This is for the children. It is based on a true story. I was unable to attach the pictures this time. They may come with the continuation.
Eke:
a small python ( constrictor), common in Igboland. They are harmless and were respected by Ndi igbo for their gentleness and job of eating pests like rats and other rodents. In some communites, they are not killed or harmed.
Nwa: offspring, child.----
The day Nwa Eke got caught.
One morning a snake, an Eke, who I will call Nwa eke, came to visit a site she had always visited to catch rodents or to steal eggs.
The home owners raised a number of livestock ---chickens, ducks, turkeys and a few goats. There was always something there for the reptile visitor; rodents who come to feed on the poultry feed, or the eggs from the fowls. The elderly couple have very few people living with them so Nwa eke and his folk came and went without being noticed.
Then in December 2002, the children and grandchildren of the couple trooped home to celebrate the 90Th birthday of their pa and all of a sudden the quiet environment turned into a mini zoo, with people coming and going in all directions, making a lot of noise. Even the chicken coop was not spared the activity. Little feet, big feet, some bare, and some in what looked like small canoes, trooped in and out, checking on the fowls, sometime scaring them and causing even more noise from the alarmed critters. Sneaking in and out of the bounty house became a chore for nwa eke and friends.They came at night and left or hid before daybreak until one morning when nwa eke came to get some goodies and got caught.
Nweke tried to hide under the clutter in the corner of the chicken coop upon realizing that it was daybreak. Little did she know that although her head and most of her body was hidden, her tail and part of her side were visible.
When those feet came in again with all the noise and chatter, nwa eke stayed very still. She heard a loud shriek and feet were moving very fast and in different directions as if they were running away from something horrible. There were shouts of ----s--n---a--k--e, s--n--a--k--e, and some were shouting --a--g--w--o, a--g--w--o, and then the noise died down briefly only to intensify as more feet rushed in, and now the feet were gathered in one spot and seemed to keep a safe distance from nwa eke. She flicked her tongue and felt the air. There were humans all over the place. Nwa eke remained calm knowing she was safe. She had been in this kind of trouble before and always got led away with a long strong stick, ever so gently. It surely won't be any different this time.
Suddenly, she felt a human very close to her and moved her head to face the direction. Then she felt gentle stroking on her head and neck as if she was being invited for a ride. She took the cue and got on the hand, wrapping herself gently but firmly around the long arm. She liked the warmth of the old man's arm as he gently transported her away, her head peering out, tongue flickering occasionally to check out what was going on.
The crowd followed, chattering like little parrots, repeating each others speech---------
" C-o-o-l, men, Gramps is the coolest guy I ever saw. " --------" Men, Gramps is like crocodile hunter, he's not scared of anything. Wait till I get back to school, I will tell all those scary cats about this."---------a girlish voice------I am scared for Grandpa, he is old and if he gets a bite, he may die from it, no good hospitals here, am so scared." Another voice retorts--------" What are you talking about ?----Grandpa said that this is Eke, a python, they are not venomous. If it tries to constrict Gramps, we'll just get it off him"
Nweke relaxed as the ride continued. She had suddenly become a celebrity.----
To be continued
Chinwe Enemchukwu
Orlando, Florida
Eke:
a small python ( constrictor), common in Igboland. They are harmless and were respected by Ndi igbo for their gentleness and job of eating pests like rats and other rodents. In some communites, they are not killed or harmed.
Nwa: offspring, child.----
The day Nwa Eke got caught.
One morning a snake, an Eke, who I will call Nwa eke, came to visit a site she had always visited to catch rodents or to steal eggs.
The home owners raised a number of livestock ---chickens, ducks, turkeys and a few goats. There was always something there for the reptile visitor; rodents who come to feed on the poultry feed, or the eggs from the fowls. The elderly couple have very few people living with them so Nwa eke and his folk came and went without being noticed.
Then in December 2002, the children and grandchildren of the couple trooped home to celebrate the 90Th birthday of their pa and all of a sudden the quiet environment turned into a mini zoo, with people coming and going in all directions, making a lot of noise. Even the chicken coop was not spared the activity. Little feet, big feet, some bare, and some in what looked like small canoes, trooped in and out, checking on the fowls, sometime scaring them and causing even more noise from the alarmed critters. Sneaking in and out of the bounty house became a chore for nwa eke and friends.They came at night and left or hid before daybreak until one morning when nwa eke came to get some goodies and got caught.
Nweke tried to hide under the clutter in the corner of the chicken coop upon realizing that it was daybreak. Little did she know that although her head and most of her body was hidden, her tail and part of her side were visible.
When those feet came in again with all the noise and chatter, nwa eke stayed very still. She heard a loud shriek and feet were moving very fast and in different directions as if they were running away from something horrible. There were shouts of ----s--n---a--k--e, s--n--a--k--e, and some were shouting --a--g--w--o, a--g--w--o, and then the noise died down briefly only to intensify as more feet rushed in, and now the feet were gathered in one spot and seemed to keep a safe distance from nwa eke. She flicked her tongue and felt the air. There were humans all over the place. Nwa eke remained calm knowing she was safe. She had been in this kind of trouble before and always got led away with a long strong stick, ever so gently. It surely won't be any different this time.
Suddenly, she felt a human very close to her and moved her head to face the direction. Then she felt gentle stroking on her head and neck as if she was being invited for a ride. She took the cue and got on the hand, wrapping herself gently but firmly around the long arm. She liked the warmth of the old man's arm as he gently transported her away, her head peering out, tongue flickering occasionally to check out what was going on.
The crowd followed, chattering like little parrots, repeating each others speech---------
" C-o-o-l, men, Gramps is the coolest guy I ever saw. " --------" Men, Gramps is like crocodile hunter, he's not scared of anything. Wait till I get back to school, I will tell all those scary cats about this."---------a girlish voice------I am scared for Grandpa, he is old and if he gets a bite, he may die from it, no good hospitals here, am so scared." Another voice retorts--------" What are you talking about ?----Grandpa said that this is Eke, a python, they are not venomous. If it tries to constrict Gramps, we'll just get it off him"
Nweke relaxed as the ride continued. She had suddenly become a celebrity.----
To be continued
Chinwe Enemchukwu
Orlando, Florida
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1 comment:
That was nice, i remember the day it happened. I am waiting to see the continuation and the pictures.
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