“Why?” Ajayi asked with a yawn.
Tolu shifted his weight to one leg and explained, “The cottage is far from here. Before either of us can run to the scene, the thief will have gone!”
Mr. Ajayi nodded quietly as he pondered his words. “You are right,” he admitted, chewing his lower lip.
“We can bring our blankets here and find somewhere to sleep!”
The farmer chuckled. “You are funny, Tolu. You expect us to sleep out here all night?”
“If we really want to get the thief, we must not be far away from the farm,” Tolu explained patiently.
Ajayi said, “I quite agree with you. Two good heads are better than one. Let’s get the blankets…and the weapons.”
Tolu raised an eyebrow when he heard the word “weapons”. “Why do we need weapons, sir?” he asked.
“You can use a weapon for defense,” the farmer remarked. “It is only a crime to use it unlawfully. I won’t kill the robber if we catch him. With a cutlass, we can defend ourselves if he tries to attack us.”
Tolu was satisfied with the response. Ajayi led him to the building to prepare for the night.
CHAPTER 4
Man in the Mask
The night was cold. The few stars that sat on the doorstep of the sky could not light up the poor earth. When it was midnight, the thief emerged from the fence, but Ajayi and Tolu were already asleep. The man, who was as dark as midnight, wore a mask to hide his identity. Just as he had done in the past, he climbed down from the tree.
As soon as he touched the earth, he glanced about. Sensing that no eye was watching, he flashed a menacing smile at the farm. It was time to steal. He placed his hand on his torch and began to move quietly to where the eggs were. After a few steps he paused and looked about. Afraid that he might be caught off guard, he looked about more carefully, this time flashing his torch. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he placed his discomfort on the doorstep of the past and moved on. Sensing no danger, he adjusted his mask.
Unknown to the thief, his movements had woken Ajayi and Tolu. They jumped to their feet and looked about. They saw someone moving toward the area where eggs were kept. Without wasting time, they grabbed their weapons and followed the man quietly. When the thief got to where he usually stole eggs, he quickly brought out his basket. But when he moved closer, his jaw dropped, he gasped and beat his chest because there were no eggs! The thief pulled up his mask and surveyed the farm. Not to leave the farm empty handed, he decided to steal some hens. He grabbed a hen and violently twisted its neck. Once the life had gone out of the bird, he placed it in the basket. He smiled deviously then turned to the next hen. But just as he’d grabbed it, and almost robbed the chicken of its life, Ajayi and Tolu rushed in, flashing the torch and wielding their weapons at the thief.
Seeing the two men, the thief was alarmed; he almost died of fear. He threw the basket away and took to his heels. Tolu ran after him and brought him down with a single blow. The criminal groaned in pain as he crashed to the ground. The farmer and Tolu stood over him pointing the torch at his covered face. “Show your face!” Ajayi thundered, his cutlass hanging in the air.
Afraid that he might be killed if he refused, the thief took off his mask. Now that the coward’s face was revealed, Mr. Ajayi could not believe his eyes. He wiped his face with the back of his hand and looked carefully again, just to be sure. Yes, it was true: the thief was none other than his so-called friend, Bode. He exchanged a sad glance with Tolu. “So, you are the person doing this to me!” the farmer roared as he returned to Bode.
Bode again tried to hide his face in shame. “Please, don’t kill me. I will return what I have stolen!” He could not help the quiver in his voice.
“Why did you decide to ruin me, Bode?”
Bode burst into tears and tried to explain: “I don’t know what came over me! It must be the devil at work.”
The farmer chewed his lower lip angrily. Then he paced up and down, pondering what to do next. After a time, he paused, as if an idea had just flown into his head. He turned to Tolu and ordered: “Tie him to the tree. Before mid-day tomorrow, I will have decided what to do with this old bat!”
Before Bode could protest, he was roped to the almond tree. Then the farmer and Tolu walked away.
