Two Hats

A Cape Verdean Parable

Didi visited the market in São Vicente. He had longed to buy one of the colorful bucket hats there.

"This one, please."

"That will be 800 escudos."

"How about 700?"

"My mother made these. It took her a long time."

"No, thank you," said Didi, as he walked away.

"Wait," said the vendor. "Okay, 700 escudos."

"Thank you," replied Didi, as he put on his new colorful bucket hat and gave the vendor his money.

A few days later, Didi was walking along the cliffs of Santo Antão, admiring the coastal panoramas.

"Let me have a seat on the rock wall," he thought.

Just then, a gust of wind blew his hat off. It landed on a ledge of the cliff.

One of the workmen saw him.

"I'll get it for you," he said, as he went to fetch his harness.

Didi looked at the steep cliff.

"No," he said to the workman. "It is okay. You are more important than my hat."

On the next market day, Didi returned. He searched and searched for the vendor who had sold him the hat, but he could not find him. It appeared that his stall was closed.

He was about to leave when the vendor appeared.

"I lost my hat. It blew off," he said. "I was in Santo Antão."

"Santo Antão — such a beautiful place. It is so green there," smiled the vendor.

"So you want another hat?"

"Yes," Didi replied. "Can you give me the same price?"

"I gave you a discount last time," the vendor sighed. "But I will give you the same price."

"At least you sold two hats," said Didi.

The vendor nodded.

Didi dug into his pouch. He thought of the workman who almost risked his life for his first hat.

He pulled out 100 escudos, then another 700.

He gave the vendor the full price — 800 escudos.

Didi winked at him.

The vendor nodded.

When Didi went to put on the hat, it was a bit too small.

"At least it won't blow off in the wind," he shrugged.

A story by Pemba Umoja