The king went to the community farm to supervise how well the work was going. He sent for the elephant who was supposed to be there without been called, for the work was laid under his supervision like every other duties the king could not perform. It was still morning. But the sun was already showing signs of rising and the king wouldn’t want it to rise fully while he’s still in the farm. Though they were small tree he could stay under but that wasn’t what he wanted. He’s time there, was over. The elephant would continue from where he stops.
The farm was four times larger than the king’s palace. There were about eight trees in it and those were for testing when tired or to eat. The farm was segmented into three parts. Each for a different crop. The field was very leveled. No higher area, no lower ground. It’s equal at all sides. It was referred to as the community farm because it was not only for the king but for the benefit of everyone in the community. From the workers to the less privileged. If it produces plenty they sell to the influential natives and the money gained would be used for some certain projects.
Food and water was supplied to the workers abundantly. They were happily doing the work knowing that every one is paid according to what he does. That’s why supervisors keep a close look on them. Their cooperation was perfect. They worked diligently like it was a competition. There were chants, chats and jokes all done in groups, which made the gorilla at a point, wished he had such freedom to associate freely like they do. His kingship have deprived him of some social involvements.
“Your highness, I’m sorry i didn’t show up on time. Something held me up” the giant elephant said at his hasty arrival.
“There’s this awful news I’m hearing about those at the Northern mountains” said the elephant.
“Missing animals, right?”
“Yeah. You’ve heard it already?”.
“Two days back, two ibex from there reported the issue to me”
“It’s not only the ibex, other animals inhabiting the mountains too”
“yeah. They told me”
“its strange”
“indeed, it is”
“ we must act as fast as possible. We can’t allow it go farther”
“No, we don’t have to. This challenge is aiming to bring to bring shame to our community. If I may ask, what do you think could be happening there? Could it be spiritual it physical?”
“I really can’t figure it out”
“Don’t you think there’s a neighboring kingdom that’s planning to invade?”
“It’s very possible”
“Or, it could be that the land is upset”
“No no no. It can’t be. I believe we are in good terms with the land. It could probably be something else and whatever it is we must find it and put an end to it”
“Summon the town crier to inform the elders to assemble at the palace Early tomorrow morning”
“Will that Howler monkey be around?”
“Why not? Did you receive any information that he will be going somewhere?”
“No. You and I knows he’s never at one spot. He’s always swing from one tree to another”
“In search of food like every hard-working creature does”
“Not actually. Liquor precisely” he smiled. “Anyway, I will send for him soon after here”
“Please do. It’s very urgent”
There were both big and small animals waiting for the king in the meeting hall. They were not too many to be totaled in a short glance. But some seem hidden because of their small size, like the parrot and the porcupine. Bigger ones are the Zebra, the elephant, the giraffe, the orangutan, the elk, and the rest. The porcupine was the oldest elder and was immensely respected for his age and wisdom. The orangutan was known to be the king’s relative.
Everyone was granted the chance to bring up suggestions on how to get rid of this mess befalling us. It’s spreading like a wild fire on a dried hay at harmattan season. Don’t relax because you are far from the Northern hills. Tomorrow it may not be only from the hills. It can be anywhere since we can’t point a finger exactly at what’s happening to them. So I urge each one of you to assume your relations are there, or are among those missing. Put your selves in their shoes. Feel what they feel and ponder over it base on how you feel”
“I greet you your royal highness, I greet you my fellow elders. It is said that if one sees a corpse carried it appears as a log till he sees his own relative carried in the same form. Let’s not allow that proverb define us in this case neither should we wait to experience the same catastrophe before seeking for solutions. If we act fast we are also preventing it from spreading wider for a stitch in time saves nine. So let’s support each other and find solutions to it however, an immediate action counters a deep blow. Here now I suggest we observe a serious lockdown. No more loitering around for a while. Every one should store food as much as they can and remain indoor to reduce more disappearance” the elephant said and was appreciated by clapping.
“I am delighted to hear this. This Is a wonderful opinion but…. You know, when anything is paused after ‘but', it entails that something is remaining. That it’s not good enough to be considered. Though according to how serious this situation is your suggestion has just a little disqualification for if you should compel everyone to stay indoor not for a given period of time it will cause more harm than good. However, it’s not every individual that will survive the starvation. Some doesn’t have enough to sustain them for a day let alone a long and uncertain time like that. Those surviving from their daily toiling outnumber those who can store up food for weeks. I think the best thing to do is to send youths there to secure the place and I believe in a short while they will discover something and there we will know the cause and also, how to face it” the zebra spoke.
“Wisdom! Actually two good heads are better than one. At least we are gathering ideas. We have gotten two and both are essential but I think if we should send our youths there to secure the place and we wait for Feedback in return more mat happen even to them we sent. As the case may be many more will be missing which we are not certain they will discover anything to be the cause for it might spiritual. However, I suggest the Northerners dessert their place and move Eastward and remain there for as long as the problem remains” the secretary said.
