Joyce

Mum's moonlight tale

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  “ Good evening mum,” Joyce said as she reached home.

“Evening, my treasure,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“How was work today?” Joyce said.

“It was subtle. How about schooling?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Fine mum. Hope the woman came to assist you in shop,” Joyce said.

“Yes, she did. The woman's service is inviting. She is hard-working,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“In that case, that is a good testimony about her. How about the sale?” Joyce said.

“We bless God. Get indoors and serve your meal,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Okay, mum,” Joyce said.

“After you are done eating, you can then come and join me in the cooking,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I will mum,” Joyce said tiredly and went inside the house.

    After, Joyce was done eating, she dragged her legs as if she was pregnant and went outdoors.

“so soon? Why are you looking so worn out?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Mum, today’s work was tedious. We copied notes as if there was no tomorrow,” Joyce said.

“Sorry, Joyce. You know your external examinations are around the corners. You need to be taught, so you can perform brilliantly in the examinations,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“You are right mum,” Joyce said.

“I think you have to go and shower up. You also take a siesta afterwards. I will do the cooking today,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Thank you sweet mum,” Joyce said.

“You are welcome. After supper, I will tell you a moonlight tale. Work without play, makes Jack a dull boy,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Wow! I can’t wait to hear your sweet story,” Joyce said in jubilations as she walked to the bathroom.

    It is exactly 8:00pm, mother and daughter sat under a tree. Mrs. Evelyn then start her moonlight tale.

“Once upon a time, the jungle was struck with famine. All the animals grew lean, because they didn’t have any food to eat. In this intense hunger state, the king of the jungle, lion, told the town crier, squirrel to announce that he wants to see the entire animals, so that they can deliberate on the predicament ravaging the jungle, by noon.

“Good morning to you all,” the squirrel greeted after hitting the gong in his hand severally.

“Good morning, Mr. Squirrel,” the animals chorused.

“How was your night?” the squirrel said.

“Our night was good. What do you have for us this virgin morning,” the animals said.

“The king wants to see you all at the palace by noon,” the squirrel said.

“What is going on?” tortoise asked.

“Well, there is nothing to worry about. The king want to hear your perceptions on solution to the recent plight we are facing,” the squirrel said.

“That is thoughtful of our beloved king,” the goat said.

“I have delivered what I have for you all and wants to leave now,” the squirrel said.

“Thank you for the awareness. We will come at the exact time,” the rabbit said as everyone's mouthpiece.

“Okay. The king will be expecting you all,” the squirrel and left.

    At noon, all animals assembled at the king's palace. The monarch came out of his inner chamber in his regalia to attend to his subjects.

“Long live the king!” the animals said as the king came out.

“Welcome everyone. Thank you all for acceding to my call up. May the magnanimous gods show you benevolence,” king lion said.

“That is our plea,” the animals said.

“Good. Without beating round the bush, I summoned you here today so that we can tackle the predicament we are currently facing in this jungle,” king lion said.

“Okay, our beloved king,” the animals said.

“I want all of you to give in your suggestions on how to solve the phenomenon at hand. Let’s hear your point?” king lion said without referring to anyone in particular.

“My king, I have a suggestion?” the goat said.

“Turn in your ideas,” king lion said.

“I think we should go to the neighboring jungle in search of help,” the goat said and everyone laughed.

“Why the gest? The goat gave his own opinion. He should be appreciated for that.

“We are sorry, goat,” the animals said remorsefully.

“Are we in support of his idea,” king lion said.

“As everyone mouthpiece, I think the idea the goat gave is irrational. The neighboring jungles are also experiencing famine, because the rain has refused to fall there too,” giraffe said.

“Yes, king lion,” the animals succumbed.

“Okay. Who has another suggestion?” king lion said.

    The animals continued to put in their suggestions, but each suggestion was rejected. The parrot's turn finally came.

“Long live my king!” the parrot said.

“Let’s hear your suggestions?” king lion said.

“Since you know I am an arboreal animal. You also know that I can fly,” the parrot said.

“Yes, we are aware,” the animals said.

“I think I know a cat who lives on an island. He his a farmer and very wealthy. I was with him some days ago and he welcomed me with a bowl of pounded yam,” the parrot said.

“Mum, can a parrots eat pounded yam?” Joyce cuts in

“My daughter, parrots can’t eat pounded yam because of their tiny throats. This story is fictitious, so you have to accept all events and words used. Do you get me?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Yes mum, you can continue. I have learnt something,” Joyce said.

Mrs. Evelyn continued with her tale in full concentrations.

“Wow!!!” the animals exclaimed.

“How can this wealthy man be of help to us?” king lion said.

“Well, my king, the cat is very nice. I can go to him often to bring food for us all,” the parrot said.

“That is a very good idea. I hope we all accede to the parrot’s idea?” king lion said.

