Monday 24 September 2012

Don't Say "Cheese!"

Do you remember how awkward it was to take a picture in the past? you practically have to hold still for what seemed like hours while the photographer gets behind the big black box and says, "say Cheese!" then we were all required to say cheese and hold the muscle quivering smiles saying cheese produced till he snapped the picture and you have to remember not to blink when the flash explodes, crazy days...
Brings to mind one incident that happened when I was eleven or twelve, not sure though. I remember though that it was close to Christmas, we were in the east, the weather was crispy cold and dusty as it usually is during hamattan periods.
It was my favorite time of the year then, because while we were busy being measured by my mother for new clothes she was going to sew by herself, the little village we resided was busy planning their annual end of the year festival. it was a colorful event and weeks before the ceremony, there was the appearance of  masquerades. It was an exciting time for everyone.
The trick was not to ever get caught by the masquerades dressed in black raffia. They had long canes spiked with dried pepper or shards of razor blades! that fateful day my mother sent my younger brother and I to the market and just like junior secret agents that we were, we took turns watching each other's back. He would run forward and scan the horizon in search for the lurking masquerades and then it will be my turn to do the same. The plan worked going to the market and purchasing the garri that would serve as lunch that afternoon.
Heady with the success of our strategy we forgot to employ the same method on our way back. We were close to the junction that led to our settlement, all we needed to do was cross the road to the other side and follow the long, hilly road that led to safety and food.
We got caught in an argument, I cant remember what it was but all of a sudden we saw a flurry of movement and the next instant we were standing face to face with the dreaded Iga masquerade, dressed in black raffia and holding the longest cane I ever saw!For just a nano second I wanted to stand still and take the punishment for not being watchful, but my body reacted differently, I screamed, "RUN!" to my brother as i bolted for the safety of a nearby chemist.
 I made it in before i turned to look back and that was when i noticed that my younger brother was still frozen on the spot. The masquerade raised the cane and as it descended he finally turned to move but it was too late, the cane tore into his upper thigh drawing blood and ripping the skin. i remember the chemist administering first aids to his bleeding thigh and we were escorted home by two male adult to prevent further re-occurrence, much to my humiliation, because i felt i was adult enough to protect myself and my brother. Years later i remembered the incident and I couldn't help comparing it to how people sometimes react to Life's drama. Just like my younger brother told me later that he thought if he stayed perfectly still, the masquerade will not hit him, a lot of people feel that when life throws an unexpected situation at them, if they stand still, the problems will blow over, it doesnt work that way. you have to do something! Lesson number one, its either you tackle the problem head on with practical, logical steps, or you pray your way out of the situation. Holding still and doing nothing is like burying you head in the sand like the ostrich, never works!My advice, the next time youre faced with a situation like that, dont say CHEESE and hope to wear the situation out, it only works with antiquated photgraphy,ACT! do something about it, but just dont say cheese!Lesson number two, Two heads in agreement are always better than one, work or walk with people you can agree with or that can agree with you, Teamwork works!Just pick a winning team.
Ciao!!

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