GRASS TO GRACE

CHAPTER ONE

CHILDHOOD

       It was not yet 5 am and Kunle was already out of bed to begin the day’s chores. This he does everyday being the first son of a poverty stricken family of four, resident in a small Cottage house on the outskirts of the ancient Ijekun hamlet. The hamlet was one of the smallest in Ogun state, a state in the western part of Nigeria. It was a hamlet characterized by huge rocks, hills, mountains; streams, rivers and springs. Its vast vegetation supported by the tropical climate of the country, and region, was composed of gigantic Iroko and Mahogany tress. The fertile soil produced prolific plants like Elephant grasses, carpet grasses, pines, weeds; and crops like yam, cassava, plantain and corn. It was a hamlet that still believed in the existence of gods that controlled human life and the seasons of the year, in spite of the introduction of Christianity and God to Nigeria and Africa by the whites. Some of these gods were Shango, the god of thunder and lightening, Ogun the god of iron and perhaps, vengeance and Oya, the mother of all children, responsible for fertility. Kunle, a dynamic young boy of fifteen is tall, dark-skinned and muscular-bodied; a physique made more noticeable by his thinness. His chiseled face was projected by his thich lips, dainty nose and starry eyes. Born and raised in Ijekun, Kunle was of Yoruba origin, an ethnic group that formed one of the major ones in Nigeria; Kunle’s fatherland. Mr. Taiwo, Kunle’s father, a vibrant and energetic man of average height, in his late forties, whose face had been wrinkled from years of laborious farming, and skin made darker from the heat of the tropical sun, is a farmer who works so hard to provide for his family. Mrs. Iyabo, his wife, a diligent slender-bodied, chocolate-skinned woman in her late thirties, is a trader of multifarious food items at the town’s main market. She is also as industrious as her husband and cares a lot for her family. Bisi, Kunkle’s sister, a young chocolate-skinned, slender-bodied girl, two years younger than Kunle, with much resemblance to her mom, is a student of the reputable Ijekun town Grammar school,as well as Kunle her brother. She is as pretty as her mum, with same features of glowing eyes, smooth skin, but acne-sprinkled face, an almost pointed nose, dainty ears and full, brightly-colored lips. She and Kunle are both studious and hardworking like their parents, hoping that someday through them poverty would be eradicated from their family.

       Growing up as a child, Kunle had always learnt to be obedient, respectful, humble and hardworking as these he believed were the only way to success in life. This he learnt from his parents whose hard work had always put food on their table. He and his sister would wake up early each morning to carry out all house hold chores and get prepared for school. Owing to the love they had for their mother, they would assist her in carrying her goods to the market before leaving for school.

       On Saturdays, Kunle goes to work on the farm with his father after doing his laundry, while Bisi helps her mother with the cooking. With the little knowledge he had acquired from elementary Agricultural science, Kunle had already started a Pepper and Tomato nursery in a small piece of land just besides his father’s farmland. The produce he sold in the local market during the holidays to help out in the family. On his farm, Mr. Taiwo planted various food crops like Yam, Plantain, Cassava, Potatoes and Vegetables, and fruits like Orange, Mangoes, Avocado pear, and Paw-paw.

        Unlike most children of his age, Kunle’s childhood was not all about mischievous deeds of sneaking into people’s compounds to pluck their fruits, stealing books from the school’s library, accompanying other boys to destroy and collect fruits from the school’s farm and all of those other childhood mischiefs. He was rather an adventurous kid who was always fascinated about discoveries and unraveling of mysteries which was one of the reasons he choose to be in the science class and eventually a Surgeon upon his graduation from the university.

          This adventurous nature of his was made evident when he crossed to the neighboring village all alone in a small wooden boat, all in search of the young of a Chameleon which his school intended using as a specimen for a Biology practical class. Ms. Joy, Kunle’s Biology teacher had just finished a class on Vertebrates, specifically the group Reptilia and informed the class of the forthcoming Biology practicals on Reptiles and that the specimen to be used would be that of a Chameleon.

             “But there is a problem” she said.

               “And what could that be?” inquired Abayomi, Kunle’s closest friend who was also one of the top brains in class.

                “We don’t have the specimen in the school’s laboratory” replied Ms. Joy

                 “What do we do now since the school authority has promised to purchase more materials by next month?” she continued with a question, looking worried.

                  “I think I can help you get it from one of the neighboring villages” Kunle replied abruptly to the surprise of the class.

