There Are Rivers in the Sky

by Elif Shafak

There are invisible beings all around that offer help and guidance without humans ever realizing, let alone appreciating, it. Sore-Soran controls the winds and sends a cool breeze when it gets unbearably hot. Mama-Rasan is in charge of harvests, doing her best to grow crops. Xatuna-Farxa is the patroness of pregnant women and toddlers. Pira-Fat, for her part, watches over younger babies, particularly in their first forty days. Mama-Sivan and Garvane-Zarzan protect shepherds and their flocks. And Mama-Rasan is the one who helps when water is scarce. That is why, during times of drought, when the earth is dry like cinders, Grandma takes a ritual cup and asks Narin to write these words inside: Don’t Forget Us, Mama-Rasan. Then she holds up the cup to the skies and says, “Fill it, God. Fill it with Thy mercy.” There is also Pira-Ster, a benevolent spirit who appears in the shape of a gray-haired woman. During daytime she sleeps but as soon as night falls she starts roaming about the house, moving the furniture around. She is caring, if a little crazy and unpredictable. Xudāne-Mālē, “master of the house,” resides inside the fireplace and keeps the family safe. Khalil-Ibrahim, a “friend of God,” looks after larders and pantries. Then there is Jin-Tayyar—the “flying djinni.” Full of mischief and not always well behaved, he likes playing tricks on people. But, while he delights in outwitting those who think they are smart, he is considerate with the weak and the vulnerable. Narin ...