"It's in the clutches of Odumankoma (God) does our viable world lie. Which means that no matter the given angle of this world, there's an overall seer hidden behind the net of creation.
It was he who made the world transpire, he who delivered to creatures the vitality of existence and planted seasons, cycles, many more to occur in moderation. According to our elders, this same God who has crafted its own beautiful world has made an esteemed promise to destroy it one day, so mortal we are, mortal we must live. I and my kinds are of no value should we think highly of ourselves as compared to Odumankoma, given that motive we pray to him. Entourages like us are mortals; so mortals we live. And by our tradition a drop of alcohol is dipped into a new born's mouth to ensure truthfulness. So as mortal we live, our mode of confession truth to you Odumankoma is alcohol, however man is never to be compared to you, so in our thoughts of how alcohol is hurtful, we show you alcohol but do not give you alcohol.."
Standing facing the south, towards the direction of the brilliant moon, the village head whose upper body was bare and lower part of the body was wrapped in a long and huge dark smock poured a small quantity of the wine from a calabash to the earth, and then took in a long exhilarating breathe before continuing. His voice dedicated and hoarse.
" The truth that has escaped our mouths to you Odumankoma is that we thank you for your watchful eye. Should you like mortals feel itchy the slightest, perhaps the entire world would collapse but you're just like our elders say: everlasting and preponderance in everything. I stand not alone in this Thanksgiving offering, but rather represent a whole village which is teeming with numerous souls and breathes. We thank you again, then again for your protection and guidance.."
He once more bend down his right hand and discharged another downpour. Afterwards he continued...
"Odumankoma look at your authority and tell us why we shouldn't thank you?? This I didn't ask but rather the people I represent asked and from their faces they need an answer...
But it should be clear that they ask this not because they see you a stranger, rather because they cannot comprehend your well-being. Look at your creation and tell us why we should understand you: if the arduous wind of indestructible and destructible circumstances would be felt, it blows down from the north, and we are a great test to that because we live here in the north. If the world is to be reminded that the whole world is never flat, but have protrusions so high, so high like your angels then one has to take a quick glance to the South; were mountains sit with their necks higher against the sky. If one is to be reassured and not be solecism to the fact that the world can be a wide stretch of lush green , then a quick glance to the east is the solution. All historical trees that stand as high as the sky itself, vegetations that shine greenery with pure vitality, nary a blemish identification can be found there at the east."
" Furthermore, if one is to be told about the existence of known and unknown creatures, pointing out the reality that you Odumankoma is no lesser existence so didn't just create one kind of species, then a quick look to the west is more than just an epitome. Where there's difference in breath and vitality, adaption and living, as if it was an exterior world.
But who made all that true??
Usually, we do not mention neither the sky nor the water bodies because most often than not, mid-way in a lifetime when time overlaps, the view that stretch beneath the living eye is a look which our elder say it's only death after experiencing. We do not know what lay behind that spectacle so we dare not make statement about it..."
There was another downpour, soaking the earth.
"Our elders in the night conclude "hope". And in the day conclude "it shall happen". Since I am no ignorant, I conclude to you Odumankoma "hope"."
Yet another downpour soaked the earth.
But presumably it was the last one...
Turning around with the calabash in hand, the village head met the approval gazes of mr. Owusu and brother Sisire who were also dressed like him.
" You pray like a real priest, where did you hold grasp of that knowledge my leader?" mr. Owusu smiled impressively towards the village head who now with his hair well trimmed, stared at mr. Owusu with a pair of unemotional dark brown pupils, beneath a bushy, thorn-like eyebrows. He appeared quite handsome and solemn after trimming his hair. If not that his face was troubled with the exposure of his rhinophyma, from his new facial expression one would never suspect him as a drunkard.
He smiled back and said in a tone that sounded somewhat ached as a result of putting in a lot of effort into making his tone clear to a listening ear during the prayers, "even after these years of being together are you still telling me that you've forgotten I was once the scourge and concurrently the orator of the 3 Destined Clan??"
Mr. Owusu's sword edge-like eyebrows involuntarily moved upwards and it created a clear face of recognition. A smile appeared at the corners of his mouth and seemingly knowing the probable next move, the village head shook his head slowlyand advanced bypassing between the space paved by brother Sisire and mr. Owusu completely ignoring brother Sisire.
"Has elder brother forgotten about his young favourite brother?? Why is he ignoring me anyway??" Brother Sisire complained after the village head bypassed, but in a tone he would surely hear him. Facing forward and advancing the village head made a soft chuckle which was not heard by any other person but him only.
Mr. Owusu sighed "ai.." and made a ridicule at brother Sisire, "You sure were naughty and a flippant..! And you know elder brother hates those two behaviors the most... You know what, since you've changed I think he might give you a chance again but do not take my statement for granted. For I've seen some changes in our elder brother of late.. he's not that mean and straightforward person again. Whatever, let's be alert and play our cards well I think the torch to ignite our 3 decades request is finally near..."
Brother Sisire's claw-like eyebrows tightened at what mr. Owusu said and bitterness instantly took place on his face. Unconsciously he clenched his fist exerting a violent pressure.
" It would soon be time for the submission to the Mountain goddess. Brother bear, control your temper..
Longed we've waited for this moment, so don't let a small mistake waste our waiting. The first step of Thanksgiving has being offered, let's escort elder brother to offer the last and final one. Afterwards the submission to the Mountain goddess would proceed and then what's necessarily next would be done. Be patient...."