Wale and the Little Moonlight

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Hypnotized, Wale found himself in a new environment. Although strange, the land was friendly with him as the inhabitants received him warmly. An all-women world? Wale was puzzled by the possibility of his current reality. "Definitely, there must men. They must have all gone to the farm, to the council meeting, or war", he thought out loud in an attempt of self-conviction.

"No men, no men", his guide retorted.

"Then where is this?" He asked curiously.

Although the strangeness of the land was soothed by the sweetness of the inhabitants' reception, Wale was still not altogether convinced to be comfortable, so in his own way, he would use every possible opportunity created by events and conversations to find out things for himself-even though he was not a man easily freightened. The women look so much like Oshunwale in height, figure, and skin colour, but their faces were all different. The different gowns they all wore also created a difference between them and Oshunwale. Oshunwale had come in the attire of Ogunta maidens not in a long cloth like these ones. In their long walk, Wale kept looking around he could only get a glimpse of Oshunwale, that way he would feel all at home. But he searched in vain.

His guide was nice but a bit stern as she never smiled at him nor spoke many words. She only kept a straight face and concentrated on the showing Wale around. Even as other ladies admired Wale with teasing words and smiles, she showed no interest in all of that. Wale noticed this and was careful with her.

"How do you procreate since there are no men, no men". Wale asked daringly.

Now response came from the guide, she kept straight face still, moving. She was not offended either. She was just not obliged to answer such questions. Wale knew he was to be more careful his words and behaviour around her.

"Where are we going?-I am tired!" Wale complained.

"We are going around the whole kingdom", she answered.

"And where does the kingdom end?" He asked, she never answered. And the kept moving.

The kingdom was nothing like any in Oduduwaland. The sky was bluer and clearer, while the trees were greener and taller. Beautiful ladies were around at every corner, path, and spot, but like men, children were absent. Waterfalls were found at every cliff, spring at every hill and mountain, while streams were scattered on the plains and valleys. Birds of different kinds in different colours sang were singing in their flight to the rhythm of the place. Flowers were lush and exceedingly beautiful filling the air with their heavenly sweet scent. No building was erected. The sun shone brighter in here, yet the atmosphere was cool and dewy. No king, no queen, yet everything was in perfect order. The inhabitants seemed to be governed by the laws of their hearts. It was a whole new world of awe for Wale. He never felt like leaving, but he didn't want to stay here alone either.

"Where is Oshunwale?" He asked out of frustration."Do you know her?".

The guide gave no response. And the kept moving. "Bring me bread and water", she stopped and  gestured at a lady by the side of the path they were treading. They both waited for the order to arrive. When the lady arrived with the meal she handed it to the guide, and the guide handed it to Wale who took grabbed it hurriedly and devoured the bread like a hungry lion feasted on its prey. He gulped the water like a deer that had panted for water for a thousand decades. The bread tasted good, better than all that he had ever eaten in Ogunta. The plate,  the cup, and the tray were made of gold. Wale was tempted to keep them.

"Come take away the plate and cup, he has finished eating". The guide ordered the lady. And they resumed their walk.

The covered some distance. They got to a place when it seemed like the clouds had come down. It was like the clouds were the boundary between this kingdom and others. With a snap of her fingers, the clouds drifted open and Wale saw the outside world. There in that world, men were fighting fierce war with strange weapons. Great number of children, women and men lost their lives in this war. Flames of fire, arrows of fire were flying everywhere. It smoked like cloud. Moved by his blood and spirit of warrior, Wale took a step to cross over, at least to rescue the women and children. But the guide restrained him, and snaped her fingers again, and the clouds rolled back, the view covered back. Wale was furious, though not with his guide but with the happening he had just seen. Sympathy for the lost lives broke him down. He looked weary. Then the guide took him by his hand and he lifted up his face, and the face he saw this time was Oshunwale's. He rushed to hug her. Then he woke up.