CHAPTER 5
Forgiveness
Mr. Ajayi could not sleep all night because he did not believe his former best friend could be the thief stealing his eggs. At daybreak, the cockerel had barely sounded it was dawn when the farmer jumped to his feet and rushed out of the cottage. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him to the farm as Tolu, who was also awake, followed him. When Mr. Ajayi got to the tree where the man was tied, he grabbed him by the neck and yelled, “I will hand you over to the police, you thief!”
Shivering, Mr. Bode cried out, “Please forgive me. The devil used me!”
“Do not blame the devil for your weakness. What can you gain by being a thief?”
Mr. Bode lowered his head as shame fell on him: “Forgive me. I will refund all that I have stolen from you.”
The farmer flared up, “I don’t want anything! If you truly respect me, then you wouldn’t steal from me!” Then he reached into his pocket and brought out his wallet. After counting out some money he turned to Tolu with an ordered: “Untie him!”
Tolu did as his employer had asked and stood back. As Bode regained his freedom, he rose to his feet. He dusted off his clothes but fought gallantly to make certain that their eyes did not meet.
Mr. Ajayi handed the money that he had just counted to Mr. Bode and said, “Take this money. I hope it will meet your immediate needs.”
The thief declined the offer and turned to go. But Mr. Ajayi threatened, “If you do not take this money, then I will involve the police and you will have no choice but to face justice!”
The thief paused, and for the first time exchanged a glance with the farmer. After pondering his words, he feared that he could spend time behind bars, so he inhaled sharply and received the money on bended knees.
The farmer placed the wallet back in his pocket and crossed his arms over his body and warned, “Let this be the last time that you will steal my things. If it happens again, I will not forgive you.”
Mr. Bode was touched and could not hold back his tears. He placed the money in his pocket. “Thank you for sparing my life,” he muttered.
Mr. Ajayi frowned and turned to Tolu: “Lead this man out of here and meet me in the building.”
“Okay sir,” Tolu replied. He followed the thief to the gate. As soon as Mr. Bode was gone, he returned to Mr. Ajayi who was happy he had finally caught the thief. Tolu was rewarded with cash and gifts, and the farmer lived a full life in his newfound wisdom.
BABY THOMAS
CHAPTER 1
The Riverside
It was a Saturday morning in the village and the fishermen were busy casting their nets in the river. On the streets some had nothing better to do than lean out their windows to catch a breath of fresh air, for it was a good time to enjoy the glorious morning. Others were on their way to the daily market.
Mr. Francis owned a boat, which had made him a small fortune. He used the boat to fish and to move people from the riverside to a remote island off the coast of Lagos.
Lydia, his wife, was busy preparing breakfast. Not comfortable in the kitchen because her little boy was playful and into everything, she took the child in her arms and moved to the sitting room. “Darling, I need your help,” she said.
Mr. Francis put his newspaper aside. He lowered his spectacles and looked over them. “What can I do for you, my love?”
“The kitchen is not the best place for Thomas now. Please, can he be with you until I am finished with the cooking?”
Mr. Francis sat up and replied, “Yes, he’s my son. Thomas gives me joy!”
Lydia smiled and placed the child in the warm hands of his father. Mr. Francis embraced the boy and gave him a kiss on the forehead. He rose to his feet
and moved out of the house as Lydia rushed back to the kitchen.
CHAPTER 2
Thomas is Lost
With his little boy, Mr. Francis strolled to the river where the fishermen were at work in their boats. The men were busy making their nets and tightening loose ends. Not happy that he was the only person not working, the ferryman decided to work on his boat, too. He raised his spectacles and looked around to find a place where Thomas could play as he worked on his boat. His search was not a long one, as he found a doll on a toolbox that belonged to a man whose boat was close to Mr. Francis’s boat. He thought his son would like the doll, and his guess was right! Mr. Francis took the doll and placed it in Thomas’s hands. Thomas was excited and obviously happy to receive the doll. Happy that his son was pleased, he rubbed his hands together and moved away.
