This story takes place at Villaggio Cirulli, deep in the hills of Abruzzo, where we had the chance to meet, listen to, and spend time with the young people who live there. Behind each face, we discovered a voice, a history, a dream. And above all, a name.

Their stories reminded us that no one is ever just a number. Each person we met carries a world within, rich with hope, fear, memory, and imagination.

This modern fairytale was told to us by one of them. We dedicate it to all the Number Ones—to those who lead with heart, who believe in magic, and who never stop looking for home.

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Mamadou who wanted to learn how to read and write. One day, he left home to look for a school. After a long journey, he found a teacher in a faraway village of Senegal.

Mamadou stayed many years with the teacher and other students. He became very smart. After finishing school, he decided to come back home. As he was leaving, a classmate said to him:

‘Dear Mamadou, you were my only friend at this school. I want to tell you a secret. I belong to a family of genies. I will send you home at the speed of light. My sister lives near your village. I will give you a ring that will help you find her. Please go and tell her I’m doing well.’

Mamadou was very surprised. He took the ring, closed his eyes, and when he opened them he was home.

The next morning, Mamadou put the ring on his finger. Suddenly, he could see the genies living in the village. He found the house of his friend’s sister. It was a magical house that disappeared when he took off the ring. Mamadou knocked on the door. A beautiful girl opened it. Her name was Anta. She was also a genie, and she was very kind and magical. Mamadou fell in love with her and started visiting her every day.

Years passed. When they grew up, Mamadou asked Anta to marry him.

‘I love you too,’ said Anta. ‘But I’m afraid to marry a human. Humans get angry, talk too much, and tell lies. We genies never get angry. We never break a promise, and we only speak the truth. If you want to marry me, you must promise never to tell anyone that I’m a genie.’

‘I promise,’ said Mamadou. ‘I will not get angry. I will always tell the truth. And I will never tell your secret.’

So Mamadou and Anta got married and lived happily.

One day, Anta went to visit her brother. Mamadou stayed home. That night, a big fire burned down his granary. His horse died, and his bull fell into the well. When Anta came back, she heard Mamadou’s mother saying: ‘All this bad luck is because of Anta. Humans and genies should not marry.’

Anta understood that Mamadou had told her secret. That night, while Mamadou was sleeping, she made herself invisible and took the ring from his finger.

Mamadou searched for Anta for many years, but he could not find her. Without the ring, he could not see her. One day, Anta saw Mamadou crying. She felt sad and showed herself again.

‘My love,’ said Mamadou, ‘I’ve looked everywhere for you. Why did you leave me? Why did you take the ring?’

‘Because you told my secret to your mother,’ said Anta. ‘You broke your promise. Our marriage is over.’

‘I was so sad,’ said Mamadou. ‘I lost everything in one night. And you were gone.’

‘I wasn’t gone,’ said Anta. ‘I was with you all night. The Angel of Death came for you. He had eyes on his arms and a tree on his head. I used my magic to stop him. He fell on the granary, and it caught fire. I sent the horse to scare him, and it died. Then I threw the bull at him, and it fell into the well. I’m sorry. I had to save your life. You are alive because of me. But you broke your promise. So now I must leave.’

Anta disappeared. Mamadou never saw her again.