Cultural
Background Storyteller's Cabin
"Girl, do you not see what became of the others who tried to escape? Stay with me, little one, I will keep you company and ease your suffering," Belle-Megrave pleaded. "Do not bring down the terrible wrath of my son, the devil!"
But Marie Jolie was growing angry, and in her anger she grew bold. "No," she insisted, "I will not be the devil's wife! If you won't help me escape, then I'11 find a way on my own."
Belle-Megrave sighed. "The devil knows many tricks. He can change into fire and smoke and ride the wind. You cannot outrun him, but maybe if you are brave enough you can outsmart him. Even the devil cannot defeat a strong heart. But if your courage fails, he will destroy you."
Marie was determined. "My heart is strong and my mind is made up," she said. "M'su Diable will not destroy me."
"All right then," says Belle-Megrave, "here is what you must do. M'su Diable will return in the deepest night, at three o'clock, the soul's hour. He hates dawn and the rising sun. In its light he cannot hide his true self, so he sleeps. His spy, Gaime, the rooster, keeps watch. If he catches you tryin' to escape, he will crow. Tonight you must feed Gaime three bags of corn instead of one, so that he will oversleep. At sunrise, go and gather six dirty eggs. They will protect you. Do not take the clean eggs, for they are bad luck. Then, chère, run as quick-quick as you can away from this place!"
Marie did as she was told. Rooster overslept and she got the six dirty eggs. She tiptoed out, soft-soft, but the gate hinge squeaked and Gaime woke up crowin' full-throat. "M'su Diable, M'su Diable, wake up! Vite-vite! Your wife is gettin' away!"
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