Joyce

The talking tree

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“Is anybody at home?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Mum, welcome,” Joyce said and walked to the sitting room.

“What are you doing?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I am reading my books,” Joyce said.

“That is good. Hope you prepared something for us to eat?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Yes mum, I prepared beans,” Joyce said.

“Good. Get me my own share of the food. I am very hungry,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Alright mum,” Joyce said and walked away.

“(Holds a plate of beans) thank you Joyce,” Mrs. Evelyn said and carried a spoon of beans.

“You are welcome ma. I hope the food tastes nice?” Joyce said.

“Yes Dr. You are a good cook,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I am blushing mum. How was today's work?” Joyce said.

“It was fine Dr,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Good. And how about the woman you hired, I hope she is still serving you well?” Joyce said.

“Yes, she is still serving well,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I hope to finish my examination soon so that I can replace her,” Joyce said.

“I pray you finish soon because I have been spending much on the hired labor,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“The examination will start by June,” Joyce said.

“Okay Joyce. Take this plate away,” Mrs. Evelyn said and Joyce took the plates away.

“Let Me go and rest,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“It is necessary mum. I will also go and continue reading my books,” Joyce said.

“Alright,” Mrs. Evelyn said and walked to the bedroom.

    Joyce reads her books while Mr. Evelyn sleeps. The sun sets and it’s time to start preparations for supper. Joyce leaves the books she is reading and walks out to gather the fire woods. Soon, she made the fire.

“Joyce, where are you?” Mrs. Evelyn said from the sitting room.

“I am outside mum. It is evening already,” Joyce said.

“(Comes out) You have made the fire?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Yes mum, I didn’t want to disturb your sleep,” Joyce said.

“That is very good. What should we cook?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I opt in for rice mum,” Joyce said.

“Is rice still in the store,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Yes mum, I have checked,” Joyce said.

“Okay. Go and bring three cups of rice,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Alright mum. I will be back in a jiffy,” Joyce said and walked away.

   Joyce comes out with a bowl of rice. She placed the bowl on the ground.

“Should we make it rice and stew?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Yes mum. It’s been long we ate that,” Joyce said.

“In that case, you will go and buy dried fishes from a vendor,” Mrs. Evelyn said and handed two hundred naira bank note to Joyce.

    Joyce runs to where dried fishes are sold. She walks back home after buying the fishes.

“This is it mum,” Joyce said and handed the dried fishes to Mrs. Evelyn.

“Alright,” Mrs. Evelyn said and put the fishes inside an empty bowl.

“Mum, let me go and bring all the ingredients,” Joyce said.

“Good,” Mrs. Evelyn said and Joyce walked away.

     Joyce came out with all the ingredients needed in the preparation of stew. She placed the ingredients beside Mrs. Evelyn.

“These are the ingredients mum,” Joyce said.

“Okay Joyce. The rice is done already. Let me take it inside while you place the pot on the fire,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Okay mum, Joyce said and placed the pot on the fire. She also poured vegetables oil inside the hot pot.

“Where is the pepper and tomato pastes?” Mrs. Evelyn said

“(Stretches her hand) this is it. Should I pour it into the hot vegetable oil?” Joyce said.

“Yes Joyce,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

    Soon, the stew is ready, Mrs. Evelyn and Joyce walk to the sitting to eat their supper.

**********

    Joyce and Mrs. Evelyn sit under a tree after supper to tell and listen to a moonlight tale.

“Once upon a time,” Mrs. Evelyn started.

“I am listening mum,” Joyce said.

“There lived an orphan called Jonathan. Jonathan lived with his aunt who had a son, Abraham. Jonathan was maltreated by his aunt.

    Mrs. Blessedness, Jonathan’s aunt called Jonathan one hot afternoon.

“You are a stupid boy. I told you to tidy the rooms before I come. What gave you the temerity to disobey my order?” Mrs. Blessedness said.

“I-I-I tidied everywhere. Abraham brought his friends, who littered the whole sitting room,” Jonathan said.

“You are a liar. Abraham!!” Mrs. Blessedness said.

“I am coming mummy, Abraham said and walked to the sitting room.

“Who littered the floor?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Jonathan didn’t sweep the floor,” Abraham lied.

“(Slaps Jonathan) liar. You think you can kill me with stress the same way you killed your parents. I don’t have a son who scatters,” Mrs. Blessedness said.

“(Cries) Mummy, I swept the floor. Abraham is lying on me,” Jonathan said.

