Kuuku walked on the dusty road. The sun shone so brightly he raised his right hand to shield his face. Kuuku was hungry and thirsty; his feet hurt, he stopped walking the moment he saw a provision shop opposite the road. Praying feverishly, he ran to the shop and clapped his hands.
Kuuku stretched his neck to peep inside the shop, then clapped again, this time louder. An old woman emerged; she was plump and tall. Kuuku watched as she stepped out to where he stood, the look on her face made him take a step back. The old woman folded her arms across her flat chest, she had an angry countenance \”yes?\” she demanded. Kuuku took another step back, his lower lip trembled and he was almost on the verge of tears. He raised a hand and pointed to a bag of sachet water on a table.
\”Can I…please I am thirsty\” he whimpered. The old woman\’s gaze softened a bit; she looked at the boy, he had sweat running down his face, his slippers were worn out, he had no shirt on and his shorts were in tatters. The dust, mixed with his sweat gave his skin an odd color. She motioned for him to come closer. Kuuku looked at the old woman closely, she seemed calm now but he still hesitated to go closer.
\”I only came for water, if you can help me please. I don\’t have any money\” he said.
\”Why aren\’t you in school? where are your parents? She asked gently. Kuuku relaxed and took a step forward; \” I do not have money for school. My parents? I do not know them\” he replied politely.
The old woman took three sachets of water, a bottle of chilled drink and some biscuits, she put them in a polythene bag and held it out to Kuuku. He stared at her, confused. For the first time since he stepped into the shop, Kuuku saw a smile spread across the old woman\’s wrinkled face \”you can have it\” she said. Kuuku grabbed the bag and let out an excited scream \”thank you!\”
The old woman watched in amazement as Kuuku tore the sachet rubber with his teeth and drank hungrily.
\”Where exactly are you going to from here?\” she enquired. Kuuku shrugged and took a sip of the chilled drink.
\”I don\’t know where my feet and strength will take me, but I hope to meet kind people like you along the way\”.
Kuuku waved at the old lady and turned. He stared longingly at the biscuit and licked his lips; this is for another day he thought and smiled, then continued walking.
Belinda Akanpiem Amosa
