Leyla: The Black Tulip

The Strangers

The summer continues on, until autumn begins. Now it is time for the annual mushroom festival. Whoever produces the largest mushroom will win a prize. Laleena and Cengiz search long and hard for the perfect mushroom. When Laleena finds one larger than her head, she knows she will win.

Later that evening, Laleena is at the festival when she spots three strange men in the crowd. Everyone knows they are foreigners by their turbans. There are whispers that they are from İstanbul. When one stops to look at her, she grows uneasy. He gestures to his friends, and they turn to stare at her, as if looking for prey. Laleena turns and darts into the crowd.

The next day, while working in her garden, Laleena overhears voices. She turns and sees four men walking toward her home. Three of the men are the strangers from last night, and the fourth man is the mayor.

Laleena runs inside and upstairs before she’s noticed. She presses her ear to the floor to eavesdrop on her mother’s conversation with the men.

The mayor explains the men are offering money in exchange for taking Laleena away. They will place her in a good home, and find her a good husband. Someday, Laleena will be a lady. Laleena’s mother is shocked. She cannot imagine sending Laleena away. She’s twelve years old, still a child! The mayor impatiently responds she’s not a child anymore. This is an incredible opportunity. She would have enough money to feed her family for years to come. Laleena’s mother is resolute, and refuses.

After the men leave, Laleena comes down to find her mother in tears. Laleena knows her mother is in a difficult spot. While Laleena takes her twin brothers outside to fetch vegetables for dinner, she has an idea. But it is so terrible Laleena pushes it out of her mind.