OUT OF BONDAGE(a flash fiction by Sunsampaul Egwu)

    There was a certain rainy season that swept the joy of many inhabitants of a dilapidated village, their huts were swallowed by flood, their properties destroyed, like a dream in their eyes; the roofs left its root to another hood. Some were slightly noticed to be flying over the air. It was indeed a terrifying and terrible experience for Uchenna and his brothers, whose Uncle lives in Port Harcourt; yet he had been adamant in helping them.

       Uchenna and his brothers being orphans, passed through excruciating pains in the chronic hands of poverty. They lost their parent at a tender age. And every since then their Uncle refused training them.

      Uchenna being the senior among his two brothers, decided to travel to Port Harcourt to live with his Uncle, so he can be able to send some money for his brothers as he work. His Uncle agreed after he read Uchenna's letter. Unknowingly for Uchenna that he will be use as slave and maltreated to the core.

    When he got to Port Hacontaining s Uncle didn't put him in any of his shops or businesses. He started using him as house maid to wash dishes and do all house chores including cooking and washing the toilets. As if that was not enough. The wife always beat him up each time he woke up late for the Day's chores. This maltreatment continues and Uchenna was not happy with it. Due to he barely eat enough food. After cooking it, his Uncle's wife will hide the pot of food for him not to eat.

   He bothered how his brothers will be fairing in the village. He decided to write back home to one of the village Elder he entrust his brothers to, he explained to him why he haven't sent any money back home to care for his brothers as promised. He further explained how his Uncle and wife maltreat him, that he is living in bondage. No freedom and they use him as slave while their children enjoys and mock him. Mazi Kenneth read the letter and write back to Uchenna, assuring him his brothers are well taken care of. Mazi being a kind man, though he has no riches. He assured him that he'll take him out of bondage, that life and kindness isn't about riches. That he'll save him before they cause harm to his health, because health is better than wealth.

    Two days later Mazi travel to Port Harcourt in the early cry of the cock. He reported the case at the police station close to Uchenna Uncle's house. After reporting to them about the case at hand; that it is child abuse for such age of Uchenna to be maltreated by his own Uncle. He further lamented that they are at the height of killing the little boy, due to the little boy is fourteen years old, striving to help his little brothers because  they are orphans.

    Three police men followed him and entered the apartment of Uchenna' Uncle with Mazi and found the Uncle flogging Uchenna mercilessly while his children mock him. They caught his wife with a saucer containing grounded pepper and white substance which was noticed she used it on Uchenna's eyes and face that made his face white as her husband randomly flog him. They were all arrested and charged for child abuse.

     Uchenna was taken to hospital he was properly treated and his brother were properly taken care of by Mazi. When he was discharged, he registered his appreciation on Mazi who delivered him out of bondage. Mazi decided to take him and his brothers as his children, while his Uncle and wife face the full wrath of law.

©Sunsampaul Egwu Philosopher
Sunsampaul4globe@gmail.com
+2348180861170
14:07:16
10:14am

ONCE UPON A TIME(a poem by Sunsampaul Egwu)

Once upon a time;
Father will always take a selfie with son.
Now father and son contest for height,
When the night is gone and next comes the light.

Once upon a time;
Milk and honey flowed in our surroundings.
Our peace wasn't thorned into pieces,
We didn't sleep with one eye open, but we slept in peace.

Once upon a time;
Rats and mosquitoes were not our neighbours.
We were all united; even in our labours,
Our hearts were not raped by boom boom sound.

Once upon a time;
We were all our brothers keeper.
Robbers doesn't rob day and night,
The old told us tales by moonlight,
When it was night we use candle light.

Once upon a time;
Parents lived to see their children's children.
Our eyes didn't cry out a river,
Parents didn't burry their children nor shiver.

Once upon a time;
We didn't live with looters.
Our leaders were the servant and knights,
They served us with all their might.

Once upon a time;
We paid homage to old ones.
We bowed as we greet them,
We didn't keep hands in pocket as they advice us.

Once upon a time;
There was no sex before marriage.
We didn't taste her secret pot before saying 'I do',
We didn't flirt around with different ladies having one as boo.

Once upon a time;
We didn't kill to make money.
We didn't trick to get position nor honey,
We always wished our neighbour safe journey.

Once upon a time;
Our daughters didn't return home with unwanted pregnancies.
They didn't open their legs for boys to taste and see,
They didn't surrender their lips to be licked, neither did they go for D and C.

Once upon a time;
These were the words found in my father's book.
This was the poem he left for me to take a look,
These were the syllables his father carved out for him to hook.

