TALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Does he really mock calling a hen, a bird? If not a bird, What then should he call a dove, a butterfly? True, A cock is but a bird, So, call him not a plane simply because Its wings too could soar To the sky I stress, To a hen Grains are the best of Gold, not songs! If the wind lies, Simply, ask a lioness If grass, not flesh Is of any use to her?

Millions of orbiting hearts in obedience they accept: The brightness of his vision, The simplicity of his teachings, The clarity of his objective The profundity of his philosophy His mission, unambiguous His nobility, unmatched His humility, bold as a full moon His love, a tranquil apple To all believing souls His trustworthiness, a rescue-canoe from turbulent waters His life, a blessing to mankind And a beam to all In victory, Always compassionate, Merciful, Forgiving to the vanquished lots In defeat, Always patient, Calm, Thankful to He Who pilots all affairs Yesterday, No gem was as sparkling as his Today, No jewel as radiant as his Tomorrow, No star will be as bright as his

Everywhere around me was abuzz with noise, but as it is I can barely hear them. It was like been immersed in a body of water. The voices came to me like they were from thousands of miles away. On so many occasions I have come across kids like me running around laughing and playing, with a care freeness that I have never experienced in what now seems like millenniums ago. I have come across kids who swear they hate their parents. ‘I wish I could go live with my Uncle. There I never get to do anything; I never get to be nagged like my mum always does.” ‘Who does he think he is? Is it because he is my father? I am sick and tired of this house!’ ‘I wish everybody would just disappear, I have the meanest parents.’ If only they know. If only they know what it is like not having parents. If only they knew. They would understand how ignorant and foolish they sound. I would give an arm and a leg just to have a father or a mother, even if they don’t do anything for me. Even if I will walk in ra...

THE DROWNING BIRD (FOR YUSUF MAITAMA SULE) This moment Butterflies of sadness Hover in million Reciting unedited scripture Of death Scripture that rehearse Tragic lines Tonight Sadness will light A fire In the palace of Our thoughts To turn into ashes The remnants of our Happiness Tonight Tension will whirl Teasing our broken hearts As we try to discard These fertile memories Afraid to remember a thing MOHAMMED BABANGIDA is a Talata Mafara born radio personality (Vision FM 92.1) and an addicted Favebooker. He passionately hates Mathematics and instantly falls in love with slim and fair looking ladies.

“You just stood there watching this Jake guy been pummeled?” Mo wanted to know. “Yes. You just warned me about interference.” Mo hesitated then nodded. “You are right; there was nothing you could have done. You know I’m beginning to agree with you, they might be interesting beings after all.” “I told you.” “So Abel--the married man, was the one who discussed his wife with his brother Gabriel.” “Yes.” Su said glad Mo’s interest had been piqued. “Gabriel then mentioned it to his good friend. Who then decided he wanted a taste of what Mr. Abel had.” “So it seemed.” “I think this Abel guy is the one that should have been beaten up, he caused everything.” “I agree with you, he should have respected his crazy wife’s privacy, even if he and his brother were joined at the hip and shared the same brain, he should have still kept his big bragging mouth shot.” “Watch your words please.” Mo said softly. “Fine” “Though crazy is the only word for that wife of his.” Mo later admitted. They both laugh...

It is true what they say, that so long as one still had breathe, life would always find a way to surprise you, my favorite quote? Nothing in life was permanent, are you happy today? Beware of the day it will change, are you in pain, sad or troubled? Beware of the day it will change, for it definitely will. Life was a chameleon, notorious for its camouflage for just when you think you have got it all figured out; it will show you a new side. Last year a neighbor had lost her child, the gathering had been at her house, I was there with my wife to sympathize. I felt bad for her misfortune but it didn’t stop me from watching my favorite program that night nor did it stop me from going to work the next day. Last week, our next door neighbor woke the entire neighborhood with an ear splitting scream, the cry tore through the night like lightening slicing through a dark storm, men and women had rushed out with various thoughts and assumption to pound on her gate. It was her daughter that...