VISITING MAMA AND PAPA

A cool breeze blew past me as I stepped into my father's compound. Usually Papa and Mama would be outside, Papa would be listening to the radio while Mama would be cleaning her Egusi but this time it wasn't so, instead the door of the house was left open, perhaps they were inside.

"Papa." I called out his name as I sighted him.

"My son." He stood and embrace me.

"What a surprise!"

Mama came out of the kitchen.

"My son, your here."

"Yes mama."

She hugged me so tight.

"I am making a very delicious Egusi Soup, it must have done by now, let me go and get it."

"Okay Ma."

I sat down.

"You didn't tell us your coming."

"Yes papa, I wanted to surprise you and mama even though they still pay as a retired english professor I bought this agege bread and provisions." I handed it to him.

"Oh that's so thoughtful, It's hard for anybody in your generation to drive all the way from Lagos to Anambra just to see their parents when we can just talk on the phone as usual, you know am still earning monthly salary yet you also send money every weekend, please you don't need to."

"No papa... It's nothing."

"God bless you my son."

"Amen papa. Papa, man of wisdom, man of high knowledge." I started singing his praises to flatter him.

"I still remember your words. It helps me go by everyday."

"Then there's more."

"Feed me."

"Listen my son." He began, "If you can only touch the calm within yourself, for just a moment, the world would surely change, one mindful second at a time. If you could see the kingdom of God that lives inside your heart, happiness would liberate you like a fly released from the confines of a thread like woven web. If you could change the world, one heartfelt smile at a time, you would only commit to kindness, like a bird takes to the air. If you would transcend pain, one breath at a time, you could live without prejudice and allow yourself to just exist the way you are. If you would love an unloveable by feeling them with your heart, you would reap rewards unimaginable, like lake bees busily collecting liberation of life giving nectar. If you would feed the poor from the abundance of your soul, the poor would emerge from their cocoons and fly into the sea of tranquility as a newlywed butterfly takes to the air, flapping flippantly to and fro with a newfound glow."

"Oh papa..."

Mama walked in with a tray of Fufu and Egusi Soup, placing it on the centre table.

"You see, my husband can never change from speaking wise words."

"Well I asked him too." I dipped my hand in the washing hand basin and carefully washed it.

"Well you two can carry on while I continue with the yam am pounding." She excused herself and headed back to the kitchen.

"Mama sure know how to make good Egusi Soup." I said, licking my hand.

"Well am happy your enjoying it. Your sister called earlier and she mentioned your now a blogger and told me of your writing."

"That girl, she talks alot."

"Well I've seen a more reason to be more proud of you, you are really your father's son."

"Ah papa, am grateful too that your my dad, atleast I can say I inherited your wisdom and knowledge."

We both laughed.

"Okay am done eating." I dipped my hand back in the basin and carefully washed it.

"But you didn't even finish up."

"I ate while coming so I wasn't hungry, and you know I can't refuse Mama."

"Well that's no problem. I am really proud of you, am proud that you write for a change. Funny enough, the people of this country are hungry, yet they're clapping without knowing why, for no good reason. Their streets are dirty, filthy and stinking smelling yet they continue to applaud all season. For the old swindlers, the corrupt and rotten puppets, for the lousy hypocrites and greedy robbers. These muggers are concerned solely about their pockets, and the macaws of their cronies and family members which are full of money, properties and food. If it weren't for our brothers and sisters abroad who are doing tough and hard jobs, almost everyone in our country would be dying of hunger, disease, shame and misery."

"No papa. This thing cannot continue, as Fela will call it "Suffering and Smiling". The people must open their eyes. The people must stop suffering and dying for no reason. Their cries are loud and deafening. The politicians must take their engagements and commitments seriously, and I won't stop writing for a change."

"Well I hope they would see what your doing so that they will change. You know, money is always a problem for the vile ants, money is always a magnet for the insatiable crooks. This is a tragedy because countless people are dying unnecessarily for money, money is just lust, it is useless!"

"Yes I know that fact. Nobody is null and worthless in the eyes of God. Our people are not trash, old cats, dirty rats and dogs. I will try my best to make sure we stop applauding the rapacious, voracious, and predatory hogs because these bloodsuckers are really naughty, these old politicians. They got to go, they don't keep their promises, they are like magicians who trick, lie, fool, fantasize, fake, faint and talk garbage. I will have to make sure that people must stop applauding and voting for them in this day and age. These aforementioned toxic jokers who see and care solely about their interests. They respect and love no one, they're too much Papa. They think that even their pests have immunity and can do what they want by violating all laws under the sun. I'll write to make sure we stop paying attention to them or giving them 21 gun salute. Even when they depart or expire to go to hell, I'll write to make sure that people stop applauding the violators of our constitution. They have to stop honouring the dictators, apart from Nigeria, the same can be seen all around the world. Only if we could stop honouring our president, only if we could just stop this brave stuff, this nonsensical bravo, there would be a better future, a more prosperous and peaceful tomorrow."

"Ah... it is sad, pernicious and unconscionable to see so many elected officials who are so greedy and callous beyond words." Mama said, coming out from the kitchen.

I think Mama had been paying attention to I and Papa's conversation.

"Imagine, starving the people for vanity and maundering." Papa responded to her.

Mama sat down. "Dying hungry is worse than dying by the swords, by the sharp blades of greed, lavishness and selfishness. It's a shame that so many sore losers are dishonest and so many people in power are not blessed. God has enormous interest in the very best individuals or leaders who are caring, charitable, kind and magnanimous, the ones who are able and willing to help the less privileged and fortunate. My son, let them know that starving the poor proletariat to purchase mansions, jewelry or luxurious automobiles with each a gold plate is a serious crime and sin against humanity and our nation. Let things change in our country."

"Okay Mama, as far as am here in Nigeria, am here to make a change."

"Yes I agree with you my wife. Theft is a disease. This is criminal to steal surreptitiously from our people who are destitute, deprived, hungry and sick. Misery on earth ought to be unacceptable. Corruption like noxious racism too in abroad is a cancer that should be eradicated from the surface of the earth. Regular food is the basic medicine that a body needs on the table. Starving the people for vanity is inhuman and cruel. Our people are not dumb and the world is no fool."

"Papa I understand you and Mama. I already went to the motherless babies home to feed them last week and am also feeding beggars on the streets. Am feeding our people, am doing what I can do and like I said earlier I will make sure to put a stop to hunger, disease, kidnapping, looting, lawlessness, and murder, avarice and cruelty that contribute to the misery and torture of our poor brothers and sisters. That they invest in the future, in the future of our children to end all types of crimes, poverty and squalor."

"Write to make a difference. I am so proud of you my son." Mama said.

"I am prouder." Papa added.

We all laughed.