The queen was with the white rabbit beautifying and making up for the occasion before she was informed by the winged messengers of the presence of her friends. She excused herself and swayed carefully from the stairs to meet them. As she got into the cabin she smile at the sight of a Zebra and a giraffe. Both were the wives of the king’s officials. The third animal was not there. The elephant, the king deputy’s wife. Those were the queen’s closest friends. They all are from a noble family with a nature to be admired and envied. Notably their height, size and color patterns. And their lifestyles too worth emulating.
On seeing her they stood for the customary greetings. The queen pounded the ground with her feet towards them. The hall was neatly tidied by the rodents. The windows were let open for ventilation. At the center was a long log laid with its smooth leveled part faced up as a table and two smaller ones at both sides.
“Greetings your royal highness” they greeted the queen simultaneously prostrating.
She gestured them to sit. She joined them too. She beckoned on her personal maid, a pretty white rabbit standing at the door. She is usually close to take emergency orders. She drew closer, the queen whispered into her long ears and she left. Soon enough, she returned with other servants, the rodents. They were pulling different dishes in a cart.
Most of their utensils were made of stones and woods. In it were fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruit juice, water and more. In the palace food is served more than needed. Leftovers is often more than the consumed amount.
“There is a good news friends” The giraffe alerted. The other two friends ceased with a wide gaze of curiosity.
“My daughter is getting married soon” she announced.
The queen’s attention was wholly taken. Her non-blinking eyes sparkled with eagerness, her ears were opened on both sides of her head to hear the remaining undisclosed part of the hint given. She clenched her fingers on the table with her body drawn closer for a better attention. The zebra also had her ears ready but that doesn’t stop her from picking up the foods. Instead she chewed silently so that the sound doesn’t interfere with her hearing.
“His background enrich my joy to the fullest” the giraffe added.
“Noble?” The queen demanded. “Feed me, satisfy me” loosing her patience.
“The only son of the richest giraffes in the west. The good one you and I knows. They are very genial and generous. On every visit they present in surplus that we share to the needy neighbors. They love us and treats my daughter as if she’s the last young female giraffe on this planet. His wife treats me with reverence as though if I hadn’t given birth to my daughter their son wouldn’t have been able to find himself a wife anywhere, or more like if she withdraw seeing us or constantly communicating with us we will shatter the union. Their family and ours are….”
“When am I going to have a daughter in-law to call mine?” the queen wished. But her actual intention was to stop the giraffe from saying much more.
The zebra did not utter a word since the topic was raised. Even, the smile on her face at the initial time they arrived faded away. Her face now overpowered with incomprehensible countenance. Deep in her heart was bitterness of inequality. The story was such every mother would like to get involved but is she one? She can’t be a mother without a child to show. She’s is the only one in their group that’s married for six years with no child. Therefore she doesn’t have to involve herself on discussions patterning to motherhood. Though she have vital ideas but she felt it won’t be considered without experience that would have been a backup to it. She may say the real thing but there may be a question like this, 'how did you know it feel so?’, ‘have you bore a child before?’, 'have you ever conceived?’, 'how do you know all these?’.. Then what would be her answers? Instead these questions will make her feel worse. It will seem like insult.
“The prince is due for marriage” Said the giraffe.
“The last thing on his agenda” The gorilla spouted.
“Why so? Have you not been talking to him?”
“Severally. I have constantly inculcated the need for marriage at his young age but he doesn’t heed”
“That’s normal. It’s not easy at first. Keep persuading him”
The giraffe was right. Her words caused the gorilla to understand something she may not have had the chance to think about. The singles have marital problems. The females are scared to accept a male partner but when they do the next thing on their mind is marriage. And as for the male they are usually eager to win the females over but are scared to marry at their younger age. They often have one or more quibbles or excuses to give. Her husband the king is a good example of such males. Obviously he was scared of something he could not sincerely disclose to anyone. But when the time was right he needed no reminder.
“I wonder what’s scary about marriage”
“Me too. I don’t see any. They usually say they want to put things in order”
“What exactly could they be putting in place that requires almost all their young stage of life? If there was anything to put in place my husband and I will have it done quickly. We will give him the best support in anything, which he knows. But I know he really do not have a genuine excuse for that. As a matter of fact, If any of the partner should be scared of marriage then it should be the female considering the fact we take up to ourselves all the domestic responsibilities, that’s generally. Pregnancy and childbirth, limitations to social life, taking orders from them including the ones we detest, and a lot deprivations, still numerous. Actually I see no reason they should quiver when talked about marriage”
“Virtually, there’s none. But it is common among the males. Its their nature, certainly” the giraffe concluded. “surely he will bring in a daughter in-law into your family when the time is right. You have to exercise more patience”
“I can’t wait until he’s ready. I need to start seeing my grandchildren crawling around me. I hope he finds a well behaved female, She will see the best of me but if she’s something I don’t know I won’t take it”
“Do not bother your self about that. Marriage doesn’t take place at first meeting. Love can do so but not marriage”
“Young females hide their real identity as long as they can, especially when marriage is knocking at their door, you know that”
“Not all. Within the period of friendship, they may mistakenly or intentionally expose some of their flaws which might explain all what they are”
“Not all. Some are too careful to make such mistake or intentionally let themselves down”
“Be optimistic your highness. Besides gorillas are known for their good conduct. He will surely find the best of bests for you”
The queen didn’t find words to utter. The giraffe sealed her mouth. She was assured and perceptibly there was sense in what she said. She agreed with a continuous gentle nod.
It came to her mind that since the beginning of this marriage of a thing the zebra haven’t contributed a word. She sat quietly doing nothing, leaving her effigy there. All she does was stare vacantly.
“Hello….” The gorilla waved in her face to bring her back. “Are you okay?”
“Oh! Yes of course, I’m okay” She responded hastily which entails that she just arrived from a distant journey.
“Don’t make us believe that. We are not blind. It is clear that you are not with us. Talk to us. What’s eating you up?”
“What on earth could ever eat me up when I’m in the midst of friends like you?” She faked a smile that lasted as long as she thought could convince her hearers.
“But you are pondering”
“Pondering? Uh.. perhaps. Anyway, yeah, you can also see that as pondering”
“So what’s it all about?”
“Nothing serious. It’s not something I shouldn’t bother you with”
“I believe it is not hard to say”
The zebra chuckled, adjusted her posture, behaving like one who is under pressure. The giraffe was staring quietly at her from above. Her gazing looked rather terrific than curious. She was waiting to hear her answers to each of the questions the queen will ask her.
“The things is that,…” The zebra began. She had probably come up with something to say.
“I’m simply glad on how well things are going with the natives of Greenwoods”
She thought that could convince them but they never stopped staring at her as if she haven’t said anything at all. Maybe they thought she lied so she owe them more explanations. But she was not certain of what exactly they want to hear. She searched their eyes for a hint. She realized something, from her last statement she excluded herself. That could however be the reason for their gaze.
“Yes. I’m unfortunate”
The single word alone explained everything. It was about her unfruitfulness. Looking at her mood they did not hesitate to do what good friends should do. They cooperatively used nice words to blow out the sadness in her heart.