©Sunsampaul Egwu Philosopher
Sunsampaul4globe@gmail.com
+2348180861170
14:07:16
10:46am

THE RIVER DIED(a poem by Sunsampaul Egwu)

The river died
When the fishes we kill
No longer swim with skills
And too weak to swim deep
For the fear of sighting a heep

The river died
When Titus sucked her dry
And children jumped in after giving a pry
Mothers washed clothes that are dirty
And Fathers placed their foot that are filthy

The river died
When the hummingbirds lied
And the hissing animals cried
For the many atrocities
That happen in our local cities

The river died
When the greatest iroko
Fell down imperceptibly at eko'
And its widely spread branches
Were heard making a sound called branch-hiss

The river died
When the hungry shark
Swallowed the dark looking spark
Who passed through excruciating pains
So his descendants can reign

The river died
When Ikenna pour out his spittles
That were not little
They deflowered the river
And made it shiver
Like a dying diva

The river died
When its surface became a tide
And the wind decided  to hide
From the reminiscent gong that travel by night
And the tales hidden at moon light

The river died
When Ikechukwu failed to strive
The moment destiny arrived
Yet he decided to build his pride
That made people took him for a ride

The river died
When it travelled to north and never returned
Even after many ships turned
She was found dead clustered with thorns

©Sunsampaul Egwu Philosopher
Sunsampaul4globe@gmail.com
+2348180861170
27:06:16
11:34am

SHAKESPEARE(a poem by Sunsampaul Egwu)

He was as old as the old rugged cross,
Even though his voice sounded like that of Rick-Ross.
He's still very strong and vibrant in action.
His words make proper direction.

His punchlines punched our minds to follow his land mark,
Our subconscious minds were made conscious; glory we didn't lack.
We now write with his hands,
Hopefully to be by his right hand.

He never came to fight,
But he left as a knight.
He never fought with guns and spear,
But with his words called Shakespeare.

Aye! he still lives in us,
Even though he never traveled by horse.
His accent is so decent,
It sounded same as a new saint.

His pen of wisdom, I'll suck,
His prowess never get stuck.
I'll find my idiosyncratic prowess in his vein,
So I too can live and reign.

©Sunsampaul Egwu Philosopher
Sunsampaul4globe@gmail.com
+2348180861170
12:07:16
04:52pm

SING ALONG WITH ME(a poem by Sunsampaul Egwu)

Sing along with me
That solemn song of sorrow
So we shall have a better tomorrow
And let's every evil arrow
That is sent to our marrow
Never get to us today or tomorrow

Sing along with me
That joyful song of praise
So our voices will be raised
And let the heaven hearken to our cry
And come down to give a pry

Sing along with me
That lovely song called lullaby
So our night we be like that of a baby
Even the when our hearts are troubled
We shall never grumble

Sing along with me
That song we always sing at war
So our enemies will never rejoice over us
But victory will be rendered to us
As our voices yearn for glorious victory

Sing along with me
That peaceful song of peace
So our lives will be at ease
No matter the bomb blast and sound of a siren
That make our environment not to be serene

Sing along with me
That song of unity
So there'd be no segregation
No religious diversity
And no tribalism
So that peace will reign
And justice will prevail

©Sunsampaul Egwu Philosopher
Sunsampaul4globe@gmail.com
+2348180861170
25:06:16
01:15pm

MUMMY WHY(a flash fiction by Sunsampaul Egwu)

   Henry was only twelve years old when his mother died of  cervical cancer. CC as it is mostly called by Umunze inhabitants; it is said to have been the disease that killed most of the women and girls in Umunze. Henry and his only brother Gabriel were left to be trained by their poor father. Their late mother has been the bread winner of the family before she died. Mr Njoku, Henry's father lost his job six years ago and ever since then he has been finding it difficult to get another job.

     Henry decided to stop schooling so he can assist his father in putting food on their table. He contemplated into working as house help. After discussing it with his father. His father agreed and so Henry decided to give it a start

     Henry got a job as a house help in the subsequent week. He was working in the house of Mr. Elias Nwafor, who happens to be a good man, though he travelled after employing him. Mrs. Elias happens to be a wicked woman who find pleasure in maltreating Henry. Henry still took her as mother, no matter her hatred to him. Less than a month she added many scars and stripes on Henry's skin that made his skin look like that of a zebra.

    The children of Mrs. Elias barely do anything in the house. The torture became worse to the extent she barely feed Henry. Henry always sleep in the small apartment given to him and at the end of the month, after collecting his salary he always send 50% to his father to train his younger brother and take care of himself. Henry will save the remaining for future use. Henry never mentioned how he has been maltreated by Mrs. Elias to anyone not even his father. Each time he returned home by month end the for weekend visit, his father always ask him about the scars on his skin but he always lied to cover up the truth in its root.

   One day when Mr. Elias returned, one of his younger sons reported to him how their mother always beat Henry and that she's guilty of child abuse according to what their teacher taught them in school. Mr. Elias confronted his wife who blatantly denied the allegation. She continued her wickedness to Henry each time she is alone in the house with him.

   Though the little boy always take her as his mother and call her mother, but she's not comfortable with him calling her mother. She bit him the more telling him to go look for his dead mother. Her wickedness became obvious that the husband easily notice it each time he returns from work and neighbours began to notice it each time they hear the scream of Henry. She decided to remove Henry from the house since the husband now have great love for Henry. Mr. Elias noticing this maltreatment, enrolled Henry in a good school to continue his education which brought out the devil in his wife.

