"NA MY PAPA THIEF AM", SAID THE BOY
I listened with solemnly with pity as the father of Tegwolo (not real name) laid thick curses on his first son. He remonstrated to me how he has tried his 'best' to raise his now cursed son properly, to the best of his ability.
I listened with solemnly with pity as the father of Tegwolo (not real name) laid thick curses on his first son. He remonstrated to me how he has tried his 'best' to raise his now cursed son properly, to the best of his ability.
Tegwolo is the everyday headstrong Nigerian child found in every home: a veteran delinquent. His dad used to be a 'game boy' in his days as a young person - a promax delinquent with premium contents for stubbornness: he stole everything at the slightest opportunity.
Mr Tumuch (Tegwolo's father) has a penchant for making things disappear whenever he is around - be it money, things capable of being stolen. Things just disappear whenever he is reasonably believed to be around. This has been the situation of things from the beginning.
Tegwolo grew learning everything from his father: the good, the bad and the ugly. Being a child that grew up in a 'family' compound, that had its thorny influence on him, he turned out to be a brutish version of his father. "The Bar, this boy too dey disgrace me", says Mr Tumuch.
On several occasion, Mr. Tumuch always made it know that Tegwolo was no longer his son: "I curse and disown you. Tegwolo, you are no longer y son." Two days ago, Mr Tumuch stole his younger brother's petrol and sold same to get medication for his last child battling with malaria.
When the evening of that day came, there was commotion about missing petrol. Unmoved by the present situation, Mr. Tumuch was more concerned about his child, and not the deeds preceding the commotion nor missing fuel. Tegwolo, watched from the sides and took copious notes.
On a special Sunday of that year, Mr. Tumuch and his family were starving. No food. No money. Mr. Tumuch entered his younger brother's room, took a sachet of water and drank same. No one was around. Because it was a Sunday, resolved to steal nothing.
On a special Sunday of that year, Mr. Tumuch and his family were starving. No food. No money. Mr. Tumuch entered his younger brother's room, took a sachet of water and drank same. No one was around, but Tegwolo. Because it was a Sunday, resolved to steal nothing.
Worried by the situation in his house, Tumuch left his house in search of what his wife and children will eat. God smiled on him: for unknown reasons, someone gave him N4,000. He was more than happy. He came back home, gave his wife N2,000 to make food.
Seeing that his father was out of sight and hearing, Tegwolo entered his uncle's house and stole N10,000. When the evening settled, Tumuch's younger brother - Tegwolo's uncle - returned & started looking for his money. He turned his room upsidedown. The money was still not found.
Tegwolo whispered mindlessly to his uncle that his father, is the person that took the money he is looking for. His uncle walked straight to Mr. Tumuch that he is aware that he, Mr. Tumuch entered his room when he was not around, and that he took his N10,000.
"Bros, you see that my money wey you enter my room carry Abeg, return sharp sharp. Na person give me say make I keep. No be my own oh! Any day wey I keep my own, I go call you make you go thief am. But you see this one, return am, no be my own."
"Bros, you see that my money wey you enter my room carry Abeg, return sharp sharp. Na person give me say make I keep. No be my own oh! Any day wey I keep my own, I go call you make you go thief am. But you see this one, return am, no be my own."
Raged that he has been accused of stealing even when he did no such thing, he slammed his younger brother with a religious punch on the face, and allowed it to penetrate the nerves. Angered by this act, Tegwolo's uncle made and entry at the police station.
Tumuch was arrested, but was soon granted police bail on self recognition. The matter was reverted to the Village Council, being that it was a family issue.
The elders had called for a family meeting. Almost everyone was in attendance.
The elders had called for a family meeting. Almost everyone was in attendance.
The issue was tabled and Tumuch's younger brother was asked to disclose the source of his information. Tegwolo looked at his father and soullessly said "NA MY PAPA THIEF AM. NA MA PAPA THIEF UNCLE MONEY. I BIN SEE AM...."
To be continued....
To be continued....
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
