You know how some compounds are designed to let water flow easily to aid drainage? Ours is like that, a spacious one, with a bit of a slope, but sadly, no effective drainage.
Normally, with the way our compound is designed, it's meant to direct rainwater to flow from the raised floor down to the entrance, then along the walkway, and finally out onto the tarred road, since there are no gutters or drainage systems in place.
However, I assume the engineers knew that allowing water to flow onto the tarred road would damage it. To prevent this, the walkway was designed with a raised elevation.
Although a small hole was made in the fence to allow water to escape, it's not wide enough for the large amount of water flowing through.
Directly behind the hole is a shallow well that collects the water. However, since the well isn't deep, it fills up quickly, causing water to accumulate at the compound's entrance, as there's nowhere else for it to flow.
It was raining heavily a month ago; in fact, a thunderclap had just struck after the lightning. The chilly breeze blew into my room, so I closed my windows, lay down on my bed, and wrapped myself in my wrapper. What a perfect weather for two!
I had barely dozed off when I heard the distant shouts and chatter of some children in the village. I stood up to check from my window, but couldn't see anyone. So, I went to open the sitting room door to check out the voices. On sighting them I exclaimed Ah!
My eyes couldn't unsee what they had just witnessed, and they were shocked to see these children playing in the heavy rain. They were right at the entrance of the compound, where the rainwater had accumulated.
The children were happily splashing around in the water, some were even swimming, and they seemed completely unbothered.
I felt a feeling of disgust: Gross, they're playing in that dirty water? Eww. I also worried about their health: These children are going to catch a cold; can't they feel the breeze? I thought to myself.
Another thunderclap struck, and I reflexively covered my ears. The sound was so loud that it felt like my soul had left my body. But these children didn't cringe, they kept on playing, completely unafraid.
Later that evening, after the rain had stopped and the children had returned home, I shared my experience with one of the locals. She listened attentively, then explained that what I had witnessed was nothing new to the children, who had grown accustomed to it. You never see anything, she added with a chuckle, speaking in pidgin.
Anyway, I wouldn't blame the children because they live in a village with a lifestyle completely different from town or city life. Unlike urban areas, the village lacks swimming pools or beaches for recreation.
In fact, some of them have never been to the city, so they may not have encountered a swimming pool. However, when heavy rainfall accumulates water at the entrance of our compound, they have their own improvised swimming pool. They eagerly seize the opportunity to dive in and enjoy the moment. What more could they ask for?
I wouldn't recommend playing in such water, but I learned a valuable lesson from the children: to create your own happiness. Although they may not have the opportunity to swim in posh pools, they still managed to joyfully play in the puddle of water at our compound's entrance, creating their own happiness.
There are many reasons to feel down and unhappy. Sometimes, situations can give you every reason to feel down. However, my dear, instead of letting circumstances rob you of your happiness, why not create your own, especially when it seems scarce?
I want to use this medium to express my heartfelt thanks to you for taking the time to read this. 🌺 💕
All images are mine
