Savvy natives

Stepping into the tent, she shivered. Lit by a single flame burning in a clay pot the tent was chilling. The masquerade mask in the corner, raffia mat covered in blood lying beneath the skull of an ape and the short broom allegedly used to drive demons away worsened her fears.

In a voice like thunder “What can Osimiri do for you today?”

Standing-still , Mrs Ikem swallowed her voice.

“Speak woman! Osimiri despises the faint hearted.”

“I want healing … healing for my son, he is at the brink of death.” she squeaked.

“Osmiri knows this, he has his demands.”

“I will do anything”

“Very well, Osmiri requires the following: one white peacock feather, the toe nail of a black peacock, the croak of a frog and the testicles of a day old white lamb.”

“Ahhh! Where do I get them from?”

“Osmiris’ messenger is willing to help you for a price.”

“How much?

“Thirty thousand naira.”

“Where do I put the money?”

Emerging from the shadows, a dark tall mass draped in red towered over Mrs Ikem “hand it to me.”

Relieved to finally deal with an individual, she proceeded to retrieve the cash from her bag, only halting when she caught a glimpse of an iPad in his hands.

Ehhh! When did native gods start hiring technology savvy messengers?

In Nigeria, to the best of my knowledge traditional doctors aren’t expected to be technological savvy or into gadgets to be more precise: their business is expected to be spiritually not physically aided. Often the ingredient for a cure is ridiculous as I tried to portray in the story. Sorry it went over the limit won’t happen again.

Osimiri – means river (so river god).

In response to the writing challenge flash fiction for aspiring writers hosted by Priceless Joy click on the link to visit the blog. The photograph was provided by Sonya less than a 100 words and the challenge is to write a 100 – 150 words (+/- 25 words) story inspired by it. Do click on the link for other stories.

Written for Nablopomo day seventeen.

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