“Yes our king,” the animals said.

“Good. Parrot, thank you for your idea,” king lion said.

“Welcome my king. But there is only one challenge” the parrot said.

“Let’s hear it parrot,” king lion said.

“My king, you know I am very skinny and can’t carry heavy things. So, I can’t help in transporting the foods to the jungle,” the parrot said.

“You are right. So what do we do now?” king lion said.

“I think we need the service of strong animals in transporting the foods to the jungle,” the parrot said.

“Nice idea. Then we have to choose some animals who can render this service,” king lion said.

    However, the king appointed the tortoise, goat and horse to help in transporting foods to the jungle. Parrot’s idea worked. Soon, the animals were eating in abundance once again.

    One day, the tortoise went to the island alone without disclosing to anyone.

“Good afternoon, cat,” tortoise greeted.

“Good afternoon. This face looks familiar,” the cat said.

“Yeah, it is familiar. Parrot usually bring me and my friends here,” the tortoise said

“Oh! How is everyone?” the cat said.

“We are fine. Thank you for your benevolence,” the tortoise said.

“You don’t have to mention,” the cat said humbly.

“Okay, cat,” the tortoise said.

“What bring you to my abode?” the cat asked.

“Your friend, parrot, asked me to come and bring some food for the animals,” the tortoise lied.

“Oh! Why can’t the parrot, goat and others come along with you?” the cat said.

“They are engaged in the palace,” the tortoise lied.

“Okay. Let’s proceed to my farm,” the cat said.

“I am at your back,” the tortoise said as he followed the cat to the farm.

    Soon, the cat gave foods to the tortoise. The tortoise thanked the cat and left for the jungle. When the tortoise arrived at the jungle, he took all the foods to his house.

    The gluttonous and selfish tortoise, sneaked to the cat's farm from time to time to steal foods. This was unknown to the cat and the other animals.

    However, the cat noticed continuous theft on his farm. The cat went to a traditional medicine man who helped cat to prepare a charm. The cat placed the charm on his farm.

    One day, the tortoise went for his theft adventure as usual. When he got to the cat’s farm, he harvested some yams and cassavas. When the tortoise was about to leave the cat's farm, the tortoise couldn’t move again. His legs were glued to the ground. The next day, the cat went to his farm.

“So, you have been the thief stealing my produce. Nemesis has caught up with you today,” the cat said.

“Please, forgive me. I am not a thief,” the tortoise said in tears.

“You are a thief,” the cat said.

    The cat looked for a very long cane and began to wipe the tortoise. He said some spoken words alongside. After the severe beating, the cat collected the basket of yams and cassavas from the tortoise. The cat made the charm impotent and tortoise took to his heels.

    However, the parrot took the goat and horse to the cat’s house after the tortoise complained of ailment. When the parrot in company of other animals reached the cat's house, they were flabbergasted by what they heard.

   The cat narrated what transpired between himself and the tortoise. The cat also warned that they should not come for any food again. The animals were downcast state as they walked back to the jungle.

    The parrot narrated everything to king lion. The king was very angry with the tortoise. He summoned him in disguise one morning

“Morning my king, the tortoise said.

“Keep your greeting to yourself. I am in a sad mood,” king lion said.

“What is it my king? You can trust me for possible solutions to your predicaments,” the tortoise said.

“I was told you were caught on the cat's farm,” king lion said.

“No my king. I have been sick for days, the tortoise said shivering.

“Parrot! You can come out from your hideout now,” king lion said.

    The parrot came out and narrated what happened in the tortoise's presence. The tortoise started fidgeting. He attempted to run but he was apprehended by the angry and heartbroken animals.

    “Since, you have given us a bad aftermath. You will be killed and your meat will be shared among the other animals. All your family members will also be killed until tortoise comes to a extinction in this jungle.

    However, the tortoise and his family members were taken to the outskirts of the jungle. The tortoise was slaughtered alongside his family members. Their meats were later shared among the other animals of the jungle.

“That is the end of my tale,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Wow! What an interesting story,” Joyce said.

“You are right. What are the morals you've learnt from the story,” Mrs. Evelyn said

“I learned to love everyone,” Joyce said.

“In what way, Joyce? Can you buttress your point?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“If the tortoise has no disdain for the other animals, he won’t have gone to the extent of blocking the animals' source of survival,” Joyce said.

“Good, Joyce. You are correct. Any other moral?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I also learned not be gluttonous and selfish,” Joyce said.

“Good. I am glad with your answers. I want to go and sleep now, I am feeling drowsy,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Same here mum. I hope you will tell me another tale someday, right?” Joyce said.

“Yes, Joyce. Goodnight!” Mrs. Evelyn said as she walked indoors.

“Goodnight mum. No nightmares,” Joyce said and walked indoors.