By Kamaldeen Abass
Once upon a time, there lived two bosom friends of intent intimacy, Kilani and Kayode. They were good hunters.
Let’s buy a trap so as to enable us to catch a game, Kayode said. Kilani stood up from the log of wood where he was sitting and added before Kayode could reply to him, You will be the first to take any game our trap catches.
Kayode nodded in agreement. They both contributed money and bought a big trap from the market. They ventured into the bush to find a suitable place to set up the trap.
Let’s put it there beside that tree so that it would catch a big game overnight, Kayode said pointing at a tree behind Kilani. Kilani agrees to Kayodes suggestion and they set the trap. They covered the trap with some dry grass and leaves. They put a stick near the trap to signify where they set it and left the place.
The following day, Kilani and Kayode went to check what their trap has caught. When they reached the point where the trap was set up, their trap caught the smallest mouse in the world.
Kilani grinned at Kayode and said viciously, Our trap has caught a mouse today, take it, my dear friend. I will wait till tomorrow when our trap will catch a rabbit. You know the rabbit is bigger than a mouse.
On hearing this, Kayode said, I will rather wait till tomorrow my friend, you should take this mouse.
Kilani carries the mouse home. He gave it to his wife, Asake to roast it for supper.
The following day, Kayode was eager to see what animal their trap would have caught. So, he rushed to Kilani’s house to call him so that they would both go to check their trap.
When they reached the place where they placed their trap, they discovered that their trap has caught a giant rabbit. Kilani looked at the excited Kayode and said, I am really happy for you. This rabbit is really big, but it will never be as big as the antelope our trap will catch tomorrow.
Kayode paused for a while and ponder over what Kilani said. After some moments, Kayode reluctantly said persuasively, You are right my friend, sure antelope is bigger than all the small animals our trap has caught. Carry this rabbit and let me carry the antelope tomorrow.
Kilani sighed and agreed to Kayodes endless persuasion. Kilani carries the rabbit and went home. Kayode went back home empty-handed that evening. On reaching home that evening, Kilani asks Asake to prepare melon soup (egusi) with the rabbit’s meat.
Bileda, Kayode’s wife nags always about eating their foods without meat. As soon as she sees her husband returning home the way he went out; empty-handed, she attacked him and began to make a squabble with him.
Why do you always come back home with nothing? Bileda asked. Kayode, instead of answering her, whisked past her and made to enter his house. She blocks his way and queries, Are you not comrades with Kilani? Kayode refused to answer her again. Bileda got angry again.
His wife buries each morsel of food in her stomach with prominent meat every day. You should be ashamed of yourself! Are you not into the same hunting? Bileda puked.
This time, Kayode sees it as a good time to answer her since he knows she won’t allow him to pass.
You are being a novice, my dear wife. It’s his time to eat every meal with meat. Wait till tomorrow and see the giant animal I will bring home for you. I don’t want to tell you before but now that you have made me tell you, be ready for a feast tomorrow, Kayode bragged.
Why haven’t you told me since? I didn’t know you have a wonderful plan ahead. Thank you, my husband. Now my heart is relieved. Let me quickly make our supper, Bileda implored as she gave way for Kayode to enter into the house.
Abass is of the Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi
