Smaïn; and Safti's Summer Day 1905

Far from the bustle of the world, the narrator and his companion Safti wander through a quiet oasis of palm trees, where the air is scented with sand and the distant sound of a lone flute drifts over the dunes. The landscape is described in vivid detail—narrow alleys, shimmering water rills, and towering palms that seem to guard a secret. As they pause, the music grows clearer, a playful yet tender melody that hints at a heart in love, echoing an old Sahara saying about lovers and their pipes.

Soon they meet Smaïn, a lanky sixteen‑year‑old in a white robe, his bare feet barely stirring the soft earth as he plays. His reed flute, painted with red arabesques, weaves a soundtrack for his affection toward Oreïda, a dancer who lives in the nearby town of Touggourt. Through Safti’s translations, the narrator learns that the music is both a personal confession and a cultural ritual, offering a glimpse into the youthful passion and the rhythm of desert life.

The encounter leaves the narrator enchanted, his senses attuned to the intertwining of sound, love, and the timeless desert scenery, promising a day full of music, laughter, and the promise of a blossoming romance.