Tatu pulls Dingo Pingo’s bag to the car. Isabella holds Dingo’s hand as they all walk across the compound.
They begin their journey to Entebbe airport very early in the morning.
“I still want to travel in Africa,” Dingo Pingo says to Justinian.
Justinian smiles at his best friend. “Perhaps you will be an archeologist, Dingo, and work on the East African coast, like you dreamed.”
“I want to travel not only by book, and by film, and by music, and by dreams. I want to also travel by aeroplane, by bus, by foot, by bicycle.”
“Come back soon! Bring Jacob! We will travel!” Justinian is jubilant.
“Uncle? When I return with Jacob, can we go to Murchison Falls?” I want to see the hippos at night. Can we go, Uncle?”
”Of course!” Uncle smiles at the bright and curious children.
The family shuts the car doors and Uncle drives the car from the compound. Anansi watches the family drive away. As they roll along the murram road, Dingo Pingo sees the school building. Mrs Nnakku’s questions will stay on his mind.
Uncle’s car passes a group of men working on the road.
“Hundreds of years ago,” says Uncle, “villagers donated their time and muscles to clean and clear the roads. They did this to prevent the roads from disappearing into the bush.”
He continues, “Chiefs organized this volunteer time. Everyone was expected to do it, but rich people could afford to pay poor people to take their turn. Since independence, the organization of volunteer workers has decreased.”
Justinian sees that the group of working men includes the village leader. He waves to Mr. Katamba. “What are they doing here, Dad?”
“The group is filling in a swamp to keep this road from flooding. They are volunteering their time, just like in the old days.
Dingo Pingo is amazed, “History comes to us even while driving past in a car!”
anansi99@hotmail.com