Adaeze Chinemelum iloka

South East, Nigeria.

Once upon a time, a Tree Whisperer

I know a boy who lived! A boy who lived hopping from tree to tree. A monkey! Enwe! OSA! He liked to call himself. The trees spoke to him and he listened. He knew when to crawl, hug, kiss and jump around those trees. Some called him “the Tree Whisperer” and he didn’t even mind. All that mattered was his precious trees. He’d climb and climb and climb and climb. He’d laugh and smile and cry when the trees were sad. Some called it madness! No ! It wasn’t madness to Waili the Tree Whisperer! It was passion! Love for the beautiful nature that Chukwu Obinigwe, entrusted into our care. Waili went from village to village, making barren and dry trees come to life. Until one day, a storm came and everyone was afraid to take him in! The people of Azusa watched Waili shiver and shake and cry, and no one went to his aid. He ran! He ran to his dear trees. From tree to tree he hopped on! Wishing! Hoping that the people he did so much for would come to his rescue. He died on the ninth day of the storm, and they gathered around his lifeless body wrapped around a tree and wept. The boy they didn’t extend healing hands for, they ate and drank for.