River, a Flash Piece
We had just finished the meeting with the headmaster, who called for schedule flexibility as rains raged. Moyo suggested we require students to prove their absence or tardiness was rain-related. A local teacher from Ngorima village said, “Just ask them to show lightning bruises.” The meeting ended amidst light laughter as we filed to the assembly point. Outside, we were greeted by chaos. Three students ran towards us, screaming and pointing in the direction of Mozambique. They were calling the river near the school a thief. The headmaster shook his head and said, “Trouble.” “We told her, but she didn’t listen!” said one student. “We told Tambu!” “Calm down, ” said the headmaster. “The evil one slapped her on a rock and swept her away.” “What evil one?” the Math teacher asked. “The river! We ran along the banks, and we ran!” The student’s statement looped into a scream, and the others joined. “Tambuuuuuuuu!” “Which Tambu is this?” I asked Andrew, my Form 3 stu...
