Lagarre went and found the jackal Turume, who was gray with old age.  “I am Lagarre, son of Dinga, son of Kirijo.  I need the Tabele.”  The old jackal Turume spoke:  “I know Kirijo.  He was the son of Kirijo-Tamani.  There is, however, someone in this forest who is twenty-seven years older than I.  He is Hongo Koliko, the old vulture.”

So Lagarre continued his search until, at last, at the top of an old tree, he finally glimpsed old Koliko, who was bald with age.  The vulture Koliko spoke:  “I am old and weak.  Stay with me for seven days.  Every day I have to eat the heart and the liver of a horse and a donkey.  When you give me that food every day, I shall feel better and be able to answer your questions.”

Prince Lagarre brought seven horses and seven donkeys, which Koliko devoured.  At last, Koliko felt strong enough to fly again.  He flew up to heaven and found Tabele, which the jinn had hung up there, touched only by the wind.  Old Koliko had just enough strength to unhook the Tabele and bring it back to earth.  “Go, take this, travel for two days, and on the third day, strike Tabele.  Then you will see Wagadu, which the jinn have kept hidden for all these generations.  There you will see the python Bida.  She surrounds the city.  Agree to give her only one girl a year.”

Lagarre traveled for two days, and on the third day he struck Tabele.  Suddenly the desert revealed a city with domes and turrets and palm trees.  The lost city of Wagadu had reappeared.  As Lagarre approached the city, the python Bida raised her head and said, “You will give me ten girls every year.”  Lagarre refused, and they argued back and forth until Lagarre agreed to give the python one maiden a year.

“So be it,” said the python.  “When you give me a girl, I will let it rain gold on your city.”  Bida withdrew, and Lagarre could enter the gate of Wagadu the great city, as its king.

For many years King Lagarre reigned in peace and prosperity, extending the area and the population of the kingdom of Wagadu gradually until it was once again a great empire.  The walls and gates of the city were well kept, the wells were clean, the children well fed.

The drum Tabele was the symbol of royal power; it could be struck only by the king or by his personal drummer.  Even today African chiefs have drums that no one may touch without the king’s command.