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The Half Coined Moon
#Africa
#Writing
#kboss
CHAPTER 1
THE CRIES OF AKANBI
Three full moons ago, Alao the only son of the Palm wine tapper was missing, it was an heart struck to the villagers. The Baale of Aiyepe set up a search party for his instant rescue, Even Akanni his father spent a lot on sacrifices for Iya Ewe to appease the gods. Alao and I only had one thing in common wild Adventure, which got us connected.
Here I am, munching my stored fruits under the Igi Ope of Baba Alaja Mefaa, the only old man in Aiyepe without any Family. He is very aggressive, even amongst village elders meeting and no child dares stroll pass his compound without counting the dust. How he lives, in such an awful gigantic building alone, is what am curious about. I could recall, two nights ago. Baba warned me, Tinuola my immediate younger sister and my pot bellied friends. From wandering into the forest for fruits and going close to Baba Alaja Mefaa's house picking dropped fruits.
There is one weird thing about this Baba Alaja Mefaa house, there is an old Iroko tree in the entrance of his House, with no leaf on it and none of it branches broken. Observing the environment and his house I stood up, and advanced my step towards his bamboo gate to peep through, but I got a cold feeling on me.
Aaah!!
Mo kuu!
I saw Baba coming back from early cock crow hunting, with his hungry machete dancing sideways with him. I lost my breath trying to find my feet to stand, my body nerves were jittering.
Yeee!!! AKANBI ò ti daràn ..
To my utmost surprise Baba had a sober look, he walked pass me without saying a word. I thought of greeting him but the fear of his questions sealed my lips. But, Baba don't behave like this he would have given me a loud knock or used the bush cane on me. I felt disturbed, I decide to take another route to get home earlier before Baba's arrival.
I was quizzing myself on what Baba had in my mind to do for me, on getting close to a stone throw to my Family house. I bumped into a happy problem. I ran into Olakunle, one of my troublesome friend. We played the game of Ayo, some days ago and I happily fed him to the dogs at the end of seven rounds. He confronted me and bluffed on beating me on a straight winning. I laughed off my heart, you couldn't beat me the last time we played and you are now claiming boss. You must be joking, to show is seriousness he staked his bid with a new Radio set which caught my eyes.
I soliloquized, me the first son of Baba Oloko the great Hunter that speak to the animals. I dusted my feet and sat in my pride, played with him happily forgetting all my sorrows. I played with deep focus on winning the radio set. I danced to the tune of all ryhmes of the Ayo game, that I have acquired lately. We played the game consciously for few hours, even though I was a bit hungry. I didn't take it as a problem. He tried to manipulate the game but thanks to the onlookers that cheered the game and it didn't end up in fight. I won the game, without wasting time I took the radio set and bade him farewell and good luck next time. I was very happy, that I stumbled frequently on my way home. I heard a loud sound from faraway, this is very rare on a market day for that matter. I urged my legs to reduce it pace for I will like to feed my curiosity. I paused to observe the Radio set if it works and noticed there is not battery in it.
Ohoo! Hunhh!!
I pity this mumu boy oo!
Olakunle thinks he is smart abii, I don't have his time now. I will go and beat him up in a secret place. I waited quietly to hear the incoming sound and frowned my face on my foolishness on not checking the Radio set. While waiting, I got the glimpse of a man hitting a large gong from a far distance, what could have happened? Or is Kabiyesi dead?
I Spat on the air, Ori mi koor (I reject it). I was able to get the full appearance of the gong man, this is Aiyelagbe the man that visits Baba occasionally during Ogun festival period. I quietened my heart, and listen to the sounds around me.
Gbang! Gbang!! Gbang!!!
Ki eku ile gbo ko so fun un to oko!
Ki eye ile gbo ko so fun un to oko!
