Dr Fixit (271 - 280)

271

'They all were free just like him to change it.

Miles after miles of leafage but bit by bit 

they were leaping close to the farm 

to take that tasty fruit that had charmed

bush baby so much he vowed to shun

night for day where the warmth of the sun 

would always cuddle his back

and there was nothing he'd lack.

A mile from the border of the farm, 

bush baby wished he had a long arm


272

'which he could've stretched to touch

the lovely things he'd seen - they were much

and monkey didn't even mention a half

of them to him. He had a satisfied laugh

though quiet to himself. He'd wallow

in sheer fun as he'd sip and swallow 

all he could. He was truly glad,

though his folks might think he was mad,

to leave the darkness of night 

for day and its brilliant light.


273

'A few yards from the farm, monkey stopped 

and if not that he gestured, bush baby almost hopped

to go grab a fruit with a golden skin

which all along seemed to beckon at him.

"We must all watch every inch of space

to be certain no one hides and could race 

to upset us when we eat," monkey said.

Of course, monkey was right. Attention must be paid 

to your surroundings when eating 

in the wild for common was lynching 


274

'as a predator could make you its prey

pinning you to the ground and then would slay.

"Best counsel would be," monkey didn't stop,

and he didn't look bush baby in the eyes, "grab and hop 

swiftly back into the covers of the jungle 

as the farm, forget its glitter, is a rough angle.

And we mustn't waste time, we must be swift 

about it and be prepared for a serious rift

with the owner." Monkey was gone.

Who said having splendid fun


275

'in the day was cheap? If bush baby thought

exactly that, he realized that thought was nought.

Well, monkey had moved and he had to join him.

Monkey swooped down and grabbed what seemed -

in fact, it was a corn. He peeled it and ate

half of it, discarded the cob and made 

a quick run for a nearby golden fruit 

like someone else might grab it before him. The truth 

didn't still dawn on bush baby yet

so he thought maybe his friend did fret


276

'to compete with him thinking he was

the greedy type who would want to rush

to grab the best fruits around.

Gingerly, bush baby climbed down

and drew near the produce that to his eyes

did appeal. It was quadruple his size.

The colour was reddish-yellow.

The taste was sugary and mellow.

It wasn't something bush baby could 

easily drag into the nearby wood.


277

'He started biting it bit by bit 

but then, he was alert. His feet

were keen to streak off if his eyes

saw any shadow flitting by. He realized

the food before him was the same 

as the one monkey did bring and stain 

his mouth in the morn with its juice.

Seeing how it looked like, he deduced

its name must be pineapple 

for its flesh was sweet and quite supple.


278

'Bush baby his food truly relished.

His taut belly pushed his belt, he released 

the buckle a notch. He nodded

with satisfaction but something thudded

on a plantain stem close by.

He looked at the ground and then the sky

to fathom what fell down so heavily 

near him. But then he heard monkey 

whamming on the trees, screaming he ran

for his dear life. Bush baby did scram,


279

'out of dread, in the wrong direction.

Where he thought was safe was where action 

by an irate farmer was coming from.

Bush baby mustered the energy to run 

but a missile competed with his stride.

The missile was on a smooth glide

targeting bush baby's face

and the missile-thrower in a swift race

followed steadily behind.

Great fear seized the small fellow's mind.


280

'If he dawdled, he realized after the missile 

struck his face, slightly missing an eye

but hit his brow, if he stood and sobbed

he would instantly be mobbed

as the farmer was angry and it showed

on his face as he bellowed

and streaked through the plantation 

like he was mad. Quite high was the tension

as he drew near Me Bush Baby

who feared for his life greatly.

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