“Then one day, the rains came, and water filled the earth. The sun used to visit the waters, but the waters would never return his efforts. The water said that there was no room for it at the sun’s house. That if he came for a visit, he and his people would drive the sun out. The sun decided to build a very large house, for he knew that water and his friends were numerous and took up a lot of room. The sun told the moon of his plan, and together they got to work on a large new house. When it was finished, they asked water to come visit.

“When water arrived, he called out to them to ask if it was safe for him and his friends to enter. The sun and moon said yes. So water flowed in accompanied by the fish and all the other water animals. As more and more water flowed in, it soon reached the top of the sun’s and moon’s heads, soon filling the entire space. The sun and moon were forced to go up into the sky, where they have remained ever since. They may not always get along, but they found a way to coexist in peace. For they needed each other.”

Jaha folded her arms and waited. Kamau and Obi slowly turned to face each other. They clasped wrists, mumbled their appreciation, and parted ways.

“I’m not sure all those analogies held,” we said.

“Everyone’s a critic.” Jaha watched the young men lumber off, their beef, if not forgotten, placated for now. “They held enough to make my point. Sometimes when a person or a community is in crisis, they simply need to be heard.”

“You are a wise woman.” We kissed her forehead, careful not to displace her head wrap if we valued our life.

“I need to call a meeting of the Ijo.”

The more joy we express, the more they come for us

(Never afraid) With fire, in violent chorus

They took away our homes, left us no choice

Tried to take away our hope, strip us of voice

But we built a home among the stars

(Never afraid) First Attempts in Learning was the key

Still so far to go, we have to keep pressing for ours

Staying true to who we are, We against the O.E.

A test, if we can live from what we’ve learned

Come around this fire, expect to get burned

Let there be no rift, our community will remain free

The future is a gift, what is meant to be will be.

19 FELA BUHARI
Eshu