Kanto breathed and panted like a dog then stood up to go. He got his toy car and walked away quickly. Up the hill he climbed, trying to get away from him. In his senses, he thought that he would reach home where he would get rest and at least be at ease from his nightmare. His legs grew weary but he had to go faster. Kanto just didn’t know why the man was following him. He turned to face him and warn him.
“Please, Mr, I ask you for the last time. Stop following me!” Kanto said looking serious.
The man didn’t say a word and when he raised his little hand to hit the man, the man also raised his hand. This made Kanto confused, he panicked and began to sweat profusely like someone had poured a bucket of water on him. Whatever move he tried out, the man also did that exact thing and continued to follow him closely. Kanto then decided to walk as fast as his small legs could carry him without looking behind.
He only glanced behind to see how far the beastly man was! At least that was what he thought since he had read a story about a man who was very huge, very dark and looked fierce and was always on the lookout for children who were left alone or those who played far from their homes. He prayed that this wasn’t the man that he had read about.
He got home after a while and screamed out for help,
“Mama…mama…please help!” He shouted.
His mother rushed to him.
“Why are you shouting like you have seen a ghost?” His mother asked
“Mama, that man has been following me all along,” Kanto said panting and pointing to the dark man.
“What?” His mother scoffed,” It is only your shadow, you silly boy!”
“Huh!” Kanto said looking over his shoulder. “Mama, are you sure?”
“Yes, my son.” his mother said. “You know what, I have always told you not to play too far from home. And look what scared you! From today onward, if you ever go far from there,” she said pointing to the jackfruit tree in the compound, “I will have to punish you.”
From that day onward, Kanto learnt to never play far from home. He even decided to invite his friends from nearby such that they played together near home.
Read – Finum Goes to The Village – Children’s Story by Namse Udosen, Nigeria
