Baa’mi,
I was on the farm today. No, not the farmland you know. No one cultivates that any more. One of my siblings even suggested we sell it. I didnt even respond to his thoughtlessness. I went to a farmland far away from the culture you know. My new farmland is far away.
I plant things you never taught me. Yam is what I plant now. Not cassava, beans or maize that you tamed my hands to cultivate. Last year, I tried my hand on bag farming with some yam seedlings. The outcome was so encouraging. This year, I am experimenting with a few hundred of heaps. I am also fantasizing with an orchard. I remember you always said everything you think about can be done. I hope I will get that done soon. Musefiu promised to get me some good species of fruit trees. I will take him up on that soon.
I considered planting beans this morning too. Just to show you the new trick I acquired by myself, honour your memories and recall some of the intangible but enduring lessons you taught. Right on the farm, I decided not to plant it yet. It is March, but the soil is so dry. Rain delayed its coming. I experiment the test for moisture that you said Grand Pa taught you. The result discouraged my resolve to go on with the planting. I hope to do it when the soil is ready to bring it forth.
Baa’mi, I saw a boy with many dogs on my way back from the farm. That is one thing I so much wanted as a little boy. I wanted that nice looking dog. You didn’t approve of it. I wanted to own a dog, but you won’t allow it. But come to think of it Sir, I can buy one for myself now and no one will ask me to return it to where it was bought as you made me do many years back. I have my own house too and no one would say; ‘not in my house’. You didnt even know I looked for an ally in mother. She responded like a loyal solider asked to betray his country. She flatly told me if you had said no, then I should forget about the nonsense. Dont be a rebel. Your father said, no dogthere will be no dog. She said with finality.
Now, I dont even want the dog again. You remember talking about rabies and that the bite from a dog can make the victim bark just like a dog. I am not scared of the rabies, I am only sold to your wisdom that the word of a father is like a commandment from God.
Baami, it is now Nine Years you’ve left. I’ll be lying if a say I dont miss you. I truly cherish your memory, even the little insignificant of them. They made me who I am and I am grateful you were my father.
