Short Story
It was dawn when the sunlight was wrestling with darkness to shake it of its shoulders and come up with its dominating brilliance to take over its day time duty. Birds exuberantly send out their well harmonized songs blessing the commencement of the day. The dews on the leaves were losing ground as the sunshine was spreading mightily and speedily all over. The cluster of huts about forty of them huddled together as if avoiding the light of the rising sun. The mountain under which they are located towers over them rising to the clouds, a sort of assuring them of protection against any attack of an enemy that might come from any direction. Even though nature in that early morning was still bounteously pouring everything she had to comfort the residents in the area yet, there was something not normal just a few kilometers distance away from the neighborhood. Not too far there was a clearing where people descend from the higher ground down to it for different purposes, maybe meetings or just for relaxation on some sunny days.
This morning seven boys and one girl aged, between fifteen and nineteen, were engaged in hot discussions about what was going on in their area.
“Enough is enough. I can’t take it anymore,” suddenly said one of them vehemently. It was easy to see on his face the bitter feeling he could not control. After all, such emotional state is common with adolescents when they believe something has to be done.
“You are right,” said another one named Belachew, “I share your sentiment. I’m sure so does everyone else here.”
There was a girl amid them listening to every speech made. Her name was Almaz whom her friends referred to her as Almy. She was fair looking, with sharp nose and thin lips. Tall and slender as she was her curly hair gently fell over her shoulders. In short, she was just a beautiful girl. For the time being she chose to remain silent as she was more of a listener than speaker.
Belachew, at that time appeared to be the leader of the group. Pointing to Almaz, he said, “Look friends, the presence of this girl amidst us sends a message as to what is expected of us. I am sure you understand what I mean to say.”
One guy in the middle of the group rose to his feet, clearing his throat said, “Friends I don’t have a clue of what Belachew has just said. Could anyone of you explain it to me, please?”
A sudden change of situation occurred. It was rather a choral response as if all had a ready- made answer. Hands were flying in the air to be given a chance to answer. Somehow Tolasa clapping his hands loudly said, “Calm down everyone! The answer is not as difficult as you think. Belachew wants us to see the bravery Almy exhibited by coming down to where we are now.”
“Make yourself clear. Is the reason we are here does not include girls?” asked Shifa.
There were murmurs here and there as if disapproving the way Shifa responded to Tolasa.
Tolasa retorted, “That’s not what I mean. I’m sure you are aware of why we are gathered here this morning. It is different from what we usually do. This is a different matter. It is a serious one.”
“Indeed it is,” said Mohamed smiling at Shifa as if scoffing. Shifa could not understand why Mohamed looked at him smiling. Did I say anything wrong? Shifa asked himself with a sense of guilt. He turned to Bekele who was sitting beside him and asked, “Did I say anything wrong to offend the rest of you?”
“I don’t see anything wrong with what you said; but only how you said it. It’s only the tone of your language; that was a bit offensive. Other than that it’s all right. You should have politely said spoken,” reassured him Bekele. At this, the tide in Shifa subsided. For that matter, he is usually short tempered. His friends understand him; they do not take offense at what he says. But this time it is different.
Finally, Belachew called for the attention of all to explain the reason why they gathered. All heads turned to him eager to know the purpose of their meeting. A pin drop silence reined the atmosphere for a while.
“Listen friends, there is a serious issue that we have to discuss to make a decision. As you know this is the time our country is passing through series of difficulties, it is a problem of survival,” said Belachew. “It is true,” responded Tolasa. “There is a lot to discuss about them. The enemy that is in northern part of our country is the biggest trouble of our country.” “I often hear my parents talking about it. It is not as easy as you might think,” said one of them from the back.
“What trouble are you talking about,” shouted Shifa suddenly. “Calm down, Shafa! You will soon learn. I beg you, please. It is not a jock. Keep quiet and listen before you make any remark,” said Almaz sternly with a trace of anger on her face.
“You don’t tell me that. I know what I say. Mind your own business!” said Shifa staring at her,. “You are always like that. You don’t give time for your brain to think properly,” said Hordofa irritably.
The situation seemed to be out of control. A certain gentleman heading for town happened to pass by where the youngsters were shouting. He wanted to know why they were arguing. Truly speaking, it was Shifa who was the trouble shooter. He still wanted to hear what they were saying before interfering.
At long last, Belachew clapped his hands, the usual way to attract attention, “Stop arguing. We do not have much time to waste. Let us go to the main issue,” said Belachew. “Be quiet, please,” said the guy standing beside Belachew. Finally, they all calmed down ready to go ahead with their interrupted discussion.
Even if Almaz felt sick with what was going on she didn’t refrain from coming forward and air her views clearly.
“Brothers,” she said, “the enemy is destroying the northern part of our country. It is killing innocent civilians, old and young, the sick and children and even animals indiscriminately and looting their properties just like that.”
The passerby realized that the youngsters were on a serious matter. It’s a national issue which everyone should be involved in. No exemption. Driven with this idea, he came closer to the group and loudly said, “Children, I’m proud to find such heroes in our neighborhood. I, too, live in this village. You had such great idea. That’s why I stood there listening to everything you said. I was moved by the love you have for your country. Doing this on your own initiative is quite encouraging.”
Belachew rouse and clapped his hands and the rest soon applauded the man. “We need such encouraging gentlemen. Thank you sir,” saluted Belachew and so did the rest.
“I’m honored,” said the man and saluted in return.
“What do you advise us do, Sir?” asked Hordofa politely.
“You already know how to go about with it, perhaps more than I do. Everything you said is right. Go ahead,” replied the man.
“What do you mean? We asked you to help us not appreciate,” blurted Shifa without thinking what his remark could cause. Almaz soon condemned him for his unruly behavior. “How in the world you speak like that? Don’t you have respect for elders?” she reprimanded him. Lamesa, too, losing his temper said, “You can’t be of any use to our venture.”
“Don’t you know that what we’re preparing to do requires a gut which I don’t see in you l,” added Belachew.
Belachew turning to the rest, “Brothers and sister, we should prepare ourselves to do everything what the war in the North needs.” Everyone in the group vowed to do everything it takes, as Belachew said, even if takes being conscripted in the army. They unanimously agreed that the issue is a threat to the national security. It is only when the security of a country is maintained that we live freely. The Youth in the whole country have already done what is expected of them lest the junta destroys our country and subjects us to slavery by foreign powers. We need to act speedily to save our motherland.
BY JOSEPH SOBOKA
ETHIOPIAN HERALD 19 SEPTEMBER 2021
