RIVER IN THE LAKE EPISODE 5

From the writer of
Nude Bed
Death after life
Cold Desert
Hot eyes
Sorrows of an Eagle
Calabash and
Shattered

No one appears to know the exact source of *river* yet it runs through all walks of life as it meanders its way along the many struggles of nature.

How far, how long, how wide can it stretch to exhibit it's commanding prowess over the storms of the day. Or shall it succumb to the harsh efforts of mother nature to subdue and collect this great water in a *lake*.

Abhynha Yankey presents

*RIVER IN THE LAKE*

EPISODE 5

Just enjoy it and sleep. I will be here till daybreak, then help you. They woke up very early in the morning with no sign of the old woman. She was gone and there were no trace of her. They got up to search for her. "Why would she promise to help them if she knew she wouldn't be able to do so?", Odeneho Kwadwo Sintim said to himself. They got fed up and came back to sit under that same big tree. It was left for them to take another decision and then a choice.

It was their second day and they hadn't gotten anywhere. They got up and decided to continue their journey. Just when they got up, a huge snake fell from the tree. They both ran back. "Nana, it looks just like the snake I saw last night. Though it was dark, I remember it had a shiny scale. I mean the old woman who helped us yesternight", Tutu said. "You mean the old woman who hel..." Before Nana could end his statement, it had already turned into the old woman. "Where were you going? I'm surprised you people do not have patience. I was lieing up there all the while watching you. Sit down and listen to me.

I wouldn't tell you what to do so don't ask me. All I'm going to do is tell you what you looking for. Now, sit down and listen to me", the old woman said. They both sat down waiting to hear and know the truth.
Without wasting much time, she went ahead to say, " I know there are many things going on in your village. Human beings are falling sick and dying strangely. Animals are also dying. As we talk, the water in your village has dried up. Your people are suffering. (They looked each other's faces as she went ahead to talk. It seems she knew more than they knew).

The problem is not far away from you. The problem is with you. Yes, you Odeneho Kwadwo Sintim. You are living with the problem and until you deal with it, your people will continue to die." "Me, how? How possible is that? I've done nothing wrong", Nana said. "My great chief, I never said you have done something wrong. All I'm saying is that you are living with the problem. In short, you are living with a stranger. That stranger is not supposed to be with you.

You have accommodated it, shelted it, fed it and now it has grown to be part of you. Until you deal with that stranger, your people will continue to die" the old woman said. She ended her statement and left. They were both surprised at her statement. A stranger in his home? There was no stranger. While they kept thinking through, Tutu made mention of Asare Bediako, odeneho's friend who came in search of greener pastures and never left. He was the only stranger there and he'd been living with them for some time.

"Yes, Tutu. You are right. He's the only stranger in our land. And that reminds me, all these calamities started befalling us few days after his arrival. Does it mean he did something against the gods before running to this place? I will deal with him once we get back. Come on, let's go", the chief said.

Title Credit: Pretty Asare Olivia

To be continued...

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