I heard the rustling of leaves in the wind whilst in the bark yard peeling Egusi seeds. The cool breeze brought a smile to my face, as I remembered my childhood days when I played in the rain with all seven of my brothers, we would run in the puddles and laugh all through and the funny thing is that we never ever caught a cold.

My eldest brother told me back then that when the leaves are rustling in the wind before it starts raining, it means that the trees are giving praises to the Almighty. I remember how my eyes widened when he told me that, I then asked him to carry me on his shoulders so I could touch the leaves on the trees, maybe just maybe I could feel the sound of their praises when I touch them and if possible join them in giving thanks to God, since I couldn’t hear it with my ears. He would laugh at my childish ignorance but still he carried me.

My smile widened when I saw my three little boys running in the breeze of the cool evening and when the rain droplets started to fall, they all gave a shout of joy and continued to run around happily.

“I see you are lost in thought.” I heard my husband say suddenly.

He squatted besides where I was sitting, smiled at me, then turned towards the direction of our children still smiling. He as well was in love with the sight before us.

“Shouldn’t we tell them to come in? They may catch a cold.” He asks me. I smiled. “No they won’t. At least let them enjoy the rain a little more.”

© Erinma

#nature #naturespeaks #short-story #inspirational