CALL TO A FEAST

 CALL TÓ A FEAST

Nowadays, rather than working hard, 

Young men would involve in some nefarious acts or undertake perilous adventures to succeed. 

This is out of desperation to acquire wealth, and live but a prodigal life.  

However, a few may have risked their lives out of good intention, pushed by conditions

But not necessarily out of desperation to acquire wealth. 

It happened somewhere in the South-West of Nigeria,

In a town called Badagry, a man lived with his only son.

They lived apart in an outskirt of the town on a small hill.

The son had ventured during the month of Ramadan

To undertake one of the most hazardous of journeys young men nowadays undertake 'for good, '

Through the Saharan desert and the turbulent sea to reach Europe.

Now people do not really bother who undertakes this journey, with its little chance of survival. 

But they are very much concerned about the success story afterwards. 

This success story is about having to survive the dangers of the desert and sea to reach Europe known as the "greener pasture."

The story continues with getting a job, making a fortune and returning back to one's homeland. 

This is often seen as heroic. 

Now, after so many years of his son’s disappearance, to undertake the perilous journey to Europe without the father’s consent, all hope of his return was lost. 

The father lived all alone sad, lonely and hopeless. 

He had to live without help or consolation from family and the community.

Whereas, his home was once a beehive of visitors because he was hospitable and open-handed. 

Now, he had lost all. 

As years went by, he became sick and was to die with no one, not even a family member, beside him.

One night, the son suddenly returned, unannounced, from Europe. He came back wealthy, having made it big. 

He came that night unannounced, wanting it to to be a surprise. 

He came with an entourage. A pickup came along with three men tugging three fat cows from it.

And the son came with lots of gifts for his people who were kind enough to take care of his father while he was away. 

The son's joy was mixed with tears seeing the father bedridden and alone. 

Although, the father had made no complaint or mention about his loneliness. 

All night they butchered the cows atop the hill preparing for a great feast for all at dawn.

The father’s health and strength suddenly revived again and that night, he danced unendingly like a young deer. 

When it was morning, the son told the father to go into the town and invite everyone to come to the feast which was to be a surprise for them.

The sun was up early and beaming. The father climbed down the hill. 

From the edge further down to the town, at the people attending to their business, he began to scream: 

“Fire…fire…fire…fire…fire…my house is on fire! Come every one to help me put it off!”

Some merely looked up in the direction of the hill and saw a billow of smoke but ignored the call. 

Some went about their business unconcerned.

Some rushed up to the direction of the hill.

When they reached the top of the hill,

They were taken aback. It was a great feast about to begin.

The son came out to welcome them and be welcomed. 

But then, he began to wonder.

There were few and he could not pick out those he knew and expected. In fact, they were strangers.

The father having returned then and seeing the concern on the son's face, spoke up: 

“Son, these are the few honest men I could gather. They are our friends and community members who care. Let them celebrate with us and have the rewards!”