Nka, Nka, Nkauga (I’ll, I’ll, I Will Say)

Long, long ago, before there were TVs, in fact even before there was any electricity to power the TVs, before any cars were on the roads, even before there were any roads, there lived a small family that lived a very simple life.

The couple had two sons, the elder was called Mutugi while the younger one Kaimenyi.

They lived some distance from their nearest neighbor at the edge of a large forest. Due to their nearness to the forest, they had to be very careful because wild animals were plentiful those days and they roamed the whole place. Yet they were also very fortunate to live so close to the forest because they sometimes could hunt almost from their door. While people who lived in the villages went far to get to their farms, they farmed just next to their homestead.

The only problem they had was when the parents needed to go out together. Of course it had to be very necessary for them to leave their two children alone in the compound. This was mainly when they went to a distant market to barter what they had from the forest with dainties from the plains.

When the children were small, they would simply carry them to their nearest neighbor; but not any more. They could not be able to carry the two heavy children with the luggage they would be required to carry either way. Walking them was also hard as it would slow their journey considerably especially as they would leave before dawn when the children would be too drowsy from sleep.

They would talk with the two sons the whole of the evening before they would go away. They would give instructions and warnings, instructions about what to do should they see this animal or that, instructions about how to differentiate a dangerous animal from a harmless one. They would give them warnings about how far to venture from their doorway, warnings about playing with fire and especially a severe warning against going beyond their bounds to an animal that their father had captured and caged.

For those of you who have never heard of those days, there were animals that had the capacity to speak. I wasn’t there then so don’t ask me how. That is what I was also told and I didn’t think to ask then.

Well, this animal could talk, and that was why the parents warned the children against going to it. Their father especially never even in his presence wanted the children to develop any communication with the animal until it was tame enough to be released from its cage. He could scold any of them who dared start a conversation with it or even look at it so as to draw its attention. At one time both were beaten thoroughly because they took advantage of their father skinning a large antelope to not only move near but even to speak to it.

But as it is said boys will continue being boys. And there is no temptation if there are no rules. The animal was a fascination to the boys, especially because they had not been allowed to converse with it. They wanted it wild because, as they thought, what fun will it be to converse with a tame animal?

So as usual they would take advantage of their parents’ journeys to sneak a quick one on the animal. But they were careful to restrict their time to a very short time as like most children know parents have an eye they leave at home when they are away. Otherwise how come they are able to see all the mischief they play when they return?

Interestingly, the father seemed to suspect that they made a move to the animal through his questioning but pretended not to notice. The boys therefore thought they had convinced him and felt very clever.

One time the parents left and the boys did not waste much time before going to converse briefly with the animal.

But the conversation refused to end. Mutugi was unable to stop the conversation however much Kaimenyi kept pulling him back. He was unable to stop even when the younger boy started to remind him about the father and his beatings. So the boy started crying but was unable to leave since he either enjoyed the conversation or probably feared walking alone.

Then the animal made a request.

Can you please let me go to see my family?

Noooo, shouted the younger brother.

Will you come back before my parents return? Mutugi asked.

Of course, I won’t betray your trust.

At that point the conversation had bonded the two conspirators that the shout of the younger brother did not register. The elder forgot everything he had been taught and opened the cage and released the animal which then leaped into the forest.

What have you done?

Relax, he is coming back.

I will tell baaba (dad)

Please do not.

But by dusk the animal had not come back and they couldn’t wait for darkness as the cage was some distance from their house. They therefore went back home, one crestfallen and the other secretly cheering with mischief.

As usual the parents arrived well after dark. The mother hurriedly prepared supper as the father asked about their day.

When the supper was being served, it was the best food they had had for a long time. One felt hungry by just smelling it cooking.

When they were served, the Kaimenyi asked his brother to add him food.  But you can’t have enough of that kind of food and so he refused.

Nka … (I’ll …)

The elder suddenly remembered and literally added him most of his food.

Why are you giving food to your brother?”, his father asked.

I do not have appetite, was his reply.

Like fathers do, he didn’t notice anything, or that is what the boys thought.

Incidentally, that became the habit. The younger boy would whisper his need for more food and ‘nka’ would be the magic word to kill the appetite of his elder.

Until the elder started feeling weak from hunger and energy and like most boys with as much energy thought he was going to die.

The third night he thought he had had enough. He preferred to die by his father’s hands than by the hunger as his younger brother was killing him with.

Baaba

Yes my son

I am sorry I released Ng’oriu

Tears started to come from his father’s eyes, something even his wife had never seen.

He then rushed to his son, who looked for an escape route but failed.

He then caught him and hugged him tight, very tight for a long time.

Ng’oriu is still in the cage.

And you have done the greatest thing for us.

Open the door and call him.

The son, dazed as he was went to the door dreamily and called and Ng’oriu was at the door in a flash, prodding him outside to at least rub his neck, which he did.

His father then told him to release him and Ng’oriu disappeared.

The boys were confused. Why does their father congratulate instead of killing the Mutugi? Where had Ng’oriu come from? Why was their father so emotional and content when his son had broken his rules?

The old man then started to talk.

Ng’oriu is a very special animal, and very rare. Of course you know it is very strong and intelligent.

Its strongest point, however, is that it can develop a relationship with people, but very rare people and once it develops it will be a protector to the person and all that is his as long as their bond remains.

I came to live by the forest to get a chance to capture the animal and I was fortunate. But I couldn’t develop any relationship with him as his captor.

I therefore hoped one of my sons could do it. That is why I made it very hard for you to talk with him. He had to know I was not the one leading you to him as he senses such things. It pained me to punish you for doing what I wanted with all my heart to see you do.

Once he was convinced you were independently developing a relationship with him, he had to give you the trust test.

Why didn’t he come back? The boys asked.

He came back just before we came back. And he went back to the open cage. He has been in the open cage all along though you were scared of breaking my rules to venture near it. You must now give him his freedom so that he can serve you completely.

Of course I have been watching your drama with your brother. If only he knew what this has made you as the only one in this generation having Ng’oriu as guardian! You have become the fare for folk tales as what you have done what was done so long ago even my great grandparents were only told as stories. In fact, my coming near the forest was part in wanting to prove that Ng’oriu was a fictional animal. Then I caught him. I suspect he may also have been looking for a person to bond with as it really is impossible to contain him.

My special son, please watch over us. You are the only one who can summon Ng’oriu from anywhere and he will protect you and whoever you choose. You can even summon him at war and he will rout your enemies.

In fact, our enemies’ seers have already realized what you have done and none can dare attack us due to your act. We finally have Ng’oriu on our side.

Ng’oriu is not one animal but a family of animals who are connected to your voice wherever you are.

Your brother should be kneeling in front of you to plead for forgiveness and beg for your mercy. Though I know your heart is big enough to pardon his folly. Otherwise Ng’oriu could not have connected with you.