“Are you sure?” Ms. Joy asked surprisingly.

  “Yes madam, i-it’s a promise” Kunle replied.

  “Okay then, we are counting on you, but please be very careful” Ms. Joy warned.

  “How do you intend to get the young of a Chameleon?” Abayomi asked Kunle on their way home.

    “Well, I know of a hunter in the village next to ours who can help me get it” Kunle replied.

     “That means crossing the Idowa River” Abayomi said.

     ‘Yes off course” replied Kunle in a confident tone.

     “But that wouldn’t be easy you know” Abayomi added.

     “Come on, don’t you know me anymore, I will do it. Trust me” Kunle replied.

     “Okay then, but just be careful” abayomi advised Kunle. The two theb parted ways.

            The day following was a Saturday, Kunle got up earlier than usual and quickly finished his house hold chores and off he went leaving his father with the impression that he was going to work on the farm. He told his father not to bother coming as he and some of his friends had agreed to do the work.

         “That’s okay” said Mr. Taiwo, but ensure you come home in good time” he added.

          “Yes father” Kunle replied.

         On the contrary, Kunle was heading for the Idowa River. There he had a boat which he intended using tied to a Guava tree. Kunle had paddled safely to Ebutemetta which is the village next to the Ijekun hamlet. Fortunately, he met the hunter who gave him the Chameleon and advised him to wait until evening when the sea will be pacific before going home.

             “No Sir!” Kunle said.

             “I thank you for everything, but I have to rush back home. I’ll take care of myself” he added.

              “Alright, but please very cautious” replied the hunter.

        Kunle set-off for his village with the thought of getting to the farm in good time and doing some work before going home at dusk. But as fate had it, the adventurous kid was about having an unforgettable lifetime experience. He was only a few miles away from his village when a turbulent wave arose. This frightened the young boy to the point he forgot all the skills his father had taught him on how to deal with such waves when paddling.

        The boat was soon becoming heavy with water and Kunle was almost drowning but he still held tight to the bag in which he put the Chameleon. Although he was a proficient swimmer, Kunle was overwhelmed by the intensity of the waves. Fortunately however, Kunle landed safely but unconscious and water- filled close to the shores of his village after being tossed countless times by the river.

           Kunle’s parents and sister were already getting really frantic over the where about of their son. Mr. Taiwo had earlier sent a search team to comb through every nook and crannie of the farm and bush until they found him, but the group came back without any trace of Kunle. Kunle’s family stayed awake all night crying over their missing son.

           Early the next morning, there was a knock on Mr. Taiwo’s door. It was Ajala, a fisherman who lives some kilometers away from Kunle’s house. Mr. Taiwo frantically ran to open the door without asking who it was. This was unlike him.

              “Good morning Mr. Taiwo” said Mr. Ajala, carrying Kunle’s unconscious body.

              “G-g.good morning Mr. Ajala” spluttered Mr. Taiwo.

              “What happened?” he asked.

              “Hmm, I was just paddling along the Idowa River, casting my net, when from a distance I saw a lifeless body lying on the shores of our village. I became afraid and immediately pulled over to see who it was. Then I realized it was Kunle your son; I was surprised and frightened still and quickly carried him and headed for your house. Here is your son. He is breathing and I was able to get rid of the water he swallowed, but he is still unconscious. It will take some time for him to gain unconsciousness and please don’t be too hard on him. And lest I forget,here also is a bag I found on him. I have to go back to work. I will stop over at dusk to find out what really happened” Mr Ajala finished.

               “Thank you very much and Olodomare bless you and give you your biggest catch today” Mr. Taiwo said gratefully.

              “So shall it be” Mr. Ajala said.

              “Thank you as well, I’ll be on my way now” he added.

        Ms. Iyabo was elated when she saw her son, but was frightened at first; thinking he was dead when her husband walked into the house carrying his supposedly lifeless body. She was however pacified by her husband’s account of what Mr. Ajala told him. Kunle was later resuscitated and was served breakfast. He later told his family all that happened and apologized for lying. He was terribly scolded by his parents, but was however commended for his adventurous deed by Bisi, his sister.

       Fortunately and surprisingly, Kunle found the bag containing the Chameleon, and it was still alive. This was like a reward for all he went through. He took to school on Monday morning and was commended by Ms. Joy and Abayomi for keeping his words. He later narrated the story to Abayomi who advised him to put a limit on his adventures, which he off course had no other option than to do.