hands she would return to the market and find out once and for all what Mara was hiding Sara arrived before the sun had fully risen

blending in with the early morning Shadows she watched as Mara alone in the dim light began her daily preparations Mara approached the hidden room behind her stand and retrieved the large bottle of murky water Sarah’s heart raced as she watched Mara pour the water into a bowl and carefully scrub her pot with it with every stroke Mara seemed almost reverent as if she were performing a sacred act she murmured softly words that Sarah couldn’t quite hear but it was clear this was more than a simple cleaning ritual whatever Mara

was doing it was deliberate and full of meaning almost as if she were invoking some kind of power as Sarah crept closer she accidentally knocked over a small pot behind her the clang echoed through the quiet market and Mara’s head shot up her eyes narrowing Sarah froze barely breathing as Mara scanned the shadows for a moment Mara’s gaze lingered in Sarah’s Direction a strange intensity in her eyes then after a few tense seconds she returned to her work Sarah exhaled retreating into the Shadows her heart pounding she had seen enough to know

there was something deeply strange maybe even Supernatural about Mara’s ritual and now she knew whatever Mara was doing it wasn’t just cooking the next day Sarah confronted Jon she told him everything she had seen the strange ritual the mysterious water and the Eerie reverence with which Mara prepared her food but JN just laughed it off brushing her worries aside Sarah you’re overthinking it Mara’s just a talented cook that’s all he said smiling dismissively but Sarah couldn’t shake her unease desperate to break the hold

Mara seemed to have over him she finally begged John please just for one day don’t go to her stool eat with me just this once JN hesitated seeing the pleading look in her eyes all right just one day he agreed reluctantly though he looked less than pleased but as the day wore on he grew Restless his mind drifting constantly back to the market by the afternoon he was pacing his hands shaking unable to focus on anything I need it Sarah he finally admitted his voice strained I don’t know why but I need her food with those words Sarah

realized just how deep Mara’s influence ran it wasn’t just about taste or preference this was something far darker Mara’s food had a hold over him a pull that went beyond reason or Logic the realization sent a cold shiver down her spine she knew now that she couldn’t fight this alone she needed help someone who could break whatever spell Mara had cast over her husband and the other villagers and so with a heavy heart Sarah resolved to confront Mara directly and demand the truth determined Sarah went back to the Market that evening and

waited until the last of Mara’s customers had left as Mara began closing up her stool Sarah approached her her eyes Steely her voice unwavering Mara I know there’s something you’re hiding Sarah stated whatever you’re putting in your food it’s not normal you’ve cast some kind of spell haven’t you Mara’s expression hardened her usual warm smile replaced by a cold calculating look what I do with my my food is my business Sarah she replied smoothly the people come to me because they love my cooking that’s all there is

to it but Sarah wouldn’t be swayed you’re using that water the water you collect after they wash their hands I saw you Mara you’re doing something with it aren’t you for a moment Mara’s face registered shock then anger but she quickly masked it her expression returning to one of calm Defiance maybe I am she admitted her voice barely a whisper but do you think anyone would stop coming if they knew they crave it Sarah they need it and they’ll keep coming spell or no spell with that Mara turned away leaving Sarah standing alone shaken and

horrified she now understood the full extent of Mara’s hold on the village a dark Insidious power that had turned her cooking into something far more than food it was an addiction a spell woven into every meal binding everyone who tasted it to her will Sarah left the market that night feeling a profound sense of dread the realization that Mara’s food was binding Jon and the other villages to her in such a Sinister way left her shaken she knew that confronting Mara alone wouldn’t be enough whatever dark practice Mara had

mastered Sarah needed help to break it the next morning Sarah went to visit an elder of the The Village Nana abini a woman known for her wisdom and deep knowledge of Village traditions and folklore Nana aain had been a friend to Sarah ever since she and John moved to Carlo and Sarah knew she could trust her as they sat together Sarah poured out the entire story Jon’s strange addiction to Mara’s food the suspicious handwashing water and her tense confrontation with Mara the old woman listened in silence her face growing

Graver with each word when Sarah finished Nana abini let out a long sigh her gaze distant I had my suspicions about that woman she murmured but I never imagined it was this deep there are old practices Sarah forbidden practices that can bind a person’s will some say certain Waters especially the kind that hold a person’s Essence like the water used to wash one’s hands can carry a piece of that person’s spirit a skilled practitioner can use it to influence even control those who consume it the words sent a chill through Sarah what

can I do Nana she asked her voice desperate how can I free Jon Nana abini sat quietly her eyes narrowing as she thought breaking a binding like this is Dangerous Child but there may be a way tonight when Mara’s stall is closed you must gather water from the river that flows past the village it’s said to be pure cleansing sprinkle it around Mara’s stall it may weaken whatever power she holds there and if you’re brave enough confront her with it she may not be able to resist if you break her bond with that water Sarah nodded determination

