Coming from the guest’s toilet, I could hear shouts of “Ms M! Ms M!” I wondered what Bii wanted to be brought to her in the bathroom (which was the last place I left her) and knowing how big the house is, why stay in there and call? I stopped over at the kitchen to update the house-manager that she was needed. For some reason, I decided to follow her to the bathroom to see what the matter was only to hear Bii’s shout from the room instead.
We promptly entered to see a towel-clad frightened Bii (teenager) standing on her big bed looking duly harassed and Ama (my 5 years old niece) was sitting peaceful on the bed looking bemused and calm. “What is it, Bii?” It’s a rat, she replied tearfully. I stepped out to call Oba to action, whilst I waited on the corridor. By the way, I’d jump out of the rat’s way too, but Bii doesn’t know that…at least, not yet. He came to the rescue and searched, but found none.
I walked back into the room and the gist began, so why were you standing on top of your bed, looking scared. “A rat ran inside my room.”
Is that why you are standing on the bed?
“Yes”, came the answer still looking around for movement. “I pray that the rat will die by fire and by force that it will get into its hole and be unable to come out. I pray that the Holy Spirit will kill the rat.” In-between these prayers came the question, does Mosquitos bite rats? I didn’t know and said so. She continues, I pray that Mosquitos will bite the rat and give it Malaria.
As if on cue, Ama took up the lines and said, “Mosquitos will bite the rat and give it Malaysia!” When queried if she meant Malaria or Malaysia, she responded “Malaria”, that Malaysia was in South America and corrected herself to say, Asia.
Aunty, what if I’m allergic to rats and I don’t know? Bii protested. It’s possible! So that you don’t sneeze replies Ama.
As she continued standing on top of her bed with no plans to come down, we heard a voice “Bii! Bii!”
Yes, Ama?
Aren’t you going to school?
Yes, I will, she replied with certainty.
So, you’ll say bye to the rat? Came the question. π
After a long while Ama suggested, “Bii, maybe you can call Rat Control.” “Maybe you should tell uncle because he’s expert at killing rats.” π²
We all have things we are afraid of or have phobia for. I have one for snakes. But I’ve learnt to address my phobia with an ‘appropriate prayer’ π. What are you afraid of? We just may come up with the right solution for it.
Have a rat-free weekend filled with laughter!
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