【Short Story】"Who is A Just Judge?" by OLEPA #1
Who is A Just Judge?
Mandalay was his nickname. Yes, you could be forgiven for thinking that that’s a name of a city. He was nicknamed in the village after serving as a King’s African Rifles in the Second World War. As other soldiers serving the colonial masters, he was taken to where the colonial masters deemed fit for him. That is long time ago but to Mr. Bingi, an ex-World War II service man, he would forever remember his experiences in the war. Sometimes he thinks alone and don’t really figure out a single reason why they were fighting. Nor does he know the ‘enemy’ he was fighting.
“Mandalay 21°N, 96°E.” You could tell from the way he speaks that he is a man who used to issue instruction.
“Mbaku! Come on! Turn on the radio, I want to hear the plans of this bullshit government!”
Mbaku is his son. Not only is he special because he is the only child but also, his mother was married after the return of Mandalay from Burma. Sometimes Mr. Bingi could joke to fellow elders that Mbaku was a Bamar because he fathered him exactly one week after coming back to his homeland.
“Today we learnt about the Second World War in history class and I heard stories about Burma!” Reported Mbaku one day from school.
“Oh! Burma! I bet even the one who write history doesn’t know as much as I do!” Mandalay proudly announced. And for sure he knew, he fought in Burma for seven years, seven mind you.
“Please tell me more!” Mbaku was so eager.
“Okay, go to my room and come with my tobacco because I feel sleepy and ask your mother if my maize cab is ready.”
Mbaku rushed as his father nodded with satisfaction on how his orders are observed, just like majors and commanders issued orders in battlefield.
The story session was short-lived. It was news time and Mandalay was eager to know the current state of affairs in the country. More so, about the compensation of the war ex-men. It was a relief that for once the government is taking care of them. Before then, the soldiers led a life full of distress and poverty. Even Mandalay had nothing to show that he fought in the war maybe Mbaku--his son was his compensation. The wrinkled face of the old man shined with a smile and revealed dimples on his cheeks suggesting what he did not take long before getting a wife after returning.