hardening her resolve she had to save Jon no matter the cost that night under the cover of Darkness Sarah made her way to the river a small Lantern lighting her path the river was quiet its Waters glistening under the Moonlight casting an almost ethereal glow she filled a small jug with the water murmuring a silent prayer hoping it would be enough to break the hold Mara had on her husband and the villagers as she scooped the water her mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead the fear she felt was tempered by her determination she

couldn’t bear to lose Jon to whatever dark magic Mara was using with The Jug secured she made her way back to the Village waiting near the edge of the market for the final customers to leave when the last person had gone she approached Mara’s stall clutching The Jug tightly in her hands she poured the water along the perimeter of Mara’s stand each drop falling with purpose as she completed a full circle around it she watched and waited hoping for some sign that the ritual was having an effect as the last drops of river

waterer fell a gust of wind seemed to Ripple through the market chilling Sarah to the Bone but she stood her ground ready to face whatever came next moments later Mara appeared her expression colder and sharper than Sarah had ever seen before Gone was the friendly warmth she showed her customers now her gaze held a dark intensity her mouth set in a hard line so Mara sneered her voice low and full of disdain you think you can break my hold over them with a bit of river waterer Sarah held her ground her voice steady despite her fear I don’t

know if this will be enough she replied but I won’t stand by and watch you take my husband and this Village Under Your Spell Mara’s eyes narrowed do you think this was done lightly she hissed stepping closer everything I do I do to survive people come to me because they crave what I give them they are willing to pay to return day after day for a taste of my food if they have become dependent that’s their choice is it really their choice Mara Sarah challenged her voice rising or did you make that choice for them with your

magic you’ve taken away their freedom Mara’s face Twisted into a bit of smile you speak of Freedom yet you don’t know what it means to fight for every scrap to claw your way up from nothing I’ve given these people something they they can’t get anywhere else if that means they’re bound to me so be it the two women stood facing each other locked in a silent battle of wills then in a sudden move Sarah splashed the remaining riverwater in Mara’s Direction the droplets seemed to sizzle in the air as they neared her and Mala took a step

back her face momentarily filled with fear enough she spat anger flashing in her eyes you’ve crossed a line Sarah as the river waterer seeped into the ground around Mara’s stand a strange almost palpable tension filled the air Sarah watched as Mara stumbled slightly her face pale her hands trembling it was as if some invisible force was pressing down on her weakening her hold on the world around her suddenly a noise came from behind them a group of villagers including Jon had wandered into the market drawn by the strange energy that

filled the night air they stared at Mara in confusion blinking as though emerging from a dream Jon’s eyes met Sarah’s and for the first time in weeks there was Clarity a sense of recognition Sarah he whispered his voice filled with wonder and relief what what happened it’s like I’ve been asleep Mara staggered clutching at her stall as she realized her spell was unraveling the power she had wielded over the villagers built on years of carefully collected handwash water was breaking under the purifying influence of the river water her gaze

turned wild desperate please don’t leave me she pleaded her voice shaking I I needed you all to come to me without you I have nothing but the villagers only looked at her with confusion and growing anger John stepped forward his face hardening as he grasped Sarah’s hand tightly Mara you took away our freedom our choices he said his voice full of resolve whatever power you held over us it’s gone now one by one the villagers turned away leaving Mara alone in the dim light of the empty Market she fell to her knees

her face crumpling as she watched her once loyal customers walk away her power broken the next day Mara’s stool stood deserted her cooking pots empty and the once bustling food stand abandoned word of the night’s events had spread quickly and villagers whispered among themselves about the strange spell Mara had cast and the woman who had broken it some spoke of her with pity others with anger but none of them could deny the Strang aure her food had held over them as for Sarah and JN they returned home finally

free from the hold that had nearly torn them apart Sarah felt a profound sense of relief though a small part of her still felt a Pang of sadness for Mara who had chosen such a dark path to secure her place in the world in Time Life in Carlo returned to normal the villagers found other places to eat and Mara faded into memory a tale whispered to warn against the dangers of seeking power at the cost of others freedom and thus the story of mala’s cooking her strange rituals her secret magic became part of The Village’s law ACC cautionary

tale for generations to come as for Sarah she became a quiet hero remembered as the woman who had stood up against the mysterious cook and freed her people from the shadows of Enchantment and so dear viewers that concludes today’s story what do you think was M’s pursuit of success Justified or was it driven by selfishness and greed do you think Sarah should have forgiven her or was the confrontation necessary let us know your thoughts in the comments below and if you enjoyed this tale don’t forget to like share and subscribe for more

stories from African folklore until next time stay curious stay safe and keep the spirit of Storytelling alive