Ni Ojo mewaa si eni, ao se ibere Odun Ayeye Ogun fun odindin, Ojo mejee
Ki awon eleto Kan so Oba nii waran sesa o o
Mo wi re, a bii mi wi re
(Anything the rat hear's. It should deliver the message to others
Anything the bird hear's. It should deliver the message to others
In ten days time, we will commence the celebration of the Ogun Festival, and it will take seven days
All the Festival co-ordinator should visit the Palace for preparations)
Many villagers showed the sign of joy, and for me I forgot about my badluck and ran home dancing to songs of the dust. I know Baba plays an essential role in the festival and will surely bring home many big animals meat and beautiful stories to tell.
Maami! I screamed at the entrance of the mini hut that Baba receive visitors, am very sure Maami must have prepared yam Porridge and snail stew. I have given my Radio set to Bola, who lives next to my house to keep for me. I advanced my steps to the kitchen at the backyard, and peeped into pot of snail stew. I caught Tinuola staring at me with her big eye ball, Kilode? ( What happen)
She refused to respond. She had this sharp look as if something was coming towards my direction. I moved my feet towards Maami, room to ask of my food. I saw Baba picking Bush canes few legs away from me. I recalled my events throughout that morning and glared at him coming towards me like the hungry Hyena, saliva was dripping out of my mouth.
Yee! Yee!!
Maami! Maami!!
Mo ti ku oo o!!! (Am dead o)
I tried to run but Baba gave me a hot slap that changed my thinking setting. He used his left hand to hit, Maami to stay away from us. I got the beating of my life that afternoon that I slept off outside in pains and with dry tears on my cheeks.
That night I slept with half heart and full soul, thinking about my Adventure on that day. But what is actually wrong with Baba?
Are the gods angry with him?
Toor, may Osun ease things for him?
He has never been angry like this with me, even the day I stoned three goats to death in my neighborhood. I wasn't beaten like this. I stood up in silence and dragged myself inside the hut forgetting about food for the day. My wet eyes could see Tinuola peeping through door. I gave her an angry look and went off. I lied on my back and faced the sleeping moon, lazily. Listening to distant music of the Night Hooters. I slept off.
#Writing
#kboss
CHAPTER 1
THE CRIES OF AKANBI
Three full moons ago, Alao the only son of the Palm wine tapper was missing, it was an heart struck to the villagers. The Baale of Aiyepe set up a search party for his instant rescue, Even Akanni his father spent a lot on sacrifices for Iya Ewe to appease the gods. Alao and I only had one thing in common wild Adventure, which got us connected.
Here I am, munching my stored fruits under the Igi Ope of Baba Alaja Mefaa, the only old man in Aiyepe without any Family. He is very aggressive, even amongst village elders meeting and no child dares stroll pass his compound without counting the dust. How he lives, in such an awful gigantic building alone, is what am curious about. I could recall, two nights ago. Baba warned me, Tinuola my immediate younger sister and my pot bellied friends. From wandering into the forest for fruits and going close to Baba Alaja Mefaa's house picking dropped fruits.
There is one weird thing about this Baba Alaja Mefaa house, there is an old Iroko tree in the entrance of his House, with no leaf on it and none of it branches broken. Observing the environment and his house I stood up, and advanced my step towards his bamboo gate to peep through, but I got a cold feeling on me.
Aaah!!
Mo kuu!
I saw Baba coming back from early cock crow hunting, with his hungry machete dancing sideways with him. I lost my breath trying to find my feet to stand, my body nerves were jittering.
Yeee!!! AKANBI ò ti daràn ..
To my utmost surprise Baba had a sober look, he walked pass me without saying a word. I thought of greeting him but the fear of his questions sealed my lips. But, Baba don't behave like this he would have given me a loud knock or used the bush cane on me. I felt disturbed, I decide to take another route to get home earlier before Baba's arrival.
I was quizzing myself on what Baba had in my mind to do for me, on getting close to a stone throw to my Family house. I bumped into a happy problem. I ran into Olakunle, one of my troublesome friend. We played the game of Ayo, some days ago and I happily fed him to the dogs at the end of seven rounds. He confronted me and bluffed on beating me on a straight winning. I laughed off my heart, you couldn't beat me the last time we played and you are now claiming boss. You must be joking, to show is seriousness he staked his bid with a new Radio set which caught my eyes.
