21 Some of us are born brave

Then she continued "When you get to the junction you are to place the mortar at the centre of the junction, pour the grains of maize into the mortar and without uttering a word begin pounding the maize with the pestle. You must pound with all your strength so it can be loud to reach the realms of the spirits; and for it to form this rhythm "Ko ko kokoo, ko ko kokoo, ko ko kokoo".

Once the sound leaves the ends of this world into the spirit world; different species of birds, good and evil both from the physical and spirit world, will come flying to have a taste from the maize you are offering to the Anyawu. They will come to consume the grains of corn that fell off the mortar. Remember no matter how strange the birds may look; you are not to stop pounding and of course not to shout either. Inugo?" she warned.

"Yes nne, I heard you loud and clear" Ego confirmed mystified.

Then she continued "You have to keep pounding and be patient until a particular Nza that will have a shining short rope attached to its left leg comes to join the party. You have to continue pounding until it is within a reachable distance; once you're sure you can catch it, you stop pounding and grab it. Ensure that you don't miss because once it understands your intentions; it will fly away and never return. If you succeed in catching that particular bird, you must bring it straight home and find a secured place to keep it, away from the eyes of another human being. Once that is done, the first part of the task is completed".

On hearing that this was just the first part of the process; Ego who had been listening avidly was a bit disappointed that she couldn't resist repeating, "Only the first part of the process?"

The old lady with a sly smile on her lips said "did you think it would be a walk in the park? It is only the hands that toil that eat. In other words, nothing good comes easy; you of all people should know that by now".

Ego slightly pulled her long hair from behind indicating that she was feeling shy to say what she was about to say;

"I do know but it seems like the first part is already scary, dangerous and risky enough. Getting the bird is not going to be that easy".

"Alright then," the old lady said as she placed her both hands by her sides on the bed to enable her to stand up.

Ego was distressed by the old lady's response. "Nne, what are you doing?" she asked and without waiting for a reply she threw her second question

"Are you leaving already?"

The old lady now on her feet said staring down at Ego "Yes…" she drawled nodding her head.

"You said you can't complete the task; that it is too difficult right?" she asked.

"No, that's not what I meant; I was just trying to…" she hesitated before saying "Nne please sit down and complete the instructions; I promise not to interrupt you again". She said slowly pulling the old woman down to the bed.

The old lady did not utter any word for a while; she continued staring down at Ego trying to decide whether to continue talking or not. After a few seconds, she reluctantly took back her place on the bamboo bed and continued from where she stopped, "After the bird is safely secured under your personal care, you must wait for full moon to appear in the sky; no matter how many nights it takes, the moon must be full; while the moon is in its full glory you can then bring the bird out of its confinement. You can then request anything from it. I will advise you to think carefully before putting out that first request to it; for this will be what you will keep demanding from it for as long as you will have it. Any time you change the request it will not be fulfilled. That is how you can tap into the forces of good that will be available tomorrow. Be warned that no other person can see or touch this bird except you". Ego nodded which means in affirmation.

So that's it and nothing more? Ego asked with a mixed feeling of surprise and joy.

"Yes that's it, you seem surprised?" the old lady asked.

"I am astonished; I thought the second part was going to be something far more difficult than what you just said". Ego replied smiling. Then she went further to ask

"Has this battle between light and darkness occurred before?"

"It has happened before and it will definitely again after tomorrow, but it is not predictable, no one knows when next it will happen".

"Then how are you so sure that it will happen tomorrow afternoon?" She asked.

"It was revealed to me by the gods. But what does an old woman like me need earthly wealth for? I just want to reunite with my ancestors as soon as possible so I can rest eternally and have absolute peace of mind and body. But you, my dear, still have a long way to go; you still have your whole life ahead of you. With this opportunity there will be no limit to your success, you will rise from a poor widow to the wealthiest woman in Umudibia and possibly beyond. You should get all the good things in life simply because you deserve it".

Gradually the smile on Ego's face faded away; it seemed reality was catching up with her and she began to doubt the possibility of this prediction she had never heard of. She then proceeded to ask

"Nne, are you sure I can do this?"

"Some of us are born brave while some of us learn to be brave. You, my child, was born brave; you can do this. Remember you must do it tomorrow because there may never be another battle between those two in your lifetime. Do not let this opportunity slip away from your fingers. I'm counting on you to do it; grab this blessing and make your life an interesting one. There is no person in the village that deserves it more than you". The old lady advised her solemnly.