This is the story of a Haitian immigrant named Diabolo. This man was madly in love with his girl friend named, Ti Fifi. But the neighbors in his native town of Cap-Haitien warned him that Ti Fifi was up to no good. But he was so blindly in love that he was determined to marry Ti Fifi in spite of all the warnings that he had received from his parents, friends and neighbors. Here is the story below...

“Cherie, I love you for ever. I am saddened that I am leaving you behind. Ti Fifi, remember our promise. Although I am going to Miami to build some cash for our life together, I am taking with me my promise to be with you for ever seriously. Remember what we have talked about.”

“Ok, Cheri, ‘together for ever’ is our motto. I will always love you and cherish you even though I am going to stay behind, you know my heart is for you. No other man can ever take your place.”

After those words were exchanged, both Diabolo and Ti Fifi reassured each other that they were sincere to each other. But unfortunately one of the parties was up to no good. Over the course of two months, Diabolo worked two jobs in Miami, one at local restaurant and the other at a local music store.

Within 6 months, Diabolo has purchased a used car for Ti Fifi. However, the car has sat in front of his one bedroom studio in Little Haiti for another 6 months while saving enough money to ship the car to Cap-Haitien for Ti Fifi.

Ti Fifi, meanwhile is enjoying the close friendship of Rosignol. They spent countless hours in each other’s company. They travel to Port-au-Prince, the city capital of Haiti for their week-end excursions. However, both Ti Fifi and Rosignol do not have a job or even aspire to ever work. The weekly money transfer sent by Diabolo is taking care of both Ti Fifi and her new found lover.

Diabolo receives some pictures of Ti Fifi dressed in sexy and revealing outfit, an idea that was considered too American for the people in that section of Cap-Haitien. When Diabolo turned the back of the picture, it was written for Rosignol with the following, “Roro, this picture is a sign of our love for each other. No other man can ever take your place, even Diabolo.” Ti Fifi mistakenly sent the wrong picture to Diabolo, which will ultimately send Diabolo to his grave.

Diabolo was so bothered by the memo on the back of the picture that he decided to call in sick and instead of going to work, went to see a Houngan, a Voodoo priest to help him understand what was going on with his beloved soon to be wife.

“Met la, sove-m!” “Master, save me!” Screamed Diabolo.

“Diabolo, ou nan dlo!” “Little Devil, you are drowning!” Replied the Voodoo priest.

“What do you mean that I am drowning? This woman is my fiancé. She is a virgin. I just can’t understand that note on the back of the picture!?

While Diabolo was stressing out over the note, David, the Houngan, pulled a large bottle of Haitian Rum, lifted it over Diabolo’s head and said the following:

“Ti Fifi, you have betrayed Diabolo, like your mother, you have been pregnant with Rosignol baby girl. But you are about to claim Diabolo as the father but it won’t happen.”

As Diabolo heard the reading, he felt to the floor of the Botanica’s reading office and expired.

David concluded the reading by saying:

“Diabolo, ou pran nan dlo!” “Little Devil, you have indeed been drowned!”


(c)2005 Manes Pierre