BAMBOOS AND THE WOODPECKER

Once upon a time,
Bamboos were the most feared plants in the forest
They wore their honour like warriors
And were ready to fight any leaf,
…any branches
…any stone
Which as much as touched their sticks
Even rains were not spared their brunts

II
One day,
A very desperate woodworker was roaming the forest
And heard bamboos shouting at a woodpecker
The wood worker who was obsessed with woodpeckers
…and stalked them in his bid to know the best woods in the forest
Followed the sounds of bamboos to their location

III
It was then that the woodworker took a good look
…at bamboos
He felt instantly that the plants could replace woods
…in unique ways
After hearing bamboos shouting on a woodpecker
…to send its beak to a weaker tree acting tough

IV
He took out his machete
…and cut many down to the horror of the whole forest
Even the peaceful air celebrated the shock by turning wind
The woodworker could only carry three of the bamboos
But he went home and brought many hands to help
…cut and carry the rest to his shop
And ever since, bamboos have known no peace from woodworkers
It was then that it dawned on the whole forest
That –

V
Sometimes, bamboo plants need to hush
…to stop the rush
…of Mpapahene’s machete
And save themselves from adding to his stash
For it is not all provocations which need punching allocations
This is why bamboos face unnatural deaths
…and are used for many things
…which aid man in many ways today
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © July 5, 2020