MINI-STORIES FOR THE YOUNG AND NOT SO YOUNG After the older children left to manage as best they could on their own, there were only three of them left-- Simba, his mother Matme and his little brother Enu. Their father had died of starvation and heart-failure. Simba was ten years old, Enu was four. The famine had barely been officially announced and already Simba saw his brother's and his own belly swelling up like a drum. Simba knew this was not a good sign. He asked his mother, who was inordinately worn and thin, to take them to a village elder for advice what to do. Matme, who valued her son's judgment, took his request very seriously. The village elder told them to walk north-west, where there was a mission that gave out food. He explained to Matme how they should go, adding that there was no time to lose. Already little Enu was looking skeletal and bird-like. It would take them three days of walking to the mission. They had to take warm clothing for the night cold, and light clothing for the day's heat. They started out early, while it was still cool. Enu could barely walk even then, and when it got hot he had to be carried by Matme or Simba. Although he was light as a feather, the effort of carrying him in their state was great for both of them. The sun's heat and light were merciless and even during their first day they could not imagine how they might make it through. They rested in the evening as advised by the village elder, and walked on in the cold of the night. Matme took off her head scarf and wrapped Enu in it, but he still shivered as he toiled along. In the morning they came upon the road which would take them to the mission. They licked sparse dew off the vegetation surrounding them before they stepped upon the roadway and resumed their excruciating journey. Just when they thought they could walk no longer, a wondrous thing happened. A relief truck returning empty from the mission stopped and gave them scrapings of food it carried together with a bottle of water. They were overcome with gratitude and joy. Matme rationed the dry provisions over the whole day, but they drank all the water while it was still cool. By the time the evening came they were again starving and Enu cried weakly while they walked through the night. Simba did not know how he could carry his brother for another day. He was aware his mother had reached the end of her strength. The third day started as a Gehenna for them. They would walk and crawl, then collapse in the heat among the ceaseless flies. But when they looked at each other they would go on. Simba began to have spells of vertigo and he was afraid he would collapse completely or drop Enu on the ground. Then, once more, help appeared. A truck going to the mission stopped to pick them up. By the time it reached the mission center Simba was delirious. He was immediately taken to the quarantine barrack, while his mother was given milk to drink and an Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) unit to revive Enu. After he revived, he was given some high-protein porridge and vitamins from a dropper. Enu felt better in several hours and was able to walk about. Matme, after a balanced and therapeutic meal also felt better. The worst case was that of Simba, who had contracted dysentery. For several days he lay in critical condition. He was fed nutrient solutions intravenously. He kept calling for Enu, dreaming most likely that his brother had died. Matme lived in fear that Simba would not survive. Finally, the crisis came. Simba saw a great white light and in it something more beautiful than he ever could have imagined. Then he woke up, full of wonder. It was peaceful. His mother stood over him, crying grateful tears. She told Simba Enu was alive and well. He told her of the Apparition he had seen. She said he had received a great gift from Heaven which he must always keep inside him. Simba was blessedly happy and elated. He had persevered. He had saved his brother's life and helped his mother. Soon afterwards the family was reunited and sent by the mission to a region where the food crisis had been resolved. Matme and Simba, now recovered, were able to work as field hands and even little Enu helped by wiping the crops clean before they were taken to market. All three were thankful for each day they had together and prayed that other families in famine might find rescue as they did. |