A red car, a golf model, moved slowly — weighed down by age, a load of herbal medicines, and big speakers tied on top. The boot of the car was open, and some young men sat inside holding up bottles of medicine. The tyres and the sides of the car were dusty and covered with red soil. Inside, the herbalist turned up the volume of his recorded advertisement.

> “Alhaji or Hajiya, if your problem is coldness in the body, come to its master. I don’t swear on my medicine in vain because it’s genuine — but if you drink it and it doesn’t work, come back and I’ll refund your money!

If you suffer from joint pains, waist pain, or back ache, your healing has arrived. Alhaji, you’re always seen in flowing robes, and people think you’re a complete man, but inside you’re ashamed — come, let’s help you secretly.”

The herbalist lowered the volume, poked his head out of the window, and, seeing a crowd, called out:

> “People of the Prophet! Where’s the man who wants to get rid of this coldness we all suffer? Even farmers are seriously affected. Don’t be shy — come and get healing by God’s will. Sunstroke, stomach swelling, back pain, piles, and coldness — I’m the doctor who cures them all!”

Baba Inu, who was lying on a bench, sat up and squinted toward the car. He knew the herbalists that came to their town — these ones weren’t strangers to him. Most of them were familiar faces, since he was one of their biggest customers.

“Hey, herbalist! Come here,” Baba Inu called, waving his hand.

The herbalist quickly parked in front of his house.

> “My people! The healer of coldness has arrived, don’t take this lightly!”

he announced again through his loudspeaker.

Baba Inu gave him a sharp look and said, “My friend, you’re new in this town, right?”

The herbalist nodded. “I just came passing through — anyone with a cold problem should come now, we’re offering help by God’s name. If I leave, I won’t return until next year.”

“Hand me that medicine in the bottle — how much?” Baba Inu asked, pointing to a tall jar filled with soaked herbs.

The herbalist handed him two jars, saying:

> “What you see here is power itself, Baba. I don’t sell to everyone, only to the lucky ones. If you’re shy before your wife, please drink half a cup and go meet her, then come back and tell me what happened.”

Before he could finish, Baba Inu uncorked the bottle, lifted it, and drank it all. The herbalist’s eyes bulged. “Master! Do you even live on this street?” he asked, startled.

Just then, Baba Ibrahim’s car horn interrupted them.

“My friend, move your car aside — the house owner is here,” Baba Inu said.

The herbalist moved forward as Baba Ibrahim parked his car and stepped out. He had seen everything — Baba Inu had just gulped the medicine.

“Yaya, good afternoon,” Baba Ibrahim greeted.

Baba Inu looked at him and sneered. “European doctor, why are you back early today?”

“All’s fine, Yaya,” Baba Ibrahim replied.

Seeing he wasn’t saying more, Baba Inu teased, “Iro, what’s wrong? Should I bring you some of this medicine too?”

“