THE FEAR OF CROCODILE AND THE CROCODILE STORY
Rumpey left John's home to take a walk, after getting to the bridge, discovered it was still damaged decided to head towards John's place again. On his way, as he turned he met an old man (Baba) who has been watching him as he had been disturbing the water, making ripples with stones.
Baba usually comes out every evening to catch some breezy fresh air, as he awaits community children who he tells twilight stories to. Before they came, Rumpey had already settled at the bank of the river throwing stones to distract, affirm or confirm crocodiles. Whatever his aim, he was there to disturb the serenity of the water body. As the children trickle in, baba started his story, but in no time was also distracted by Rumpey's disturbing activities.
Old Baba (reacting angrily to Rumpey): Why can't you just pass your way little boy? Instead you stood over disturbing the peace of the river. Disturbing me and disturbing my little friends here. He complained.
Little boy!? You called me little? You see, now, if I should start boxing you the whole community will start screaming my name Rumpey-Ruddey, Rumpey Rudey,, Rumpey has started again, has killed an old man, as if I am the only rude boy in this village. Now can you hear yourself? You call me little boy? Pass to where baba? I can't pass baba!! Baba gaped his mouth wide in shock saying: you will box me. Ah! You have no respect.
Children laughed excitedly as always, hoping it was part of the story. To them it was still funny to hear a small rude boy boxing an old man. Old baba became silent.
Rumpey challenged nonstop: Did you not hear that crocodile is in this water, and has eaten up like four people days ago? Baba quickly responded:
Oh! Ehn ehn!! I heard. But you were among them that destroyed the bridge! Weren't you? He commented feebly as kids demanded his attention.
No Baba-I was not among. Rumpey exonerates himself. I was just passing when the whole thing started.
Old Baba: So go and stop throwing stones here, let the waters be. "Go where?" "I should go and die?" Wasn't that why I was throwing stones to disturb them? To know where the animals are so I can pass safely? Can't you see what I have been doing since? How do you expect me to accord you the respect you seek from me now? Baba laughed: Ah! What a child you are. Continue to be rude, you will grow old someday. You are very funny. Crocodile don't move anyhow!
Rumpey: Ah baba you are scaring me the more! I will just go back! He murmurs and walks away: Everywhere you go, lecture, and lecture!!No time for the youth to grow and experience life itself easily without interference. And when we try to act without restrictions or by disallowing fetters, they call us rude. he expresses dissatisfaction.
For your information, people know me as and call me Rudey because they say I am rude. My name is Rumpey. Why is it so, that everyone thinks I am stubborn and rude?
Old Baba: Oh I see! stubborn, rude and Lazy boy! Those are what I think you are.
When I was like you, those days, we used to have a very long stick that we dipped inside the water and jumped like with a high jump to the other side. Baba explains feebly laughing: If you are lucky, you will land successfully on the other side of the river, but if unlucky, the crocodile might trouble the long stick and with fear you fall. When that happens, you are gone, except if you are a good swimmer.
Ah! Rumpey screams. I don't know how to swim o. Am not interested in your lecture but I like your story. He squatted and played with sand as he became interested in Baba's story and listened attentively. Baba continued: Unfortunately, that day I heard some boys decided to break the woods holding the bridge as others were running. Again it was rumored that the weight of the people collapsed the bridge as they were running for their lives.
Too bad! Baba commented. Rumpey (continued): So end of your boring story. You just said they collapsed it. So who told you I was among them?
Rumpey! Rumpey!! Everywhere Rumpey!!! He complained bitterly.
Kids around attentively looks on in excited dispositions, while patiently enjoying the cool breeze as they wait for old Baba to end his discussion with Rumpey and face them with their anticipated twilight stories. Rumpey walked away: These boys are just looking for our trouble, my trouble actually. Although I was not there when the whole issue started, I am very sure boys from my community wouldn't have started that fight that day!
Well! Baba said, and seems tired of the story. He stood up picked up his bench and tries to move inside his house saying:
"You people should handle it yourselves. Its better you fix the bridges in time since you have chosen to fight over play." While the kids looked gloomy: Saying "oh no!" "No don't go" another said, while a dark skinny young lad said "This man just ruined our night!"
Cautiously, Rumpey saw some people chit-chatting, holding smoked cigarette, approaching his direction then he stood up as he spotted Scarley with them after confirming with a sharp gaze as he looked through the bushes. Immediately he says: "Later I see you old man! Scarley is my enemy. Just saw him now."
Scarley: Rumpey! From afar Scaley called.
Rumpey responded speechless in shock as it is obvious scarley had recognized him.
Scarley continued: God saved you yesterday! You better pay me my money this time. Rumpey ran away faster. You can run but you can't hide. I'll make sure I find you Rumpey. He spoke from across the bush seperated by a large river.
Bosquo cautioned scolobo: Scarley come back, leave him, and let him go. Let's finish our cigarette we don't need no distraction man. Wataguan!? Be calm. He spoke as a Rastafarian. Have you forgotten we are here, as always, waiting for him and he would have to follow this path home? General laughter. "And we have destroyed that bridge." Stop stressing yourself. He has no route to turn to, while heading to his village." And you know we only can follow this forest into their community. Guys! You guys should look out for him, he must not have access through the back of our forest that links to his community. Allow him. He can swim if he wants to. Or fix the bridge himself, if going home is a must. But following our community through. Hmm hmm!! He shakes his head. That's an error. Another commented as they puff cigarettes. From the tree another said:
The people of Okumu land are too proud. We shall deal with them. We showed them on that pitch. Bet me in due time they will leave that field for us. Hope none of us sustained injury? They individually looked for scars on their body while one of them responded: "Me? No! But Sunle is nursing his wound at home I guess." He was badly injured! If not he would have been here. I believe by now his wound would have been covered with bandages by that young girl of his. You know what I mean. Yeah, wonder, he is not here. Scolobo added: "Yes, you know, he would have been here. Scaley (Scolobo) said. Scolobo then quickly stood up and drew their attention:
Wait my father told me any moment from now the elders of Okumu land are coming to us that they would need us to fix the bridge. "I am not and won't be available." Someone objected immediately. "I won't fix any bridge." He continued. "Let them talk and engage with their citizens themselves." Another said.
"But, my fear is their reprisal attack. Because those boys are actually deadly." Scolobo sat down expressing his fears. But have no fear, they can be deadly, at least last time we over powered them and they ran. If deadly why did they run? Tunski commented asking as he allayed their fears.