Fix That Living Thing Back!

So I went on a trip down memory lane in search of peace, a strategic attempt to appease my frustrated self with memories of happiness enjoyed during my childhood days. I recollected an incident that did not only forge a smile on my face but urged me on beyond my predicament. It prevented me from resolving to a decision that could have permanently created a dent in my life. I would like to share with you this cherished memory of my childhood and the lesson it thought me on hindsight.

Five friends found themselves on their way back from Preparatory School as it was always the case. Washington resided close to our school but walked on past his residence to join in on our valued after-closing-walk-and-talk sessions. He was reserved and hardly troubled anyone but was always around to share in the laughter, a possible aftermath of our troubles. Japheth, was our protector and with him, although lanky at the time, was fearless and constantly kept us in trouble but provided his usual solution with his ever-ready fists. He was a man of war. Sampson, like the Biblical Sampson was the strongest among us but had a serious disgust for fights so much so that he never engaged in a rescue mission which demanded that he threw his fists at anyone. He was purely a man of peace. My twin brother, Kennedy eagerly awaited an opportunity to tease anyone he desired to and finally me. I shared the same attribute as my twin only I also enjoyed scouting for female classmates to engage in conversations with. Perhaps she might come in handy during a dance session on ‘Our Day’, you never know. We were a happy and naïve lot.

On that fateful day, Sampson discovered his Delilah hanging loosely on a fragile branch of a tree. She was not as ripe as the others above her but she was the only one within his reach. She swung her green body pleasantly on the supporting branch, feeding Sampson with overwhelming temptation. Unknown to us, Sampson had been mentally absent from our conversation. He had been enthusiastically eyeing his lover from a distance. We approached the mechanic shop where his lover was in full glare of his thirsty eyes. Like the Biblical Sampson, our friend made no attempt to resist this dicey enticement. He stretched forth his hand and disengaged the innocent fruit from its branch with a confident pull. He stood close by, admiring its curves from all sides. She was a beautiful little thing. He grinned from ear to ear.

Then we heard the frightening voice of the Mechanic who like the Philistines had been baiting our friend Sampson. His voice interrupted our discourse. It was full of authority; “Fix that living thing back!” Sampson who had instantaneously recovered from his fantasy could not fathom this impossible request. The aspect of giving up his lover was not what made the request incredible. It was scientifically impossible to undo what he had just done. We gathered around the pair, trying ceaselessly to come up with a suitable approach. As we glanced through our blank thoughts, we refrained from the urge of laying a finger on the unripe mango Sampson held cautiously in his palm. He dared not distant the mango from its branch. He held on to it, positioning it right beneath the branch he had plucked the forbidden fruit.

His philistine of a Mechanic looked on with fiery eyes, holding a work tool clenched in one hand. Japheth was the first to speak. It came as no surprise to us for he was the confident one amongst us. “This mango-blue and you are flexing with it like that, Sampson throw it away and let’s go home”. His fists were clenched as he spoke. We knew clearly what his intentions were. Washington who although sensed danger was humoured and allowed himself a passive smile to begin. My twin and I giggled and kept our distance. This fight was clearly beyond our protector. As for our friend Sampson, he had turned into an effigy with his lover in one hand and the other behind his back as a sign of respect. Despite his fears, he also smirked.

You might have guessed how things ended; Sampson couldn’t do the impossible and was advised accordingly by the furious mechanic. Japheth was not granted a fist fight so he left unfulfilled but chose to tease Sampson for a while before departing. Washington retreated home with a mouthful of laughter. My twin and I walked side by side with Sampson between us. We giggled and hid our contemptuous identical faces from him. Sampson continuously repeated the infamous phrase that carried the impossible request under his breath. He joined in the laughter subsequently.

As I neared the end of this exciting memory, a lesson surfaced on my mind; certain decisions, mistakes and/or choices that we make in life are impossible to fix when carried out, so the need to tread cautiously. Never make permanent decisions on temporary feelings. Do not mistreat anyone, for the once beautiful relationship may never be able to fix once broken. Above all, do not take your own life or that of another, no matter the circumstances for you cannot undo it once it is done.

Take life a day at a time and like the Ghanaian Rapper Manifest suggests; Nowhere Cool! You are definitely not the only person in a dreadful situation. Remember to keep fighting and to never give up! Hope but don’t grow lazy! Hurt but do not break! Follow your heart the mind’s way! And finally love yourself and everyone else unconditionally regardless of differences in faith, tribe or nationality.

We are all the same and would equally be impossible to fix, once broken from the branch of humanity.

God be our Guide!

Regards!

Atsu Dogbey