Thorny Lake 7 (The Thorny Lake)

I stayed with Mr. Houghton for three month.

I got used to sea foods and vegetables. 

The Family of two brought fragrance to my life

 They were not Christians at all, they had no religion; free guys.

I loved David, Houghton loved me too. 

 He taught me fishing and hunting. 

They were natural; they didn’t bother about the rowdy city. 

We were peaceful; I was out of reach too.

 I wondered what must have happened to Mr. Lukas and his two pretty birds. 

He must have searched everywhere for me and eventually gave up the search. 

 I threw a stone to the waters; it was a Lake, a small stream of running water. 

A natural lake gets fed and drained by rivers and streams; they are usually surrounded with land.

 I would say I’m a lake [surrounded with influential people] but a Thorny one!

The one that gets drained but not fed, life had ripped me off good things.

 Each day I decreased in level.

 The land gradually encroach and people start to trample on me.

 Because the water level was low, instead of going around the waters, people rather went through me. 

The thorns were not pointed against the persons that have caused me pain; people who have trampled on me.

 The Thorns were rather pointed against me. When people trample on me, it’s a like a double pain.

 My lake had thorns. I shouldn’t let this happen again!

 Nobody will cause me pain anymore, I’ll allow no one to trample on me again and whatsoever has blocked my path, the path that allowed rivers and streams to follow into me, I will take away!

 I can’t go back home less than I left, I must be to something! 

Thirsty vultures flew in, across the lake.

 I remembered what most Nigerians thoughts about these birds.

Vultures are seen as evil birds that help witches and wizard deliver messages.

The southwest calls it 'Igun', they are seen as sacred in traditional spirituality. 

 According to the folklore, they can be used to communicate with dead or to appease the gods in elaborate sacrificial ceremonies.

 In Northern Nigeria, they are consumed and also sold by traders known as ‘yan shinfida’ to be used in traditional medicine and spiritual healing. 

The traders in the North, market the parts to treat epilepsy and other mental illness.

 In the southeastern part of Nigeria, the birds are not eaten and have no place in traditional spirituality, it was viewed as unclean. 

The thought of that scared me.

 but No!

 I refuse to leave under pain and fear again. I'm breaking free from every evil omen. "Kolade!!"

Houghton interrupted, calling out loud from a distance.

 "Leave here quickly!!"

I was confused, he was running towards me .

"Some group of men came in just now to look for you, they showed me your picture, but I denied I knew you and now they have my son"

 Oh No!... I frightened

 "The thorns in my lake were supposed to be against me and not against my loved ones!"

"What do you mean,Kolade!"

"Nothing" Let's hurry home