TODAY THE HARMATTAN BEGAN sweeping in from the north, bringing with it the new season. The temperature has started to come down. Very soon the dust will paint the Sahel landscape in its customary pastel hues again. The water will be gone, although Niamoy is still arriving to work in the MaliMali studio in her canoe.

Life here, like everywhere else, is punctuated by annually recurring events which are of no major importance but which nevertheless brings a satisfaction which is perhaps one of the ingredients of what we call happiness. Just take the custard apple for instance. It appears every year about the 5th of November, almost to the day. There is only one or two so far on our custard apple tree every year, but I am always amazed by its creamy perfection and at its punctuality.