Chapter 12: The Old Song

Shuaibu just disappear—nobody sabi if e die or e dey alive. Even if Jude Dangana wan scatter am, e no fit do anything.

Village people dey fear reach bone. Even pikin dey run if dem see shadow for bush.

Jude Dangana pain no get where to go. Na only to hold him small pikin, dey cry, dey tell everybody, again and again, about the last time he see him wife, just like those old story woman, Mama Ifeoma.

Evening time, you go see Jude for verandah, pikin for lap, voice low, dey repeat the same story. Sometimes, people go gather, just dey nod head.

He talk am with pain, every time, so tey anybody wey hear am go just feel am for body.

Some young girls begin dey cry as dem listen. Even men wey get strong heart go dey look ground.

Even five years later, as I sit down for front of Jude Dangana for chief’s council room, I still dey remember how he talk am that time, and from all those story, I fit nearly join am together like TV drama wey go break person heart.

The thing dey my head like old song wey no gree comot for mouth.

And for this village, old song dey last pass new tori—especially if blood join am.