The gorilla could not close his eyes at midnight because there was much to think about. He was awake moving up and down in the room. He caught a glimpse of his son through the curtains sitting at one side of the bed at a time he is supposed to be sleeping. That was unusual, why should he have a sleepless night? He went to find out.
“You’re awake son. I’m surprise”
“Me too, so I am”
“Oh no, you should rather be surprise to see me sleeping when things are the way they are now”
“Same here”
“I’m lost. You shouldn’t be worried”
“I have every course to be worried”
“No, we are working on it. Don’t bother yourself”
“I’m scared to loose someone I love”
“Who? Me? Nothing will happen to me”
“Not you”
“Who? Your mother?”
“No” At this response the king became confused. He could not guess anymore. I rested and waited to hear him say all he had to.
“I am in love with a female”
“A female? So, why should you think of loosing her? What will stop you? Is she engaged or betrothed to someone else? “
“None of what you think. I think Mom has another female in mind for me”
“I don’t think so. But even if she does she can’t force you to marry her when you have someone you love. So don’t worry about that”
“But there’s a problem with the one I love”
“ what problem?”
“Her background is the fence. They are poor. She stays with her uncle. No parents”
The king thought a while and ended up with a silent laughter.
“My son, do not worry about her background. That doesn’t matter. A female’s background is not listed among her qualities. That’s not what you seek in her. Even she’s from a well-to-do family, the riches are not hers. Her parent owns it and can only help her with some if they so decides to. Money and good name does not satisfy as much as love and understanding does. There are more to consider which are much Vita and essential. Those include love, understand, humility, diligence, selflessness, kindness, benevolence and more. They must not have them all. Moreover it’s not possible to find one. One with two or three is good to go. You need a helper. A female to help you lead your people into a better life. Your being the prince is enough to marry anyone you choose to. You can liberate them into what you want them to be. I am your father. But in a matter like this I can’t decide for you. I can only advice but you have your choice to make having known which will suit you. For your choice is not mine. You will live with her even when I’m gone, not me. I pray she’s t best for you”
“Dad, she’s very good”
“ So will every lover say about their partner” the king said smiling. “We will out her on a simple trial. Find a day to bring her home. Your mother and I will plan on that. Don’t fear to loose her, okay! “
The prince was happy he was granted the opportunity to bring her home. Everything in him came back alive. The joy in his heart was far greater than what could be seen on his face.
One morning he prepared to go out, his mother called him back to remind him it was not safe going out due to the recent unending bad news trending in the community. Presently It affects not only those at the Northern hills but it has extended as far as it can.
“please don’t go far with her and don’t stay long”
“I’m not going to see her”
“Why not?”
“I want to see a friend”
“Who’s more important than your lover?”
“Oh mother! I haven’t said a thing like that. No need for comparison here. I want to see him because we have uncompleted task to work on”
“What task?”
“we’re building an air craft”
“what do you mean by building an aircraft? Do you mean a kite?”
“ No. Something that can lift weights and fly with it in the sky”
“ Yes, anything not too heavy”
“I don’t believe this”
“Don’t worry. I will bring it to show you when we are through and have confirmed it flies”
“Better. I crave to see it. Don’t fail to do so. Who is that friend of yours you talk about?”
“Bara. The chimpanzee”
“Oh him!”
“Yes”
“Alright. That’s nice. I will see an aircraft this time. You can go but don’t forget to do what you are suppose to do”
“I won’t. I will fly it home”
“No. Not about the aircraft. She. Don’t forget to see her no matter how busy you are”
He gave his mother a reassuring smile and left. The parrot and the elephant came to the palace to see the king mainly for the purpose of giving account on how they carried out the projects they were entrusted with. Arms were created, barns were built and products from the community farm were stored in it and also moving Northerners to the East.
“We haven’t gotten more news about missing animals since we moved them to the East” The elephant said.
“If it’s not spiritual then I am assuring you peace from now on” The parrot said.
“If we had depended solely on the chief priest for solution things would still spoil the more. I am glad we have Kondo in out midst. He’s the living ancestor” the king said.
“Wisdom! Your majesty, do not forget the idea was mine” said the parrot.
“Yeah. You said it first” The elephant succumbed nodding.
“But was neglected. The porcupine resurrected it”
“Who takes the glory then?” the parrot asked.
“None of you”
The king startled them with that comment. They were somewhat disappointed for he did not hear what they expected to hear. They expected to hear it was either the parrot, the elephant or the porcupine . So, now having denied neither of them the glory who then takes it? The minds of the two officials joined, gazing inquisitively at the gorilla.
“I take the glory. I gave the permission to carry it out. Hahaha……” He laughed loudly seeing the disappointment on their faces. It was then they realized it was a joke. So the joined him with the laughter.
It was night and the prince did not come home which was unusual of him. No matter what it is he goes out to do, he doesn’t stay out till that time. His parents were very worried about him. His mother have already started thinking negatively. She wept uncontrollably and refused to be consoled. She neglected all the words her Consolers use to calm her. She saw them to be lies. And it was her behavior that got the king restless.
They sent for the prince at places they knows he normally visit. His lover said she did not see him that day, the chimp said he left with an aircraft they created since morning telling him that he wants to fly it home for his parents to see, and since then he haven’t seen him return. The rest of those they asked told when last they saw him but none could give a hint of where he could be.
The king and his wife could not sleep. They were restless. They waited for day break that seemed never to come. The night seemed stagnant. Many who could go to the palace were there with them that night.