Abraham the Fool

My name is Abraham the fool. Well, that is what the white Berber called me. They gave me the name while I was still a kid. I am not a fool, but the name followed me wherever I went. In my family were nine children, six boys and three girls. I am the fourth born and the fourth son. I was fond of my brothers and sisters, and they were fond of me too. My younger brother and my sister that came after me died at a very young age when I was still a young boy. I am still not sure how they died. Things like this are not uncommon in the dangerous and difficult life we lead in our village. The village is plagued with enormous malaria carrying mosquitoes, born in its rivers and waterways which are brimming with life-leeching parasites. Here, monstrous beasts rip children from their beds and steal them away into the night.