The Adventures of Nihu

e fruits for breakfast. He came out of the hut to find Old Phil, sitting on a log of dead woo

into a yawn, his old hat calm upon his baldhead. The morning breeze was tender as usual, a whisper out

were the other day, before Old Phil rescued him from the cruel hands of death. The monkeys were hopping through the trees. The fruits on the tree were rip

sed his head. "Assi

to dispatch them. I have no musket like you or I would have tried my

here with me for a very long time. I do not make them my enemy and we live in peac

monkeys to help you?

ery foolish. They are

so foolish. Or send them away by shooting a bullet into the a

make them into a meal. I seldom eat monk

ow do you

d throw them at the monkeys. Yo

not dangerous to do that? You tol

you will do what I tell you." The

monkeys. Immediately, the monkeys responded by plucking the fruits and pelting Nihu with them. Nihu

stones until you have enough to fill your belly." He set his hat back

them. When he was satisfied with the loot, he retired to the shade under an alm

s but also destroying the forest with their breath of fire. Those who fell, or could not sprint fast enough, were crushed or burnt to death by the rampage. Some of the people fought back with swords, spears and arrows that they had with them. They fought tirelessly to destroy the invaders. Nevert

mbled down, the creature bellowed more fire that is devastating; burning the forest and field until Nihu was sure he must meet his end. Finally, Nihu regained his feet at the foot of t

ugh with his morning meditation, he began to clean his boots with a piece of rag he brought o

ot. A fierce looking green mamba beg

ihu, snake!" Old Phil threw his boots aside. He g

eal the old country soldier in him. Still under the spell of sleep, Nihu misjudged the nearness of the sn

. If not, he would have also walked beside the snake into the darkness of the Lonely Forest. The old man gave the snake another heavy blow. Then he turned to Nihu.

looking at the dead mamba on the ground. Suddenly, Old Phil fired a bullet

ring dove. "It will not survive the shot. It might fa

We could roast

are right.

ey reached where the bird touched down, they discovered a crocodile with three large eyes, squirming in agony on the bank of a stream. A

the stream. The creatures were heavy against each other, and the water was red with blood. The crocodile let out a human yell

n an ugly share of the water battle, followed. One of the trees cried out, "You better take your battle away from here if you don't want to incur my wrath." The reptiles paid no heed and set against each other again.

ered, "I want to shoot

"

t tired of watch

n't seen anythin

ive. We can use his skin to make good boots." As Old Phil raised his musket to pick his aim, a large

l and Nihu could blink, the dead crocodile transformed to an old crone who turned to dust and was blown away b

Old Phil mused. "Sometimes it happens