The Journey

Before the sun I started off to the well where all the village women and girls do draw Water. We agreed to bid a farewell with her earlier than anyone. I was wondering if you are coming my son.

she kissed me...I could feel her hot tears running down my chest. Mom I promise to take care of you in my heart. I will always keep all your statue's. The more I talked the more she cried. Take care my son, please don't live a reckless life while there and may the god's of our land guide you. I knelt down and she blessed me. Hurry hurry..... please hurry I can hear something coming. I run into the bush following a narrow path to the East. mama Richard whom were you talking to? "none".....,....are you becoming mad? Nagere please mind your own language otherwise I will lose my temper. I heard that your son has decided to leave for the city is that true? she avoided her. So Richard has gone to the city without choosing one of my daughter to be his wife? she had beautiful maidens but it wasn't my choice.

I was like a mad man moving forward without assurance of where a'm heading to. A very bright sun approached as usual. it's ray's were wonderful, birds singing in different tunes in the thick forest. A good prisant smell of different flowers was all over my way. No tiredness was felt in my bone's. A'm on my way to breakthrough. Reaching to the promised land was all I could smell. My legs were so fast not minding of carrying a heavy weight body. someone at a distance could easily tell the very joy in me. The fact that I was was alone was history. (if wishes were horses begers could ride). Something terrifying happened for the first time. It was dark hours in the middle of the jungle no sun rays appeared. I became worried and afraid. Hyenas could sound at a distance. was it a wrong decision to go to the city? I asked myself. I looked back then forward. No one is able to see me only the trees can hear me. It's good to take a risk and a right decision but this is too much. I don't know how much I have spent in this forest. my legs started itching. I wanted to sit down and rest but it was not a good time to do so. The forest was so terrifying. I don't know how much time I had spent in the wilderness. The sun was some mile's away from the position I was, with my little knowledge of time, the evening was fast approaching. Down my steps was a big River to be crossed. Some fishermen caught my attention. What can I do to reach to the tall and beautiful buildings up there? pointing towards far east with my fingers.

My son, another man intervened; you are to stay with us a little bit it is already too late. I protested wishing to reach the city within minutes. How I wish I had wings. I accepted the offer of staying with them for a night though it was regarded as a poor decision within my heart. if you want to achieve in life, be slow to act while focusing towards the main goal in life.

They were friendly. Three of them with a big catch. One of the men went into a plantain nearby farm and brought plantain leaves and said "these are our beddings tonight. With a lot of hesitation I looked at him. Tears came out of my eyes thinking of my shamba where I used to sleep peacefully with rat's and cockroaches. Within minutes fire was set. We surrounded the fireplace with amazing and interesting stories by and by. I was quite listening to their stories being a stranger. I didn't carry anything to be my supper. What will these people do in order to fill their Bellies? I prayed to the god's of our land for food mercies.

The more I prayed the more stories poped up. A giant man seemed to be a leader stood up and took a school of fish and place them on the plantain leaves. l watched while swallowing my only saliva left in my mouth....He quickly shopped the fish and placed them on the burning coals making sure that the coal is still hot.

I smelled the good smell the fish produced.....I.....I....can I test?.....all what I got was laughter laughter and laughter. He offered me a piece to test. No salt but the fish tested good. One of the youngest man took a plastic bag full of fresh plantains and placed to the other side of the fire. I smiled again and again. supper was served. it was quite for some good minutes. The fragrance smell from the fish greeted my nerves. I saw something great and amazing in another hand so terrifying. These fishermen were equipped with different weapons known and unknown. I felt the safety though in fear. As usual I started singing songs I used to sing when a'm eating something so delicious in my home village. All their respective eye's were on me. They laughed. So great to eat peacefully with strangers. We slept round the burning fire to scare some wild animals such as mosquitoes. The I slept but was afraid of being attacked by jackals. Such animals are without respect when you face them. I recalled what mom said the time I was saying goodbye. The sound of a nightngale waked us all marking the second day of my journey. We greeted one another. Are you still interested with your journey or you are following us to the village? One of the men wanted to know....I don't have any reason to go back to my village. I want to see another side of life in the city. I know I have not gone far with education but I will surely bring change to my village after few years of my staying in the city.