“My son doesn’t lie useless child. Go and get a broom and sweep the sitting room. Else, I will starve you to death,” Mrs. Blessedness said and walked away.

“(Laughs sarcastically) You have not known anything. I will kill you in this house,” Abraham said and walked away.

    Jonathan swept the sitting room in tears. Mrs. Blessedness didn’t give him supper as a punishment for disobedience.

    One-day, very early in the morning, Mrs. Blessedness called Jonathan.

“Jonathan!” Mrs. Blessedness called.

“Yes mummy,” Jonathan said and walked to the sitting room.

“Are you mad? I have told you times without numbers not to address me as your mummy. The next time you call me mummy, I will cut off your head,” Mrs. Blessedness said with disgust.

“Okay ma,” Jonathan said sadly.

“Why are you gazing at me? Your dead parents didn’t teach you to greet, right?” Mrs. Blessedness said.

“I am sorry ma. Good morning ma,” Jonathan said remorsefully.

“Better. I will teach you some lessons these days. Now, go outside and get a bucket,” Mrs. Blessedness said.

“Alright mum…, Alright ma,” Jonathan said.

“You will go to the River and get water,” Mrs. Blessedness said.

“Okay ma,” Jonathan said and walked outwards.

    Soon, Jonathan reached a bush, there he saw a talking tree.

“Hello… Jonathan,” the tree said.

“What! A tree can talk,” Joyce said perplexed.

“Calm down Joyce. I have told you to always accept fictions as they are,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Okay mum,” Joyce said.

“Good.”

“Jonathan, the tree called again.

“Who knows my name in this silent bush?” Jonathan said rhetorically.

“It’s me the talking tree,” the tree said.

(Jonathan tries to run back)

“Don’t run Jonathan,” the tree said.

“This is strange. I haven’t see a tree talk,” Jonathan said.

“You are right Jonathan. I am a special tree. Now, you can see the fruits on the ground?” the tree said.

“Yes, rotten and fresh fruits,” Jonathan said.

“Good. You will take three rotten fruits,” the tree said.

“Rotten fruits? Of what use is a rotten fruit?” Jonathan said.

“Obey instructions for your own profiting,” the tree said.

“What will I do with the rotten fruits?” Jonathan said.

“Good question. When you get to the first T- junction before you get home, break the first fruits. Repeat this till you get to the third T-junction. I have presents for you,” the tree said.

“Okay talking tree. I will do just as you said. Can I go now?” Jonathan said.

“Yes, you can,” the tree said and wave its leaves.

“Thank you,” Jonathan said and walked away.

    Jonathan hurriedly fetched water from the river. He was curious to know what awaited him. Jonathan reached the first T-junction, he broke the first rotten fruit.

    Surprisingly, cars, motorcycles, tricycles and other vehicles appeared. Jonathan became happy but shocked. He chose the best car and the other vehicles disappeared.

    Soon, Jonathan reached the second T-junction and broke the second fruit. Foods appeared. Jonathan took the foods he liked and the others disappeared.

    When Jonathan reached the last T-junction, he broke the last food and beautiful houses appeared. Jonathan chose the best house and the others disappeared.

    However, Jonathan parked the car in front of the house, packed the foods from the boot and walked inside. The house was well furnished and ventilated.

    Mrs. Blessedness was not worried about Jonathan. She thought Jonathan has drown, suffocated and died in the river.

    One-day, Abraham rushed in. Mrs. Blessedness was sitting in the sitting room.

“Mummy, I saw Jonathan in a car today,” Abraham said as he entered.

“You are lying,” Mrs. Blessedness said.

“I am not lying mum. He was the one driving the car. The car is very beautiful,” Abraham said.

“Where did this boy see a car. I hope he has not joined and armed robbery group. Well, it is better he joins because I want him to die,” Mrs. Blessedness said.

“Jonathan can’t own a car mum. I guess the car belongs to another person. Maybe that person sent him an errand,” Abraham said.

“You are right Abraham. Where does that pauper get money to buy a beautiful car,” Mrs. Blessedness said.

“It baffles me. Mum, I am hungry,” Abraham said.

“Go to the kitchen and dish out your food,” Mrs. Blessedness said.

“Okay mum,” Abraham said and walked away.

    Days later, a car approached Mrs. Blessedness' house. Abraham hurriedly came out to check who it was.

“Abraham, how are you?” Jonathan said as he alighted from the vehicle.

“I-I-I am fine,” Abraham said in shock.

“Where is mummy?” Jonathan said.

