MAN AND THE JUNGLE OF AHODWO

In the beautiful jungle of Ahodwo, Man killed the Dragon King, leaving the jungle to mourn and prepare for a replacement enstoolment. Since the Dragon King was the last of his kind, the king-makers decided to choose the next king from the cat family. They were considering either Lion or Tiger but decided to let all the animals in the jungle help with the selection instead of using only their discretion. Thus started a fierce competition.
Goat campaigned for Lion—and Sheep, for Tiger. There was so much competitiveness that other animals joined in. They argued and bickered over who would make a greater king. Goat argued that Lion was fierce, had paws and also had Lioness by his side. He went on to dwell on Lion’s roaring capabilities. “Imagine saying King Tiger or Tiger King? It doesn’t even sound right. But Lion King or King Lion is even regal. Man can’t come into this jungle and kill our King because he fears his speed and his paws. Need I mention his canines? We all know Lioness will also make a great Queen. Which animal can hunt better than her?”
Sheep dwelt on the humility of Tiger. With pride, he in turn told the crowd how they needed someone who could lead them peacefully and not shake their land with unnecessary roars. Snake got up, in support of sheep. “We all know both of these animals are carnivores. Nevertheless, Tiger is less fierce than Lion. We don’t want someone who would hunt us instead of our enemies. At least, hunting us in moderation is better.” Crab came out to suggest that the king-makers rather choose Eagle, as she could fly and see far. She also lived on a very tall tree, Crab pointed out, and would guard and guide the jungle without many casualties. The Fowl Family, made of Hens, Cocks and their chicks disagreed. Even Hawk sided with the Fowl Family. Cock rather suggested Shark should be made King of the River, to spite Crab who lived there most of the time. The chaotic arguments forced the king-makers to suspend the campaigns for a while.
During the wait, a mob attacked Sheep and his family, forcing them to flee to the only other place they knew—Manland. When other supporters of Tiger realized what had happened, they attacked Goat, killing three of his sons. Goat also fled with his family to Manland but upon getting there, was shocked to see Sheep and his family tied to trees. He jumped and bleated but ended up with a rope around his neck with his family also tied to nearby trees.
Snake was also attacked in the jungle. All his family fought long and hard but their assailants overpowered them, amputating their legs and hands and forcing them to become fugitives in the Ahodwo Jungle. Crab was found outside the river the next day with his family; their heads were severed. The Fowl Family were given a hot chase by the Eagle. They also fled to Manland. They could hardly believe it. Man that they fled from … man, who is the reason they wanted a better King … man who hunted them day and night with guns, machetes and catapults … how could they end up there? … But before they could gather their thoughts, they were confined in a coop!
Dog, who supported Lion, went to tell the king-makers about the gruesome happenings which were fast maiming animals and forcing some to flee for their lives. Cat heard dog snitching, and went to tell Tiger.
That evening, Dog and his family had their houses burnt. He lost many of his people and was forced to run for his life with his family to Manland. Hawk, who had seen cat snitching told Lion, who, whilst Cat had gone hunting, went to tear the children of Cat into pieces. When Cat came and saw what had happened, he swore never to snitch again and to always live by blinking off rumors. He knew he had to run for his life with his wife to Manland.
Duck who lived on both the river and in the jungle suggested that neither of the big cats should be selected as King. She suggested the Kingmakers should rather choose Elephant as King, to stop the bloodshed and unwarranted and unofficial banishments. That night, his family were visited and their hands amputated. They were lucky that their wings and legs were spared, but ducks too had to fly to the place they feared most—Manland. The arms of the of Kangaroo family were shortened, Snakes had to begin crawling on their stomachs and “law and order” began to rule the land. Man used the opportunity to hunt the Jungle each day, brandishing tools that animals in the jungle feared. Those who fled to Manland were reared as livestock—killed for occasions, or tamed—forced to work day in and day out! This is why the Jungle of Ahodwo has no King. The survivors live by their strength, hunting each other for food just as man hunts them. Nothing prompts them to come together, to select a better leader or to fight man with a united front … Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia ©July 2020 edited by Koku Dotse