21 Some of us are born brave (1/2)
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.