“We should go now” Kobi protested lifting the basket half filled with fish. He looked on in disapproval as his elder brother Dunmo continued to peer into the shallow waters. His spear held firmly in his right hand as he moved quietly along the bank of the stream. Although Kobi expected the sudden movement of this brother, he was still startled by the way Dunmo thrust his spear into the water. Making a loud splash. ”Ahem”, Dunmo exclaimed as he raised his latest victim and moved towards the basket to drop it.
“You do know there are consequences for fishing too much,” Kobi said as they prepared to head home.
“I don’t believe in that Boka (children folklore)” Dunmo said, as he led the way leaving the basket for Kobi to carry.
After dinner that day, Dunmo had not slept for long when found himself at the stream. But something was going on. There was music and dancing and it looked as though the people present were awaiting the arrival of a guest. He saw a damsel coming out of the stream, the damsel was beautiful like the princess of the Almagi Kingdom whom Dunmo always fantasize about. He thought to himself that he must be dreaming. Then he looked around and observed that they were just ladies present, somewhere older others young but all were adorned with beautiful jewelry, and their skin shone. As the damsel approached Dunmo he suddenly became nervous and was about to speak when a sprinkle of water on his face opened his eyes to the laughter of Kobi and his mother who had been shouting to no avail at Dunmo.
On their way to the farm that morning, Dunmo kept thinking about what he saw and how real it felt. He couldn’t tell Kobi about it as he had always told Kobi that the supernatural was a myth and was designed for kids and old men. Suddenly he heard his name, as silent as it was the voice came from a beautiful source. Dunmo could tell it was part of what happened in the night. He paused and checked a shrub by the wayside to buy time in other for him to listen to what it was that called him, perhaps even replying, he thought.
“You are delaying us, “Kobi said as he turned around to find that Dunmo has stopped a few meters behind using his feet to poke a shrub.
“Don’t I know my way to the farm? “ Dunmo retorted not happy that he was treated as if he couldn’t navigate the entire village.
Kobi simply turned and joined the rest of the party ahead who were unconcerned about what was going on behind as they talked and walked through the path. Dunmo was about to give up his wait and continue to move on when he heard it again. This time it came with a soft breeze and the tree on his left wiggled a little. Twice did the voice call out and Dunmo followed it as it moved between the tress stopping occasionally to taunt him with a giggle, a rather sweet giggle that enticed Dunmo the more. Soon, he had wandered off far from the path and deep into the forest. Then he got to a clearing and suddenly recognized it. It was the same place he stood when the party was taking place in his dreams. He looked into the empty stream awaiting the voice.
Meanwhile, Kobi and the group had arrived at the farm. Kobi looked around for Dunmo but couldn’t find him, so he told their mother who didn’t agree that there was something off with Dunmo.
“He must have gone back home,” Their mother said, “Dunmo is not a lazy type like you, maybe he is not well” she added. Kobi picked up a hoe and headed for a section of the farm murmuring something to himself.
“Ok you are hardworking” their mother shouted, joining their numerous sisters to laugh at the stomping Kobi.
Dunmo heard the voice and turned around abruptly, he had been staring at the empty stream for a while. Then there she was just as he saw in his dream. Her hair was long and curly, her skin shone even brighter than he saw previously. Then she spoke.
“You took away the beings that kept me company Dunmo” she sounded sad, “Will you keep me company now?” she added, staring into Dunmo’s eyes, this made Dunmo a little shy and he bent his head down. Then she called him again this time the voice came from behind. Dunmo turned around to see that she was in the river.
“Come, I want to show you something,” she said, Dunmo obediently stepped in, moving in the water until it got to his waist.
“Young man” another voice called from behind making Dunmo turn around to see a hunter. The man dropped the bag he was carrying and dived into the water dragging Dunmo out before the crocodile got to him. As they got on land Dunmo looked in horror as the large water animal turned back with eyes planted on either side of his head. It only submerged after swimming far from the two.