Bakari and Gavivi by Dale McMurray (best books for 7th graders txt) 📖

“ Wait. I will tell you later. What can we do?” He asked again.
“ You must kill the Oba Oba by fire.”
“Bakari she is coming!”
“ We must go but we will do our best.” and Bakari hurried and fixed the curtain then sat in a chair. The Antelope sniffed the air and wandered back to the hill.
They looked around to make sure that nothing was out of place.
“ Well children the lions are still near. But I was able to fetch water and fire wood.” She looked around the hut to see if they had disobeyed her and found nothing out of place.
“Perhaps they will make a mistake tomorrow .” She thought.
“ Then I will eat them.”
They talked of their aunt and uncle and ate sweet bread and some fruit for dinner.
“Time for bed now.” and she watched as they fell asleep. Satisfied they were asleep she pulled a sack from under her bed and pulled out a small piece meat. Her lips dripped with saliva as she ate it.
“ This child sure tastes good. I hope these two are as sweet.” she mumbled. Then crawled into her own bed . In the morning the Oba Oba said she was going to check to see if the lions had moved on. Again she told them not to touch anything that was covered. And she went out. Vivi went to the door and saw that there was a stick leaning against the knob and the door jam.
“Look Bakari she is trying to trick us.” Bakari got down on the floor and called the antelope. It laid down on the other side.
“ We want to help you. How can we break the spell?”
“ You must push her into the fire place. That is where the spirits of the other children she has eaten are. They will hold her until she burns up. Then their spirits will be released.”
“ We will do this tonight. I think she is suspicious. Be ready.”
“ Good luck. I will make sure you both get home safe.”
Bakari and Gavivi talked about how to get the Oba Oba in to the fireplace.
“I will make bread and you can help with the meal. We can act as if we are bad cooks. I am sure she will step in. Lets make sure there is a lot of smoke.”
“ For a girl you have a good idea. When she comes to stop the smoke we will push her hard enough so that she falls in the hottest part of the fire.” They both agreed that that was the best way to kill her.

Their Aunt and Uncle had gotten worried when the did not return that evening. They had gone looking until they could no longer see with out a light. The next morning They asked the people of their village to help look for them. The men gathered and together with Their uncle Cayman the began to search near the Mikumi national park. They searched all day and late into the night. When the heard the lions roar the decided they should go back and start again tomorrow.
“ Oh Cayman. First we have lost your bother and his wife and now their children!” Afua cried.
“ Courage Afua we will find them. Tomorrow we will go in to the park.” She leaned against her husband and they walked silently back to their home.
When the Oba Oba woman returned that afternoon she said,
“ It looks like the lions are moving on. What is that smell?”
“ I have made some bread and later we are making dinner to say thank you for your kindness.” Gavivi said with a wide smile.
The old witch woman seemed confused then agreed. She walked around the house again checking to see if anything had been disturbed. So far nothing. It looked like these children would escape with their lives. She decided to take a nap and think. When she awoke Bakari and Gavivi began to make the evening meal. they fumbled with the firewood and made sure green wood pieces were hidden in the pile. Soon smoke began to fill the hut.
The Oba Oba jumped up.
“ What are you doing? Here let me start the fire.” And she pushed them aside as she began to fix the fire. They got behind her and pushed as hard as they could. The Oba Oba fell deep into the fire place. She began screaming. She changed into a horrible creature with fangs and long finger nails, her hair a tangled mess with pieces of bone sticking out. Her eyes became red and glowed like pieces of coal. They ran to the door but it was locked.
“ The key. Vivi find the key.” She went to the witch’s bed and found the key hidden under her pillow. Unlocking the door the Antelope came and walked into the hut. All the while the witch screamed. The spirits of the children she had eaten were holding her in the fire.
“ Thank you. She has held me hostage for many years. Now quickly on my back we must hurry before the hut burns down.” Bakari put his sister on then jumped on himself. They could hear the witch screaming as they raced through the forest.
“ Evil children I should have eaten you that first night. I HATE CHILDREN.”
They stopped to see the hut in flames. The Antelope continued out of the park until they stood on a small hill. Bakari and Gavivi got down and hugged the Antelope.
“ I am called Wind. I will grant your wish. If you ever need me just call me by name and I will appear. I have a gift.” Wind stomped on the ground with his front hooves when the dust settled a statue of the Antelope shone in the sun. It was made of pure gold. The horns and hooves of pure silver and its eyes of sparkling diamonds. Gavivi picked it up and handed it to Bakari.
“ It is beautiful, like you. Thank you. Our only wish is to help our village . There are many without homes and children without parents. If we could help them that would be our wish.’
“ Your parents taught you both well. And your Aunt and Uncle care much for you. Soon the village will have fruitful harvests and enough to help those who have nothing. As long as there is no greed there will be wealth and happiness for all.” With that Wind headed back to the forest. They watched as he disappeared in to the green and fragrant trees. The sun shone off Wind’s gold fur and silver horns and hooves. Bakari took his dirty shirt and wrapped the statue in it. They began the long walk home.
The men had taken a break from the search to rest and eat.
“ Look there!” one pointed to the east. Bakari and Gavivi saw then group. They began to run. Cayman started running and they all fell down as they hugged each other. The men of the village cheered their return.
“ Hurry we must tell Afua you are safe. What do you have there?”
“ A gift. I will show you when we get home.” Bakari whispered.
When they returned they told of the Oba Oba witch woman and the Sacred Antelope. He showed them the statue they were given. And told of their wish. Uncle Cayman and Aunt Afua cried in happiness. When the crops were ready the whole village helped as it seemed that every seed had grown and the harvest was the best ever. Each year it got better and better. They were able to house the homeless and find families for the orphans. No one went hungry. Gavivi had silently wished that Their Uncle and Aunt might have the child they wished for. That spring a boy child joined the family. The Statue sat on the stone shelf that Bakari made. The villagers came to give thanks to it each harvest. All had made a pledge to be kind and help those who had nothing.

On hard rainy nights you could hear the ranting of the Oba Oba witch woman, “ I HATE CHILDREN. I HATE CHILDREN. I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!!”

Who knows perhaps There is another part to this story.


Imprint

Publication Date: 11-27-2011

All Rights Reserved