Mr. Francis boarded his boat, and his son played with the doll. Meanwhile, the owner of the toolbox, and the doll, emerged from one of the restaurants nearby. Reaching his boat, the fisherman went for his toolbox and was surprised to see the little boy. Unfazed, he gathered his things, including the doll he’d just bought for his own son whom he would meet that evening, and went aboard his boat. As he prepared to launch his boat, a serving girl from the restaurant where he’d just eaten his breakfast raced toward him. “Sir, you forgot something on the table,” the girl said.
Mr. Drood, the boat owner, raised his head. “What is that?” he asked.
“It’s a parcel!”
“Oh, why didn’t you bring it?”
“My employer said that you must come to see if it is yours,” the girl replied.
Mr. Drood sighed. “Yes, the parcel I was asked to deliver to the magistrate,” he said. He disembarked from the boat and followed the girl back to the restaurant.
But as soon as Mr. Drood had left, Thomas crawled into the boat via the gangplank. And before Mr. Drood had returned, the little boy had found the toolbox and the doll. He held the doll in his arms, smiling. When Mr. Drood returned with his parcel, he did not check his boat again because he was already late. He pushed the boat into the river and jumped aboard.
After working awhile, Mr. Francis raised his head to check on his son, but the boy was gone! He jumped out of the boat and rushed to the sand, looking helplessly about. He ran from one end of the river to the other crying and shouting that his son was missing. But no one seemed to know where his son had gone. Mr. Francis fell on his knees; he could not hold back the tears that came rolling down his cheeks.
CHAPTER 3
Thomas in the Boat
After covering a good distance, the island now just a stone’s throw away, Mr. Drood cast his fishing line into the river. After a time, a fish strayed onto the hook and the fisherman was excited about the catch. He flung the fish into the boat, drew a knife from his old boot, and gutted the fish. Happy he had begun the day on a bright note, he moved to a corner of the boat and dropped the fish into a basket. But as he turned to go back to the helm, he heard a sound. Afraid that it might be a thief who had stowed away, Mr. Drood looked carefully about for a weapon he could use to defend himself. He found an axe, and with the weapon in his grip, he moved forward. When he was close enough to see who was there, he was surprised to find the little boy he’d met on the riverbank.
The ferryman did not know what to do. He just stood there gazing at Thomas, who was in a world of his own. After a time, he dropped the axe and smiled at the boy. He rubbed his hands together and picked up the boy. Mr. Drood placed the boy at his side and said, “Your mother must be by the river, crying. But don’t worry. I will take you back to the river as soon as I deliver a parcel to the island magistrate.” Mr. Drood did not expect an answer from Thomas who was too young to understand what he had just said. He smiled and quietly rowed the boat to the island.
CHAPTER 4
Magistrate Theophilus
Soon Mr. Drood reached the island, and after covering a good distance on foot, he turned to the boy. Thomas was quiet. Why had the child stopped playing? Perhaps it was hunger, Mr. Drood reasoned, so he stopped at a grocery shop to buy a bottle of milk. The boy grabbed it and savored every drop.
After a time, the ferryman took a bend that led to Wilson Street. He stopped at house number fourteen and made his presence felt with a gentle knock on the door. Not long after, a man with thin lips hidden under a heavy line of moustache and a shaved head opened the door halfway. Smiling faintly, he said, “Yes, what can I do for you?”
Clearing his throat, Mr. Drood replied, “I have a parcel for Magistrate Theophilus!”
“I am Magistrate Theophilus,” he disclosed. “Who gave you the parcel?”
“Chief Edaoto!”
Almost leaping for joy, “Ah, Good! Edaoto finally remembered me. I’ll take it from you now!” the magistrate said.
Mr. Drood heaved a sigh of relief and handed the parcel to the magistrate. Then turned to go. But Magistrate Theophilus stopped him. “WAIT. I have something for you. I will be with you in a moment!” Before the ferryman could blink, the magistrate disappeared into the house. After a time, he was back with a bottle of wine and some money. “Please, take this wine to merry your good soul, and the money to buy a gift for your boy!”
