Village Christmas Adventures

Anne ran hastily into the room to fold her newly washed clothes when she heard that the bus that would convey them to the countryside had been repaired. The case of travelling without their vehicle had hindered them from travelling for six consecutive years.

Joe, you need to come back home as quickly as possible.

Anne called her younger brother on the phone.

What's the matter, Anne?

Joe asked from the other end of the phone. He was watching the football match of his favourite football club, Chelsea, and didn't want anyone to disturb him because his side was already trailing one goal behind.

Reluctantly, Joe boarded the next available tricycle to the house. Anne refused to pick up the call he made. She was busy selecting the clothes she would travel with. This Christmas must be wasted. It would be her first time in the countryside after she became an adult.

While Joe was still in the tricycle, his heart raced, pounding against his chest. He had different thoughts rocking his fragile mind.

What could be the problem? Anne sounded so desperate on the phone. I just hope she is not in any kind of problem again.

Soon, the tricycle entered a lurked-up street, vehicles were not moving. The traffic was intense. He looked out from the tricycle, his patience could not bear it anymore.

Hey, man. Aren't you going to pay for the distance I have covered already?

The tricyclist wanted to get the fare for the journey already covered. But Joe was restless to remember as he alighted from the cycle. He dipped his hands into his pocket and brought out two hundred naira to pay the tricyclist. He couldn't wait. He just walked away into the street as he headed home.

Anne! Anne!!

Joe called out as he approached their doorpost. The sound of knockouts and fireworks rocked the atmosphere. Young fellows around the neighbourhood were in jubilation mode. This is the spirit that is exhibited whenever Christmas is approaching.

We are going to the village. Daddy just confirmed that the bus is now in the form of the journey.

He stared away, lost in thought of how he would meet up.

The next three hours are such short notice to put things together.

Joe complained as he began to search for the bag with which he would pack all his clothes and other necessities.

A few hours later, Dada, as they fondly call their father, returned with the Toyota Sienna space bus. He entered the compound while honking the horn of the bus, announcing his arrival.

Are you all ready? Where is your mom?

Dada asked as he entered the house. He went straight to his room, carried his bag, and called the children out.

Joe!! Anne!! Are you not ready?

He dropped his bag in the booth of the bus and returned to his room to take a cold bath since the children were not ready.

Their mother had travelled already for the yearly women's meeting slated for the first day of December that year.

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Joe wore knickers and a T-shirt, simple for a long-distance journey. Whereas, Anne is kitted up like a lady going to a beauty contest.

Soon, Dada came out and ignited the engine of the bus and the journey started.

Five hours later, they reached Benin. Anne, Joe and Dada entered the restaurant where other travellers were taking ease before continuing the journey. It was fun travelling to a far place.

The frenzy at the village during yuletide is out of this world. There is no place in the world where Christmas celebration is of higher importance than in eastern Nigeria. The music, the fireworks and house to house local Christmas tree is a great deal.

As we drove slowly into the streets of the village, one could see the joy in the faces of the natives. Everyone is in high spirits about the Christmas celebration.

It's been six long years since they came over. Coming over to this year, they would do anything to ensure they catch all the fun they have missed this last year. The next morning, Joe and Anne rose from bed and followed other children who were going to the village stream. That's the only source of water for the dwellers of the village.

Joe, without your sweater, you may not survive this early morning harmattan.

Anne said, asking Joe to put on a cardigan to prevent him from catching a cold. The harmattan here is just so unfriendly. Most villagers already had their lips broken, courtesy of the harmattan cold.

Thanks for reminding me, dear sister.

Joe picked his heavy-duty cardigan and wore it, then joined the party as they walked under the bright early morning moon toward the stream.
What came to mind was the fun they usually had when they visited the village some years ago. All the children who were enthusiastic about going to the stream did that because they enjoyed swimming.

The cock-a-doodle-doo of some villagers' cockerel reminded them that though it was morning, some elderly people were still humming away in deep sleep while some had gone to see if their hunting traps had caught any game overnight.

As they approached the stream, Joe became scared. The one time lowlands that acted like a border to the stream has been chopped off by erosion and now, the whole place is a steep hill. Seeing the depth of the valley, Joe and Anne refused to continue the journey to the stream. They waited for the other villagers to get their water pots filled for them and vowed never to return to the stream again.

Maria Orlova

The journey back home was a silent one. Joe and Anne were disappointed. Their first fun spot has been naturally destroyed by gully erosion that ravages the entire eastern region. Anne could not hide her disappointment, she told Dada:

Dada, we have to look for another means to get our water from now?

Dada was astonished at her statement.

Is anything the problem with Onuiyi-Afor?

Dada spoke, mentioning the name of the stream.

Erosion has swept away the path to the stream, it now looks like a valley.

With his wide opened, Dada replied

That same stream had served us as our only source of water.

Anne appeared not interested in any of Dada's history lessons. She just was not ready to take the risk of walking down the steep hill.
When Dada saw the resort of Anne and Joe concerning the water issue, he called for water supply from a local chief who was well known for supplying water to people in their homes, using a water tanker.

This gave Joe and Anne the freedom they needed. They won't be bothered to fetch water from the stream again. So, every passing day, they either went to the village square to watch the maid dance to a local band or do to pick udara in the forest with other children.

On Christmas day, children came visiting. They were served rice and chicken and then handed some naira notes in celebration of the season. Some children made a lot of money doing this.

Other children formed a group with one or two members wearing mask and dancing from one street to the other, displaying the traditional Okonko dance and received a token for their efforts.

It was fun galore until they returned to the city, when the holiday had elapsed. Anne and Joe kept reminding their parents that they would never miss any Christmas in the countryside. It was their best Christmas experience and they are not ready to trade it.