A new story. WELCOME TO YESTERDAY BY GAB ETTE 2018

January 13, 2018 LIFESTYLE No Comments

A new story.
WELCOME TO YESTERDAY

Akpan Umogwo was a hunter. Not just a hunter but a legend. His exploits assumed unprecedented dimensions the day he electrified his community and yet this was in the early days. When white men were yet to discover the area known as Anaan. In the course of his legendary hunting expeditions, one night he discovered that the ancient forest known as Akai Ibong was lit like the fluorescent tube of the white man's magic known as electricity. It covered a large expanse of the forest. He hid himself behind the "Ukpa tree" to observe his environment. Then he noticed it. The luminous light was a moon like object on top of an anthill. It illuminated the entire environment. It's glow was so powerful that one could pick a pin with its illumination.

The temptation to rush for the treasure ahead of him was so powerful that Akpan Umogwo the fearless hunter could hardly contain himself, yet he calmed himself down. Patience, he said to himself is the first rung in the ladder of wisdom. He looked on. Then suddenly he heard the rustling of dry leaves, he looked keenly and saw her " "Esit Itiaba". She prowled herself towards the glowing ball. Then she opened her large mouth and swallowed the big bulb. Suddenly, the entire environment was again submerged in total darkness. The giant snake, then made her way to her abode aided with instinct and guts. For the very first time, he sensed fear sneak down his spine. He did not know the area the giant snake was gliding to. He leaned so hard on the Ukpa tree suspecting every minute ruffling of grass. His hand had silently drawn his afaaka from his sheathe. In that posture, he was prepared not to die without a fight.

The beam of the early morning moon dropped through the foliage and he could survey his immediate environment. He also looked hard at the direction he saw the moon on the anthill and could not discern the giant anaconda that swallowed the moon. He sniffed the air and perceived no strange smell other than that emitted by decaying forest foliage. He stood away from the Ukpa tree, and went towards the area he hung his hunting bag. The antelope and the two grass cutters were still safe. He strapped the bag on his shoulders and made for home. That light, he said, can illuminate my compound and environs if placed on top of my giant mkpafere tree. I don't know how to out maneuver the Anaconda for the light, but it will be mine some day, he vowed.

The following evening, as he sat at his hut in the swamp when he went to fetch fresh palm wine from his palm wine trees he could think of nothing else but the giant snake and her glowing moon. He knew it wasn't going to be easy outsmarting the snake but he knew that what the mind could conceive, the man can achieve. As he downed another gourd of the fresh Palm wine, he said to himself I will get that moon.
( GAB ETTE 2018)

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