Chapter 9: Fire and Incantation

The old man sigh, "I no sabi how to save am, na why I come beg you."

I frown, go check the thing well. After some minutes, I turn tell the old man, "Baba, this stone no deep for ground. Now, we no get tool. To save your grandson, we fit try dig the stone come out, break am. But the boy condition..."

My mind dey race, I dey look the boy face, I dey pity am, the chain wey dem use tie am thick like blacksmith work.

"Just do am as you talk," the old man cut in. "My grandson fit endure."

As he talk so, I pick stick, begin dig around the stone. After long time, as the stone loose, fall, the iron chain wey hold the boy... snap. I happy, pick the boy say, "E no hard as I think. I dey fear say if we break stone, e fit wound your grandson."

As I talk, I give the boy to the old man. The old man collect the boy, "Young man, this tree fit turn to spirit. Abeg, help me burn am."

I pause small, but bring out my lighter, set the dry branch on fire. As the fire catch, the old man begin sing one old song I never hear before, low like incantation. For dream, as the fire dey burn, e dey turn from orange to blue. I smell something like burnt bitterleaf.

"Okay, Baba."

I answer, quick turn go. But as I waka small, I hear person dey call me: "Kamsi, wake up, quick, wake up..."

I open eye, na Baba Musa.