THE LEGEND OF THE TREE BOY (10)

<<PREVIOUS

10.       THE LUMBERJACKS

                  Bale remained in his tree like position for close to three weeks, unable to sing or talk to any one again. Together with the other trees he had to put-up with both favorable and unfavorable weather conditions. And at the end of the third week, the new chief, in the company of two other oyinbo men drove a lorry to the scene.  The three men alighted and immediately the two white skinned men began to carry out some measurements around Bale's tree perimeter. Then the new chief said to the tree, “no matter how thick the goat's neck is, it is no match for the butcher's knife. Let's wait and see!” After the men had completed their assignment, they left the scene the way they came. Bale was scared! He couldn't continue to stay mute any longer so he asked the trees, “Please what are they here for? Can somebody please answer me?”

“There are still some little chance boy,” answered the elderly tree, “for the next time the white lumberjacks return, I'm sure it will be with the chain saw!”

“The chain saw?” asked the tree boy. His leaves began to wither as the thought of being cut crossed his mind. “I can't move.” He said as all its branches shook vigorously, “Can somebody help me? Please help! I want to run away before they return!” But there was no more response from any of the trees. So he was forced to become quiet once again.

 TO BE CONT'

NEXT