THE CREEK WILL RAISE YOU
In the heart of Bayelsa State lies a small village nestled deep in the creek. The village was surrounded by lush greenery and the creek waters sparkled in the bright sunshine. It was a peaceful community, where everyone knew each other and looked out for each other. In one of the small huts that dotted the village, lived a family of five – a mother, father and their three children. Life in the creek was tough and every day was a struggle for the family to go to school and feed themselves.
The family’s hut was made of mud and had a thatched roof that leaked during the rainy season. The interior was sparsely furnished with a few wooden stools, a small table and a mat on the floor that served as their bed. There were no windows, only a small opening in the roof that let in a little bit of light.
Every morning, the family woke up at the crack of dawn, long before the sun rose. The mother would start a small fire outside the hut to prepare breakfast while the father and the children washed up in the creek. The children were always eager to go to school, but it was a long and arduous journey. They had to walk for several miles through the thick jungle, wading through the creek waters and sometimes having to climb up steep hills. They wore tattered clothes and their school bags were old and worn out. Despite the challenges, the children were always eager to learn and never missed a day of school.
The father, on the other hand, had to go fishing every day to provide for the family. He would take his small wooden boat out into the creek and spend hours casting his net, hoping for a good catch. The creek was vast and filled with all kinds of fish, but it was also dangerous. The father had to be careful not to get caught in the strong currents or attacked by crocodiles that lurked in the waters. Even after a long day of fishing, he never returned home empty-handed. He always made sure that there was enough fish to feed his family for the day.
As the day wore on, the mother would start preparing lunch and dinner. She would cook the fish on an open fire outside the hut, and sometimes add a few vegetables that she had grown in a small patch of land near the creek. The family’s meals were simple, but always delicious.
Despite the challenges they faced, the family was always happy and content. They knew that life in the creek was tough, but they also knew that they had each other. The children knew that education was the key to a better life and they worked hard every day to achieve their dreams.
As the sun set over the creek and the stars began to twinkle in the sky, the family would gather around the fire outside their hut. They would share stories, sing songs and laugh together. Despite the difficulties they faced, they knew that they were blessed to have each other and the simple joys of life.
In the end, the family’s struggles were a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. They never gave up, even when things seemed impossible. They faced their challenges head-on, with courage and determination. And in the end, they emerged stronger and more united than ever before.
