Salim frowned as sprinkles of sawdust fell on his face while waking up in his hut.
"Curse these termites" He muttered to himself.
It's early morning in the Kalahari, Salim is a farmer, not too long ago his lands were very fruitful, He traded his millet even to neighboring villages but now due to the seemingly endless drought, his fortunes had taken a bad turn.
He stood up and yawned, filling his lungs with hot Savannah air while looking up at his depreciating roof, He had tried severally to repair it but the termite's infestation had eaten deep into his dwelling, Salim shook his head in self-pity and headed out to tend to his farmlands.
"Greetings Salim" An Old man hailed him as he walked past the village square.
"Many greetings" replied Salim with respect.
The Old man motioned him to come closer with a smile that further defined the wrinkles on his face but there was something else about his peculiar smile - like he knew something other people didn't know about. He had a mystic aura about him and everyone in the village sensed it, They all called him "Baba".
"How are you doing Salim, come take a seat with me" The Old man beckoned.
"All is not well Baba, The rains have refused to come, I might lose my hut... I think I am cursed" Salim replied while sitting underneath the tree shade.
"Hmmm..." sounded the Old man as he stroked his grey beards, at this point he had gotten accustomed to people disclosing their troubles to him, He pondered for a bit with eyes closed as if he was receiving insights from a higher source.
"You know... The tortoise might think its shell is too heavy until it is about to be eaten by the hyena then he thanks the gods for its heavy shell" said the Old man with that same peculiar smile.
Salim thought deeply about these profound words for a bit, he understood the parable but he was still unsatisfied, "why should he be grateful for his situation" he asked himself.
The Old man saw the uncertainty on Salim's face and chuckled, he dipped his hands in his pouch and handed Salim, 3 white pebbles. "Bury these pebbles at the front of your hut to ward off evil" Said the Old man.
"Thank you Baba" Salim exclaimed with cheer.
"Go well, my son," Said the Old man, He chuckled again as he watched Salim walking off to his farmlands, Although Salim was not satisfied with his words of wisdom, He is happy knowing that atleast he gave him some hope.
After a day of hard work, Salim headed back home. He quickly buried the pebble that the Old man gave him earlier, As he laid on his mat, he felt some sort of hope knowing that whatever the Baba gave him would help his fortune.
Later that Midnight, Salim went outside to relieve himself, he walked a few meters from his hut when he heard some growling, he looked in shock as he saw a hungry leopard ahead, the deadly eyes from the leopard reflecting the bright full moon.
Salim let out a scream as he ran back into his hut, he tried to shut the door behind him but he could already feel the Leopard's breath at his heels, he ran towards the ends of his hut and grabbed an old rusty shovel, He tried to scare of the leopard with loud grunts but it was of no use, the Leopard slowly walked toward Salim with its growl getting louder.
Salim heard some creaking sounds coming from the roof, but he couldn't risk removing his gaze from this predator, hot sweat rolled down his fidgeting arms, suddenly the leopard leaped toward Salim with extended claws.
At the spur of that moment, the creaking sounds from the roof grew into a loud rush, the roof that had been damaged by termites caved in and fell, a portion of the roof and sharp wood debris fell on the Leopard subduing it permanently.
Salim stood with his mouth wide open as his heart pounded away like beating drums, moments later some village youths arrived at the hut and removed the Leopard, They were all thankful for Salim's luck.
At the daybreak, even before the first light of the sun broke the horizon, Salim rushed to the Old man's dwelling.
"Thank you Baba... the pebbles you gave me worked, I was saved last night"
The Old man chuckled with his usual smile and said "Don't thank me, thank the termites"
This is a short fiction session organised by @theinkwell