I soliloquized, me the first son of Baba Oloko the great Hunter that speak to the animals. I dusted my feet and sat in my pride, played with him happily forgetting all my sorrows. I played with deep focus on winning the radio set. I danced to the tune of all ryhmes of the Ayo game, that I have acquired lately. We played the game consciously for few hours, even though I was a bit hungry. I didn't take it as a problem. He tried to manipulate the game but thanks to the onlookers that cheered the game and it didn't end up in fight. I won the game, without wasting time I took the radio set and bade him farewell and good luck next time. I was very happy, that I stumbled frequently on my way home. I heard a loud sound from faraway, this is very rare on a market day for that matter. I urged my legs to reduce it pace for I will like to feed my curiosity. I paused to observe the Radio set if it works and noticed there is not battery in it.
Ohoo! Hunhh!!
I pity this mumu boy oo!
Olakunle thinks he is smart abii, I don't have his time now. I will go and beat him up in a secret place. I waited quietly to hear the incoming sound and frowned my face on my foolishness on not checking the Radio set. While waiting, I got the glimpse of a man hitting a large gong from a far distance, what could have happened? Or is Kabiyesi dead?
I Spat on the air, Ori mi koor (I reject it). I was able to get the full appearance of the gong man, this is Aiyelagbe the man that visits Baba occasionally during Ogun festival period. I quietened my heart, and listen to the sounds around me.
Gbang! Gbang!! Gbang!!!
Ki eku ile gbo ko so fun un to oko!
Ki eye ile gbo ko so fun un to oko!
Ni Ojo mewaa si eni, ao se ibere Odun Ayeye Ogun fun odindin, Ojo mejee
Ki awon eleto Kan so Oba nii waran sesa o o
Mo wi re, a bii mi wi re
(Anything the rat hear's. It should deliver the message to others
Anything the bird hear's. It should deliver the message to others
In ten days time, we will commence the celebration of the Ogun Festival, and it will take seven days
All the Festival co-ordinator should visit the Palace for preparations)
Many villagers showed the sign of joy, and for me I forgot about my badluck and ran home dancing to songs of the dust. I know Baba plays an essential role in the festival and will surely bring home many big animals meat and beautiful stories to tell.
Maami! I screamed at the entrance of the mini hut that Baba receive visitors, am very sure Maami must have prepared yam Porridge and snail stew. I have given my Radio set to Bola, who lives next to my house to keep for me. I advanced my steps to the kitchen at the backyard, and peeped into pot of snail stew. I caught Tinuola staring at me with her big eye ball, Kilode? ( What happen)
She refused to respond. She had this sharp look as if something was coming towards my direction. I moved my feet towards Maami, room to ask of my food. I saw Baba picking Bush canes few legs away from me. I recalled my events throughout that morning and glared at him coming towards me like the hungry Hyena, saliva was dripping out of my mouth.
Yee! Yee!!
Maami! Maami!!
Mo ti ku oo o!!! (Am dead o)
I tried to run but Baba gave me a hot slap that changed my thinking setting. He used his left hand to hit, Maami to stay away from us. I got the beating of my life that afternoon that I slept off outside in pains and with dry tears on my cheeks.
That night I slept with half heart and full soul, thinking about my Adventure on that day. But what is actually wrong with Baba?
Are the gods angry with him?
Toor, may Osun ease things for him?
He has never been angry like this with me, even the day I stoned three goats to death in my neighborhood. I wasn't beaten like this. I stood up in silence and dragged myself inside the hut forgetting about food for the day. My wet eyes could see Tinuola peeping through door. I gave her an angry look and went off. I lied on my back and faced the sleeping moon, lazily. Listening to distant music of the Night Hooters. I slept off.
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