A mysterious creature appears in the Mandinka Kingdom of Kaabu, claiming the </p>lives of many people. In such a highly superstitious kingdom, its appearance and </p>claim to numerous lives leaves everyone thinking that it is not ordinary for such a </p>creature, which their ancestors never knew to appear in the kingdom. </p>Numo, the protagonist of the story, and his brother Arfang get lost in the forest, </p>prompting the entire village of Passamarey to prepare an army to search for them. </p>After being found unhurt, their mother, Manke, is severely admonished for allowing </p>the situation to unfold, putting the lives of the entire army at risk. </p>Years pass, and Numo and Arfang grow older. The creature continues to kill more </p>people. One day, during a hunting expedition, Numo and his brother, along with </p>their father, come across a stinking human carcass - a man killed and desecrated </p>by the mysterious creature. Numo makes a resolution to kill the creature when he </p>grows up. </p>The following chapters depict various rituals and festivals that illustrate a typical </p>Mandinka society before colonialism. After Numo and his brother are circumcised </p>and initiated into manhood, circumstances change, but Numo remains resolute on </p>killing the creature. </p>Finally, the great marabout of the land calls upon Numo and his brother, Arfang, </p>and reveals that they are destined to kill the creature - actually a human being who </p>transforms into a creature as a form of vengeance against the king of Kaabu for </p>disrespecting her. Numo and Arfang are prepared by the marabout and set off on </p>their journey. After a long and tiresome journey, they encounter the creature and </p>finally kill her, but on her own terms.</p>