If you've ever been around my school in Awka or Awka it's self, you'll know that monkeys are almost part of campus life. It's not unusual to see them jumping from trees, walking along rooftops, or even trying to snatch food from unsuspecting students.
One afternoon, I was in my lodge with a few friends, relaxing after lectures. We were chatting and laughing when one of my friends suddenly burst into the room, looking completely terrified.
"There's a chimpanzee inside the house!" she shouted.
For a split second, everyone froze.
Knowing how common monkeys are around our school, it didn't sound impossible. Without thinking twice, some of us jumped onto chairs, while others rushed toward the door, trying to figure out where the animal was hiding.
The room was filled with panic. Everyone kept asking, "Where is it? Where did it go?"
Then, my friend couldn't hold it in anymore. She burst into laughter.
"It was just a joke!" she said between laughs.
The silence that followed lasted only a moment before everyone started laughing too. We couldn't believe we had fallen for it so easily.
Although we were slightly annoyed, we couldn't stop laughing at ourselves. It became one of those unforgettable hostel moments that we still joke about whenever we gather.
Looking back, I realized how quickly fear can make us believe almost anything, especially when it involves something we're already used to seeing. Thankfully, that day, the only wild thing in the house was our imagination.