ALHAJI MUSA AND THE BILLY GOAT
It was a rather bright evening, with the sun riding majestically high across the skies on it’s way
to it’s resting place in the heavens.. The leaves on the Mango tree moved in unison to a music
that they alone could hear as a gentle breeze blew across the landscape, blowing up a fine film
of red soil on the cross legged figure. Alhaji Musa sat on the straw woven mat at the courtyard
of his compound, facing the east. He was reflecting on the day’s events as he waited for the Sun
to go down so he can commence his evening’s oblation and prayer. As a devout Muslim, he has
to wash himself ritually and pray five times every day.
Business has been good thought, Alhaji Musa to himself. What with the recent rainfall, his
harvest of Maize will be bountiful come harvest time. He mentally calculated what he was going
to get for his farm produces.
“Vroom.” A pesky fly landing on his bushy eyebrow broke his thoughts. Swinging out his right
hand, he attempted to splat the fly with the flywhisk by his side. The fly made a quick retreat, out
of harm’s way. “Bloody Flies,” he swore to himself. Flies seem to be out in force, especially after
a rainfall like last night.
Alhaji Musa thought with pleasure his newest acquired acquisition, Amina. She is only fourteen
years old and his newest wife. She is the daughter of Alhaji Usman, his good friend and
business partner, for many a year. To cement the friendship and business partnership, when
Alhaji Usman had a bouncing baby girl, fourteen years ago, he had immediately taken a
generous dowry to Alhaji Usman, who had accepted it with joy.
She had grown up under her father’s roof with all the necessary Islamic and traditional training
necessary to make her a loyal and loving wife. Alhaji Musa has had minimal contact with her,
through the years. She had grown up to be a very pretty young lady indeed.
But the time had now come to bring her home and add her to his ever-increasing harem. All of
his wives are in purdah; no man’s eyes have ever set eyes on any of his wives. They wore the
Hijab, covering cloth from head to toes. They are not allowed to leave the house without the
presence of a male chaperone.
That is what the proceeds of his next harvest will be ploughed into. He is going to organise a big
party benefiting of his position in the local community. There would be nothing left to spare, to
showcase his prosperity to the world.
Across the yard was a Billy Goat busily eating the succulent fresh grass shootings, which had
sprouted out, as a result of the recent rainfall. It was a change from the usual drought-like
conditions that obtains in the valley area. It wriggled its short twisted tail as it enjoyed his meal.
Feeling a smug sense of contentment, pouring over him, it seems to an onlooker, he had no
care in the world.
Pouring some water into his hands from the plastic water bottle besides him, he washed his
privates with the water. Next he washed his feet ,his face and then his ears. Taking a sip of
water, he rinsed his mouth vigorously and spat it out by his side.
Reciting the Quran in Arabic, with his two hands in front of him, then bowing down with his
head; touching the earth. Cleaning his face with his hands, he started reciting the Quran and
reflected on his upcoming marriage.
The Billy Goat was sitting down, chewing the cud in the shade. It was happy with its day’s work.
He was attracted by the still figure sitting in front of him; it seemed to be chewing the cud as
well. The Goat moved closer to investigate further. The figure was covered with hair just like
him, what with the bushy beard, overgrown eyebrows, and moustache.
It inched closer, as it decided that it wasn’t sharing this patch with any other Billy Goats in the
locality. “I will protect my land or will died trying” it decided. Then the figure adopted an
aggressive posture.
It was taken aback that the figure was willing to fight for the grass as well. It moved to take a
closer look at this upstart. Suddenly it did not have automatic access to grass, anymore. It blew
out huge gust of air through its nostrils and kicked out earth with its hind legs.
As the figure bent down its head in challenge, the sunlight reflected off the bald head blinding
the Goat in its tracks. It went crazy as it’s spurted out more air through huge nostrils, it charged
with it’s horns down to pick up the gauntlet thrown by his rival.
It was a clean strike, the Goat thought as it joined battle with a powerful head butt to its rival.
The impact made its teeth jar to its foundation. The figure slumped over with blood streaming
out from its broken head.
The Goat was furious. It went backwards, dug it’s heel in and attacked with everything it got. It
was sweet hearing the impact of its massive horns on its rival.
Bull Eyes.
Thrown backward by the force of the impact, it observed that the figure was lying prone on the
mat without any movement. It had won. It quickly moved away from the area to savour its
victory.
Alhaji Musa saw the forthcoming marriage flashed through his eyes; the guests attending the
forthcoming marriage ceremonies, speeches being made, and food being eaten. Marvelling at
how beautiful Amina had grown up to be. He loved her being the centre of attention.
He looked down at his slumped body as he locked eyes with the Billy Goat that roamed about
the area, eating grass. Asking the question, "why me, why now"; as he breathe his last.
© OLUFEMI VICTOR ODUBANJO 2011