"hurry, don't stand there watching an empty space . Aim better next time" said Efo Gameli.
Right behind him was Senyo , a sixteen years old boy , with a dark skin and brown hair.
Senyo sighs " That would've been the second one this morning "
"The second one in thirteen shots" Efo Gameli scoffed cutting a stray grass off his way, throwing it up with his cutlass into the bush .
" huh! you were counting? " Senyo asked surprised.
" No , you kept saying 'oh God '. That's how I know you missed a shot " Gameli laughs .
Efo Gameli is a farmer in the Ewe's village of Afiadenyo. He is a father of Three , Senyo being the eldest.
" you know , at times I wonder what exactly you want Sogbolisa to do anytime you miss a shot" he continued "can you allow him to rest a bit? you are not his only child, I am too " he teases.
They both laughed.
" Why then does he watch me miss a shot anytime I aim at birds " Senyo asked taking a stone from his sack. The sack was made from strong thin ropes and from the skin of a deer . It hangs across his neck and his shoulder. He put the stone in the sling and aimee at a bird, he held the wooden part of the sling with his right hand and pulled the elastic part which has the stone in it with his left hand . He closed his left eye and when when he was ready , released the stone. The stone missed the bird by a hair's breath and the birth chirped , flying away .It's a bird with a yellow feathered body and a black feathered head ,looking like a weaver bird but slightly bigger and different .
" you see? you could see I aimed very well but still , I didn't manage to land a hit on that bird" he complained
"Senyo, Sogbolisa provides food , he doesn't serve food. It's your duty to be able to aim properly and shoot down a bird , not the duty of Sogbolisa to direct your aim, son " Gameli said looking back at his son . He cut another grass again and threw it up with his cutlass into the bush . "Nothing comes easy and you know that , don't take credit for the good things ,and blame Sobgolisa for your misfortunes. It's not right , understood?"
Senyo noded understandably " you know , at times, I also do wonder what exactly the grasses on the way has done to you to be cut down every single minute " he laughed.
Gameli who was just about to cut down another grass stopped , and laughed " If I don't cut them down, they grow and decide to take the walkway. So it's better to deal with the problem where it is than allowing it to become a real threat before trying to deal with it .It's harder the later way ." he lectured .
"anha " Senyo exclaimed .
Efo Gameli increased his pace and exclaimed " now, let us hurry up and gather some food before the women arrive"
"The women, and a man actually " senyo replied pacing up.
"hahaha , yes , and a man "
.....
Back at Efo Gameli's home
Daa Ama , the wife of Efo Gameli, and the mother of Senyo was in the kitchen when a young girl entered the compound with a pot of water on her head .
"see you at the square in the evening, Akpene" The young girl exclaimed, seemingly talking to someone at the entrance of their compound.
" see you" Akpene replied, continuing to her house, Two compounds away from Efo Gameli's.
"Fafa, hurry up and eat and let us take your dad and brother's food to them" Daa Ama said Loudly from inside the kitchen .
" No Ma , let's go, I'll eat with them in the farm." The girl replied pouring the water into a bigger pot in front of the kitchen and sighing .
This is Fafali , fifteen years old , and the only girl child of Efo Gameli and Daa Ama, and the second child. The last one being Mawuli , who is three years old and is in the kitchen busily nibbling at his rice and Abobi stew.
Fafa cleaned the sweat on her face with the rag in her hand and went to sit besides her mother in the Kitchen .
" Let us go early Ma or Senyo will say he's tired and that he can't go to the bird hunting with me again ." She said
" I wonder what the reason is that a girl is so interested in hunting this much" Daa Ama exclaimed.
" mama , It's fun and I enjoy the look on Senyo's face when I kill a bird and he does not. " Fafa replied giggling "remember the day I even killed that squirrel , Senyo said Sogbolisa likes me and would marry me if I die and become a spirit so he's showering me with gifts "
"Senyo and his issues with Sogbolisa " Daa Ama sighed "May Sobgolisa have mercy on him . He's a good boy despite he doesn't really take our worship serious "
"of course he is , and a good brother too " Fafa replied
" and a good son " Daa Ama added.
"Mawuli , it's okay let's go ,you'll go and eat the rest in the farm .Papa and Sese are starving by now " Fafa exclaimed , carrying. the food. "let's go ma "