until the boy’s eyes roll back,

then ruthlessly slams

him to the ground

to seal the win.

UNMATCHED

Prince Yaw Boateng,

a show-off fighter,

who happens to be

the nephew

of the King of Lower Kwanta,

greets his opponent,

then immediately gallops

like a wild animal,

jumping

and shouting

a war song.

By the time he is ready

to fight

his opponent is so dizzy

from trying to keep up

that he cannot stop

Prince Yaw Boateng

from grabbing him

from behind

and squeezing him

so hard

that it takes all his breath away

and he faints.

TAKEDOWN

My brother

wrestles like he plays Oware

all strategy and planning

and outsmarting

his opponents

who grow so tired

of chasing him

that they practically give up

opening the door

for a slew

of lethal strikes

and graceful takedowns

that seal

his first three victories.

CONGRATULATIONS

My father is proud,

my mother will not stop hugging,

and Upper Kwanta cheers

my brother

for making it

to the final match.

Even though I am happy

for him,

I am also worried

because it is inevitable

that he will have to face

the heartless giant.

It was a gallant effort, but he should forfeit now if he is to face Bonsu, Ebo says.

Ei! What do you say? The giant still must defeat Yaw, I answer back, mostly trying to convince myself.

BONSU VS. YAW

The King’s nephew

lands a few surprise shots

and even grabs

the giant’s wrist

and twists his fingers

to escape a hold,

but he is unable

to take him down.

When Bonsu grows tired

of putting on a show,

of playing around,

he simply clasps his arms around

the Prince’s waist

brings him to the ground

and does not let go.

Now normally, he would try to squeeze

the life out of his opponent,

but when the Prince surrenders

by tapping the ground

with his open palm

Bonsu lets him go

because Yaw is the only son

of the sister

of the King of Lower

and heir to the Golden Stool

and if he suffered any serious harm

in the contest

heads would roll.

Literally.

KWASI SAYS

he is not scared

because the giant

has two feet

like we do,

sleeps and wakes

like we do,

wraps a cloth

around his waist

each day

the same as us,

and eats just like

everyone else.

Yes, but the difference is, his cloth is mammoth and he eats PEOPLE like they are stalks of corn, I say. Be careful, brother.

DOOM

Foaming at the mouth

with a wide-eyed grin,

and beating his chest

like a maniac,

the giant hops wildly

around Kwasi,

until he lands awkwardly

on his left foot

and something cracks

like a twisted tree branch,

only he is the tree

and the branch is

his ankle.

Bonsu’s jaw drops

almost to the ground

and right before he falls

he lets out

a grueling, earsplitting scream

that sends babies

into their maames’ arms