“She is indoors,” Abraham said.

“Can we go in?” Jonathan said.

“Sure,” Abraham said and the duo walked in.

“Mummy!!!” Abraham said.

“Yes, I am coming,” Mrs. Blessedness said and waked to the sitting room.

“Good afternoon ma,” Jonathan said.

“Are you mad? Who asked you to sit on my couch?” Mrs.

 Blessedness said.

“Mummy, calm down,” Abraham said.

“I am sorry ma, Jonathan said and stood up to leave.

“We are sorry Jonathan. Please, pardon my mother. Sit down,” Abraham said.

“(Sits down) I am not here to show off my wealth. I have only brought this token to show appreciations for being there for me when other members of the family rejected me,” Jonathan said and handed a cheque of five hundred thousand naira to Abraham.

“Oh my God. Five hundred thousand naira! Mummy, we have arrived,” Abraham said in jubilations.

“What is going on here?” Mrs. Blessedness said in confusion.

“Actually, I now own my own cars, house and company,” Jonathan said.

“Tell me you are joking,” Mrs. Blessedness said and started displaying signs of madness.

“Mummy, what is going on?” Abraham said and hold Mrs. Blessedness in the hand.

    Mrs. Blessedness prevented Abraham form holding her hand. She ran out of the house afterwards. Abraham tried to follow her.

“Leave her alone Abraham. She will come around someday,” Jonathan said.

“Okay,” Abraham said with a teary voice.

“Take good care of yourself. (Removes a card) This is my house address, you can come at your convenience,” Jonathan said and walked out.

    Two days later, Abraham picked the card and walked out with the intention of tracing Jonathan’s house. After much aborted trials, Abraham saw someone who ushered him to Jonathan's house.

“Hello, who is at home?” Abraham said standing in front of the door.

“Hold on, I am coming,” Jonathan said and opened the door.

“Good morning Jonathan,” Abraham said.

“Good morning. Please, come in” Jonathan said and walked Abraham into the sitting room.

“(Looks everywhere) Your sitting room is beautiful,” Abraham said and sat down.

“Thank you Abraham. I was about leaving the house before you came in. How are you doing?” Jonathan said.

“I am fine, Just worried about the current state of my mother,” Abraham said sadly.

“Don’t worry Abraham, mummy will be fine. Will you mind burger and yoghurt?” Jonathan said.

“ No, I won’t mind,” Abraham said.

“Okay. Just a minute,” Jonathan said and walked to the refrigerator.

“(Collects the burger and yoghurt) thank you very much,” Abraham said.

“You are welcome. Feel at home,” Jonathan said.

“Okay,” Abraham said as he eats.

“I want you to further your education,” Jonathan said.

“Wow! That is thoughtful of you Jonathan,” Abraham said.

“Good. Since you have concur, I will fund your education into a prestigious University,” Jonathan said.

“Alright. May the Lord bless you,” Abraham said jubilantly.

“Amen. I want you to keep the house in good state till I come,” Jonathan said and stood up to leave.

“Okay. Where are you going to?” Abraham said.

“I am the chief executive officer (CEO) of sss building company so I am going to work?” Jonathan said.

“Really? Congrats” Abraham said.

“Thank you very much,” Jonathan said and walked outwards.

    However, Jonathan sent Abraham to the University and took Mrs. Blessedness to a psychiatric hospital.

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

“Wow I love the story. If I were Jonathan I would have left Mrs. Blessedness and Abraham to suffer,” Joyce said.

“That is very bad. Do not pay evil with evil. The Bible tells us to pray for our enemies, have you forgotten?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I still remember mum,” Joyce said.

“So Joyce, tell me the morals you have learnt from this tale,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I learned that we should endure unpleasant phenomenon,” Joyce said.

“Can you buttress your point?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“If Jonathan was not enduring enough, he would have run away from Mrs. Blessedness' house and would have missed his destiny,” Joyce said.

“Wow! That is intelligent of you. Are you promising me now onwards to be enduring?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Yes mum. Besides, I have exhibited endurance in the time past,” Joyce said.

“In that case, keep it up. Do not be weary,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Okay mum,” Joyce said.

“ What other moral have you learnt?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I learned to love my enemies and forget the past,” Joyce said.

“That is good Joyce. I am feeling drowsy already,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I am also feeling drowsy mum. Let’s go and sleep,” Joyce said.

“Alright. Have a good night rest and no nightmare,” Mrs. Evelyn said and stood up.

“You too mum,” Joyce said and the two walked to the room.