I left them gazing at me with amazing views in their hearts. I didn't know what they're thinking. I was sure of what I was doing and the results ahead. something reminded me of the dream I had. I saw myself in a blue sky flying without being limited. it was an extraordinary dream that proved a'm lucky. Prayers were conducted at home, dancing and singing giving sacrifices to mbona one of our famous village god. I could imagine what mom is thinking. Will he be safe from snakes and lion's? It was difficult for them to know as to whether a'm alive or not. After walking a mile away I approached a river but I crossed without challenges. walking magestically towards a small path directed by one of the fishermen. Zebras were feeding a distance away. It was a great site to see these beautiful creatures mother earth gave us. After some Hours of my walk I started hearing great sounds of noisy objects. what it be? I looked beyond the forest but nothing was seen. The smell of town was in my nose. I think I'm really closer to the city. Big and different animals with 4 legs were passing by but in different directions. it was a beautiful scene to watch. I posed a little. The hoting of a certain object reminded me that they were not animals but car's. I remembered what happened in the village as I was going to school one day. The mayor's car. What is it that mom is doing right now, is she aware that a'm safe...?...?.....what about my cruel dad?.....is he busy smoking? someone backoned me to go close to his car. I was surprised to see that the owner of the car is my fellow black Man. I was at ease my smile could indicate that a'm not lost. I want to ask for map and guidance....I cleared my throat with nervousness. "please be free". I want to visit my Auncle in town who left our village long time ago in search for greener pastures in the city his name is Auncle Mathews. ooh! Mr Mathews! I know him we are in the same City. "what's your name?" A'm Richard his nephew. The man looked at me with disapproval. I was terrified. oooh ok I understand. How far is it from here to the city? "it's 50 tambala coin." I remembered to have saved 1 kwacha note that I got from the mayor. I searched for it in my pocket and for some minutes I got it. A dirty 1 kwacha note but wealth of using. He pointed to a certain place where I saw a lot of people sitting. it seemed they were in waiting for something. "go there and wait for a tax to your Auncles city. But.....but..... I'm a stranger in the city can you have mercy on me? I want to take some bricks for my house somewhere so I'm feeling like being delayed. I left him without saying anything else. I walked a distance towards the place he directed me. The mood changed, the cool air from the tree sheds helped me to feel comfortable. The car was fully packed. I was lucky to sit near a window. The road was gray with some white patches in the middle. It was an amazing time being my first day in a car. The sound of music was awesome from the car's radio. I didn't asked several questions because I was afraid of being laughed at. The announcement was made in the tax. we are very close to the city please we are collecting the fair for the journey. How much is the fair price? "I asked" as usual the driver said. How.... before I concluded my words were caught up by a lady who simply said it's 50 tambala coin. I paid my 1 kwacha note and waited for the Change. she stood aside looking at the driver very well. I didn't know her and she didn't know me but I thanked the god's of our land for connecting me to such a kind lady. "Let's go brother....that tax driver wanted to steal from you. I nodded my head in agreement. where are you going? To see my Auncle in this very city. What's his name? "Mr Mathews".,...she looked at me again and again but I did not asked the reason why she did so. we walked straight following the street lights. chatting like we have been together somewhere. I narrated the reasons why I left the village. she was a good lady, very calm in listening. I know Mr Mathews your Auncle, he's a good Man. I will help you to meet him. I felt the city greetings. We left the main road and followed some street's in the middle of the city. my prayer was she should not dare to leave me. My dressing wasn't good and if people sees me alone can shout out loud that a'm a thief. I followed her humbly. As we were closer to a certain tall building I heard some dog's barking. sheeee my friend a'm sorry!!!! she screamed.,...what is it? Dog's!!!! One of our left house gate was left open. I followed her on my heel's. we did run away from the dogs and reached the end point of the road. Anything? No! I responded while seeing my lungs in my eyes.

we changed direction and followed another route going back to the same tall building. I was scared as to what will happen to us if we meet same scenario again. Richard! Richard! I was afraid as to whom was calling me. I don't know anyone in the city to call my name. I ignored and started moving so fast following the woman's direction. I started trebling with fear. I wanted to cry but it was too late. I can't see the lady and all over sudden a'm alone. I heard my name being called again. I hesitated. it's me your Auncle.