21/09/2024
Story time!!
In the heart of Ungwar Jumma’a village, nestled among the tall baobab trees and rolling hills, lived a clever rabbit named Batu. Batu was no ordinary rabbit—he was known far and wide for his tricks, especially his love for groundnuts. When the harvest season arrived, the farmers were always on edge because they knew Batu would soon make his appearance.
As the golden sun dipped below the horizon and shadows stretched across the fields, the villagers gathered to harvest their groundnuts. They worked tirelessly, their laughter echoing through the village as they filled their baskets with the season’s bounty. But beneath their laughter was a whisper of dread—because tonight, they knew Batu would come.
In the distance, a strange sound broke the evening calm. "Batu bambam batu, batu sarkin geda, inna k**a in cinye duka!" The haunting chant grew louder, accompanied by the rhythmic thud of heavy feet. The farmers paused, their eyes widening in fear. Batu was coming!
Batu had a plan. He had fashioned himself a terrifying costume from palm fronds and old rags, appearing larger than life—a masquerade feared by all who glimpsed it. He strutted through the farms, his chant ringing out, "Batu bambam batu!" With each word, the farmers' hearts raced. They could barely see his small, cunning face beneath the mask, but the legend of Batu had grown so powerful that no one dared stay to challenge him.
He reached the edge of the farm, stomping his feet as he sang, "Batu sarkin geda! Inna k**a in cinye duka!" His words sent shivers through the farmers. They abandoned their harvests and fled, dropping their tools and baskets, convinced that if Batu caught them, he wouldn’t just steal their groundnuts—he would eat them too!
As the last farmer ran away, Batu snickered under his breath. "Silly humans," he muttered, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He began collecting the plumpest groundnuts, stuffing his small pouches to the brim. He ate his fill, his whiskers twitching with delight.
But Batu wasn’t just hungry—he was clever. After gathering more groundnuts than he could carry, he carefully scattered some around the fields, as if animals had raided the crops, ensuring the farmers wouldn’t suspect it was him alone. When he finished, he scampered back to his burrow, his belly full and his heart light with triumph.
The next morning, the farmers returned cautiously, expecting devastation. They found empty fields, with only a few broken shells and scattered nuts left behind. "Batu sarkin geda has struck again!" one of them cried. They shook their heads in defeat but couldn't help but admire Batu's cleverness.
And so, every harvest season, the legend of Batu the King of Groundnuts grew. The farmers would tell their children about the trickster rabbit, warning them not to venture into the fields at night. Meanwhile, Batu would sit in his burrow, satisfied and full, waiting for the next harvest when he would once again chant his song: "Batu bambam batu, batu sarkin geda, inna k**a in cinye duka."
The clever rabbit’s reign over the groundnuts would never end, as long as his tricks held power over the fearful villagers.
Olawuyi Oyewusi
