Name: Rhoda Zulu
PenName: Rhoda Zulu
Genre: Short stories/Poems
Location: Blantyre, Malawi
THE BLIND FROG
“Antafada! Antafada! Antafada!’’ Animals of Umtomosya spread out palm leaves on all roads for this poor fellow that had usurped the Annual Festival Award. But swollen faces among the giants of the forest revealed this was a bitter pill to swallow. Giraffe, lion, hippo and elephant among other giants felt belittled; they whisked their tails and shook their heads in sheer disapproval. The small animals were all smiles jumping up and down clapping their hands. But what was the secret behind Antafada’s success?
Umtomosya Kwenu was a civilized animal village that grew various crops and tamed other smaller species for consumption and security. Once a year the animals celebrated their crop harvest through festive competitions that were grouped into two distinct categories - the smaller animals competed among themselves like mice, rats, coach roaches and frogs; while the giants- lion, leopard, buffalo, hippo and cow were in another group. Winners of these activities were recognized through an Annual Festival Award. After several years of winning the contest the giants agreed to phase out smaller animals’ competition so that the reward for the obvious giant winner would be increased. But the smaller animals pleaded with the giants that they should still be considered for a final attempt. This made the giant animals to mock and tease the small ones. Kalulu the hare enticed the other smaller animals to be adamant. He flapped his ears, crossed his legs then poked his nose as he spoke out,
“You know my tricks, I will be the winner.’’
When the duke heard this it looked at the hare twice then spit on the ground, covered it with soil and said,
“Cut my right finger if you win.’’
The giants silenced the small animals, leopard was first,
“Unless the sun changes direction, you will feel the pain of your stupid dreams.’’
“Allow them to fail with a splash,’’ Lion chipped in.
Giraffe calmed down the animals and the rhino announced that the years’ winner would be the one who first manages to climb to the top of the wall obstacle. One frog, Antafada by name came forward and stood online. Antafada was thin, had big patches around its dark, rough skinned body and was half blind. Its legs were flat but long enough with clips that would grip strongly. Antafada was guided by another frog to join the cue. But the buffalo pushed the frog aside and mocked,
“Stupid idiot, get out of here.’’
Lion calmed the other huge creatures,
“Give him a chance, he is here to escort us.”
But Antafada, scratched it’s patched body and clung to the line,
“Come rain or sunshine, we are here to try our luck,’’ these were sentiments by the escort frog.’’
“Shut up!’’ Shouted Chipembere the organizer.
The giants laughed and continued to scorn the two frogs,
“What a joke of the year.’’
More animals came close and spit on the two frogs. Chimpanzee was among them, he bulldozed the frogs, squeezing them to a far corner. The frogs did not retaliate; they encouraged each other in low voices,
“Never ever give up. We are here to surprise all.”
So they slowly moved back to the starting line. When the whistle blew all the giant animals were busy with mockery and laughter such that they missed the whistle blow. But the escort frog was attentive. As soon as he heard the whistle he pushed forward the blind frog and it started climbing upwards slowly. By the time the other animals noted that the competition was on they too started climbing. The giants pushed their body masses forward in haste. Some tried to jump in a bid to surpass the blind frog. But as they touched the wall they failed to grip. One by one they slipped downwards. The lion broke its left leg and groaned loud. Other giant animals pushed the lion to the side then called the first aid animals for help. Next was the giraffe who managed to get up to half level but could not hold on strongly to the wall such that he finally came down with a splash noise. Some of the giants felt tired due to their heavy weights and the scorching heat since it was getting to midday.
The blind frog continued slowly and confidently upwards. Of course he could hear the mocking or jeers; but could not see how far they were ahead of him; neither did he know how many animals were still struggling up or had fallen down. Small animals continued to cheer up the blind frog while the giants struggled to no avail. One giant tried to go the direction of the blind frog with the intention to pull Antafada down. But as soon as it touched the skin of the frog it slipped down since the frog had strongly gripped to the wall. Interestingly, by the time the last whistle blew the blind frog was still at the top of the wall obstacle, panting and clearing sweat from his body. He heard the last whistle blow and felt he had failed,
“Yes, I have managed this far. I am yet to know who the winner is. Antafada whispered to himself.
The other animals called aloud,
“Antafada is a winner! Antafada is the winner!”
Animals of Umtomosya spread out palm leaves on all roads for this poor fellow that had usurped the Annual Festival Award. Chipembere, the master of ceremony held Antafada by the hand and announced,
“Antafada! Antafada! Antafada is the winner of this years’ race.’’
“How come he has beaten us all,’’ Roared Lion.
“Where did Antafada get these special favours?” Wondered another giant, the hippo.
The Master of ceremonies commented,
“Antafada is foresighted. He did not belittle himself, but with courage and determination he stood his ground and was destined to win. We all must respect him. He is this year’s winner.”
All animals of Untomosya, including the forest giants stood at attention as they were compelled to bow down before Antafada. Jubilation and ululation were all bestowed upon Antafada; his face glittered in the silver attire, seated on the lion skin chair; crowned with a bright cap.
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