“I am a Nigerian”.

“We do not die”.

Okay, let us paraphrase that.

“You seem to be very high on managing your emotions” “yes, I have a very high emotional quotient” “and I see it is helping you a lot on this journey” “somehow” I whispered across the lines “care to explain?” he prodded “Well, I choose to see the pluses in my situation because there are a lot of good” I then went on to list some of the good for him “you have a good perspective about this whole thing and that is helping to keep you grounded” he praised “but I am right now floundering more than feeling grounded” “be kind to

“I am sorry.  I know you are trying to help but my head views you as an enemy although I keep reminding it that you are on our team”  I muttered in exasperation while glaring at the fear seated on her head    “it is totally okay; I get it” the nurse brushes aside my apologies with a smile while I mentally kicked myself I was trying.  Trust me I am.  Unfortunately, my head adopts a combat stance once my feet enter a hospital – a residue from my early teen years when I attempted a vacation job in a hospital. Usually

  “You will not believe what happened to me today” Jaki sidled up to mama “Ah child, you returned so early. What happened to your face?”  Papa asked as he noticed the welt across his face” “I hurried back as I could not get across town”.  Little Jaki replied in an angry quivering voice “What happened?” “They chased and tried beating me up so I ran away as fast as I could” “who?” “the townspeople at the marketplace” “who would dare treat my son that way?”  Papa bellowed indignantly “the painful thing was that the same people who praised me last week

“does he even hear?” I muttered petulantly as I envisaged myself walking away with a resigned look.  “you know he does” “does he really care?” “do you think he doesn’t?” “flipping answer the question and stop throwing it back at me.  I ask the questions here!” I screamed out in my head at the 6am dawn “why are you digging for answers you already have” my head berated “I am not even doing this with you.  Why am I engaging you when I have direct access?” “you really are enjoying this game, right?”  I threw a defiant

I always wondered why lions sneak up from the covers instead of up front.   They spook the unsuspecting herd, cause them to run amok then lie in wait for that one caught behind.  From a helpless flock of sheep through ala dazzle of zebras or even a tower of giraffes right to an intimidating parade of elephants the pride does not change its modus operandi – stealth. The younger me had presumed a lion was this strong and fast runner which could run for Africa. ** [a slang us Nigerians coined for exaggeration.  In this case connoting a lion as having the