Tricks

Sunday nights are Grandma Ummi’s favorite; because all her grandkids gather at her feet, and on zoom to listen to her ‘Story of the Week’. It’s been her secret way of bonding with her family over the years.Settling her glasses on her nose; she goes “Story – Story” and her grand kids reply “Story”. “Once upon a time” she continues, “Time- Time” they chorus. “The title of our story of the week is TRICKS.” She observes her 5 young ones with a smile that hides the pain in her left hip; they pay rapt attention to her.

“One day; TRUTH was walking past a well when LIE called out to her. He’s enjoying a nice warm bath. “Lets take a bath together” the LIE said “the water is very nice and warm.” Suspicious; TRUTH dips her left foot into the water to check and finds it lovely. Taking her time; she folds her clothes nicelyand gets into the pool, naked. She’s barely enjoyed the bath when, suddenly, LIE leapt out the water and fled with TRUTH’s clothes. The TRUTH climbed out of the well; furiousto get her clothes back, but the world upon seeing the naked truth, looked at her with anger and contempt. They attacked her, and poor TRUTH returned to the well and disappeared. To hide her shame. Since then, the LIE runs around the world dressed as the truth. And he gets away with it because the world has no desire to know the naked truth. The END”

The grandchildren give their grandma a short round of applause. She re-adjusts the glasses  on her noseand asks; “So what have you learnt from my story, Haki?” she calls out to her first grandson. And the 15year old smiles; she always calls him first. “Lovely story Gran-Gran. I learnt that it’s important to be careful how you trust.” He says. “How do you mean?” Grandma asks some more. This time Kojo cuts in from the laptop; his parents stay continents away so they join in online. “Trust is important Grandma. Haki is right. Especially when you decide to trust a person named LIES. You should know you’re asking for trouble. Or don’t you think so?” Grandma Ummi smiles at the intelligence of her grandchildren. “Do you all agree?” she asks. “Yes Grandma, they reply” She is amazed at how bright they are becoming. They appear to speak with one mind. She smiles “Okay it is time for bed. Close your eyes while we pray.” And the kids bow their heads to receive blessings from their Grandma. She pours out blessings from her heart and  good tidings into the new week.

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