A short story based on true story
It’s getting late in the afternoon. It was the time when one would feel quite relaxed and comfortable to enjoy the cool breeze that heralds the soon arrival of the evening to end all the hustles of the day. “What a pleasant weather,” commented Sewnet to Mengistu, who did not pay attention.
“To tell you frankly such time relieves those who have been rushing throughout the day to piece ends together,” continued Sewnet. Mengistu, in response, said, “Devoid of such activities, existence becomes difficult, rather meaningless.” “What are you trying to say?” asked Sewnet. “Well,” said Mengistu “Anything that obscures this trend would put man in a very difficult situation; it is the question of survival.
It takes the gut to confront it and come up with a victor which is the sign of the beginning of greatness.” It was the time when the sun hastens to its home, yet leaving behind the flakes of the scrap light. The ray, the drop of golden sun, filters through the leaves of the tree standing in front of house where they were sitting and gazing at the sky without purpose, but just enjoying whatever remained of what was going on during the day. They kept sitting there imbued with bliss that urged me to look for a reason to ponder about nature. Sewnet raised his head to look up into the firmament, wherein the vast expanse, a patch of clouds suspended from the belly of the sky with no moisture in it.
Their hope for the rain to pour down to wet the bonedry soil died out. “I’m afraid there won’t rain soon,” said Sewnet a bit worried. The wind rattled the corrugated iron roof of the house they were sitting behind. It was a sheer sign that there won’t be rain for a couple of months to come. The evening forcefully began to step in, gradually displacing the soon-fading daylight. They felt tinged with a kind of discomfort; yet, the hosts of the heavens, to their joy, were about to flicker and the hope the brothers flickered.
Analogically, the situation placed them in a new political perspective which the country was about to face. As much as the heavenly bodies were intent on taking over the powers of the day, and the new political force supplanted the former and establish itself on the new development highway. As the landscape surrounding where they were sitting was being engulfed by darkness that tactfully chased away, the remaining strake of light, the twilight was bent on spreading its red canopy over the horizon.
The situation was gaining momentum; it was then that their eyes unsuccessful strained to see things around them; it was the time when fumbling and restrained Sewnet and his brother. They felt so uncertain and raised their hands in defeat.
“At some point in life, there has to be such misgiving,” apprehensively said Mengistu. “No one is in a position to defend oneself whatsoever; uncertainty engulfs him, filling him with suspicion and doubt,” replied Sewnet while the fear of the unknown rocked his whole being.
“Truly speaking, I suffer alone and no one comes to my rescue; safety was unfortunately out of my reach no matter how hard I plead for help,” added Sewnet. The ground that they have treaded as long as I have lived seemed gave way under their feet.
Ato Tamagn, the uncle of Sewnet and Mengistu, was among the top officials of the government, pondered at length, ‘Who’s to be trusted? Where’s the sun that smiled on me with its golden ray? Its bright light had buoyed my spirit to smile away the frowns the harsh reality of life imposes on me. During the day time, I can easily find my way. In darkness, I don’t fear to act as I please as long as it is inconsistent with the norm.’ He was a strict man of unwavering justice.
Ato Tamagn was commissioned to purchase ammunitions worth millions of dollars from a friendly country, he complied. The time was when the new government took over power. No sooner than he reached his destination, the new government to come back to Ethiopia.
At this junction, the hero, upon receiving the bad news, did not panic nor did he abandon the commitment he had made to his country despite the strenuous efforts made by relatives and friends to dissuade him from returning to Ethiopia. They rather encouraged him to keep the money and seek asylum somewhere in Europe or America.
‘I would rather return to my country and handover the money,’ he convinced himself. ‘I don’t have the luxury of running away with the money. My pure conscience would not allow me to do so.’ He recommitted himself to his stern belief of his righteousness – his hands and mind were not dirtied by corruption.
Yet, since he was confident that there was nothing wrong he had done, he came back with the money. Unfortunately, to his daunting shock, no sooner than his foot touched the ground, two hands grabbed him on both sides and he was whisked only to find himself in a prison where he remained for nine and half years without trial.
‘I have done nothing wrong to be accountable for; I am just doing my job as ordered,’ he would mumble to himself often. In fact, he had believed that friends, relatives and the new government officials would give a warm welcome as he was coming back to the country badly needed at that time. But nothing of that sort happened. He was filled with regret for not listening to his friends and relatives.
Sewnet and Mengistu were shocked to hear that their uncle was imprisoned. “What could have gone wrong with our uncle?” asked Sewnet throwing up his hands. “I don’t understand,” replied Mengistu hopelessly.
Ato Tamagn’s wife W/ro Yimegnushal, being subjected to constant threat, and having realized the grave consequences the situation would entail, fled to the United States with her children. She was aware of the abominable political atmosphere and the spirit filled with vengeance. ‘I don’t wish to yield myself to the wrath of the new system that may not rationally consider situations,’ she said to her friend. From the onset of their arrival of the new government, from all indications, she could conclude that their law, a tooth-for-a tooth, could enact blind verdict. No need to sit back and wait for her demise to knock on the door.
Ato Tamagn was expecting ululation of women that would rise and swell over the air like water bubbling rapidly and melodiously over stones of a clear, sparkling stream. That kept him in its bally for nine and a half years without trials of any form and without anybody to visit him, not even immediate relatives. Had it not been for the Red Cross and prison mates, he couldn’t have had food and clothes during his years in the prison. He was totally deprived of the basic human rights. He did not have the slightest clue that things would take the wrong turn. ‘The result of love for my country would have witnessed for me,’ he said to himself. Nevertheless, all the avalanches of misfortunes did not deter him from proving his valor and be actively involved in education program in the prison from which many inmates benefitted. Such a man of integrity was able to maintain his composure and set, an example for some of his mates who were on the verge of total psychological disaster. His constant smiles proved a remedy to the aching spirit of prisoners and even the wardens.
As abrupt was the beginning of the sad situation, this national hero was abruptly released without convincing explanation. Upon his release EPR, whether in compensation or other, for unknown explanation, founded an NGO and made the national hero the manager with a monthly salary of Birr 100,000. Whatever, Ato Tamagn, whose history has been narrated so far, lived well the remaining years of his life and after some time died a significant death, leaving behind his wife and children. After all, although situations appear bleak, not a single good deed gets lost without honest and gratifying reward.
The Ethiopian herald June 12,2020
BY JOSEPH SOBOKA
