A Well-Earned Vacation

Gabriel once lived in a large community where the citizens’ main source of survival was farming: growing crops and rearing animals like goats, cattle, and pigs. Everyone was hard working, including children as sometimes they too had to help pull weeds out of crops. Gabriel used to go on her dad’s cabbage farm along with other siblings and would pull weeds out with bare hands. Though they knew about gloves, it was like a luxury item at the time and only those who weren’t as less-fortunate as they were, would use it.

Being in a tropical climate, the farmers would start working from early in the mornings so that by the time the sun rises, they would have completed at least half of a day’s work. Like any other farming community, the citizens had a fun time as well as downtime.

What got them down mostly though, was the act of larceny. It was so prevalent that farmers would tie old clothes on sticks to create a disguise, like a human. This was to prevent birds, other dumb animals,  and thieves from entering the farm.  As for the thieves, the aim was for them to see the disguise, especially at nights, then become frightened. They would then run away and not return but unfortunately, sometimes it was to no avail.

Once a farmer had a ‘rammy’ that he needed to make the famous ‘Manish water’ or goat soup with – a soup many believe is an aphrodisiac. The soup was to be made for a party, because in those days,  a party without such soup was no party whatsoever, despite the odor that emanates from it. People usually get drunk after drinking alcoholic beverages at parties, and would then eat the hot goat soup to revive themselves. So, the ‘rammy’ was tied in the farmer’s yard as the venue for the party was in close proximity, and he needed to start preparing it from early the following morning.

The cost for a ‘rammy’ was high and because he knew thieves were around, he tied it to a disguise, which really looked like a man at nights. There was a thief, Joe, who thought it was his duty to steal the animal, so he planned well to get his desires satisfied that night – that’s what he thought. It was about 8 pm, the usual time that the farmer would go to his bed but for some strange reason, he delayed his sleep and decided to listen to some soft music – with his lights out.

While the farmer was relaxing, Joe sneaked in to untie the ‘rammy’ but just as he was about to do so, he saw a man, the disguise,  staring at him. He was so frightened that he started running and before long, it seemed his feet wanted him to be caught so it went into a ditch. He then screamed and after the farmer heard it, he turned on his lights then went to see what was happening. On his way, he heard someone crying and when he looked in a ditch, close to his back gate, there was Joe in pain and with a broken leg. He then helped him out, applied some home-remedy, then called a cab to take him to the hospital, without even arguing with him. The farmer was probably thinking that he didn’t need to argue with him as he had already paid for his deed, by breaking his leg.

Months passed and not many people heard what had taken place at the farmer’s house. Joe’s leg had gotten better and he could then go up and about the place like before. Another reward that he received was a name change as the farmer and his family addressed him as ‘Sneaky Joe’. Most of the farmers in the community did subsistence farming, which meant the little they farmed was only for their families but would sell a minimal amount when there was a need to.

Sneaky Joe felt he had gained some skills after the incident months ago, so he and his team members preyed on the little the farmers had.  They were like bad area leaders, going around reaping what they didn’t sow; they were no longer the least intimidated by the disguises the farmers had. Sometimes they would go around and credit items from the local shops and after increasing the bill already owing, they would use arrogance and not pay their bills.

Though everyone knew about them and their actions, they were afraid to report them due to fear of losing their lives as they were violent too. However, it seemed one farmer could no longer contend with losing, so he made up his mind to report them to the police, comes what may.

An early morning, while Gabriel was sweeping the yard, she saw some police cars passing her house. They were leaving the community so it meant they had come from early in the morning, possibly when most people were still asleep. She then became curious, stopped what she was doing, then went on the road to where a large gathering was. She wanted to know if people were talking about the early morning visit from the police, in their community.

While approaching the large crowd, one of the shop owners, started laughing and dancing that one would have thought she won the Lottery.  Gabriel allowed her to enjoy herself and after she thought she was given enough time doing so, she asked her what was happening. The shop owner then started crying but surprisingly, it was tears of Joy. Shortly after, Gabriel realized her behavior had stemmed from the fact that ‘Sneaky Joe’ had gone on vacation.

Sneaky Joe went on ‘vacation’ for an extended period as he was extraordinarily special. So much that the police were invited to escort him out of the community, to a place where he would be able to mingle with people of his kind. It was a well-earned ‘vacation’ that he worked long and hard for and honestly, the people were not jealous of him. They were overjoyed. He was a ‘hard-working’ and vicious thief, so it was only befitting that he receives a ‘vacation’ in prison for many years.

Do good and goodness will follow.

Do bad and be overwhelmed by sorrow!