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IFEGI-OKU (WEEK 28) - "The Slaughter of the Goat" Part 4 of 5 |
WEEK 28: THE SLAUGHTER OF THE GOAT, Part 4 of 5
With one quick step, Obi bounds right in
He stoops to her level, face-to-face
"I promise nothing! Do you hear me, girl?
What now will you do to save your last mom?"
"I'd like to offer myself in her stead,"
She whispers, "For it was I whom she saved
When my father's wrath was irked."
To irk him some more she continues to stare
"If you do that, do you not know, you'd make
A mockery of her brave and noble gesture!"
"'Tis not I who would make a mockery of it, sir."
What she did not say, hangs hot in the air
At the far wall, Number Four swallows spit and
Wonders whether now the beating would begin
Her heart goes out to the brave foolish girl
Whom she'd implored to vacate her side
After what seems like an eternity
Of father and daughter staring in disunity
Obi finally stands up to his full manly height
And says rather wearily, "Fortunately,
I did not come here to battle anybody.
Nor did I come here to beat anybody.
Nor did I come here to rip and tear.
Nor did I come here to be insulted thus."
He takes the lantern from Ife's hands
Lifts it higher so it lights the room
He walks it over to its stand at the wall
Ignoring shrunken Four for the time being
He takes a seat on her numerous goatskins
Lounges there at ease as if visiting
He reads the confusion in Ifegi-oku's face
Is amused by it as he brandishes a smile
"Away now, girl. A word to your mothers:
Bid them prepare for a wonderful feast.
Bid them summon all our neighbors hither.
Five chickens and the goat must they slaughter.
"To your Senior Mother say this here:
Make the special meal enough for two,
To include Number Four in that preparation
Number Four who now is My Supreme."
The girl and the wife stare at him amazed
"Surely it's madness," proclaims Number Four
"My husband is ill, may The Gods save us!"
Immediately she kneels and rattles off prayers
"Away, Amaka!" shouts Obi impatient
"'Tis most unseemly to be repetitious!"
In a flash, Ifegi-oku is out the door
Before Obi hurls the lantern at her
(to be continued)
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