“Big risk. Ve-ry big risk. I disagree with this one. How do you think telling them to relocate down to the East will in anyway solve the issue? It will invite the problem upon a s instead. We leaving here will not be safe as well. For if they can’t find the Northerners in the mountains they will spread in search of them. Even the goats are only what they want, they will not spare whatever that stands on their way” the giraffe opposed.
“who are ‘they' you refer to?”
“No one knows exactly, but from the rumors I got, some of the missing ibexes were killed before taken away so it’s possible they are hunted by their enemies”
“what enemies are you talking about?” the elephant snapped doubtfully.
“Let’s not argue with our time. It’s possible they have enemies. Everyone has enemies. It’s normal but in a community like ours, an outside enemy to one of us is an enemy to all of us. So we’ll stick together to fight against that. Now, the giraffe, what do you suggest we do?” the secretary asked.
“I don’t really know what to say. This is completely complicated” How pondered quickly to come up with a considerable idea. “ why not build a fence at the boundaries? There we’ll know if the problem is coming from outside”
“A fence?” asked at once but over five animals.
“How long do you think it will take to construct a tall fence? And what if what we are fencing against can fly?” The elephant asked.
“Who will agree to work there even? Absolutely nobody despite how promising the pay may be. It’s deadly over there. More equivalent to deliberately sending them to perish” zebra said.
The gathering became noisy. No one was accepting another’s opinion. Every one finds fault at where it affects him until the king ordered for silence. They looked up to him for a final conclusion but he does the least expected. He gave the oldest little macaw in their midst the chance to talk before he decides which to work on.
“My good animals of Greenwood I greet you all. But thank you all for honoring this occasion. Thank you for being there for one another. I thank you also for not allowing the efforts of our forefathers made to unite us to waste. I must not forget to give special thanks to our reverend king, the true son of his father. The warrior of all times. Your reign makes out unity firm. Live long your highness. We say thank you. I am not standing here to say what has not been said. Every one spoke well and it is on those things you suggest I shall speak on. Your zeal to help out brethren over the hills is what prompted me to speak. I’m impressed actually. Our natives usually say that a smoking bush has someone behind the scene. The problem we are facing has a cause and a course just like every other problem does, and every problem with a cause has a solution notwithstanding the difficulties involve. Like you all know that he whose house is on flames does not pursue rats. We need to do the most important thing first, and as fast as possible. We need every one in this. The leg is as important as the hand for they play essential roles. I’m glad to be given this opportunity to speak to you otherwise, those good points you brought up would have been neglected by arguments. Though none seemed the ultimate But are nevertheless perfect preventive measures collectively which shouldn’t be abandoned. As an elder, I’ve seen far beyond. Those ideas were the best. All of which are equally needed.
Nothing different should be expected of me. The best are given already. What I can do is to make you see how important each an every one of them is. Explaining it to you should be my own contribution. We’ll combine all you have said and use them it apply them one after another. First, let the Northerners relocate to the East. That will however reduce the rate of missing animals for I believe that whatever that’s disappearing with them can not just invade when it sees that we work with one mind and that we are really ready for them.
Secondly I support the lockdown idea. Even as they will be relocating. Not just for them but for the safety of the entire community. We will share the little we have with the poor for as long as we can. We know those lacking and the well-to-do. There will be no happiness if we eat all alone and end up living alone. We will live for others. Relatives are out happiness. We better perish together than to betray others and live miserably. Fear and guilt won’t grants our hearts freedom. Therefore, during the lockdown, smart youths will be mobilized to deliver foodstuffs and information where needed.
There should be security all round the community. Not only in the East but not in the North. It’s too risky there. We can’t bear loosing out youths so carelessly. They are the living future of this community. Those selected animals on guard will be there to witness whatever that goes on and raise immediate alarm for help.
Lastly, we need arms. Let the wood makers produce as many as they can. Every individual needs one for protection. All those playing risky roles will be well fed and paid to encourage them. These things will help us reduce the crisis whereas, the final solution can be sought through the chief priest. He spiritually understands the land better. He sees beyond what we can see, likewise his knowledge. The solution will definitely lie on him”
“ perfect!” Jim has said it all. I can always say that having good relatives is far better than riches” the king said with a bright grin on his black face. The rest kept concurring with a gentle nod and groan.
At night the king couldn’t close his eyes. He sat on a rocking chair on the balcony not because it was too hot inside but because he had many thoughts in mind. For over an hour he sat there, the only movement his body makes is when he sways his arms to drive away insects that strays to his face or ears. He gazed steadily at the I’m fire-lights hung on poles but obviously he was in another realm.
Suddenly he heard the sound of flagging wings ran into the dark foliage above his head, a fearsome cry of an owl followed subsequently. That was a bad news from the chief priest to his household. He flinched in attempt to figure out what exactly could be worse than what was already happening. More thoughts had their ways into his troubled mind threatening him with fear. Sitting outside in solitude was no more safe. He rose up and went inside praying that nothing happens to his family before dawn.