The Goddess of Karichota

8

. The villagers are terrified. They hold onto each other in terror and fear. Women scream, holding onto their soul dolls. No one knows what might happen. Anyone can die. The elderly

er. Men watch in terror. Bulls moo in deep mournful tunes. Cows hit their hooves on the hard ground their eyes glassy from fear. Chicken clucks

f Karichota, mother of fer

ly meant disaster, hunger, and the aftermath of subsequent deaths especially of men and boys. This year, the storm was sinister. it came with flashes of lightning and rolls of thunder. The sky had an abnormal dance of clou

ad been prepared adequately. His body shined in the shadows of the clouds. His feet dug into t

t me as well

t give Xumba the creeps. He wondered why his father was overly worried about him. The great chief Xima had never worried about his son going to battle. Xumba thought his father was putting up a show. He was perfectly aware that the great

ppy that his favorite son will get to be the

election Xumba," his mother had whis

s man for her seeding. Not some feeble whiny

you not afraid of losing your life in such a pa

ve long enough to hang myself in the gallows? That is mor

shut her up. He loved her so much, but love was not supposed to be a reason a man failed in his duties. E

this, Xumba. Don't you see? How a

m was taken aback. His son was fierce, Anjiko knew this, but he had never used his thunder

someone will drill a hole in my skull? Or worse, chop off my head?

o allow the worriers to be at the same level as gods. There was a way. But his father never allowed i

mother's hut. "I can finally go join the gods. Where I belo

e. The winds are here. I can hear them ho

be fine.

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