Ndidi

NDIDI (PATIENCE IS GOLDEN) Patience said: "Whatever my old man says." So, I saw the wise, bald, old man In his thatched mud hut Loin cloth knotted Around his shoulders The whiff of utaba (snuff) Saturating the atmosphere He googled me Between the rims Of his spectacles So, "You Rike Patience, my daughter?" Head bowed, shoulders hunched; Stillness. Stillness for excellent cultivation; After an Ocean of tranquility, I volunteered: "Yes old man, I love her." Oh; you Rove her? He stroked his silver, stricken beards thoughtfully, With his right spindly fingers....another brief moment of tranquility..... Then, He googled me over again, This time, Meticulously taking in: The Gucci watch, the Lizard skin shoes, Louis Vuitton belt, the gold chrome sunglasses And the hot, red Lamborghini Countach, Parked directly in front of his mud hut. Head bowed, shoulders hunched, I let him soak it all in..... Mental acuity: hoggish, will dig for gold........ Then he spoke: "I see you are rich." I nodded. Another ocean of tranquility....... Then, he spoke again: "They say you own half of this town?" Again, I nodded; then added for emphasis: "Anything you want old man, anything....... Again, another moment of silence....... Then, He spoke again: "I see.....I shall give you My daughter's hand.... But, Young man, do you Rove ducks?" Befuddled, I volunteered: "Yes old man; I love ducks. In fact, my old man Had a bunch Then, He spoke again: "Here are my propositions: (A): Foster my duck for six months (B): Return duck in six months hale and hearty, Then, Take Patience for better or worse...." Easy-peasy, duck in hand I softly whistled home One score week elapsed, Duck in hand, Back to old man. Old man: Google's me over, "What brings you back So soon young man?" Me: "Your duck old man.... She is spattering my garden..... Just name your price...... Old man: Google's me over; Stroking his silver stricken beards; Takes a drag from his tobacco pipe; Let's out a bout of chimney From his lungs While starring into space Making it seem like I didn't exist.... Another brief moment of tranquility, Which seemed to last eternity..... Then, he said in a calm, patient voice: "Look"; pointing to a door behind me I gleaned: Boldly crested on the door In red letters were the words: "Please, Do Not Disturb. Patience, Is asleep." Old man: Clears his throat, Patiently takes out his antiquated Box of snuff Inhales a large bale of snuff As if it epitomizes the Opium For patience in life.