    One day after she finished preparing dinner, all the family are on the dinning eating. Henry was in his room reading. Though Mr. Elias travelled for two days meeting. She served Henry his food in his room which she had already poisoned. But Henry decided that he will eat after studying. One of the sons of Mrs. Elias entered Henry's room as he always do to play with him but Henry told him he's studying. Danny as he's called decided to taste Henry's food. He said "Henry can I taste your meal, it seems mum even added enough meat for you today, can I as well take a bite" Henry who didn't know the secret behind Mrs. Elias food, gave Danny a go ahead. And Danny started eating the food. After he took a full spoon the third time. He started screaming and vomiting blood and he died almost imperceptibly. Then the mother rushed in, she found Danny lying  dead with his mouth clustered with blood. She accused Henry of killing her son. She wept , wept and wept bitterly. Henry was astonished and devastated.

   The sad news get to Mr. Elias who immediately took the next flight. On getting home he found police arresting Henry. He knew Henry can't do such a thing. He threatened his wife to confess and say the truth since she cooked the food and Henry haven't touched the food then she killed her son. She became speechless and tears gushed out from her eyes. She didn't know when she muttered in her words saying " I didn't know Danny will eat Henry's food. I prepared it for henry to eliminate him, please forgive me". Having heard her confession the police took her away and Mr. Elias with tears hugged Henry. And decided to train henry and his brother as his own  children

©Sunsampaul Egwu Philosopher
Sunsampaul4globe@gmail.com
+2348180861170
25:06:16
02:22pm

IKENNA RETURNED WITH A ZEBRA(a flash fiction by Sunsampaul Egwu)

      It was a rainy Sunday evening in the village of Umayi  in Enugu state. The village happens to be a poor village as many famers, hunter, and traders are living in poverty no matter their hustles. Ikenna is a little boy, the son of  Ikechukwu one of the fearless and skillful hunters in Umayi. That Sunday it rained heavily as the roof of every huts were found combating with the sky. The sound made by the rain was terrifying as the rain whip many youths  who were still playing football outside; not minding the cold that will batter them thereafter.

    Ikenna was only eleven years old and his mother and father were the only one that care for him. He loves the work of his father who his growing old due to he had late issues. Everyday Ikenna will watch his father Ikechukwu practice his hunting skills at the back of their hut. The little boy always gave a pry to learn from his father. Subsequently he continued without his father's notice.

     One day Ikechukwu went to hunt but his trap didn't trapped any grass cutter nor did he set his eyes on any animal. He was devastated and weak when he returned home, which made the family slept without eating. This made Ikenna sobber, he contemplated telling his father to teach him his hunting skills and give him the paraphernalia he needed for hunting. He later slept that night with this thought in his mind.

      At the early crow of the cock, Ikenna woke up and before his father could set his gun, traps, paraphernalia and hunting bag to go hunter, he went to him " father I've watched you hunt all the time and last night you didn't come back with any which gave us no option than to sleep without dinner, father I desire to assist you in hunting" he said. Inexhaustibly Ikechukwu looked him in his eyes like he was going to devour him, he did that to see if his boy has bravery in him, then he said "my boy; hunting doesn't make you a hunter, I want you to be a hunter before you join me in hunting, so don't worry when you get to the rightful age I'll groom you to be a skillful and fearless hunter than me". Ikenna smiled knowing he'll win his father's heart with his next word, without any hesitation in order for his father not to quickly hurry to the bush he said to him " If Ikechukwu didn't teach Ikenna his son how to hunt who will fire his gun when he's gone or who will check his trap when he's trapped."

      Hearing this Ikechukwu laughed loudly and said to his son " Okay my boy; you just proved that your words isn't that of a child but an adult, now listen. Firstly you must be brave, fearless, skillful, and humble, then you must always practice the hunting skill not to get killed by some wild animals, lastly you must be vigilant. They both smiled and Ikechukwu took Ikenna to hunt with him. That day, they both returned with two grass cutters each.

    Ikenna wasn't satisfied he wanted to be the greatest hunter that will return with what no one had caught. He went to a bush in the other close to his village; the village happens to be knowns as Ukachi. In the subsequent day. That hot afternoon while he was in the bush he saw some animals fighting. Then he fired his bullet and it hit the Zebra on the left leg. The other animals which were kangaroos, deer and antelopes took to their heels. Ikenna was lucky the wildest animals like lions, elephants, and tigers, wasn't among. Though he was brave and skillful. He dragged the Zebra out of the bush and summoned two hunters to assist him. They were astonished due to his age but they assisted him by taking the Zebra to his village which happens to be close to Ukachi village.

     Seeing Ikenna and two hunters, the villages of Umayi were afraid but when they enquired from one of the hunters carrying the Zebra with him they became amaze, and many started singing and praising the little Ikenna for being the first to return home with a Zebra. Many who held the song, quickly join the movement. His father saw him and smiled he was speechless, then he hugged Ikenna and tears of Joy rolled down his chin. The poor mother said "Indeed Ikenna is now stronger than his father though like father like son," and the crowd laughed and all went happily spreading the great news.

©Sunsampaul Egwu Philosopher
Sunsampaul4globe@gmail.com
+2348180861170
27-06-16
09:38am