It's not every day that you meet someone who is prepared to put everything on the line for their loved ones. Jumolka village is a place where everyone is taken care of, both young and old; we eat, play, and work together until the black flies started eating our vegetation. Our food stockpiles quickly depleted, as did our normally plump leader. It was a nightmare no one could have predicted. Due to the high prevalence of hunger in the hamlet, Bade, our most revered village head, chose to travel outside of the village.
What route will you take? "enquired his wife? "With the Jabari tribe seeking for slaves for their crops, it is most definitely not safe out there; I will encourage you to stay here and let us figure out another way to survive."
"I understand your fears, Zinariya," the Chief continued, "but we've explored all options; the fish in the lake have considerably dropped since they were our primary source of food, along with animals." "If I don't go out and find a better location to farm, we might all starve."
"It's all right, Bade; I wish you well and hope you return safely,' she sobbed as she carried their infant back to the hut.
She lingered for a while, watching her husband go with nothing except a light jacket and a sack in which he carried his machete.
After three months, the famine had become even more terrible. Zinariya, like many others in the hamlet, had lost a lot of weight and had not heard from the village chief. When they heard some loud and heavy footsteps, they were digging the final tubers of yam they had saved to consume today. "Do not fear," Zaitun the younger Chief replied, "if it is the Jabari tribe's men, we will peacefully join them and serve as slaves; slavery is a lot better than dying hungry."
They didn't raise any objections this time because it was obvious that hunger could kill them. As the steps got closer, their hearts raced with fear. Zinariya was the first to rush out of the dirt in joy, despite the fact that it was a tall, slender man carrying a matchet. The Chief was there!! Everyone walked ahead to greet the Chief and eat some of the fruit he brought with him with a mixture of excitement and relief.
'These are divine,' Khin blurted out. Everyone chuckled when he said, "I haven't had berries in a million years."
"We will be transferring to a new village, that is where I have been for the past three months, it is fertile and rich," the Chief stated after everyone had had their fill. "And, above all, it is secure."
"Chief, relocating seems like a terrific idea, but where is this new place?" Zaitun wondered. He posed the question that had been on everyone's thoughts.
"Talej Forest" .
People began to mumble inaudibly, and Zaitun spoke up once more "You're well aware that the woodland is haunted and dangerous. Chief, there are wild animals who will eat us all for lunch."
"That is why I did not invite you to come as soon as I discovered the location; I have relocated the wild animals to a separate part of the forest, ensuring that our new settlement will be safe. Furthermore, we have young men who will construct a fence around our Village to ensure its safety. It's the only option we have."
It was their only alternative, and while perilous, it was the only realistic one unless they wanted to spend the rest of their lives as slaves. After a meeting that lasted 2 hours, every one went home to pack and was ready to leave the place they knew as home.
The trek began the next day, and they all walked for three days, with the men leading the way to secure everyone's safety because they lacked the energy to overcome the Jabari men. They arrived in the forest on the third day and were all terrified to step into the thicket. Bade took his wife's hand and began walking, followed by Shumi, a little kid who helps feed the communal sheep, and soon the entire village followed suit. The Village Chief was waiting for them with a basket of berries for everyone to eat when they arrived. They had no reason to go hungry again because the place was so productive.
This is my entry to A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS CHALLENGE
What I see
A man happy to have so much harvest to share with loved ones
What I feel
I feel happy to see someone willing to share whatever he has with people. No matter your harvest, eating alone doesn't satisfy