“Thank you,” Mr. Drood said with a smile. He collected the present and faced the way he had come as the magistrate slammed the door.
CHAPTER 5
Thomas For Sale
Mr. Drood had decided to buy Baby Thomas a shirt with the money, but a short distance from where the clothes were sold he changed his mind. He stopped in the middle of the road and looked at the boy. He flashed a menacing smile at the poor child then took the next bend in the road. He walked down an old deserted street, his feet moving quickly and his eyes darting about to make sure no one was watching. He arrived at a building whose walls were old and crumbling. With a little push, the door opened and he went inside.
A man dressed in a dark flowing garment came out of a room. There was no smile on his face. He crossed his arms over his body and stood before Mr. Drood. “Where have you been, my friend?” he questioned. “I thought you had turned your back on this island!”
“No, I have been busy. The fish trade is good and it is part of me now. But I’ve still managed to pull a few strings to get you this!” Drood replied, simpering.
“Ah, I see. Keep the boy on the floor and let’s talk business!” The old man strolled to a corner and sat on a chair and offered his guest a seat beside him. After looking at Thomas for a while, the man sat up. He swallowed hard and said, “Name your price!”
Clearing his throat, Drood replied, “One hundred thousand naira!”
The man wore a frown and looked straight into Drood’s eyes. “That’s too much for a boy! Be reasonable and let me make my offer,” he said.
Drood gazed at the ceiling, pondering what next to say. Then he turned to the boy who did not know the evil being plotted against him. After a time, he turned to the man and said, “Ninety!”
“Still too high!” the old man yelled. He rose to his feet and faced the room from which he’d come. “Come; let me show you what I can offer.” He walked into the room and Drood followed. The man had fifty thousand naira in his box, and he felt the money was enough to buy the boy.
As the men argued and tried to settle on a price, Thomas crawled out of the sitting room through the door that was left halfway open. As he went outside, something interesting caught his attention. By the time the deal was done, and a price agreed upon, Thomas was gone! They searched every part of the house but did not find him.
Seeing a little dog, Thomas was thrilled. And before the men could rush out of the house, he had crawled after the dog whose owner was a middle-aged woman called Mabel. Walking as fast as she could, she noticed the little boy who was smiling at her dog. As the boy came close to stroke her dog on the head, she smiled and picked the child. She looked carefully about, expecting someone from the neighborhood to come out and claim the child, but no one did.
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p; Mabel had no time to spare. So she decided to take the child to the police station as soon as she reached to the riverside. Just then, Mr. Drood and his cohort rushed out of the house, looking about. They managed to find the footprints of the boy in the sand, and Drood was displeased. Angered by the turn of events, the man smacked Drood on the cheek and warned, “Do not waste my time again!” The man turned and moved into a shadow. Mr. Drood adjusted trousers and walked away.
CHAPTER 6
Aunty Mabel
The last time Mabel and her sister met was when she got married, and that was now sometime in the past. Thomas was wrapped in her arms when the boat reached the riverside. Happy that she would finally meet her married sister, Mabel jumped out of the boat and moved toward her house with a good speed. Trip-trap, trip-trap, she went. But the sand did not allow her to move as fast as she wanted. Mabel was eager to see her sister before stopping at the station to hand over the child to the police, but as she tried to keep a good pace Mr. Francis, who was sitting at the foot of an almond tree, saw her. Initially he did not want to attract her attention because he was sad, but when he noticed that the middle-aged woman had a child that looked like his son, he jumped to his feet and raced toward her. “Good afternoon, Mabel!” he greeted as he fixed his gaze on the child.
Mabel was excited to see her sister’s husband after so many years. “Good to see you, Mr. Francis. How is your wife?”
He smiled and replied, “She is fine!”
“I hope you can take me home?”
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